Revolution Solo versus Realist

wisemonkey · #1 02-08-2010, 04:05 PM

In have tried both the revolution solo II and the realist on 2 different basses, one cheap with a weak, nasal acoustic sound - and my new bass, a lovely (and considerably more expensive ) instrument with a deep rich acoustic tone. The result was similar with both basses, the revolution sounded better, a more natural, open, and woody tone. The realist was mushy, lacking definition and more prone to feedback. I did manage to get a fairly good sound after some careful EQing but it sounded more artificial than the revolution. Both were going into a Radial PZ pre with the piezo buffer engaged.
I'm reluctant to write off the realist as so many good players use it. Maybe it just doesn't suit my bass, or have I missed a trick in exploiting it's potential? Any feedback of the non howling variety welcome

Greg Clinkingbeard · #2 02-08-2010, 09:53 PM

It doesn't work well on your bass. There isn't much more to it than that.

greitzer · #3 02-12-2010, 12:36 PM

wisemonkey, I am assuming you used the same amplifier in both cases (because that could make quite a difference). If the amp was the same in both cases, then I wouldn't worry about whether you've missed something. There are so many variables in this -- the bass, the amp, the strings, the pickup, etc.

I'd go with what your ears tell you. If the Rev Solo II works for you, go with it. It is a relatively inexpensive (at least last time I checked) pikcup and if it works for you, great.

Jaromir · #4 02-12-2010, 02:05 PM

Just two advices about the Realist:
Don't use the preamp, the Realist might sound better straight into the amp.
If it still doesn't sound right, try to move the pickup under the leg just a little. Moving it slightly aside (one way or the other) might make a big difference.
If neither of this helps, forget about the Realist, your bass just doesn't like it. It happens sometimes.

jahan · #5 02-15-2010, 08:16 PM

I'm thinking my bass doesn't like the realist either. I'm also thinking it's not as powerful as when I first bought it. Has this happened to anyone else?

AMJBASS · #6 02-16-2010, 07:36 AM

I think that there is just so much pressure on the piezo crystal of the Realist that they just wear out after a while. I don't use one any more(switched to the Full Circle), but they do sound good. I haven't tried the "new" one out yet. It has slightly different construction than the original.

Les Fret · #7 02-16-2010, 09:53 AM

I had the exact same experience with the Realist compared to my Full Circle as Wisemonkey. See this thread:
my Realist and Full Circle comparison

sfmag1 · #8 02-19-2010, 10:50 PM

Mine sounded ok but crapped out on me-intermittent at the wire to foil joint.I could not get much string or cut through out of it,even with a Fishman BII preamp.

What are your thoughts on a pup for straight ahead jazz,minimal bowing? Double Big Twin,Bass Max,FC,Rev solo II?

JGintheHam · #9 02-27-2010, 12:55 AM

I have found that my '59 Kay loved the Reaslist with gut strings (now has an Underwood). Great warm, punchy natural tone. My carved Hungarian strung with Evah's did not get along with it at all!!! This particular bass is very deep and pushes a lot of low tone out. I tried EQing it out, but failed at all my attempts.

I chatted with Upton and got the RSII and like it a lot. It sounds like my bass. This weekend I am going to do a comparison with my Underwood to see if it is an improvement. I have only had it for 8 months now and am still in the trial and error stage. My amp I am using for this experiment is the MB150.

Probably post some sound clips as well.