Double Bass (Another) Full Circle Question

[jhelsley]

After much questing, I slapped a Full Circle on my old Pollman. The output seems MUCH lower than either my Gage or Underwood. Around open D, Eb area, the volume spikes, but around Bb on the A string sounds really choked and compressed.

I stuck a Fishman Pro EQ in front to see if it would tame it, but that didn't help at all.

Do I have a bad pickup?

Is there a reliable way to test the output, to see if it is operating within specs?

 

[61pollmann]

I use a FC on my 1961 Pollmann. It's the best pickup I've ever used, and I've used quite a few. All four strings on mine have strong, balanced output. I would check your installation. The threads should face up so that the bottom of the pickup contacts the lower foot of the bridge. Also, if the hole for the adjusters is not exactly 90 degrees relative to the flat surface that contacts the pickup, that will affect the sound. One simple thing to try would be to rotate the pickup slightly, check the sound, and rotate a little more, etc..

Good luck with it.

George

 

[Uncletoad]

Sounds like it's not installed properly.

The fit of the adjusters and the bridge to the top has to be excellent for it to work well. Might check to see if all the mating surfaces are flush and level and that the bridge feet are properly flush to the top across their full surface and not just around the edges where they contact the top. Whatever part of the bridge the threads aren't on needs to fit perfectly against the wheel as any play or tilt will throw off the piezo's and make them sound week.

Threads up like 61Pollman or threads down doesn't matter as much for a full sound. Either should sound good and strong. The mating surfaces are crucial though.

If you aren't sure ask a luthier.

If you are sure it's installed properly it's also possible you got a bad element. They do make a few bad ones from time to time. I had a run of them several years ago. Fishman is very good about swapping them out. Call them directly and they'll give you an RA to send it to them and swap it with you.

 

[jhelsley]

Thanks Phil and George...

One of my students canceled, so I had a minute to test some stuff out…
I compared the FC on my Pollmann with an FC on another bass, through a different amp. While the output seemed a little low on both of them, it seems generally consistent between the two. I suspect something else is happening down the chain (possibly in my trusty Walter Woods?)

I’d still be curious to know of the best way to test the output of a given pickup, just to see what’s going on?

 

[Uncletoad]

Thanks Phil and George...

One of my students canceled, so I had a minute to test some stuff out…
I compared the FC on my Pollmann with an FC on another bass, through a different amp. While the output seemed a little low on both of them, it seems generally consistent between the two. I suspect something else is happening down the chain (possibly in my trusty Walter Woods?)

I’d still be curious to know of the best way to test the output of a given pickup, just to see what’s going on?

Metering a Piezo isn't useful. The best way to test one is to plug it in and see what happens. Compare it to some other known thing and you'll know where you are. In our shop the reference amps are so familiar to us that when something is amiss we know immediately when the thing is plugged in.

The Woods could be getting tired. Try plugging something else into it and see what it sounds like.