RS II vs. Full Circle

[Jake]

The kind of only pickup I've ever used is the Underwood. I am seriously considering finding a better pickup. I've heard good things about the Fishman Full Circle, but I don't want the wires and input jack on my bass when I'm playing classical music. It just doesn't look good and could influence people in hiring me for orchestral gigs. How does the easily removable RS II compare with the Full Circle?

[hdiddy]

With the FC, you're stuck it on unless you take the bridge off of the bass and remove the pickup and stick a normal adjuster in. In that sense, it's semi-permanent.

The RS is very very easy. The only thing that would stay on your bass is a plastic clip and the 1/4"->RCA adapter that would stay on the tailpiece and would be in it. It's hardly noticeable as it can be hidden behind the tailpiece. If you don't use the plastic clip and somehow find a different way to mount the adapter, then there'll be no signs that you were using a pickup at all. You'd have to make some kind of mount that can clip on the strings similar to what's used with the FC, or something of that nature. I'm sure it can be done.

[Jake]

How would you compare the RS II's tone to that of the Full Circle?

[Uncletoad]

You could use an RSII with a Fishman style tailpiece clip jack. They both use an RCA connector. That way it's fully removable. The RSII is an excellent pickup. Not as rich and deep as the FC but articulate and great sounding all the same. For your application I think that would be the best compromise.

[hdiddy]

I think you'll find that the RS (and FC) sounds different on every bass, and is set up with every bass. Just like any pickup, certain ones don't work at all on certain basses.

With the RS, this is a big degree of difference among how the player can fit the RS into the bridge wing. For instance, I like mine super loose. A light tap and the pickup element will come flying out of the bridge. However, I've turned my teacher onto these pickups (he was once an FC user too) and he likes it really really tight. So tight you have you shove it in firmly. He says he gets the best sound that way. Diff'rent strokes.

As for the FC, I liked the bottom-end half-position money notes that it could put out. Really nice there, but the more you went up closer into thumb position, the more pingy it sounded. Drove me nuts. It could've been the setup of the fingerboard, but my bass doesn't do that acoustically. Compared to the FC, the RS was alot more consistent and accurate than the FC.

[fish slapper]

Interesting thread. I'm having the same thoughts. I am hoping to join a community orchestra in the near future (as a side project) and I also considered that I would need to either hide or remove my FC. I still have my RSII as a back up. But I'm still liking the FC on my bass as the pup of choice.

Of course, since I have a blonde laminate, I have bigger issues in being "orchestra presentable". At least I have a black suit.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

You could use an RSII with a Fishman style tailpiece clip jack. They both use an RCA connector. That way it's fully removable. The RSII is an excellent pickup. Not as rich and deep as the FC but articulate and great sounding all the same. For your application I think that would be the best compromise.

Thanks guys! Where could I find a Fishman style clip jack to hook up the the RS II? I like that idea: I've always thought Fishman had the best input jack design of any pickup: no chance for buzzing like with the Underwood or the Realist.

[hdiddy]

Originally Posted by Jake

Thanks guys! Where could I find a Fishman style clip jack to hook up the the RS II? I like that idea: I've always thought Fishman had the best input jack design of any pickup: no chance for buzzing like with the Underwood or the Realist.

You could DIY. You just need some sheetmetal cutters to cut a strip wide enough for the thing, some sheetmetal of some sort (not too thick that you couldn't bend it), some pliers, a drill to drill the hole for the jack - drill press would be great, and then go to parts express to find a 1/4 jack that uses a nut so you can mount it.

One other way I had mulled about in the past is to make a sleeve that would house both the 1/4->RCA adapter while having long velcro strips on the other side. You could do it this way to both house the adapter while dampening the strings to prevent feedback. Catch my drift?

Oh yeah, when I used to use an FC, I bought some plastic clips that had an adhesive backing from Radio Smack. I'd attach the clips to the back of the tailpiece and then clip the FC 1/4->RCA jack there, completely hidden from most people. You just see the cable into the bridge adjuster going behind my tailpiece. It was really elegant, but the adhesive didn't last forever, but it was long enough and the clips were plenty cheap. The cable for the RS might be a little short but you could also jerry rig something that would work as well.

There's nothing that says you have to make your own metal mount that gets held by tension between two strings in the afterlengths.

[Bob Gollihur]

Originally Posted by Jake

Thanks guys! Where could I find a Fishman style clip jack to hook up the the RS II? I like that idea: I've always thought Fishman had the best input jack design of any pickup: no chance for buzzing like with the Underwood or the Realist.

I have the string hanging bracket and jacks made by K&K if you need one. Contact me off-board if you like.

[Fred W]

I think it is pathetic that having a pickup on your instrument affects your status in an orchestra. Are they secretly envious of some one who can play 20th century music as well?