Double Bass ehrlund contact pu-mike

[flatback]

Well Im sure this is of concern to no one on this thread but just as a finishing matter and final post on the subject I am sadly concluding my interest in the Ehrlund and putting it up for sale with the hopes of turning it into a DPA 4099.
I feel that the Ehrlund suffers from the same problems of all contact mics, that it amplifies a lot of good but exaggerates the surface sounds so much that in the end it interferes with how I interact with the bass and other musicians.
After a month of gigs where I found myself mixing more and more of the FC into the mix at critical junctures in the music - when it gets fast and or loud, when I need definition without finger noise etc, the seductive naturalness of the Ehrlund is just overshadowed by its faults.
I play with bands and drummers and in that context I really prefer the FC with a mic mixed in or out (as the case may be) then any combination with the Ehrlund.
The FC is silent BETWEEN notes and that definition is what I finally decided was critical in hearing myself in adverse conditions.Further the sound of a mic adds a much more realistic and mixable sound to the body and depth of the FC then the Ehrlund.

just my experience falling in the forest making no sound....

 

[BassJunkie]

After an hour of different placement options at home, I found one ball of putty in the middle of the Ehrlund gave the best volume and depth. On my bass the sweet spot is just left of the bass bar about 3 inches south of the bridge. At home, the Realist was getting its infamous low-end feedback way before the Ehrlund! I am playing a duo gig with a pianist tonight in a loud bar. We'll see how it does.
My only issue so far is the male plug. I want a more "semi-permanent" solution. I hope someone can point out a thread about "changing the gender" of the male plug into a female jack like some of you crafty guys did. I don't even know the right terms to search, but it looks rather easy for a pro electric/sound guy.
I am using the simple Fishman B-II as the preamp and it's working very nicely.

 

[engedi1]

Well Im sure this is of concern to no one on this thread but just as a finishing matter and final post on the subject I am sadly concluding my interest in the Ehrlund and putting it up for sale with the hopes of turning it into a DPA 4099.
I feel that the Ehrlund suffers from the same problems of all contact mics, that it amplifies a lot of good but exaggerates the surface sounds so much that in the end it interferes with how I interact with the bass and other musicians.
After a month of gigs where I found myself mixing more and more of the FC into the mix at critical junctures in the music - when it gets fast and or loud, when I need definition without finger noise etc, the seductive naturalness of the Ehrlund is just overshadowed by its faults.
I play with bands and drummers and in that context I really prefer the FC with a mic mixed in or out (as the case may be) then any combination with the Ehrlund.
The FC is silent BETWEEN notes and that definition is what I finally decided was critical in hearing myself in adverse conditions.Further the sound of a mic adds a much more realistic and mixable sound to the body and depth of the FC then the Ehrlund.

just my experience falling in the forest making no sound....

I wonder if the problem you have been having is related to the modification (adding the female jack) Maybe something on that jack makes the Ehrlund more microphonic than normal. Otherwise, why doesn't this objection surface from everyone?

 

[MR PC]

How the heck could a passive component like the jack have such a drastic effect on the sound?

 

[oystein]

How the heck could a passive component like the jack have such a drastic effect on the sound?

You know, adding a female often mess things up

 

[MR PC]

..........so how can the output jack have a drastic effect on the sound?

 

[engedi1]

I .

Another tiny annoying thing is that the 1/4" female jack that was installed had a bit of wire spring coming out the cable end to protect the cable. Play loud enough and the spring would rattle so I taped it down. .

This is what I was referring to. It seems that others who got the pickup from Front End Audio and had them shorten the cable and put on their female jack had this problem.

 

[BassJunkie]

Ok. I like it. A lot. Needs a female jack.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Front End Audio's female jack sucks. It's cheap, rattles (*** is up with the spring/coil collar?) and wouldn't be surprised that its' causing the hum I get. Gonna have to make an order for a better jack from PartsExpress.com.

 

[engedi1]

Front End Audio's female jack sucks. It's cheap, rattles (*** is up with the spring/coil collar?) and wouldn't be surprised that its' causing the hum I get. Gonna have to make an order for a better jack from PartsExpress.com.

Please let us know how it turns out. I am afraid to mess with it too much myself as the Erhlund seems really sensitive. I think Jonas uses a switchcraft jack?

 

[jonas]

Please let us know how it turns out. I am afraid to mess with it too much myself as the Erhlund seems really sensitive. I think Jonas uses a switchcraft jack?

Yes. Neutrik and Switchcraft offer the best quality. But the Neutrik female jack is much thicker, so I like the Switchcraft better.

 

[Ric Vice]

Yes. Neutrik and Switchcraft offer the best quality. But the Neutrik female jack is much thicker, so I like the Switchcraft better.

Jonas,
I remember you posting that Goran wasn't using that jack anymore, so it shouldn't be a problem now should it?

Ric

 

[jonas]

Jonas,
I remember you posting that Goran wasn't using that jack anymore, so it shouldn't be a problem now should it?

Ric

I don't know – I get all my Ehrlunds without the original (male) jack from Göran, since I prefer the female Switchcraft jack anyway.

 

[Ric Vice]

I don't know – I get all my Ehrlunds without the original (male) jack from Göran, since I prefer the female Switchcraft jack anyway.

Jonas,
Thanks for jogging my memory. So, it's evidently up to each indidivual dealer what jack they install on the end of the cable. Your's has a great jack, Goran's would be suitable for Guitar but not the Double Bass. Am I correct that Goran doesn't manufacture the pickup in his basement and it's actually built by Pearl Microphones in Sweden? That's what the container on my pickup indicates.

Ric

 

[jonas]

Jonas,
Thanks for jogging my memory. So, it's evidently up to each indidivual dealer what jack they install on the end of the cable.

I don't think so – the pickups I get *without* jack are special order. Usually, they come with a male jack.

 

[bassphase]

Yes, use a Switchcraft female jack. That's what I did--it works perfectly!!!!


bob

 

[engedi1]

Yes, use a Switchcraft female jack. That's what I did--it works perfectly!!!!


bob

Are you saying you did the mod yourself? that is above my skill level! How big a deal was it?

 

[paulitto]

Hi,

just want to share my impressions on the Ehrlund PU.

I bought it about 2 weeks ago from Jonas.
The PU Sounds awesome if you play alone or in a not too loud setup.
It really comes close to a microphone, especially playing with the Bow really sounds fantastic. On my bass, i found the sweet spot pretty fast. It is about 10cm under the Bridge on the E-Strind side. Just in line with the bassbar.

If things get loud & fast in an live gig, it misses punch & definition, at least for me.
So i will keep my FC mouted, just in case.
I also think an combination of the Erhlund and the FC could be the trick.
But i havent tried it jet......

Regards,
Paul

 

[engedi1]

Got my Ehrlund pickup and preamp in today! Pretty psyched about it. I slapped it on the bass with the supplied tack it and ran it through my amp. Here are some first impressions:
1. The cord is REALLY microphonic! You guys weren't kidding. One of the weirdest sounds I have heard was when a piece of cord was resting on the bass and I was bowing. It picked up the bow and the cable vibrating on the top.
2. Having figured this out, I then had to dial the low mid and bass down on my amp (TC RH450) as the tone was way boomy and midrangey.
3. That done, I had to keep cranking up the amp because I couldn't tell it was on! That is what I have been looking for! Just a huger, more present bass sound.
4. The arco tone was insane! I am currently using Bel Canto strings which have a smooth and sweet arco tone anyway, and I was really blown away by how nice it sounded through the amp. The best arco tone I have heard with a pickup.
5. After cranking it as far as I could to where things in the room were shaking, I was starting to get a little feedback.
6. No input volume problems or gain problems. Using the Erlund pre, the output volume was PLENTY! I only had the crank the gain on my amp just a tad higher then when I run my Sadowsky bass guitar in passive mode)

So far I am please, can't wait to get it on a few gigs. I have an upright gig in a couple week and will test it then. I will bring along my trusty bassmax just in case though...

 

[gvb1]

My Flightcase doesn't get a whole lot of volume with the EAP but it sounds really good. On the other hand I get more volume from my A I Contra but it doesn't sound as clean as the Phil Jones.
I've been using a Realist for about 5 years and when I AB the EAP with the Realist I'm amazed at what I've been missing. The EAP sounds so much more "natural", like my Bass unplugged only with more volume.