Realist I vs. II

[bassbuddy]

Is there any diffence in tone, output, or feedback resistance between the first version of the Realist (which uses the two piezo dots) vs. the current version (which uses piezo film)? Any thoughts appreciated.

[musicman5string]

imo, yeah there is; I say this because I recorded my old one before I got the (new) one and I'd say the new version is alot better. It's alot louder, doesn't sound as "hollow", and is more focused.

Now, to me the new one still isn't all that great, and sure as hell doesn't sound natural, and I prefer my underwood, but an improvement over version 1? Yes.

[Andy Allen]

I have a new one - at least I bought it fairly recently and it has the new plug on it compared to Marco's realist (we did a quick pick-up swap when I bought his bass).

However it does have the two piezo dots. I find it to have a high output level, and it needs a high impedance (the 10 MegOhms input on my Solctice or the 'high' switch on my AI amp are both fine, but it sounds very hollow into a lower impedance).

I have found that two things affect the sound of the Realist dramatically - the impedance match, as mentioned above, and a solid seating under the bridge foot. Even a slight tilt to the foot seems to cause a problem, resulting in much more of that ugly peizo 'honk.' And it isn't easy to get it to sit just right under the foot. That's my only real beef with the Realist - it just doesn't allow the bridge foot to contact the body of the bass as completely as the bridge does alone.

Still, when fitted well and impedance matched it sounds as good as I could probably expect from a piezo - and mixed with a mic. it sounds pretty good.

Andy

[Alain Bass]

Originally Posted by bassbuddy

Is there any diffence between the first version of the Realist (which uses the two piezo dots) vs. the current version (which uses piezo film)?

Since when the new Realist is available?
I have a 5 years old Eminence upright bass, and would like to check mine.
Alain