Double Bass Ehrlund straight into amp (or EDB-2)

[tito mangialajo]

hello,
it's possible to go straight into an amp with the Ehrlund pick-up? Or it is necessarily run through the Ehrlund Pre? Or it's possible to use another pre, like an Headway EDB-2?

 

[bassically_eli]

The Headway should work just fine on the higher impedance settings. As for other amps/preamps, it just depends on the amps input impedance. Generally, 1 M-ohm or greater is what is recommended for piezo pickups. You can usually find the spec in the back of the owner's manual.

 

[Ric Vice]

Having lots of experience with the Ehrlund EAP ( I use one as my main pickup) I can tell you that unfortunately without some kind of preamp ahead of the EAP the signal directly off the pickup just won't be strong enough. The
EDB/2 will work just fine to boost the Ehrlund to useable levels. I have either a EDB/2 H.E. or a Grace Designs Felix that I use with the EAP. I've had several email exchanges with Goran Ehrlund (the pickups designer) and he
designed the pickup to be used with either his Ehrlund Pre Amp (which definitely works, but I'm not particularly fond of)or some other quality unit. Also note that the Ehrlund Preamp is set higher than 1 Meg Ohm ( as I recall it's 2.2 Meg Ohms)
so a typical 1 Meg Ohm input isn't quite high enough. Through using the EAP I find that it's timbre is more pleasing at 5 Meg to 6.8.

 

[Wasnex]

Also note that the Ehrlund Preamp is set higher than 1 Meg Ohm ( as I recall it's 2.2 Meg Ohms)
so a typical 1 Meg Ohm input isn't quite high enough. Through using the EAP I find that it's timbre is more pleasing at 5 Meg to 6.8.

The Ehrlund EAP manual says:

Ref: EHRLUND-EAP-MANUAL.pdf

 

[tito mangialajo]

The Ehrlund EAP manual says:
View attachment 4709381

Ref: EHRLUND-EAP-MANUAL.pdf

So Headway EDB2 will work fine because has high impedence input (5 megaohm) end even higher (+Hi selector). Right?

 

[jj.833]

I've tested Ehrlund pickup with Sans amp Paradriver and it worked just fine. I prefer the Ehrlund pre sound though.

 

[Ric Vice]

So Headway EDB2 will work fine because has high impedence input (5 megaohm) end even higher (+Hi selector). Right?

Yes, I found that I preferred the 5 Meg Ohm with my amps. The EDB-2 also has plenty of gain.

 

[Ric Vice]

I've tested Ehrlund pickup with Sans amp Paradriver and it worked just fine. I prefer the Ehrlund pre sound though.

Never tried a Sans Amp Paradriver but it has a stellar reputation in reviews from respected members of the Talkbass brain trust. I have two Ehrlund preamps that just didn’t hold up sitting in my electronic junk drawer. They don’t like being jostled around and cannot be repaired.