Double Bass David Gage Realist is distorting very, very easily.

[Wespe]

Looking all over the internet and the newbie forum here, I couldn't find anybody with a similar problem. I just installed my realist (wood version, not copper) and am fairly positive it's installed correctly. If I pluck the strings any more than lightly, I get an ugly clipping sound. My amp isn't clipping, because this occurs even when the amp and its initial gain stage is set very quietly.

I'm wondering if anyone has run into this issue and if they had any solutions.

 

[Ric Vice]

Wespe,


It's really important that you fill out your user profile with information about the amp you are using. Realists, have a very hot signal into the amp, so try it into a totally different amplifier and see if you still still hear the distortion.
Also, check to see if you can hear this distortion playing the instrument acoustically, because a pickup will only amplify the distortion. Let us know. There is also the possibility that it has a defect, I've had several copper foil Realists and never had a problem with them (until they get 5 years old. On my bass that's their life span.)

Ric

 

[Wespe]

Profile's filled out now, thank you.

Even acknowledging that I don't have proper amplification for an upright bass, the problem persists even when the gain and master volumes (of the Ampeg B200R) are set very low.

I'm exchanging the Realist for another, hoping I've just got a fluke.

 

[Ric Vice]

Profile's filled out now, thank you.

Even acknowledging that I don't have proper amplification for an upright bass, the problem persists even when the gain and master volumes (of the Ampeg B200R) are set very low.

I'm exchanging the Realist for another, hoping I've just got a fluke.

You should know right away once you install the new pickup. I know several players who use a B200R here in St. Louis and it sounds just fine. It's perfectly good amplifier. The Ampeg Manual for the B20OOR doesn't specify an input impedance, so I can't tell if that's an issue or not. It shouldn't overload the input like that though. You should still try the pickup into another amplifier. If the pickups fine, and the amps fine, but you're still having the problemthere is an attenuated cable that you can buy from David Gage. It lowers the output of the Realist, but I wouldn't go there until you rule all the other possibilities out.

.Ric

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Looking all over the internet and the newbie forum here, I couldn't find anybody with a similar problem. I just installed my realist (wood version, not copper) and am fairly positive it's installed correctly. If I pluck the strings any more than lightly, I get an ugly clipping sound. My amp isn't clipping, because this occurs even when the amp and its initial gain stage is set very quietly.

I'm wondering if anyone has run into this issue and if they had any solutions.

I looked the manual for your Ampeg, and you should definitely plug into input 2, which is padded (to handle higher output devices) and lower the gain control; I'd start at about 9 o'clock, and compensate with the master volume.

If you still get distortion, there can be other causes. The bridge foot is not perfectly flat against the body, possibly at an angle because retuning the bass after installing the pickup pulled the top towards the fingerboard. Or, another situation that is rare, but occurs, is that the area of the pickup not under the bridge foot is not flat against the body, perhaps accidentally bent a little (traditional copper Realist, of course) and is vibrating and causing a buzz. Use your fingers to dampen the edges while somebody plays notes to rule that out.

And as was suggested, check it with another amp.

 

[nikijack]

Hi Wespe: I'm having a different problem - The G and D string sound beautiful, but the A and E (C) have no punch at all, which is not the way my instrument sounds acoustically, or with my Underwood.

cheers,

Jack

 

[Z3r0_G]

If you still get distortion, there can be other causes. The bridge foot is not perfectly flat against the body, possibly at an angle because retuning the bass after installing the pickup pulled the top towards the fingerboard. Or, another situation that is rare, but occurs, is that the area of the pickup not under the bridge foot is not flat against the body, perhaps accidentally bent a little (traditional copper Realist, of course) and is vibrating and causing a buzz. Use your fingers to dampen the edges while somebody plays notes to rule that out.

And as was suggested, check it with another amp.

Hi Bob, I recently got one of the Realist (wood) from you not long ago. I seem to have the same problem. I've tried to sand the bridge feet against some sandpaper stuck to the body of the bass earlier today thinking maybe cause the bridge feet might not be as flush as it should be when i first got the bass (i got it 2nd hand).

Without the pickup it fits fine but I'm guessing because of the added thickness of the pickup, it can't be flush. I've attached a picture with a name card slotted in the gap.

https://twitter.com/#!/Titusngkk/status/125517071013511169/photo/1

Problem is that Luthiers in my area charge $300 to setup a bridge. What can i do myself that will ensure a proper seating of the bridge?

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Hi Bob, I recently got one of the Realist (wood) from you not long ago. I seem to have the same problem. I've tried to sand the bridge feet against some sandpaper stuck to the body of the bass earlier today thinking maybe cause the bridge feet might not be as flush as it should be when i first got the bass (i got it 2nd hand).

Without the pickup it fits fine but I'm guessing because of the added thickness of the pickup, it can't be flush. I've attached a picture with a name card slotted in the gap.

https://twitter.com/#!/Titusngkk/status/125517071013511169/photo/1

Problem is that Luthiers in my area charge $300 to setup a bridge. What can i do myself that will ensure a proper seating of the bridge?

Both flavors of Realist are flexible enough to form to the top and bridge foot unless one or the other is like a uneven mountaintop. The primary reason for Realist distortion (and for many other pickups) is preamp distortion due to the levels being set too high, causing overload.

If you send me an email I will respond with the bridge installation instructions I've written, perhaps they will help if your bridge foot needs further shaping.