Underwood vs Full Circle

JtheJazzMan · #1 01-26-2009, 03:28 AM

I searched and could not find the opinions i was looking for.

I am wondering how the sound of the FC compares to an underwood when you start getting up in thumb position.

I have tried using only 1 of the elements of the underwood, and decided both elements work best when you get the pressure right. up in the higher notes, the underwoods have the "thump" to the note but little sustain and note clarity

I am wanting to test out a FC but i realise it only has 1 pickup in the bass foot of the bridge, so how does it sound in terms of note clarity up in thumb position?

Im under the impression that most piezo/pressure pickups have this issue but i figure some are more successful than others

robgrow · #2 01-26-2009, 04:35 AM

Having tried several other pickups, including the Underwood, the Fishman Full Circle is the best compromise I've found. I've had an FC on three different basses and played other basses with this pickup, and I've found it to be very well balanced with very good response in thumb position in all cases. While I know some great players use the Underwood, and I really wanted to like it, that pickup just never worked for me. The FC has the least drawbacks of any pickup I've tried, and it actually sounds good.

JtheJazzMan · #3 01-27-2009, 05:40 AM

How about the woody tone of the bass?

If youve heard Brian Brombergs tone, you know what i mean. Obviously mines no where near that! (I wish!) but the woodiness in the tone i have id like to preserve.

bassbuddie · #4 01-27-2009, 08:20 AM

The FC has more woodiness than the underwood. The underwood has more fingers, but less ooumf. I used to like the underwood for loud situations, but I pefer the Full Circle in general.

Jason Hollar · #5 01-27-2009, 09:04 AM

I've never seen seen Brian Bromberg play jazz on his upright live -- but I think that a big part of his woody tone (aside from his mastery of the instrument) comes from some huge studio mic'ing and production!

I never liked the Underwood in any range -- but that said amps & preamps were much different 10-15 years ago.

I'm also a recent FC convert and it's currently the only pup I use. I have found that the volume & tone does diminsh slightly in the upper register -- especially if I'm trying to solo over a loud drummer. Otherwise, for the 75% of the time that I'm walking in the lower register it sounds wonderful.

I agree -- the best compromise in pickups so far.

Going to try and install a Revolution solo that a buddy lent me -- interested to see how that compares to an Underwood...

JtheJazzMan · #6 01-28-2009, 02:45 AM

One more question (I think)

ive read turning the bridge adjuster wheel affects the tone on the FC, how you adjust the height of the bridge adjuster in that case? does the pickup remove your height adjusting ability?

clink · #7 01-28-2009, 08:05 AM

Turning the wheel a 1/4 turn changes the tone slightly. 1/2 turn doesn't change it at all. Most would not notice any playability difference with such a slight adjustment.
All I have done is unplug it from the fixed RCA thing and adjust away.

thejumpcat · #8 01-28-2009, 11:32 AM

Do the FC adjusters turn easily?

My aluminum adjusters that were recently installed on a new bridge are nearly impossible to turn without loosening all the strings. And even then, they're still really tough.

Did my luthier do a poor installation job, or do probably have junk adjusters (about 10 years old)? I

Wilbyman · #9 01-28-2009, 11:36 AM

Jason- I prefer the Rev Solo II to either the Underwood or the FC. The Underwood was always a "necessary evil" in that it was the only thing that really cut decently for me. The FC didn't work for me at all but I've heard guys who sound great with them. The Rev is the only pickup I've tried that I actually really like. It cuts and sounds nice and fat unlike the Underwood.

W

robgrow · #10 01-28-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejumpcat

Do the FC adjusters turn easily?

My aluminum adjusters that were recently installed on a new bridge are nearly impossible to turn without loosening all the strings. And even then, they're still really tough.

Did my luthier do a poor installation job, or do probably have junk adjusters (about 10 years old)? I

Nick Lloyd installed the Full Circle on my bass and the adjusters turn very easily, even with the strings at normal tension.

adbass · #11 01-28-2009, 11:38 AM

Full Circle hands down, for sound and ease of use.

I set my action where it's comfortable and don't notice a significant change in tone when I turn the adjusters, but every bass is different.

The adjusters on mine are very easy to turn. I think this has to do with how they are fit into your bridge. If it's done correctly you shouldn't have any issues.

Bassalova · #12 01-29-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

Jason- I prefer the Rev Solo II to either the Underwood or the FC. The Underwood was always a "necessary evil" in that it was the only thing that really cut decently for me. The FC didn't work for me at all but I've heard guys who sound great with them. The Rev is the only pickup I've tried that I actually really like. It cuts and sounds nice and fat unlike the Underwood.

W

bought the RSII a couple years ago, and couldn´t get a decent sound at all. I personally think it´s crap, but maybe there is a pressure issue here. I really struggle to get a nice balanced sound. Playing a concert in the Jazz Hall in my city, one of my bass pals said it sounded thin and almost like the bass vere made of cardboard.

I have a Eden WT400, which indeed is a good amp, so it should not be an amplifier issue

Wilbyman · #13 01-29-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassalova

bought the RSII a couple years ago, and couldn´t get a decent sound at all. I personally think it´s crap, but maybe there is a pressure issue here. I really struggle to get a nice balanced sound. Playing a concert in the Jazz Hall in my city, one of my bass pals said it sounded thin and almost like the bass vere made of cardboard.

I have a Eden WT400, which indeed is a good amp, so it should not be an amplifier issue

I have heard other people complain about the RSII. I have had total success with it. I use it with a GK most of the time. It is really fat and punchy. I also use it with a Markbass Acoustic head.

Bass · #14 01-29-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbass

...but every bass is different...

+1 I sometimes wonder if different basses prefer different pcikups.

I've tried both the Underwood and the RSII (on two different basses). "Basalova" the RSII is not "crap", if you think so then you did not have it installed correctly. And by your description (unbalanced and thin) this is most certainly the case.

Installed correctly the RSII sounds good to me, and I think it even has the "woodiness" that JazzMan is looking for. How it sounds in thumb position I wouldn't know.

bolo · #15 01-29-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbass

The adjusters on mine are very easy to turn. I think this has to do with how they are fit into your bridge. If it's done correctly you shouldn't have any issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robgrow

Nick Lloyd installed the Full Circle on my bass and the adjusters turn very easily, even with the strings at normal tension.

Don't have a FC. But bridge adjusters should "turn like butter," so Barrie Kolstein told me. It sounded like he said "buttah" though

adbass · #16 01-29-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass

+1 I sometimes wonder if different basses prefer different pcikups.

Yes, they do. Same with different players. So, the RSII might sound like "crap" to bassalova given his instrument, amp, and touch. Of course, it may have been installed poorly, I really don't know. And that's not to say it doesn't sound great on your bass!

That's why it's always impressive to hear Charlie Parker make a nice sound on a plastic saxophone, or a Christian McBride play a rented plywood through a foreign rig.

Treyzer · #17 01-29-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

How about the woody tone of the bass?

If youve heard Brian Brombergs tone, you know what i mean. Obviously mines no where near that! (I wish!) but the woodiness in the tone i have id like to preserve.

Played a bass about a year ago at Lemur's that was set up like Bryan's. Lemur carries a BB model. His action is lower than one of my EBG's. That is so he can do his taping and whatnot. The really low action certainly enhances the buzzy woody sound. The action was too low for my purposes though. Still, it was interesting and he is a very talented player!

bolo · #18 01-29-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass

How it sounds in thumb position I wouldn't know.

Treyzer · #19 01-29-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bolo

On my bass, the Full Circle sounds real good in thumb position....especially when I'm playing in tune

T

Wilbyman · #20 01-29-2009, 01:20 PM

I am not saying at all that the RSII is the best pickup for every bass. I just thought I'd throw it out there as an inexpensive and easy-to-install pickup that may please Underwood users. I have it on a Christopher ply that was the backup to my old german carved but is now my go-to (incidentally same model Michael Moore uses as his #1). It may like plywood better than solid wood.

W