Double Bass David Gage Realist Pickup Fuzzing?

[Anonymous 98765]

Having recently got a new bass, (Kay M-1 1941), I switched my realist over from my old bass (Golden Strad) onto the Kay.

I didn't notice any problems at first, but my teacher pointed out it was fuzzing in my 2nd year final recital. He suggested that it could be the increased volume of the bass distorting the signal, but it seems to me that this is not the problem, since no matter how low I have the gain on the amp or which amp I use, the signal is fuzzing. I must mention that it's not the overdrive/distortion you'd expect from something being too loud, it's kind of a fuzzy sound, like when a signal clips.

Has anyone else had this problem? I'm wondering whether I've damaged the pickup during transfer or what the cause could be. Doesn't help that my DPA has broken too...



If it's worth mentioning I use mostly pizz being a jazz player and my amp is a Genz-Benz Shuttle Combo amp, no problems ever before.

 

[Matt Ides]

Have you tried loosening the strings and repositioning the realist?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

How old is the pickup? I've heard that they generally experience a boost in volume followed by a quiet death around year five.

 

[Anonymous 98765]

As of yet i haven't tried refitting the pickup, I'll give this a try. I've noticed that the whole copper area of the pickup is not touching the body, it is raised on the side closest to the edge of the bridge. The bridge was flush with the body, perfect fit, before i attached the pickup, could it be this?

The pickup is only 18 months old at most so i'd rule out age.

Thanks for your help so far. I'll have to try reattaching and if that doesn't work then i think it has a warrantee.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I suspect fit. Although the change is subtle, physics dictates that it raises the E side of the bridge but not the G side. This 'pivot' can cause the outside of the E foot to have a slight gap. This has been my experience anyway.

FWIW, I just had a copper Realist die and chose a wood Realist replacement. So far, it's a winner. The piezo discs in the copper version are problematic because they dent the top and degrade over time. Although the wood version also uses them they are protected by wood on the bottom and a rubber layer on top, protecting the bass.

 

[Anonymous 98765]

So you think it's the pivot that's causing it? I was thinking that myself. I'm not sure how i'd remedy that, maybe the refit.

If not, how feasible is it to plug the gap with a thin wedge of wood? May be worth trying this first to save taking it off, long process.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I've heard of people carving small indentations into the foot of their bridge in order to accommodate he piezo elements. Obviously, you should consult a luthier before you do so.

 

[Bob Gollihur]

As of yet i haven't tried refitting the pickup, I'll give this a try. I've noticed that the whole copper area of the pickup is not touching the body, it is raised on the side closest to the edge of the bridge. The bridge was flush with the body, perfect fit, before i attached the pickup, could it be this?

-snip-.

Yes, if the pickup is buzzing against the bass it can be a problem.

 

[Elizabeth990]

I am having the same problem with my D Gauge pick up. I slightly repositioned the pick up. No better. Then sanded the bridge to accommodate the shape a little better. Now it's buzzing worse than before. I have been using this pick up for about 12 months. Such a bummer!!

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Have someone else play the bass while you use a finger to dampen vibrations at the pickup but also up the bridge, so you can determine what is vibrating. We sell a lot of Gage pickups, and experience very, very few problems.

 

[birdlandmusic]

I have personally used the Realist pickup for over 15 years now and have not experienced this issue. However, I am aware of piezo pickups sounding bad and distorting as you describe. Any piezo pickup can go bad, they are durable but do damage at times. If the bridge fits properly on your bass, and it does not buzz without the pickup it should be fine with the pickup. If not the pickup may just be bad.

Bill Trotman
Birdlandmusic.net
866-446-4135

 

[Anonymous 98765]

Hi everyone,

Readjusted the pickup so that the piezo elements were in full contact with the foot of the bridge and the bass and now it works fine, no fuzzing! There is still a gap between the outer edge of the foot and the bass, but this makes no difference.

James

 

[allottavabassa]

Hi,

I have also the problem of distortion with the realist. When I "damp" the picup (touch the copper with my fingers) as I play, the distortion dissappears. I have also noticed that the e- side bridge foot is slightly lifted ( I have installed the realist under the e-side foot). The bridge foot is on the e-side a bit loose. The changed position / balance of bridge caused by the realist on just the other side is a very logical reason for the lifting of e-side bridge foot. What would you recommend putting under the other bridge foot. A piece of wood? I don´t like the idea of cutting a piece away from the bridge foot. I am also slightly worried about the lack of friction between the bridge, realist and body. Can some kind of glue be used?
The problem is not only the distortion but also a clear change in the sound. First I lost the clarity, intesity and powerfull depth that I had with the realist at the beginning. After a while the distortion started. I the beginng the realist gave me the possibility to play with a very loud band with great sound and no problems with hum. No I need more volume to be heard sound is weaker and there is a problem with hum.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

How old is the pickup? That kind of behavior has been described as the harbinger of impending death for these pickups.

Is your bridge absolutely straight, and providing good contact between the bridge foot and the top?

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Hi,

I have also the problem of distortion with the realist. When I "damp" the picup (touch the copper with my fingers) as I play, the distortion dissappears. I have also noticed that the e- side bridge foot is slightly lifted ( I have installed the realist under the e-side foot). The bridge foot is on the e-side a bit loose. ...

If the bridge foot is not perfectly fitted to the top of the bass, that's the problem. The fact that it goes away when you manually dampen the pickup seems to further confirm it.

IMHO you need to correct the bridge fitment; it does not appear to be a Realist problem.

 

[Brad Kellar]

My Realist pickup started fuzzing / buzzing on the low notes after I changed strings several times. The fuzz tone changed when I damped it with my finger. I checked the bridge fit with a couple of 3 x 5 cards and saw that it was terrible (see pic)! I fixed it temporarily by stuffing the 3 x 5's under the bridge and trimming them. Later, I loosened the strings and adjusted the bridge placement so it sat flat. The buzz is gone. By the way, I had noticed the bass clicking when I tuned the strings due to string friction on the bridge, even though I had "lubed" it with a pencil each string change. This time, I shot some graphite lock lube between the bridge and the strings...much better, and won't pull the bridge crooked again. I'm using LaBella 7710N nylon tape wound strings. One more note - my Realist is more than ten years old - I haven't noticed any degradation.

 

[andallthatjazz]

I've been using the realist copper version for over 20 years. It's still very much alive, although there might now be a grounding issue.

Your problem is without doubt that your bridge is no longer flat top the table of your bass, and the pickup is able to rattle. Probably best to get a letter to fit it.

 

[Ric Vice]

I've been using the realist copper version for over 20 years. It's still very much alive, although there might now be a grounding issue.

Your problem is without doubt that your bridge is no longer flat top the table of your bass, and the pickup is able to rattle. Probably best to get a letter to fit it.

And All That Jazz,
It's really hard to see in the individual posts, because the date of the post is greyed out, but the post you replied to was made over a year ago, on September 9 of 2019.