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Double Bass An Ehrlund blog, sort of

#261
I hear you on the battery. However, mine has lasted for over a year until I changed it in great fear of it dying on a gig. You will never need to use the phase switch more than 1x per night when you are setting up, in my experience. If it was phantom powered, it would need a special amp and it is designed to go into regular bass amps, so I am ok with that design feature, but to each his own.
 
#262
engedi1 said:
I hear you on the battery. However, mine has lasted for over a year until I changed it in great fear of it dying on a gig. You will never need to use the phase switch more than 1x per night when you are setting up, in my experience. If it was phantom powered, it would need a special amp and it is designed to go into regular bass amps, so I am ok with that design feature, but to each his own.
Click to expand...

Actually, this thing isn't designed to go specifically into a *bass* amp. It's obvious that the maker isn't tailoring them for dbs specifically, but is making them to work on a plethora of instruments.

Maybe if they keep selling to us bassists, they'll re-tool a version built to specifically address our needs. Like adding the tailpiece jack and including phantom power on the pre. (My Fishman preamp is a great example of what they should shoot for...)
 
#263
Thumpie said:
Actually, this thing isn't designed to go specifically into a *bass* amp. It's obvious that the maker isn't tailoring them for dbs specifically, but is making them to work on a plethora of instruments.

Maybe if they keep selling to us bassists, they'll re-tool a version built to specifically address our needs. Like adding the tailpiece jack and including phantom power on the pre. (My Fishman preamp is a great example of what they should shoot for...)
Click to expand...

Thumpie,
Actually, I tried the Headway EDB-1, a FDeck HPF and a Fishman. None of them worked as well as the Ehrlund Pre Amp. I've used it into both my Walter Woods amplifiers, a Genz Benz Shuttle 10t, and a QSC K8 through the Headway.
It may not be designed specifically as a DB pre amp, but it works better than any of the DB specific pre amp's I've used. The Tailpiece Specific Jack would be nice, provided you knew the exact length of cable that would work for each individual instrument. As far as phantom power goes, the Ehrlund Pre Amp is not a phantom powered device, it's a Buffer Pre Amp. The Fishman Pro Platinum is set at 10 megohms to buffer the Full Circle and BP-100. I doubt if it would be a good match for the Ehrlund as it isn't the same kind of device. Just my thoughts.

Ric
 
#264
Ric Vice said:
Thumpie,
Actually, I tried the Headway EDB-1, a FDeck HPF and a Fishman. None of them worked as well as the Ehrlund Pre Amp. I've used it into both my Walter Woods amplifiers, a Genz Benz Shuttle 10t, and a QSC K8 through the Headway.
It may not be designed specifically as a DB pre amp, but it works better than any of the DB specific pre amp's I've used. The Tailpiece Specific Jack would be nice, provided you knew the exact length of cable that would work for each individual instrument. As far as phantom power goes, the Ehrlund Pre Amp is not a phantom powered device, it's a Buffer Pre Amp. The Fishman Pro Platinum is set at 10 megohms to buffer the Full Circle and BP-100. I doubt if it would be a good match for the Ehrlund as it isn't the same kind of device. Just my thoughts.

Ric
Click to expand...

Sure, I understand this. The Ehrlund pre is made for the EAP. I mean the *features* of the Fishman: phantom power; compressor; eq; etc.

While they're at it, a high-pass filter would be nice too (If you're dreaming, why not dream BIG!).
 
#265
I just went to order the preamp and the price has gone way up. Bob Gollihur has the pickup priced at 599!!!!!! and the preamp alone at $249.

That's really high for something that, as far as I can tell, just boosts the gain. Schatten makes a what looks to be a similar device at $59

I really like the ehrlund pickup but $599????



Edit: I just saw the previous posts about this
 
#266
PB+J said:
I just went to order the preamp and the price has gone way up. Bob Gollihur has the pickup priced at 599!!!!!! and the preamp alone at $249.

That's really high for something that, as far as I can tell, just boosts the gain. Schatten makes a what looks to be a similar device at $59

I really like the ehrlund pickup but $599????
Click to expand...

Check Bob Gollihur's posts on the previous page about this -- if you want one, contact him directly, and he may be able to help you out ;)
 
#267
PB+J said:
I just went to order the preamp and the price has gone way up. Bob Gollihur has the pickup priced at 599!!!!!! and the preamp alone at $249.

That's really high for something that, as far as I can tell, just boosts the gain. Schatten makes a what looks to be a similar device at $59

I really like the ehrlund pickup but $599????



Edit: I just saw the previous posts about this
Click to expand...

You're right. It *is* a very simple device. I just had mine apart, and I suppose the components themselves are very cheap. The construction looks clean and robust. I probably don't feel too bad about the price if it's made in Sweden by unionized workers enjoying a socialized democracy. I'm going to be pissed if I find out they're made in a sweat-shop in Asia.
 
#268
I'm convinced that it makes the pickup sound better. Better bass players than me have said so, and I completely respect their judgement. I just can't figure out what magic mojo it can have. it has no eq controls, and apparently no preset eq curve. It seems to have a hi pass filter. It has a phase reverse. It does some buffering. Other than that it's just gain.

Be nice to see a picture of the innards.

I'm going to call Bob tomorrow to "complain" about the price. I may try that schatten preamp, which is made in canada
 
#269
I re-read Drurb's posts on the Ehrlund Preamp and I was wrong--it does not have a high pass filter, it just has a "low and hi" switch that cuts out some of the gain.


I will cheerfully admit to not knowing much. I certainly don't know exactly what the Ehrlund pickup is or exactly how it works, or how he got what I think is a piezo based pickup to not exhibit any piezo horrors. So there surely could be some form of interaction between the pickup and the preamp I don't understand. I just don't know what it could be and I'm interested in hearing any theories. I suspect it's just gain, but Ehrlund has produced a marvelous piece of gear in the pickup and he's worth supporting.
 
#270
PB+J said:
I re-read Drurb's posts on the Ehrlund Preamp and I was wrong--it does not have a high pass filter, it just has a "low and hi" switch that cuts out some of the gain.


I will cheerfully admit to not knowing much. I certainly don't know exactly what the Ehrlund pickup is or exactly how it works, or how he got what I think is a piezo based pickup to not exhibit any piezo horrors. So there surely could be some form of interaction between the pickup and the preamp I don't understand. I just don't know what it could be and I'm interested in hearing any theories. I suspect it's just gain, but Ehrlund has produced a marvelous piece of gear in the pickup and he's worth supporting.
Click to expand...

It's not piezo. It's a mic. The shape stops feedback. That's what's going on.
 
#271
I have my doubts about that. I think it's some kind of piezo film element. But I don't actually know and could be wrong. And ultimately I don't care--whatever he did, he did it right. It's just intellectual curiosity on my part.

This review insists it's a piezo, but not sure on what basis. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr06/articles/guitartech_0406.htm

Speaking of intellectual curiosity, mine will likely be satisfied by the Ehrlund preamp I ordered just now from Bob
 
#272
PB+J said:
I have my doubts about that. I think it's some kind of piezo film element. But I don't actually know and could be wrong. And ultimately I don't care--whatever he did, he did it right. It's just intellectual curiosity on my part.

This review insists it's a piezo, but not sure on what basis. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr06/articles/guitartech_0406.htm

Speaking of intellectual curiosity, mine will likely be satisfied by the Ehrlund preamp I ordered just now from Bob
Click to expand...

It's a contact mic. Dig a little deeper and you'll confirm this. (Maybe the English language version of Ehrlund's website?)
 
#273
Thumpie said:
Sure, I understand this. The Ehrlund pre is made for the EAP. I mean the *features* of the Fishman: phantom power; compressor; eq; etc.

While they're at it, a high-pass filter would be nice too (If you're dreaming, why not dream BIG!).
Click to expand...

I don't think that's what they should shoot for at all. I don't want or need someone else's version of "EQ", compression, etc. and I sure don't want phantom power. The EAP pre-amp is a buffering and gain stage for that specific pickup. If you want all of those other functions, it's best to follow the EAP pre with another device. As for a high-pass filter (HPF), there's no need for that in terms of infrasonics generated by the pickup. If you want a HPF for it's tonal shaping characteristics, well, as I said, use another device. I hope they will not complicate the Ehrlund pre. I suspect they won't. IMO, they hit the nail on the head in terms of their design target and I agree with that target.

PB+J said:
I have my doubts about that. I think it's some kind of piezo film element. But I don't actually know and could be wrong. And ultimately I don't care--whatever he did, he did it right. It's just intellectual curiosity on my part.

This review insists it's a piezo, but not sure on what basis. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr06/articles/guitartech_0406.htm

Speaking of intellectual curiosity, mine will likely be satisfied by the Ehrlund preamp I ordered just now from Bob
Click to expand...

Interesting. I seem to recall its designer stating explicitly that it is not a piezo. If it is, then it sure fooled me as I've been saying that, after using the Ehrlund, I'd never go back to a piezo! The proof is in the hearing. Whatever it is, I like it.

Consider this, directly from Bob Gollihur's site (emphasis added):
The Ehrlund Acoustic Pickup (EAP) is a linear microphone for acoustic instruments. We emphasize the term "linear microphone" because this is what Göran Ehrlund (inventor and manufacturer of the pickup) calls it. He made it a point to tell us that it is not a piezo element -- which is the technology used by most other commonly available bass pickups. It uses a special patented "contact mic" sort of design to sense both vibration and sound.

My bet: The transducer is an electret element.

As for the pre-amp, as I've posted again and again and again, so far as I can tell, it is simply a device that provides a flat response with gain. If there is any "mojo" it is in the way the input impedance terminates the device.
 
#274
drurb said:
I don't think that's what they should shoot for at all. I don't want or need someone else's version of "EQ", compression, etc. and I sure don't want phantom power. The EAP pre-amp is a buffering and gain stage for that specific pickup. If you want all of those other functions, it's best to follow the EAP pre with another device. As for a high-pass filter (HPF), there's no need for that in terms of infrasonics generated by the pickup. If you want a HPF for it's tonal shaping characteristics, well, as I said, use another device. I hope they will not complicate the Ehrlund pre. I suspect they won't. IMO, they hit the nail on the head in terms of their design target and I agree with that target.
Click to expand...

Ok. Interesting thoughts, and I can see your point. But you have to agree that the phase switch could be positioned in a better location. Even swapping it with the high/low switch would be an improvement.
 
#275
Thumpie said:
Ok. Interesting thoughts, and I can see your point. But you have to agree that the phase switch could be positioned in a better location. Even swapping it with the high/low switch would be an improvement.
Click to expand...

The position of the switch doesn't really bother me. Consistent with engedi1's comment, I set the switch once per gig and that's it. It seems to be an acceptable tradeoff between having a compact package and ease of use.
 
#276
And, I agree that they should continue to offer a simple model. I just wish that there was a "deluxe" option available tailored just for bassists.

As it is now, if I do a gig going directly into house sound, the only device I need to carry is my Fishman pre. I'm not sure I'd want to do this with only the Ehrlund. But, of course, I need more time for testing before I figure out exactly how this thing is going to work...
 
#279
I think the mojo comes from the fact that the pre-amp is specifically designed for this pickup. All pickups have different impedance and gain and the Ehrlund is in its own class here, from what others have said. It just doesn't seem to work as well with other pre-amps. I frankly don't understand a ll the fuss about this. I guess guys don't want to spend the extra money if they already have a headway or something. But this is not your typical piezo, which is much higher output I think. Just drink the cool-aid, and get the Pre-amp. You won't regret it!
 
#280
Yes I read all that. I'm a historian in my day job and it's made me reflexively skeptical.

On another note, the fact that a middleman has been added to the supply chain drives the Ehrlund's price up to absurd levels. What value can this un-named distributor be adding to justify such a massive price increase? It's criminal
 

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