schertler stat b users ?

hofner · #1 11-07-2009, 06:08 AM

hi there !
i know that there are some threads about this pu, but i was wondering who play here on Schertler stat B and what was your opinion about it ...
i plan to buy one for my second bass, for jazz trio, and it seem that this unit is not very popular... sound is described on the scherlter ads as very powerfull, warm, and close to acoustic tone, as its not a piezzo..
price is quite high howewer, even if i choose the "basic" set with the simple preamp, not the prea 3...
thanks for any opinion..

Eric Hochberg · #2 11-07-2009, 11:28 AM

I've been very happy with it for a number of years now. It replaced an Underwood for me. It has a more refined, natural sound to my ear. I think it is a very good PU. I have and use both the basic preamp and the PreA2. They create a very similar sound, the PreA2 just has more features that you may or may not think necessary for your use. The Stat B pickup needs the phantom power the Schertler preamps provide.

hofner · #3 11-08-2009, 03:43 AM

thanks for your comment. Its very helpfull.
I think, too, that its a nice pu. I got one few years ago, but not for a long time, as i bought a second hand one, damaged as far i remember and i switched for another system. And i was mainly in the rock and rab sound than jazz.
Now things are different : mainly soft jazz, some bluegrass and irish music... i need a more acoustic sound, but warm and punch too...so i thought to the statB.. i know that full circle is more popular, but i don't want to cut in half my bridge only for a pu, as i don't need to raise or low it dependig the music i play...
and i heard that stat b was quite good too for arco, so...

FMartin · #4 11-23-2009, 01:17 PM

Hi, greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I've used a Schertler Stat-B for maybe 10 years, in fact it was my main microphone for live gigs. It's a very nice mic, better sounding, IMHO, than any piezo based system, with the possible exception of Wilson and Barbera (which I've never got a chance to play with). It works just fine with an SWR Baby Blue II when pizz playing, although it's never been easy to find a decent tone when using my bow. Switching between pizzicato and arco... Mmmm...

But recently got an AMT S25B (thanks, BG!) and I'm a much, much happier man...

bassphase · #5 11-26-2009, 05:15 PM

I'm starting to use it again. I was using a a Revolution II on my Wan Bernadel because it sounded more full. On my new Luciano Golia bass, it sounds a little too midrangey while the Stat B sounds very natural. As I'm sure you know, finding the optimal location for either of these pickups takes a long time. Even a tiny movement changes everything. I also changed my rig from a Walter Woods and a custom made 1 12" speaker to a a EA Doubler and Wizzy 10 so the comparison is a little skewed to say the least.

Fmartin---are you sure you're not confusing the DYN-B with the STAT-B? The Stat-B IS a piezo pickup--the DYN-B is a contact mic you attach with that green putty.

bob

FMartin · #6 11-26-2009, 07:34 PM

Hi Bob, the Stat-B is not a piezo pickup, but an electrostatic pickup.

Eric Hochberg · #7 11-26-2009, 09:46 PM

Bob, how about some pics of the Golia!

kurt · #8 11-27-2009, 12:50 AM

The stat-b IS a miniature mic and requires 9 volt phantom power provided by the stat pre or pre A III. I used one for about 3 years. It does sound nice, more lows and highs than a typical piezo. It does take quite a bit of monkeying to get it to sound just right. It sounds great with pizz but can sound quite harsh with the bow. Much more volume with the bow and the highs which sound nice for pizz come across as harsh with the bow. The thing I liked it the most for was slapping. Full bottom and lots of highs for the click. The reason I stopped using it was it's more prone to feedback (although it can get pretty loud) Than the full circle I use now and the bow sounded too harsh.

hofner · #9 11-27-2009, 01:51 AM

Nice experiences here ! thanks.
i bought one and have to say that i'm not disappointed.
Howewer i installed it in the way NUNO, here, described one time, the cork facing to the feet of the bridge.
Great difference with the "official" position : you have more bottom, less fingers sounds, less harsh sound.
More power too...
one thing with this pu, is the amount of cork...the more you have , better is the sound imho. Whatever the position would be, keys are pressure and cork...

bassphase · #10 11-27-2009, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMartin

Hi Bob, the Stat-B is not a piezo pickup, but an electrostatic pickup.

I stand corrected. It sure behaves like a piezo. I'm still unsure how they crammed a condenser mic in there plus there aren't any ports either.

I've got it situated with the module facing inward and I cut a slightly larger cork to fit the odd shaped cutout in my bridge. The factory suggestions never seemed optimal on any of my basses.

bob

bassphase · #11 11-27-2009, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Bob, how about some pics of the Golia!

I'm waiting for a sunny day (that I'm up). Inside pics don't do the finish justice. It's a beauty and sounds incredible. I hope to post them soon.

bob

FMartin · #12 11-27-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassphase

As I'm sure you know, finding the optimal location for either of these pickups takes a long time. Even a tiny movement changes everything.

100% agree with Bob.