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Double Bass David Gage Realist or Fishman Full Circle?

J

Jortz

Sep 27, 2011
3
0
#1
I've recently decided that I want to purchase a pickup for my bass. I've narrowed down the search to either the David Gage Realist or the Fishman Full Circle. The thing is, I'm mostly a classical player but still do jazz gigs so I know its needed. However I need something that wont affect my basses sound for classical playing. Any feedback would be appreciated

Also, if you are a fan of the Realist, do you recommend the copper or the wood?
 
#2
First, I can only comment on the characteristics of the Realist, as I have not used the Full-Circle. I use the wood version, and I really like it. Most other bassists in my town (Columbia, SC) use the copper realist, and they all get great tone out of them on the gamut of basses (3/4-7/8, ply/carved/hybrid).

Regarding your comment about wanting to leave the acoustic characteristics of your bass intact for your classical playing, I am reminded of my former professor. It would not be a stretch to call him an audiophile (as we all should be, our instrument is capable of such gorgeous tone!) and we often talked about our respective searches for "The Tone". He often mentioned how reluctant he was to use pickups that would alter his acoustic tone in any way, whatsoever. He was also equally busy in the solo/section world as well as the jazz world. If you think about it, both the Realist and Full Circle would have some effect on the acoustic tone of a bass. The effects are probably small and transparent to the uninformed ear, but depending upon how discerning you are, you may notice. For the Realist to work in the first place, it has to disrupt the transmission of vibrations between the table and bridge foot. Similarly, using any kind of bridge adjusters (Full Circle or otherwise) would have some kind of effect on your tone, when compared to a solid bridge without adjusters.

Probably more information thank you want to think about, or read. But you mentioned it, and it reminded me of those conversations with my professor.
 
#4
I appreciate the help. I still have a lot to consider, and like you said anything will alter the tone, even if it is slight. From what I'm hearing the Realist has more of a lower growl as compared to the fishman, however the fishman is bringing out midrange a bit better. Again thanks for the assistance, I have more insight into both of these pickups now.
 
#5
I've used and liked both. I think the Full Circle is a little bit better as a pickup. More clarity, no mis-behavior of any kind. I liked the Realist, though. I never had any feedback with it (either one) and it never hiccuped on me.

Both great pickups. I've gotten anal about what's on my bass, which is why I'm not using either right now. They both are somewhat intrusive in their own way. The Realist messes with your setup in a subtle way, probaby will bother your luthier more than you, but it does and it will mark your table under the bridge foot.

If you already have adjusters on your bridge, the Full Circle should not make much acoustic difference, but I didn't like the jack mounting in the afterlengths of the strings. I don't really like it on the tailpiece either, but it's better there and the Realist would be there anyway. If you're not using adjusters and don't need them, I wouldn't advocate having them installed, just to enable the Full Circle. My guess is that you have adjusters already...just a guess.

There seem to be a few alternatives now that enable you to use them and remove them when not in use, but they all have their problems too.

Pick your poison. Both of the pickups you are considering are good jazz pickups and will do their job faithfully. All mics and pickups bring some baggage with them. <sigh>
 
#6
Jortz said:
I've recently decided that I want to purchase a pickup for my bass. I've narrowed down the search to either the David Gage Realist or the Fishman Full Circle. The thing is, I'm mostly a classical player but still do jazz gigs so I know its needed. However I need something that wont affect my basses sound for classical playing. Any feedback would be appreciated

Also, if you are a fan of the Realist, do you recommend the copper or the wood?
Click to expand...

Jortz,
If you want to bow then IMHO and IME the Realist will get a better Arco sound. If you need considerable volume from the pickup then IMHO the Full Circle will preform better under those conditions. Now, there is a third choice, but it has a higher price tag. The new Ehrlund pickup with it's accompanying pre amp has the best arco and pizz sound I have personally ever experienced. There is one catch since it sticks to the top of the bass with non abrasive little balls of putty. It retails for @ $385.00 with the pre amp. The Realist is less expensive, but as James mentioned it puts the transducer directly in between the bridge and the top.

Ric
 
#7
You're right, Ric and you know I'm using the Ehrlund. In many ways, I'm loving it and I'm still with it for now.

I gotta say though for someone (maybe on their first pickup) who has narrowed down their choices to Realist and Full Circle, the Ehrlund is a totally different suggest. The first two are largely plug and play. The Ehrlund requires a much more patient and expereinced hand and ear.

Not bashing it, just saying.

Given his first two choices, if his concern was acoustic impact when not in use and budget was expanded, I'd probably suggest checking out the Realist SoundClip. It seems closer to the two he was considering.

Then again, I'm using the Ehrlund, so I won't say it's a bad idea.
 
#8
that does sound like a good suggestion but Troyk is right, I'm really not experienced when it comes to pickups and thats why i narrowed it down to the Realist and Full Circle. However that is something I'll need to look into. But you're definitely right i also want a good bow sound, so if the realist is pulling that off better that may be my best bet.
 
#9
TroyK said:
You're right, Ric and you know I'm using the Ehrlund. In many ways, I'm loving it and I'm still with it for now.

I gotta say though for someone (maybe on their first pickup) who has narrowed down their choices to Realist and Full Circle, the Ehrlund is a totally different suggest. The first two are largely plug and play. The Ehrlund requires a much more patient and expereinced hand and ear.

Not bashing it, just saying.

Given his first two choices, if his concern was acoustic impact when not in use and budget was expanded, I'd probably suggest checking out the Realist SoundClip. It seems closer to the two he was considering.

Then again, I'm using the Ehrlund, so I won't say it's a bad idea.
Click to expand...

Troy,
You're right as well, I didn't personally have the same problem with finding a good spot on the bass to mount it, but that's not always the case. I've only heard the Realist Sound Clip once, last year when Christian Mc Bride used one on a concert with his new bass, it definitely was not the sound I'm going after. Just using my ears to compare it with a copper foil Realist that I used for 10 years, IMHO the foil one sounded better. It costs $399.00 as well. Bob Golihur had different results however, her's a link to his impressions of the Sound Clip.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Ric
 
#11
kerrycares said:
the Realist sounds darker, correct?
which one sounds the most like your bass?
Click to expand...

Kerry,
It's probably not a fair comparison, since I don't own a Realist Sound Clip. The Copper Foil Realist had a very warm sound and had a good bowed tone as long as I didn't have to play very loud. Using the pickup at high volume levels with my bass caused a change over in sound. The timbre became nasal and the attack changed. The Ehrlund sounds the most like my bass.

Ric
 
#12
I agree that the upside of the Ehrlund is peerless, but it's far from plug and play. You gotta be committed!

I heard the SoundClip once, when Ron Carter was in town and it sounded just like...well Ron Carter. Would love a chance to demo one, but can't afford to spend $400 to try it out.
 
#13
First, anything you attach to the instrument will alter the sound slightly. Second, pickups sound different on different basses. Also keep in mind that the biggest factor in your sound is YOU and not your gear. The sound is in your hands. If I played your bass on your rig I would sound completely different than you and the same thing if you used my stuff.

I have copper Realists on both of my basses, a plywood Engelhart C1 and a fully carved Shen SB200 and I use SWR amps. The Realist replicates my acoustic sound, only louder. I can swap from pizz to arco without making any EQ changes.

I tried the Full Circle on the C1 and hated it. It sounded really thin pizz and the arco sound was horrid. I could adjust the amp EQ and get it bearable but I needed completely different EQ for pizz and arco.
 
#14
TroyK said:
...Given his first two choices, if his concern was acoustic impact when not in use and budget was expanded, I'd probably suggest checking out the Realist SoundClip.
Click to expand...

I'd also suggest the Rev Solo, all things considered. It can be easily removed from the bridge wing when the OP wishes to go au naturale. :)
 
#16
My experience:

The only bass that I really liked the Gage pickup on was a very bright sounding Kay that I had setup with Spirocores. As soon as I put gut strings on that bass, the result was kind of muddy.

Flash forward to today, where I have a dark and full sounding Upton Standard 5 string strung with Velvet Garbos (very gut-like IMO). I had both the Gage and the Full Circle on this bass at the same time, and for my needs the Full Circle was perfect. It's added clarity, generally brighter sound, and ability to get more volume were just what the doctor ordered.

So, my general feeling is that the Gage will match up really well with a brighter sounding bass with steels, whereas the Full Circle will really even out a darker sounding instrument. I imagine for my tastes a Full Circle on an already-bright sounding bass setup with Spiros would be too much of a good thing.

IMO/YMMV, every bass is VERY different of course.
 
#17
My experience with the wood realist is that it amplifies the body of your bass. It makes your bass bigger. In a live setting, when used well, it makes you sound like the body of your bass is twice as big and produces a very natural sound. For the best results you need the blend of your acoustic bass sound with some of the realist mixed in. Hence the realist doesn't amplify the string detail like a full circle or a bridge wing pickup does and that is why it is perceived as dark. At least, in my experience. In an ideal world if you could blend a little mic signal (like a Dpa4099b) in with the realist for some air and string detail, you would be in amplification heaven :-) my2cents.
 
#18
Since nobody has mentioned this yet, I will.

You can also install the Full Circle with the threads on top. This puts the pickup on the bottom side of the bridge instead of the top. Many people say the sound is somewhere between a Realist and a Full Circle. Maybe the best of both. Unfortunately, experimenting can be rather expensive.
 
#19
I play a 3/4 fully carved bass w/Spirocore E, A, & D and Flexocore G; blending a Realist Woody with an AKG D112 (inside foam under the tailpiece) thru a Headway EDB-1 into a Carvin BX500 (effects return) thru (2) Berg AE112s. I get a huge, clean, pure bass tone. I have just found THE secret to playing this bass in live rooms and at higher volumes. I bought a padded travel head rest at Walmart. I put under the strings behind the bridge against the body....presto nothing but nice tight bass, with no feedback...try it!
I first had the copper Realist. The wire attachment broke loose. The wire attachment on the woody is much more robust, and should last a lot longer. I also like the sound (and looks) of the woody more than the copper one.
 
#20
Funny!!! I too looked at this thread and wanted to give my opinion.
Fwiw, Elmon reflects my feelings 100%. And Bruce... thanks for reminding me about the Full Circles dual personality. I want to try flipping mine!

HOWEVER, this thread originated in September 2011! I wonder what the OP went with.
Good night gents....
 

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