Preamp ideas - Realist into Eden

Cairobill · #1 11-15-2007, 10:37 AM

Hi

I posted earlier about problems with my Realist going into my Eden combo - horrible tone, very microphonic, all mids and no beef - the upshot is I need to get a preamp to deal with an impedance mismatch.

There was a handmade preamp that was recommended which isn't an option as the guy who makes them (a tbeer) is unable to ship internationally.

SO - as this will be a blind purchase, is there anyone using a preamp to match up the realist with an eden head? Any recommendations?

The Fishman pro-eq goes for about 90 pounds and looks like a safe option.

Cheers

C

winston · #2 11-15-2007, 11:19 AM

The first pickup on my bass was a Realist. Plugged into my Eden WT-400 it sounded woofy and indistinct whether or not I used a Fishman Platinum Pro preamp. The Eden has an input impedance of 1 MegOhm, which I've found to be OK for piezos.

I find a bigger difference in sound/response between an input of impedance of say 300 or 500 KOhms and 1 MegOhm than I do between 1 MegOhm and 10 Meg (which the Fishman has). That's just my experience. It's also very important to use a short, high quality (low capacitance) cable between pickup and pre or amp input. I didn't like the Realist--even with a preamp it didn't have any bite or growl on my laminated bass--so I moved on to other pickups (BassMax, RS SOlo, Underwood, Stat-B) that I like better.

seamonkey · #3 11-15-2007, 12:20 PM

I was using a Realist with
http://www.behringer.com/ADI21/index.cfm?lang=eng
It worked fine until the Realist broke. (Mechanical issue)

I still use the preamp - still going strong. Low noise, good tone range. Good DI. Too bad it doesn't take phantom power. "Blend" knob all the way off (It's a bad name for a distortion knob)

WovenGraphite · #4 11-15-2007, 03:07 PM

There is this guy, with a variable input load (pot).
The price isn't really in your range but with the Euro where it is, you can still save...

Check the BG/Amp section of TB, you should be able to find plenty of review/info on it

Jaromir · #5 11-15-2007, 03:59 PM

In my opinion there must be other reason, why your Realist doesn't sound O.K. with the Eden, than the impedance mismatch. Actually, I don't think there is any at all. Besides that, the Realist is VERY impedance tolerant.
There are other issues with the Realist, though - sometimes it just doesn't work with a certain instrument. If it works, then it's the best pickup, in my opinion, which works well with basically any amp. In other words, in your case I would try a different pickup. I suspect your bass is the case where the Realist just doesn't work, IMO.

Cairobill · #6 11-15-2007, 04:38 PM

If it's not an impedance issue then there is a serious lack of love between my bass and the pickup - my bass sounds great acoustically and mic'd but through the realist it is a fun-free experience - super yuk sound. Maybe I should sell it and move on...

C

WovenGraphite · #7 11-15-2007, 05:56 PM

The realist really have to be placed well under the E string side of the bridge... for me , if the bridge itself is not at the right place, it sounds crappy. The setup of the bass is always to blame for me when the Realist doesn't perform. Just my 2 cents.

ToneRanger · #8 11-15-2007, 09:03 PM

I've used various piezos with and without preamp into my Eden and not found any difference in sound. The Eden's input impedance is fine. You may find a preamp that gives you extra EQ options to deal with the issues, but I'm pretty sure your problem is not an impedance mismatch.
I found my under-bridge pickups were very finicky until I started adding a shim of cork or gasket material under them to help them seat better.