Double Bass Full Circle Issue...

[neddyrow]

So I was trying to be prepared for a possible bass tragedy and put my K&K pickup on my bass in case my full circle ever pooped out. I plugged it in and tested it....the bassmax was 10 times louder than the full circle!! I'm not sure why. I'm surprised I never noticed it. I've played over 30 shows with the full circle!!

Does anyone have any input on this? Is the full circle that low on the output? Does my full circle need repair/replacement?

For now, bassmax it is.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

The bass max is often noted for its high gain when it's properly installed. It has two large transducers in it (the Full Circle has 4 small ones).

It is possible that your Full Circle has an issue, they usually have a pretty good gain level as well.

As an aside, generally, pickups that are under pressure (like the FC and the BM) have higher output than pickups that are adhered or clipped to the bridge (like the Double Big Twin, BP-100, etc.)

 

[tyb507]

I've never noticed low output with my FC...I have played hundreds of shows with it and the only problem I've had is a wonky connection between the jack and the little wire that sometimes cuts out at very inconvenient moments. I've "fixed" it with some judicious use of pliers, but next time I take strings and such off my bass for something I'll probably send it to Fishman for a real fix. I've mostly stopped gigging on that bass, and have another one with a FC on it, too.

Have you checked to see that the element side of the pickup has full contact with the leg of the bridge?

 

[neddyrow]

I checked the connections and everything seems to be good there. I also lowered the wheel so it was totally flush with the parts of the bridge and no help. I'm curious if it is the part where the wire goes into the element. It seems solid but it's seems like it could be pulled out.