Revolution Solo II

[charmicarmicat]

There's a thread in the newbie links about the RS that is rather long (11 pages) and sifting through it for info on the RS II is like looking for a needle in hay stack. I was wondering if anyone would opposed to starting a thread about the RS II exclusively. Comparisons with other pick ups, with the older version, installation (bridge reduction or shaving pick up off) etc etc etc. I am curious to hear what everyone has to say. If such a post does exist please feel free to delete or ignore this post but please point me in the right direction so I can read what folks have to say.
Thanks.

[bolo]

I've used both versions of the RS. I think in general everything in that monster thread about the original still applies pretty much to the newer version. The basic tonal characteristics are pretty much the same IMO. Fitting and installation hasn't really changed either. The big differences in the RS II are:

(1) Stronger output signal than the original.
(2) Less infrasonics.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by bolo

I've used both versions of the RS. I think in general everything in that monster thread about the original still applies pretty much to the newer version. The basic tonal characteristics are pretty much the same IMO. Fitting and installation hasn't really changed either. The big differences in the RS II are:

(1) Stronger output signal than the original.
(2) Less infrasonics.

bolo has nailed it. There are also a number of improvements that have been made in the overall design that render it even less finicky about input impedance and provide less susceptibility to noise and hum.

[Rocky]

I have a christopher 200 series bass and an RSII, i have played it through P.A.'s, my RB1001 and an SWR workingman 12, so far i really like this pickup, its resistant to feedback, sounds like my bass, and looks decent with the bridge.

[charmicarmicat]

Thank you all for replying. My computer use was limited hence me not being able to post. Sorry about that.
I have one as well and it seems good so far although I've had some slight feedback trouble and the pick is "microphonic". According to the fine folks at Upton it could be because it is in a bit too snug. I run mine through a pre-Fender SWR California Blonde combo. Going to jam this week with a rather loud free Jazz drum/alto sax/lap top trio. I'll let everyone know the details.
The only thing i was trying to do was to condense the info on this pick up in one thread but since the difference between the RS II and RS I are not that many...

[clink]

I've really been happy with mine, although it recently developed a problem causing distortion on lower notes. I sent it back to UB and they are sending me a new one. No questions asked.

[malpasso]

On reading posts about the RS pickup, concern arises not only about output and volume issues, but also about the "cutting through the mix onstage" problem. I'm split between Double Big Twin and Revolution Solo 2 as my first pickup choice. Reviews on the revolution point out the natural character of the pickup, but some say "good for my bedroom only" due to the reasons underlined at the beginning of my post.
Would you say, as RSII users, that those problems have been solved in the Solo II version?

[drurb]

Originally Posted by malpasso

On reading posts about the RS pickup, concern arises not only about output and volume issues, but also about the "cutting through the mix onstage" problem. I'm split between Double Big Twin and Revolution Solo 2 as my first pickup choice. Reviews on the revolution point out the natural character of the pickup, but some say "good for my bedroom only" due to the reasons underlined at the beginning of my post.
Would you say, as RSII users, that those problems have been solved in the Solo II version?

As was stated earlier in this thread, the output "problem" has been solved. The RSII has substantially higher output than the original version. I assume that the "cutting through the mix" and "good for my bedroom only" were related to the relatively low output of the original RS. So, those criticisms would seem no longer to apply.

I have found the RSII to be a very natural sounding pickup on my basses. As with any pickup, and that certainly includes the Big Twin, it is possible for there to be meaningful differences across basses. A minority have reported that the RSII just doesn't seem to work well with their basses. Again, I believe that is no more or less true for the RSII than it is for any pickup.

[bolo]

If your bass is really dark sounding and you prefer a tone w/ a lot of string emphasis, then the Double Big Twin might work well. But I think you can get a similar tone w/ the RS w/ the "R" symbol facing the strings, perhaps with more overall balance.

FWIW, I have used the Double Big Twin, the Bass Max, the Rev Solo I and II.

And on my bass, the DBT never sounded what I would call particularly "natural" or "woody." The DBT had IMO a very mid-rangey "bridge-like" tone with a lot of string emphasis and not a lot of body. I guess that would cut through a mix all right, but it never sounded very natural to me. Of course some people probably dig that tone. I go for a more blunt old school sound myself.

When I had the Bass Max and the DBT on my bass, I heavily favored the Bass Max, and just added a touch of the DBT sometimes for some additional bite. Never quite got it dialed in the way I thought I would, and I tried different distances from the strings, different placements on the face of the bridge, top side of the bridge, bottom side, and so on.

Oh .. and like others have attested, the RS II does not IMO suffer from any problems w/ low output. I would say it is roughly speaking about twice as hot as the original.

But like drurb said, some people and some basses just don't like it. But mine does FWIW.

All just my opinion and experiences of course.

[charmicarmicat]

So I did this late night jam session with a loud drummer and sax/laptop guy. It was in small studio with carpeted concrete floor and walls. Very dead sounding. For the first hour or so I was facing the drummer. Not a good idea. Because of him being loud, the bass picked up some of the kick's vibrations and of course that could be heard through the pick up/amp. After figuring that one out, obviously I'm not that bright as it took some time, we made room for me to be able to be at the drummer's side and that changed everything. It sounded great. My bass but louder. The pick up is a little "live" sounding so as I said above and per Upton's advice I'm going to sand a bit off and see what gives. Also you may want to put something around the input jack, piece of paper towel or something like that so it doesn't hit your tail piece as the pick up may react to it.

[MT Spaces]

Originally Posted by charmicarmicat

... The pick up is a little "live" sounding so as I said above and per Upton's advice I'm going to sand a bit off and see what gives. Also you may want to put something around the input jack, piece of paper towel or something like that so it doesn't hit your tail piece as the pick up may react to it.

I also have a Rev Solo II and have been pleased with the sound so far. In another thread I wrote: "My Solo PUP sounds much fuller and earthier with the piezo "RS" marking pointed toward the top of the bass than away from it."

I don't know if you have tried different orientations or not but it can make a difference. My sound was thin and trebly with the other orientation. Be careful, don't sand too much, the PUP needs to fit "relatively" tight in my experience. Sorry I know "relative" doesn't really help much . Good Luck, you should be able to get a great sound out of the Solo II.

[charmicarmicat]

Forgot to mention one thing: Moving the RS II around (sideway, up, down etc.) really does make a difference as well.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by charmicarmicat

Forgot to mention one thing: Moving the RS II around (sideway, up, down etc.) really does make a difference as well.

Indeed it does. There is a definite "sweet spot." I have a pencil mark on mine so I can re-align it with the bridge wing in case it gets moved.

[Ben Rolston]

In terms of thickness, what are the sound differences. Is tighter brighter (oh yeah that rhymed)?

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Ben Rolston

In terms of thickness, what are the sound differences. Is tighter brighter (oh yeah that rhymed)?

The Rev Solo has to be fit "just right." If it is too tight, vibration of the piezo element will be inhibited, leading to a funny "constrained" sound. If it is too loose, the output will be very low and somewhat devoid of the lower/mid frequencies.

[clink]

I just installed a new one that Eric sent as a replacement. It fits nice and tight (any tighter and it wouldn't go in) and sounds much better than the last one. Setting dead center in the wing seems to be the most neutral sounding. Moving it towards the tailpiece is warmer and away from the tailpiece gives more definition. Curiously, the older one was microphonic if I adjusted it with the amp up it seemed to be more prone to feedback. Of course, until it gigs I won't really know.

[hgrind]

I've decided to buy the Revolution Solo II pick-up. It has been recommended to me by one the greater norwegian jazz bassists, who always uses that one over the realist, which is also installed on his bass.

But I was wondering, and I hope it's ok to ask this in this thread; does anyone know how the RS II will work with the Phil Jones Bass Buddy or the Radial Bassbone? I need a preamp/DI between my electric and upright and the mixer, and have thought about those two.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by hgrind

I've decided to buy the Revolution Solo II pick-up. It has been recommended to me by one the greater norwegian jazz bassists, who always uses that one over the realist, which is also installed on his bass.

But I was wondering, and I hope it's ok to ask this in this thread; does anyone know how the RS II will work with the Phil Jones Bass Buddy or the Radial Bassbone? I need a preamp/DI between my electric and upright and the mixer, and have thought about those two.

The passive input on the Bass Buddy has a 4 Mohm impedance. The Rev Solo II "likes" 1 Mohm or higher so you should be good to go.

I could not find impedance specs for the Bassbone. They seem not to be listed in the downloadable manual.

[edge83]

I highly doubt this, but is there any type of deal to 'upgrade' sending in your RSI for a RSII, etc?
Thanks

[drurb]

Originally Posted by edge83

I highly doubt this, but is there any type of deal to 'upgrade' sending in your RSI for a RSII, etc?
Thanks

Who knows? Give 'em a call. Maybe they'll give you a "nice price" on the RSII.