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Double Bass Barcus-Berry B3150

#2
The good point of that pickup is that it's easy to install on a bass. This is why I bought it. I don't use it anymore.
From what I remember, the sound have a lot of bass, a tendency to boomy, not much definition, the preamp is not easy to install on the tailpiece because the cable of the pickup is short. I had to fix it on the strings (after-length). I have an old version of the preamp (3000).
My experience could be different from others.
 
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#8
Looks like the original link is dead . here is a new one
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

My Realist just died. I didn't even notice it because 95% of my work is acoustic small room stuff.
I do need to get something for the other 5% though. A clamp-on would probably be best since I would only need it on those rare occasions where I need my amp.
Any suggestions ?
In the meantime I'll look around the TB discussions
 
#9
Bobsax

I used the barcus 10 years ago when I began Doublebass.
I needed a pickup to be talking off because I used it on a school with a big band.
I had the choice between a BP 100, Barcus and FWF (a french kind of underwood).
The BP 100 was on the school bass, but in bad condition.
It was a long time ago and I hadn't a lot of experience but from what I can remember, the best sound I had was with the FWF. I would put the two others in the same ball pack: lots of bass, not realy treeble.
I don't think the barcus is the rare bird who will give you the sound you expect.
you probably don't want anymore the realistic that sits under the foot, and maybe change the sound of the bass, but There's a large choice of pick up that don't sits under the foot.
 
#10
Resurrection of this thread.
Many years ago, when the 3150 w/ 3000A pre-amp came out, a guy in my band worked at Barcus Berry and got me a complete systems for free, which I never used until recently, when the Underwood I had died for a second time ( I had them repair it once). Anyway, with the Barcus Berry 3000A pre-amp adjusted correctly,, is sounds pretty good, better than the old Underwood for sure. The trick is set the 3000A bass to about -7 and set the treble to around +5, This creates a sort of mid boost that gives nice highs and reduces the booming low end, tightening it up. I don't believe the 3000 hour 9V battery life specification in the manual, 300 seems more reasonable, but I guess I'll find out. After a month or so I got some weird noises and found one of the clamp screws on pickup was loose, presumably the bridge wood had shrunk with the weather. Easy fix. There is also a volume adjustment, mine is at about 7, driving a tube Fender Bassman. Only complaints are the super rugged thick metal pre-amps case makes it a bit heavy, but you will never damage it. Also, and this is really more important, you have to remove 4 very small Phillips flat head screws to open the case and change the 9V battery. On the plus side, everything needed to mount the 3000A pre-amp on the tailpiece was included: A Velcro strap and adhesion backed Velcro , plus rubber feet for it if so sit somewhere should you opt to not mount it on the bass itself. Thus the installation, with the clip on type bridge Piezo pickup, is non-evasive and requires zero modification to the bass.
It not easy to reach the pre-amp control shafts, so a small flat head screwdriver works for that. The 1/4 inch instrument cable or your WiFi dongle plugs in to the pre-amp, Many maligned this Barcus Berry 3150 setup, but you have to mess around with the 3000A pre-amp tone controls, and the position of the clip on pick-up; as moving it as little as 1/16" makes a huge difference. If you find one laying around, they are worth the time to fiddle around with and adjust.
 
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#12
The only touring bassist I’ve heard using the Barcus Berry B3150 was Ray Drummond playing Duos with Bill Mays. In that
setting it sounded spectacular. A lot of that was Ray’s playing and the Duo setting. Professionally, I’m using a Ehrlund EAP
along with the RedEye Twin preamp. The EAP is less expensive than it used to be $219.00, easily accessible and removable. Ehrlund’s require a
preamp like the Headway EDB-2 H.E. Or RedEye Twin. The RedEye Single is 295.00 new and it works well in combination with the EAP.
 
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#15
Jay Mendoza said:
Resurrection ………. Anyway, with the Barcus Berry 3000A pre-amp adjusted correctly,, is sounds pretty good…………… driving a tube Fender Bassman. Only complaints are the super rugged thick metal pre-amps case makes it a bit heavy, but you will never damage it. Also, and this is really more important, you have to remove 4 very small Phillips flat head screws to open the case and change the 9V battery. On the plus side, everything needed to mount the 3000A pre-amp on the tailpiece was included: A Velcro strap and adhesion backed Velcro , plus rubber feet for it if so sit somewhere should you opt to not mount it on the bass itself. Thus the installation, with the clip on type bridge Piezo pickup, is non-evasive and requires zero modification to the bass. It not easy to reach the pre-amp control shafts, so a small flat head screwdriver works for that. The 1/4 inch instrument cable or your WiFi dongle plugs in to the pre-amp,
Click to expand...
If you got a useable sound out of a Fender Bassman with a Double Bass, using a piezo, regardless of the pickup, then my hat goes off to you sir. When I was using a tube amp the Ampeg B-15N was designed and engineered by a Double Bass player to reproduce Double Bass. It has higher input impedances on all three inputs than the Bassman. I think it was truly good fortune that the B-15N worked so well with the Fender Precision and Jazz Basses for moderate ‘volume gigs. I could never get it to work with the original Barcus Berry Silver Sliver and preamp or the Polytone.
Jay Mendoza said:
Many maligned this Barcus Berry 3150 setup, but you have to mess around with the 3000A pre-amp tone controls, and the position of the clip on pick-up; as moving it as little as 1/16" makes a huge difference. If you find one laying around, they are worth the time to fiddle around with and adjust.
Click to expand...
I might just do.that if it were reasonable enough cause the new ones are $450.00.
 
#18
Mark Gollihur said:
I've seen them for $375, brand new in box...
Click to expand...
Well Mark,
Thanks for the tip. Sometimes I need something fast and quick when I loan my second bass out to traveling bassist, since both my instruments
have Ehrlund EAP’s and not everyone is hip.to.how great they are. I usually just put my Realist Life Line on, but the Barcus might be easier. Whether not they would dig it, well that’s a horse of a different color. :roflmao: :smug:
 

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