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Fitting a pickup

Discussion in 'Amps, Mics & Pickups [DB]' started by bob denard, Nov 9, 2005.

  1. Nov 9, 2005 #1
    bob denard

    bob denard Guest

    Jul 11, 2003
    Paris, France
    Hello everybody,
    I've been dissatisfied with my pickup for a long time. It's from a french brand called FWF and it's a combination of piezo + electret mike. It was hailed by many here as the best available when i bought it 3 years ago.
    I use the piezo alone, the mike isn't usable because feedback starts at very low volume. The sound of the piezo is boomy, nasal and with a nasty frequency somewhere in the mids that just doesn't do it.

    Anyway before acquiring anything new i'd like to know if these sound problems might come from the pickup not fitting the bridge slot correctly. I had it installed by a luthier (a good one i believe). The fit is OK, even a bit loose when i put most of the pickup, and then for the last 25 % of its surface i really have to push it in.

    I thought about buying a revolution Solo but i would have the same fit problem, so i might as well get the issue cleared right now..

    If you have any input or experience in this matter, please post !
    Thanks and cheers,
    Bob
     
  2. Nov 9, 2005 #2
    bolo

    bolo

    May 29, 2005
    Apex, NC
    Bob, I'm not familiar with the FWF. It sounds interesting though.

    Do you get any variance in tone when the pickup is kinda loose versus when you have it in there pretty snug?

    Also, it's possible that the problem you described might not be due to the fit of the pickup. Maybe it is an issue w/ an impedance mismatch between the pickup and the amp. So can I ask what kind of amp you're using?
     
  3. Nov 10, 2005 #3
    bob denard

    bob denard Guest

    Jul 11, 2003
    Paris, France
    Bolo,
    I will try to fit the pickup more loosely but i don't know if that'll make a change in the right direction as all of its surface won't be in contact with the slot (i think)
    As for the amp, i don't use one : i have a blender/preamp that goes with the pickup. I generally plug into the PA.
     
  4. Nov 10, 2005 #4
    bolo

    bolo

    May 29, 2005
    Apex, NC
    I was just curious if the pickup sounds any different when it is "kinda loose" vs. "real snug." Some wing slot pickups are real sensitive to how they are positioned, and how snug or loose the fit is.

    Also, does the pickup fit squarely on both sides, is it a square fit, or is your wing slot cut at an angle, so that the pickup is partly touching both sides, partly not?

    If you're already running through a preamp, I guess my only other very generic suggestion would be to experiment w/ cutting back the high's and/or the mid's through the PA.

    You shouldn't have any problems installing the Revolution SOLO by yourself. Just sand it down until it fits the way you like it.
     
    JanSpeeltBas likes this.
  5. Nov 10, 2005 #5
    Bofee

    Bofee Guest

    Aug 19, 2005
    Grass Valley, CA
    Pressure and position can have a huge effect on the sound of wing mounted piezo pickups. I like the slot a little oversized but absolutely parallel. I then use a pair of wedges (Sax reeds) to adjust the "snugness". It takes patience to do it right, small positional changes, varying pressure, and trying it rightside up and upside down. (I use Revolution Solo pickups on my basses.)
     
  6. Nov 10, 2005 #6
    cyrilc

    cyrilc Guest

    Nov 6, 2005
    Paris France
    Bob,
    I'm using FWF-B1 (static piezo pickup, wing-mounted). I noticed that the same thing (loose fit at the bottom, tight fit at the top) seems to be the consequence of a bridge beginning to warp a bit. I think you should be aware of that.
    Also, my experimentations on effects of pressure didn't led me too far, the major (but not so big) effects were obtained while flipping over each piezo in its bridge wing.
    I would qualify the sound as average, depending quite a bit upon the amp used.
     
  7. Nov 22, 2005 #7
    bolo

    bolo

    May 29, 2005
    Apex, NC
    I used to use shims too w/ my Bass Max just like this. I found I was always messing around with it though, trying to find a sweet spot that would stay put and stay consistently full sounding.

    Just fyi, as far as using shims with the Rev SOLO goes, there are actually some posts in another thread where the manufacturer recommends against it:

    To view that thread, you can go here. I quoted post #32.

    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=168142&page=2&pp=20

    They also offer a reconditioning service for the SOLO, here:

    http://www.clefmusic.com/Revolution_War.htm

    Note: Based on a recent email, the price for the service is $40 which includes UPS insured shipping back to you.