Try to avoid unrealistic expectations. The Ehrlund is great but a mic is the ideal tone when you can avoid feedback and funky rooms. The EAP is a compromise between the pickup and the piezo and therefore not perfect but a very convincing imitation. I like mine so much I'm buying a whole new amp/cab setup to compliment it.
Hope this helps you avoid a major disappointment and enjoy getting to know the EAP. Also, be patient with placement and EQ as there is a significant learning curve.
A compromise between pickup and piezo? Do you mean a functional combination of the characteristics of a mic and a piezo pickup? Now, that I would understand.
Indeed, a mic is the gold standard in terms of reproducing the sound of the DB. No question. In the studio, I didn't run my Ehrlund into the mix. In most gigging situations, however, I don't think a mic is the most desirable device. Yes, in those limited circumstances in which feedback can be avoided, a mic is, hands down, the best. If one has a regular gig or gigs that fit the criteria, I'd go with a mic. That doesn't apply to me, given the different groups with and venues in which I play.
I didn't find there to be a substantial learning curve at all with the Ehrlund. I spent a total of a few hours over two or three days methodically testing various placements. That was, essentially it. Tone-shaping will always be necessary, given room/cabinet characteristics and interactions. The same would be true for a mic. The truth is that I have to fiddle with tone-shaping to a
lesser degree with the Ehrlund than I did with other pickups. I believe this is because of the superior reproduction of the temporal attack/decay profile that the Ehrlund affords (see comments earlier in this thread). This results in less tweaking in difficult situations in order to be heard.
Vincent,
Well, from my perspective, when I first heard the clip that Goran Ehrlund had on his site, I couldn't see what the fuss was about. Then I tried one out and it was a real eye opener, on my bass. I had been experimenting with the DPA 4099B, and a Realist. Once I had the Ehrlund installedm and played a few gigs, I removed the Realist, and stowed the DPA 4099 unless it's a concert where I need to go FOH, and frankly even then it's just more convenient to just DI the signal from my amp. May it work as well for you as it does for me.
Ric
+1! In fact, if you look back at my early comments, I was singularly unimpressed with those clips and still am! I blame the clips and not the device. The
more recent comparison clips that have been posted are far more revealing. My reaction to the Ehrlund was and is, "Where have you been all my life?!" I still haven't found a situation in which I've been disappointed with it. It is superior to every other pickup system I've used.
