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Double Bass An Ehrlund blog, sort of

#281
As a general rule, bass player tend to be on the analytical side more than most musicians, and that is good up to a point and then it just gets silly. Do I really care what brand of capacitors and transformers he is using? Nope. I only care about how it performs. Others might be turned off by this or that technical specs, but frankly, I wonder if these guys actually play much, or if they are just gear heads (not suggesting that about anyone on this thread, but in General) We all know the guy who has $30000 worth of basses, effects, and amps, and can't make it through a tune and never gigs. Then there are barely aware of their gear. Think of Jaco using the same bass for his whole career, or Jamerson. Let's not overthink this stuff too much guys! Sorry for the rant.
 
#284
Thumpie said:
Also, Drurb, thanks for all your help in helping me to make my decision to try this thing!
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You are most welcome!

engedi1 said:
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!
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Agreed. Just buy it. My laboratory tests with the pickup confirm that it needs substantial gain, adding more support to the notion that it's not a piezo. The pre-amp terminates the device optimally and beyond that simply supplies gain as shown by the frequency-response curve I posted.

PB+J said:
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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What has certainly been established is a Minimum Advertised Price. Gee, how much more hinting can be done? :)

engedi1 said:
As a general rule, bass player tend to be on the analytical side more than most musicians, and that is good up to a point and then it just gets silly. Do I really care what brand of capacitors and transformers he is using? Nope. I only care about how it performs. Others might be turned off by this or that technical specs, but frankly, I wonder if these guys actually play much, or if they are just gear heads (not suggesting that about anyone on this thread, but in General) We all know the guy who has $30000 worth of basses, effects, and amps, and can't make it through a tune and never gigs. Then there are barely aware of their gear. Think of Jaco using the same bass for his whole career, or Jamerson. Let's not overthink this stuff too much guys! Sorry for the rant.
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Bravo. Hey, I'm an analytical techie and I expressed the same sentiments. The thing works and it works well. Sure, I'm curious about what makes it work. If I learned tomorrow that it's an element that can be had for $0.50 and then encased in dried yogurt, it wouldn't change the fact that it's the best pickup device that I've ever used or heard.
 
#285
I actually bought the preamp this morning, should be here tomorrow.

It's not "overthinking" to be curious about how things work. You can just plug it in an play while also wanting to know how or why it does what it does. Sure, in one sense I don't care. But I do research and occasional writing on the history of sound recording and I'm interested in the technology. There's a truly excellent recent book on the history of the mp3, by Jonathan Sterne (http://www.amazon.com/MP3-Meaning-Format-Storage-Transmission/dp/0822352877) He's a bass player, by the way. Is he "guilty" of "over thinking" because he wants to understand the format which has entirely transformed both the music industry and the experience of listening?


If there's one thing I detest, it's incurious people. Hell is full of people who tell you you're "overthinking."
 
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#287
Thumpie said:
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.
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They absolutely are made in Sweden; it's one of the justifications by the manufacturer for the recent price hike - they've been selling them at too slim a margin for too long in order to gain a foothold, but cannot sustain (and increase) production on that margin.
 
#288
PB+J said:
It's not "overthinking" to be curious about how things work.
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I agree fully and my professional (and other parts of my) life revolve around, "How does it work?" Perhaps my agreement with engedi1 was overstated. I only meant that the performance of the EAP is what counts, regardless of what's inside. I think that was the essence of what he was saying, anyway. Beyond that, I do care about what makes it tick. After all, I hauled the pre-amp in and measured its relative gains and response.
 
#291
Like everything in life, it is all about balance. Many on TB, are MUCH more guilty of being over analytical, than being incurious. Not saying you are or anyone on this thread. The kind of work Les did is helpful, in helping you make a good decision. But I have seen these threads that devolve into 3 electrical engineers having a pissing contest and getting really heated about components, or impedance, or which cable is better, or whatever. I don't know about hell being full of people who have learned to engage their hearts and souls with their music (and rest of their life) and not simply their analytical side. Not that I don't wish I had a $30,000 200 year old upright and a Fodera, but Jamerson changed music forever with a stock P-bass that he used for hundreds of number one records. Any, back OT, what is cool about the Ehrlund, is that unlike most gear, is actually does help you play better, since I can hear my intonation better, get a better bowed tone, etc... It has made a tangible difference in my playing.
 
#292
engedi1 said:
...But I have seen these threads that devolve into 3 electrical engineers having a pissing contest and getting really heated about components, or impedance, or which cable is better, or whatever.
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...and most of the time, they have no idea what they're talking about! :) What is often missed by those types, simply because they lack the knowledge, is which specifications and changes among them are meaningful.
 
#293
engedi1 said:
Any, back OT, what is cool about the Ehrlund, is that unlike most gear, is actually does help you play better, since I can hear my intonation better, get a better bowed tone, etc... It has made a tangible difference in my playing.
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at the end of the day, +1
had a completely ear opening experience in what has typically been a difficult room for me. Sound guy actually knew what he was doing and noticed right away the different sound he was getting the upright, courtesy of the EAP, and the results were outstanding. Everyone, even folks who didn't know me, commented on how thick and round and full the bass sound was. And because it was thick and full, with that delicious attack profile, I was able to drive the band quite effectively. Lot's of fun.
 
#295
VegasGutPlucker said:
at the end of the day, +1
had a completely ear opening experience in what has typically been a difficult room for me. Sound guy actually knew what he was doing and noticed right away the different sound he was getting the upright, courtesy of the EAP, and the results were outstanding. Everyone, even folks who didn't know me, commented on how thick and round and full the bass sound was. And because it was thick and full, with that delicious attack profile, I was able to drive the band quite effectively. Lot's of fun.
Click to expand...

Yes, the attack is (finally) happening. The pizz is powerful, and the arco has never been better. It easier to hear, and thus, yes, you will play more in tune.

In searching for the sweet spot, I've found you should test with arco. When it gives an "even" bow response, you're close, and the pizz is going to *sing*.
 
#297
engedi1 said:
I am sure it is passive. Les thinks it is an electret, and I agree with him, and that would make it passive right? This makes sense, because you do get a sound (a bad one) without a preamp of some sort- you can plug it right into an amp.
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Generally speaking, electrets are active, because they have extremely high impedance and thus cannot drive a cable without being buffered.

Has anybody tried plugging one of these into a conventional amp?
 
#298
engedi1 said:
As a general rule, bass player tend to be on the analytical side more than most musicians...
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Thank you. ;)

, and that is good up to a point and then it just gets silly. Do I really care what brand of capacitors and transformers he is using? Nope. I only care about how it performs. Others might be turned off by this or that technical specs, but frankly, I wonder if these guys actually play much, or if they are just gear heads (not suggesting that about anyone on this thread, but in General) We all know the guy who has $30000 worth of basses, effects, and amps, and can't make it through a tune and never gigs. Then there are barely aware of their gear. Think of Jaco using the same bass for his whole career, or Jamerson. Let's not overthink this stuff too much guys! Sorry for the rant.
Click to expand...

I have to confess that in my case, I'm in love with music and playing bass, but I'm also in love with electronics and physics. The latter is the basis of my day job. I can't just set one passion aside to concentrate on the other -- somehow I have to find a way to enjoy both!
 
#299
This has been touched on earlier in the thread but I am wondering whether a bass amp is the best 'end' of the Ehrlund chain. I've now got an EAP on one of my double basses, a Bryant, and very satisfying results too with a Clarus/Wizzy 10". I've also just fitted one on my Kolstein Travel Busetto and, using a PJ Superflight or Genz Shuttle, I'm taking almost all the bass eq off. I haven't tried it with a Wizzy yet but I hope that it's middleness will suit the pup.

Anyone else finding this?
 

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