• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass An Ehrlund blog, sort of

#381
Regarding the lifeline, or any other bridge pickup for that matter. The main reason I got Ehrlund, besides rave reviews on TB, was the fact that it didn't go on the bridge. I have never had great results from bridge mounting pickups, and the ones I have used acted like a mute a little. I do classical and alot of arco work, and I wanted a pickup I could take on and off easily, and also that didn't mount on the tailpiece or the strings. I have achieved all these goals with the Ehrlund, and that is no small thing, along with the tone. IMHO, I think the Ehrlund does so well with the feedback because it is body mounted. It doesn't have all the weird high freqs and upper mids that bridge wing pickups seem to have, that we have all spent hours trying to EQ out, and that I think are what cause the feedback, nor does it have all the infrasonics as earlier posters have mentioned. Piezo or not, it does have some huge advantages, arco tone being the number one. Here is a conundrum- it is piezo based, yet doesn't sound like a piezo. It is top mounted, but doesn't sound or perform like other top mounted pickups. Truly, to me, it sound more like a bass that is close mic'ed, but without the feedback nightmares of being miced. I have used mics on my regular jazz gig, and I get more compliments from the guys in the band about the Ehrlund tone that with mics. It sounds stupid good for arco as many other have said. Best pickup ever for the guy who does a lot of pizz and arco.
 
#382
Hey Robin, I picked up an EAP 2 weeks ago- primarily to simplify the set up on my travel bass. After 2 days of messing with it at home and liking the sound I popped it onto my good bass and took it out for a few gigs. I am sure my opinion of the pickup will continue to evolve as I play it in more situations, but so far after half a dozen gigs it is feeling really good.
I have been off and on with the AMT mic for years, lately using it a lot and blending with a Schertler stat-B when needed. So far I think that in the rooms and situations where the mic works well it is clearly a better sound than the EAP. In combination with the Schertler there is also a very addicting and slight "edge" to the arco sound that I happen to really love and that I miss with the EAP. But the EAP does have a very nice arco sound that balances well with the pizz tone. I am looking forward to finding out how well the EAP handles the situations that are difficult with the mic though, but that will take more than a few gigs to get a handle on.
That being said, I think this thing is a really great sounding pickup and easy to use. MUCH more natural sounding than other pickups over all pizz/arco, and very mic like as far as the feel of things when playing. I have yet to find out how well it does loud, or how it deals with those sound people who can't seem to get the mic right and want a direct signal instead. I'm thinking that this is where I am REALLY going to like it.
 
#383
Robin Ruscio said:
I've heard some comparisons to other pickups and the DPA 4099B mic. Has anyone used the EAP with a the DPA, either through a mixer like the the EDB-1 or by sending the mic to FOH?

One of the reasons I was not interested in this initially was that I already use the DPA on gig where I am either playing lots of arco or have FOH. I don't really use the DPA on casuals where I'm only playing through my amp. I'm wondering if I'd still enjoy using the DPA out front when I have a good and willing soundman. (Most of them love it.)
Click to expand...

Robin,
I have the DPA-4099B it sounds just wonderful FOH, but even with it's amazing off axis rejection, it will feedback using it into an amp, as you well know. Once I purchased the Ehrlund, I haven't really used the DPA all that much. It's just easier to use it FOH and into the amp. Just my take. As long as your amp has a DI you're good to go IMHO.

Ric
 
#384
Just snagged the used EAP FS, so I guess I'll find out.

I haven't had too much trouble with the DPA as far as feedback goes but don't find it adds much for a casual amp only gig. Ill have to see if the DPA is worth keeping. It was so pricey I don't know how I'll feel unless it clearly adds more with my bass rig. I did really enjoy it for some Broadway show pit work since that was so arco intensive.

I have to admit, at my level in the industry, no one is likely to care or notice much if i ditch the DPA since the other musicians who know my sound are only hearing my Pickup and amp anyways.

I'll be back with some info on how the EAP fares with my Lloyd bass and PJB SFC.
 
#386
I've been using the Ehrlund pickup plus preamp for the past 5 weeks gigging 2-3X/week. Most recent prior pickups have been Underwood (many years ago), Realist (a bit more recently) and Full Circle (past 3-4 years). I have to say the Ehrlund, regardless of what is inside, and the Ehrlund preamp, regardless of what it is or isn't doing to the signal, have given me the most satisfying URB tone and playing experience I have ever had. Yes, the sound is great. It's very dynamic and non-compressed. The attack is there. Adjusting the placement allows for fine-tuning of the sound pulling in more bass or more "air". Most importantly for me, it has really changed the way I play the bass. I find myself digging in MUCH more than I have previously. It helps me drive the band better. The music I play and the tone I look for is definitely a more old-school tone/approach and this pickup helps me achieve that (although I have a feeling those that prefer a more modern tone can tune the pickup to achieve that as well). And while arco has never been my strong suit, the Ehrlund allows me to pull out the bow and play like I would acoustically, without the volume jump and tonal issues I've experienced with previous pickups.

I try to resist the G.A.S. urge to buy the latest/greatest gear - so I'm not running all the coolest latest equipment. But the Ehrlund has sounded great through a Markbass LMII/Bergantino 12", a Markbass 121 combo, and a 1st generation Acoustic Image Contra. Slight tweaks for each situation, but I don't yet have any compelling need to have to upgrade the rest of my signal chain to take advantage of the Ehrlund.

Anyway, just my 2 cents after using the pickup for awhile. I understand some folks may take issue on how it's marketed, the cost of what goes into it, etc... but I won't quibble. To me, they came up with a fantastic pickup that still costs less than other solutions on the market. I'm all for letting them make some money off of it. Innovation and quality product deserves its reward.
 
#387
I am ok with them making money. Also, I know what you mean about digging in. You get a nice bounce with the Ehrlund because it allows the natural attack and decay of your instrument to come through. Really helps me find the groove and push the band along. With piezos, you get extra sustain you would't normally get that gives you a more bass guitar like tone. I think the attack and decay is what gives the Ehrlund its charm, even more than the tone.
 
#389
engedi1 said:
I am ok with them making money. Also, I know what you mean about digging in. You get a nice bounce with the Ehrlund because it allows the natural attack and decay of your instrument to come through. Really helps me find the groove and push the band along. With piezos, you get extra sustain you would't normally get that gives you a more bass guitar like tone. I think the attack and decay is what gives the Ehrlund its charm, even more than the tone.
Click to expand...

I agree completely-- especially with your last sentence. After all, click here. :)
 
#392
Thumpie said:
Ehm, I wouldn't count on having it ready by Monday, unless, maybe, you've got all weekend to mess with it.

I'm moving super-cautious with mine--and I'll have the old pickup as a back up when I do take it live...
Click to expand...

I've got a gig Saturday night and lots of time otherwise. I hope I can get a starting point for a casual gig with 12 hours of futzing around. ;)
 
#393
Here are my impressions with this pick-up and why Robin is gonna have a go...

At this point I play acoustically often enough that I don't want a permanent pick-up on my bass and I almost never use an amp. So the Realist is sold and the APTflex is in a drawer. Because I rarely play with drums I can use a mic but I've been looking for a removable pick-up solution for emergencies and as a back-up for the SM58 I'm currently using.

I used the Ehrlund on 6-7 gigs and just couldn't get a solid bass response without it being too boomy. The articulation is awesome and on the gigs I could get a really articulate, accurate bass sound but there was just not enough bass response. (The weird thing is my bass sounds really good with a strong low end when it's close micced.) I spent a good 5-6 hours on 2 different days trying various positions through a PA but never found the "sweet spot" for my bass. The other thing was output, because the Ehrlund had relatively low output in my case, I had to really tweak the DTAR to get a usable volume from it. I guess if you can find the right spot on your bass, it's a pretty sweet option, I just couldn't find the spot. The quest continues...

(My next try is two fold... I have a Troll ribbon mic on the way to demo in place of the 58. This is a side address mic made by Brandon Essex in Berkeley and I'm hoping this will be my FOH/PA option most of the time. Some local Bay Area players have had good luck so far with this mic in the types of situations I'll be using it in. And I have a used Gage Soundclip on the way that should have higher output and hopefully will be more EQable through the Equinox for the rare amp or insanely loud gig.)

-Jeff
 
#394
Thumpie said:
Ehm, I wouldn't count on having it ready by Monday, unless, maybe, you've got all weekend to mess with it.

I'm moving super-cautious with mine--and I'll have the old pickup as a back up when I do take it live...
Click to expand...

I'll say your being cautious... Got mine 2 weeks ago, messed with it on my travel bass for a few hours over two days, liked it, took it to a gig with my good bass the next day without having tried it on that bass at all. Sounded fine. Moved it around a little bit the first set, no big deal AT ALL! It sounds nice, and I am still having fun moving it around. All the searching for the "sweet spot" in your living room is fun, but gigs are a different animal and you may find yourself changing your idea about the ideal location as you gig with it awhile. I find myself moving it around depending on the room, my mood, and the amp I happen to be using from night to night. Eventually I'll probably find a spot to leave it that works most of the time, but moving it around is NOT that big of a deal!
 
#397
Chris Symer said:
I'll say your being cautious... Got mine 2 weeks ago, messed with it on my travel bass for a few hours over two days, liked it, took it to a gig with my good bass the next day without having tried it on that bass at all. Sounded fine. Moved it around a little bit the first set, no big deal AT ALL! It sounds nice, and I am still having fun moving it around. All the searching for the "sweet spot" in your living room is fun, but gigs are a different animal and you may find yourself changing your idea about the ideal location as you gig with it awhile. I find myself moving it around depending on the room, my mood, and the amp I happen to be using from night to night. Eventually I'll probably find a spot to leave it that works most of the time, but moving it around is NOT that big of a deal!
Click to expand...

Moving it around is not a big deal indeed. I generally have two spots. The first is right where Gollihur recommends, where Drurbs earlier pics show his. The second is maybe an inch to the right, towards the bridge, which gives a bright less bassy tone.
 
#399
I have been using the EAP since around Thanksgiving,after auditioning fellow TBer Troy's, earlier in the fall.I have been using the DPA over the last couple of years. In direct comparison through headphones the DPA did sound better than the EAP. No big deal ,what I expected. The real clincher came when the EAP was on the gig,no feed -back problems,and it did get pretty close to a mic-like sound. Score one for the EAP. On the first gig it sounded good . I immediately noticed a clearer over all sound and easier time hearing a centered pitch. I also kept my Underwood blended in the mix. EAP is a little lacking in the bass response,just a little,that is why the I have kept using the Underwood (one side only).
I started just using the Headway into a Doubler or Clarus head.After reading some of the comments about the Ehrlund pre, I eventually sprung for it too.I think that is a pretty good sound into one of your channels for EQ.
Overall the EAP sounds best ,the lower the volume.On a duo gig using the headway through a small PA is my favorite and most Acoustic sound,I have gotten . But it works well with larger bands etc. Sometimes a little boomy. The new BigE speaker doesn't hurt the process also.
If your looking for a natural sound with not much interference on bridge tailpiece etc. Give it a try.
Like all Pick ups that I have tried starting with Polytone,Underwood,BP100,Realist,Vector,Full Circle, AMT and DPA mics.It depends a lot on your bass and the end results you are trying to get..:cool:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back