Schertler STAT-B

JtheJazzMan · #1 03-31-2010, 11:59 PM

Thinking about purchasing one of these, but just want to clear a few things:

Im reading that the pickup connects to the schertler preamp with a "special" cable - is this a unique connector or just a common type?

I ask this because I need to extend the cables leading from the pickup to the jack on the bass, which on mine is located near the endpin. For example, I have a full circle, and I just made an RCA connector extension lead to reach down to the bottom of the bass.

Im looking to do the same with the schertler, and I dont like the idea of cutting and soldering a new pickup unless necessary.

TroyK · #2 04-01-2010, 12:23 AM

I had one of these pickups very briefly and returned it. I maybe should have given it a better chance, but had some issues with it and wanted to go a different way. I've heard them sound very good on other people's basses.

Anyway, it's been a while, but yes the cable connecting their pickup to their pre-amp is not a standard instrument cable, which worried me a bit. Probably it's not so unusual that you couldn't find some similar cable to work with, but it is unique, which was one of the things that made me uncomfortable about it.

Chris Symer · #3 04-01-2010, 12:48 AM

Its just male RCA on one end, male 1/4 inch on the other. No big deal.

hofner · #4 04-01-2010, 02:54 AM

the stat b pu's jack reach the tailpiece (its fixed at this place, in the E string hole, using a piece of metal) then you plug the second schertler cable,the rca one, wich is quite long before the preamp...imho, you don"t have to make your own jack, but i maybe don"t understand well your setting...
btw, the stat b is a very good pu, as said on others threads about it, but it need to be well fitted and correctly installed.
i came back to this pu recently (i already had one and was not impressed at this time), and now i have the "best" sound for my taste.

JtheJazzMan · #5 04-01-2010, 04:08 AM

Thanks all. Ive put in an order for one, so now its the waiting game.

Hofner: I have a wire tailpiece and I prefer not to hang anything off it, which is why I run the cables to the endpin.

Btw, any install tips for this thing? I assume you have to sand the cork to fit the bridge hole?

AMJBASS · #6 04-01-2010, 06:46 AM

You do need to sand the cork to the correct shape and length. Its not difficult. I have had great success and some not great success with the Stat B on different basses. It is a very high output pickup with a very strong low end. I think you will dig it. Just make sure the fit is very good.

dperrott · #7 04-01-2010, 08:09 AM

I used to use the old one with two elements and the new one with one element. I used them for years. I think the old one was better. I did see on the schertler website (not the US website though) that they are going to make that model again. Its called the Stat-b vintage.

AMJBASS · #8 04-01-2010, 09:32 AM

That is intriguing.

dperrott · #9 04-01-2010, 11:52 AM

I am a little surprised that it took Schertler so long to revisit the 2 element stat-b. To my knowledge, any one who tried both models preferred the double model. I never had the "phasing" problem that was supposed to be the problem. There are still a few guys using the original 2 element style.

Eric Hochberg · #10 04-01-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Hofner: I have a wire tailpiece and I prefer not to hang anything off it, which is why I run the cables to the endpin.

Btw, any install tips for this thing? I assume you have to sand the cork to fit the bridge hole?

I've been using the Stat B for many years now and really like it. When I had the marvin cable TP, I put a hole through the felt cover and screwed the Schertler jack holder into it, worked fine.

Yes, you cut and sand the cork to fit. If you take it a bit too far, nail polish works to build up the cork a little. After a few years, the cork on mine shrunk and that's how I dealt with it.

Schertler recommends putting it in the G side bridge hole. On my basses it works better on the E side.

JtheJazzMan · #11 04-19-2010, 07:09 PM

I must be missing something somewhere...these little triangles that the capsules sit on, are you supposed to glue them to the bridge? With superglue?

JtheJazzMan · #12 04-19-2010, 11:34 PM

Nevermind, already glued them on. I dropped the extra dough on the double capsule model so hopefully I can review it by tomorrow. Still have to cut the corks.

dperrott · #13 04-20-2010, 02:37 PM

In my experience of playing with the 2 elements version (about 10 years) and several years of the single element, the double is superior.

The single element doesn't come with shims. It is mounted a little different. Wood glue or hide glue would be your glue of choice.

JtheJazzMan · #14 04-20-2010, 05:21 PM

Well everything is up and running, and Im having success blending it with a Full Circle.

I have no experience with the single version, but this dual model has a very even and balanced sound across all 5 strings.

Actually the sound is similar to the FC, just more natural and microphonic without the characteristic piezo sound. Its also more sensitive to subtle sounds.

The only problem so far is that the Pre-A III preamp is quite noisy, depending on what outputs and gain you use. Theres white noise plus some other humming. Perhaps its a problem with the power supply.

TinRoof · #15 05-03-2010, 09:38 PM

Does the stat b vintage require the use of schertler's pre-amp or can it be used with another pre like the fdeck or something? and why?

JtheJazzMan · #16 05-03-2010, 11:42 PM

Its a condenser mic so it needs a voltage applied to the positive wire. The pre-a III can supply 10v, the schertler stat pre is 9v.

Any condenser mic preamp should work, but I wouldnt try 48v phantom power.

I built my own simple one with a 9v battery but it sounds a bit tinny, the schertler pre-a was much warmer.

Alas, its noisy and Im currently waiting for it to be fixed or replaced.

AMJBASS · #17 05-04-2010, 06:12 AM

IME you don't need the impedance match with any of the Schertler pickups as they are not based on a piezo crystal. The Stat comes with a preamp anyway...

robobass · #18 05-06-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

The only problem so far is that the Pre-A III preamp is quite noisy, depending on what outputs and gain you use. Theres white noise plus some other humming. Perhaps its a problem with the power supply.

Ha! I just posted about this. Have you tried a battery? I do think it's a power supply issue. I have the original two-element version and the original preamp that ran on an internal 9v battery. I bought a Pre-A-II last year. Much better sound, but serious noise issues.

robobass · #19 05-06-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dperrott

In my experience of playing with the 2 elements version (about 10 years) and several years of the single element, the double is superior.

The single element doesn't come with shims. It is mounted a little different. Wood glue or hide glue would be your glue of choice.

I see that people are mounting the Stat-B in different ways. I think the best result still comes from installing a wedge and mounting vertically. I mount with a thin cork shim under the pickup as well.

JtheJazzMan · #20 05-06-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robobass

Ha! I just posted about this. Have you tried a battery? I do think it's a power supply issue. I have the original two-element version and the original preamp that ran on an internal 9v battery. I bought a Pre-A-II last year. Much better sound, but serious noise issues.

I covered everything in your thread.

Im thinking of just using my own condenser mic preamp for a while. The double capsule stat-b is good, but the pre-a III has left me disappointed.