Revolution SOLO Pickup Reviews - Page 4

JimmyM · #61 05-13-2005, 11:50 AM

Eric Roy once said on another thread somewhere that shimming isn't the best idea, as it's made to be a coupling between the pickup and the bridge wood and works best that way. But once the wood's been sanded off, it's gone, so what to do if this happens?

Eric Rene Roy · #62 05-13-2005, 12:38 PM

Hello to all.

Well, we have had a good run so far! About 50+ posts with very favorable feedback about our pickup from some very well respected TB’ers. For that, Gary and I thank you!

Customer feedback/criticism during the development years helped us to make the RS what it is today. The last few posts about output levels being almost unusable really have us looking into things. We have determined in a recent batch there were a few pickups constructed incorrectly. This is limited to 5, possibly 10 units that were shipped within the timeframe of 4/29 through 5/6. If you received a pickup that was shipped during this timeframe and are experiencing extremely low output levels, please contact me directly with your full name, address, and phone number. eroy@uptonbass.com

To our FUTURE Revolution Solo user’s, please know that we have instituted many quality control measures to insure this does not happen again.

I wish to express our regret that this has occurred. Because this has happened, we feel the RS is now better than ever! The Revolution Solo really is a labor of our love, and it makes our day to hear fellow bassists enjoying them.

Cheers,

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #63 05-13-2005, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e=mj2

Perhaps the difference you're hearing is related to the difference in output and impedance of the two pickups. It might be useful if you could borrow a good quality two-channel preamp and preset the levels in order to run identical levels into the main amp.

This is an excellent suggestion. Can anybody who is noticing a large difference in output levels try this? If so, please post!

#64 05-16-2005, 09:07 PM

I've read as much about pre-amps and pickups as I can, but I still don't understand one thing. Many of you guys have mentioned that the Revolution SOLO has a lower output level than other pickups, such as the K&K Bass Max, which has a high output level in comparison to most. If you used the SOLO pickup with a preamp like the K&K Power Pack, though, would this matter? From what I understand, you could just boost the input signal to a workable level. Is it still too quiet after doing this, preamp guys? I'm interested in this pickup but I need to be able to get some volume. Thanks a lot for all the information, eroy (great customer service, man!) and everyone else.

Peace.

JimmyM · #65 05-17-2005, 01:31 AM

I don't think the difference in volume is all that great with the Rev Solo as opposed to my electric basses, which have 62 reissue Fender pickups or EMG's. It's a little quieter but not all that much. You can preamp them, but simply turning up the amp a little works just fine and doesn't color the tone as much as a preamp. I'm a firm believer in keeping the signal path as simple as possible. ANd sometimes preamping can cause more problems than it solves.

hensonbass · #66 05-24-2005, 10:38 AM

I just installed the Rev. SOLO pickup yesterday. The R side is facing outward and its a good snug fit but not too tight. It produces a small amount of output compared to the Max or the Realist. When I plug into my Focus amp directly I have to turn both the pre-vol. and master knobs up all the way to get a good amount of sound.

So now I'm running it through my K&K dual chan. pre and turning the internal gain adj. all the way up and it seems to produce enough sound to where I can use it on my louder gigs. It still does not equal the gain staging I had using my Realist.

I think the sound is good overall. Has more high end response than the realist and doesn't get as woofy in the low end - I just wish it had more output. On the bright side I had a hard time producing feedback.

If I was just playing jazz gigs this would be perfect but I also play some louder rock gigs as well (pizz and bowing) so
I think I need that extra gain.

bassbuddy · #67 05-24-2005, 12:27 PM

Eric - are you certain that the output issue is a sporadic manufacturing anomaly and not a part of the inherent design? I'm ready to try one, but I need high (or at least decent) output as many others have indicated.

drurb · #68 05-24-2005, 05:03 PM

I've been keeping up with the various posts concerning the Revolution Solo pickup and output levels. I have an "early" version of the RS and really do like it. The first thing I noticed after switching from my K&K BassMax was that the RS had a lower output level. That was not surprising given that the K&K is a very "hot" pickup. In practice, this was not a problem as I simply needed to turn up the amp. Apparently for some, this does not work well enough.

Ignoring the small batch of pickups from Upton that did not meet specs, my own experience suggests that if you are having output probems, the fit probably is not adequate. It really is a bit touchy and you have to get it just right. Too loose a fit yields poor mechanical/acoustical coupling while too tight a fit will restrict the vibration of the piezo element. Also, sliding the pickup up and down (toward the nut or toward the tailpiece) can make a huge difference. There is a definite "sweet spot."

With regard to using two RS pickups, the drawbacks will outweigh any benefits. The theoretical maximum increase you can achieve this way is 6 dB, a condition that will occur if you can manage to drive the two pickups perfectly in phase. Given the physical separation of two bridge-wing pickups, whether their output adds constructively or destructively will depend upon the frequency of the vibration. One must consider the fundamental and overtones of any note played and dual pickups will likely result in what is referred to as a "comb-filtered" frequency response. In plain English, peaks and valleys in the response across frequency.

One could employ an outboard pre-amp to boost the level of the RS. If that is done, one must be careful not to overload the "front-end" of the amp to which it is connected. Such overload conditions will be heard as objectionable distortion, especially at the highest levels. That is, when you really dig into the string.

With regard to amplifier settings themselves, you really can't expect the settings that worked for one pickup to be anywhere near optimum for another. When you plug in the RS, you have to start over. When setting the gains, you are likely to have the most success by setting the "master" on your amp reasonably high and bringing up the individual channel control to the desired level. This configuration is preferred because it minimizes the potential for distortion that could arise in the inter-stages of the amplifier. When you cut back on the master, you limit the gain across the power amp stage. In contrast, keeping the master high allows for the full gain across the power amp. The downside of running the power amp section "wide open" like this is increased amplifier noise (hiss, hum, etc.) all of which are usually very well masked once you and your band-mates
begin to play. In a hi-fi setting the pre-amp/power-amp gains are tweaked for optimization of distortion and signal-to-noise ratio but that's another world (and web site) entirely!

I hope some of you find this helpful.

Les

hensonbass · #69 05-24-2005, 11:14 PM

I decided to call Upton and explain what was going on with my pickup and they told me to send it back. They seem to think it has a defect.

I guess I'll find out soon enough what's going on. I want this pickup to work out for me cause I'd rather not go with the Realist again.

JimmyM · #70 05-25-2005, 01:34 AM

The guys at Upton are great guys and really want people to think their pickup is the best out there. Hats off to them taking back pickups that may have too low output.

But I think I got a normal one, and the output is plenty. True, it doesn't quite have the output of my Fender basses, but if I need real thunder out of it all I have to do is crank it up. And the difference isn't that great. Besides, there seems to be clever marketing schemes that equate "hot" with "good tone." This is not so. Some of the best pickups I've ever used have been a little lacking in output. So if you get a tone you like out of the Rev Solo, then I think slightly lower output is not really an issue. But that's just me...

Paul Warburton · #71 05-25-2005, 04:43 AM

I'm really amazed that so many of you are having these gain problems with the RS. Although I still haven't tried it on my fiver, on two different four stringers, I must have hit the 'sweet spot'. I just couldn't use any more gain.
More than anything, i'm still impressed with this pick-up in terms of making the basses sound like their inherent personalities.
The way Gary and Eric are standing behind this product is great.

Eric Rene Roy · #72 05-25-2005, 03:02 PM

Hi All,

I just wanted to post a few pictures of a pickup someone is claiming as defective. Clearly this pickup was 1) sanded too far and 2) pulled by the wires aggressively.

http://www.stringrepair.com/temp/Revolution_001.JPG

http://www.stringrepair.com/temp/Revolution_002.JPG

Now we will be sending this person a new pickup so that they can try again, hopefully using more care both in handling and installation.

Just a word of caution...like your bass these are made of wood, and they can break when handled carelessly.

Also...for anyone who has not seen it, there are updated installation instructions located here:

http://www.clefmusic.com/revolution_solo_install.htm

Again, thanks as always for the feedback (no pun intended) and encouraging words!

AMJBASS · #73 06-07-2005, 12:32 PM

I just ordered the Revolution Solo and am definitely looking forward to it. I am using a similar pickup right now but I am hoping for a little more natural high end.

Paul, have you tried the pickup with your five string yet? It would be interesting to see what the balance across all 5 strings would be like.

Paul Warburton · #74 06-07-2005, 05:22 PM

I'm in the process of trying to put the RS on the fiver. So far, as I suspected, the G is a little light volume wise. I'll try it on the G side next. See how the low B comes out.

Phranc · #75 06-08-2005, 09:59 PM

Has anyone tried this pickup with gut strings (or even better, velvets) and high action? Would there be any difference in the naturalness of the sound?

Phranc · #76 06-08-2005, 10:03 PM

One other thing. there have been a lot of reviews where the rs was used through a gk mb150 but not a whole lot with more high powered rigs. I've just started using an eden traveler 400 through a bag end s15-c for louder gigs. Would there be any difference through a rig like that at higher volumes?

JimmyM · #77 06-09-2005, 01:17 AM

Phranc, I have an Upton bass with the Rev Solo and gut strings, and as much as I liked it when it had Obligatos on it, I like it even more with guts. My action is pretty low now, but I've had it very high, too, and the sound is pretty much the same with or without high action.

And my rig is pretty high-powered...an SWR SM-500 thru a Tube Works 4 x 10", and yes, the naturalness is still there. Like everyone on here says, it sounds like my bass, only louder. And it's very very feedback resistant. I actually have to work to make it feedback.

bolo · #78 08-03-2005, 06:43 PM

I apologize if this is old news, but it was new to me. And more apologies for posting to an old thread.

But today I noticed an endorsement (of sorts) for the Revolution SOLO pickup from Rufus Reid on the Upton web site :

“I put the pickup on my second bass and it really sounds very good. I was impressed also at the overall output volume. I think you have a good product, sir!“

[ Sorry that I could not include the entire URL in this post for some funky reason, but you can go to http://uptonbass.com/catalog and then click on "More Details" under the Revolution SOLO if you like. ].

I’m assuming that his “first” bass still sports a Schertler DYN-B and an AMT mic. (At least I’m pretty sure I read that here on TB in one or more posts.) His endorsement on the Schertler site at http://www.schertlerusa.com/dyn-doublebass.htm is still there along with his picture, and is quite a bit longer and more emphatic.

However, I found this interesting nevertheless.

drurb · #79 08-03-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bolo

I apologize if this is old news, but it was new to me. And more apologies for posting to an old thread.

But today I noticed an endorsement (of sorts) for the Revolution SOLO pickup from Rufus Reid on the Upton web site :

“I put the pickup on my second bass and it really sounds very good. I was impressed also at the overall output volume. I think you have a good product, sir!“

[ Sorry that I could not include the entire URL in this post for some funky reason, but you can go to http://uptonbass.com/catalog and then click on "More Details" under the Revolution SOLO if you like. ].

I’m assuming that his “first” bass still sports a Schertler DYN-B and an AMT mic. (At least I’m pretty sure I read that here on TB in one or more posts.) His endorsement on the Schertler site at http://www.schertlerusa.com/dyn-doublebass.htm is still there along with his picture, and is quite a bit longer and more emphatic.

However, I found this interesting nevertheless.

This is also interesting:

Cost of Schertler DYN-B and an AMT mic: ~$1100

Cost of Revolution Solo: $99.00

Eric Jackson · #80 08-04-2005, 09:33 AM

A couple questions for Gary or Eric, if I may:

1- If one found the Revolution Solo pickup too thin due to different bass, new bridge, dryness, oversanding or whatever, could one glue a small square of spruce to the non- R side then resand to fit? (Hide glue, of course.) This instead of shimming.

2- Because the pickup body is spruce, is its fit liable to change due to climate, i.e. winter dryness causing the pickup and bridge to shrink, resulting in a looser fit?