Double Bass Fishman Vs. Realist

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I now have both a Realist and Full Circle on my bass. I had KC Strings cut a new bridge for the FC size adjusters and I also have the original bridge with the larger size adjusters.

Why, after playing a couple of gigs with just the Realist I wanted to decide once and for all which was better on the bass. I will be able to try them out in the next week. So far, at home the FC sounds similar but is more resistant to feedback. It also sounds cleaner at higher volumes where the Realist gets woofy. On the other bass, the FC was strictly plug and play with no problems with feedback and minimal EQ to get a usable sound. The Realist sounds the most natural at low to medium volume of anything I've tried. I also think the bass might sound just a bit better with the larger adjusters in the bridge, but any difference is slight.

If I choose to go with the Realist, the original bridge goes back on.

 

[brandonwong]

I recently put on a FC on my eminence and it provides a better clarity and volume than the Realist.
It is not so mic-like but it did provide a better punch if you need more volume.

 

[edfriedland]

That's why I'm keeping both on my bass. I play in so many different rooms, different styles, different bands... it's good to have options. The two pickups definitely have unique tones and capabilities.

On my gut string rig, I've been using a King DB bridge/fingerboard transducer and the Crown mic through a Fishman Blender. I rarely used the fingerboard transducer as it's more of a high volume slap tool - I don't do that too often. But the mic was great for picking up the slap at more acoustic levels (read - no drums). Now, I have a Realist on that bass too, and I'm happy with that.

I'm very happy with the FC for a modern, articulate jazz sound. But frankly it didn't work for me on songwriter type gigs, swing or country. It's more about the way it acts with MY bass, I'm not blaming it on the pickup. The Realist has more thump, I'm digging that!

 

[rejsew]

Why not try j-tone transducer,from the uk much more tone either way around,quite reasonably priced.

 

[edfriedland]

I've never heard of this pickup. Does anyone use them or sell them in the US?

 

[Martin Beer]

Hi rejsew, have you checked out the commercial user policy? I can't help but notice that the eBay seller of the j-tones also goes by the name rejsew...

 

[rejsew]

I wish i could find a mix between the old polytone and the bp 100

 

[edfriedland]

I wish i could find a mix between the old polytone and the bp 100

Really? We've come a long way since then brother! I won't go back, no way.

 

[rejsew]

i use to own a rowland cube bass amp and used one of the first polytones ,very brash but a nice tone,the fishmans are very loud but lack the bottom end of the polytone.The realist is a fine pick up but gives a little to much feedback without eq.
Iam still a plug and play guy at heart.

 

[Deleted member 5551]

I've got a realist on my Cleveland. I used to have a K&K BassMaster Pro [Bass Max in the wing + Double Big Twin on the bridge].

The Realist was a big improvement. It took some futzing to get it to be just right, but now that i have-i can plug and play for the most part.

If i had more money than i knew what to do with-i'd add a Wilson pickup to my bass too. Namely because 2 of my teachers use them.

Edit: Ok, the BP100-on the high school owned kay-they installed one. I had to EQ the heck out of it-i was plugging into my slab amp though and didn't use a buffer.