The Realist-Delay with the attack time?

stringbassist · #1 02-01-2008, 02:03 PM

I am thinking of trying a new pickup. I own a Stat-B, Bass Max, Underwood. I've read that most players enjoy using the Realist.
Is it worth checking out or should I stick with what I have?

Although I did own a realist very briefly when it first came out. I did notice that there was a delay in the attack or response time. This was a distraction to me and it was returned.

Has anyone experienced this "attack/delay" issue? Also I have read that from the pressure of it sitting under the bridge, it leaves a small impression on the bass. Is this an issue?
Thanks-
Joseph

fingers · #2 02-01-2008, 02:31 PM

I've been a Realist user for 8 or 9 years. No problems with attack delay. The older version did have two little piezo disks in it. They do leave a little mark but in a spot that no one will ever see (besides your luthier). My understanding is that the new one is a piezo film instead.

salcott · #3 02-01-2008, 03:23 PM

I used a Realist since it came out and never noticed any delay, arco or pizz.

stringbassist · #4 02-01-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

I've been a Realist user for 8 or 9 years. No problems with attack delay. The older version did have two little piezo disks in it. They do leave a little mark but in a spot that no one will ever see (besides your luthier). My understanding is that the new one is a piezo film instead.

Thanks for the info. The idea using a film element was interesting. So I called David Gage and asked about the pickup. I was told that the film piezo is not the realist but a copy. They did recommend that the new style Realist is available made out of wood and not copper. They insisted that the sound was identical.
Anyone try the new wood Realist?

Jaromir · #5 02-02-2008, 03:56 AM

The thing is, though, that so far we had TWO kinds of the Realist with totally DIFFERENT sound:
The original one with mellow sound, for which it became so popular and the newer version, with much brighter sound and hotter signal. These two is impossible to distinguish visually, because even those units with kind of new design (thicker and differently shaped wire etc.) sometimes fall into the "original" category soundwise...

stringbassist · #6 02-03-2008, 02:24 AM

Hey Jaromir-
That's helpful. Thanks for the info.

stringbassist · #7 02-03-2008, 06:33 PM

I guess it was fate. I found a Realist for sale in the paper. I bought it plugged it in and it's great, no delay in the attack. Actually it sounds the best out of ALL the pickups I own or have owned. Which has been more than I care to remember.

Hey Jaromir-
I think that you can see the difference between the old and new models.
This realist I just bought has to be the old version. It sure looks like it.
Plus it doesn't say "Realist" on it. Just has an "R" followed by some numbers.

Thanks guys for your input.