Hi folks, just wondering if there's any data on the average live of a Fishman Full Circle pickup. Mine works ok, but I've had it more than a couple of years and I'm not sure I'm getting the best possible sound from my bass. The bass is in good shape but lately I'm not happy with the amplified sound and wondering if maybe the pickup is just getting old. Thanks!!
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Double Bass Full Circle life
- Thread starter klem.gote
- Start date
The Full Circle is said to have a limited lifetime of approximately five years.
On the other hand, I got my Full Circle used about five years ago and it was already second hand and it worked as well as when I got it when I sold it a few weeks ago (in favor of a Yamahiko to be installed soon).
But there is a large range of sound inside a quarter turn of the pickup. So you might experiment with different positions inside that quarter turn for a better sound.
On the other hand, I got my Full Circle used about five years ago and it was already second hand and it worked as well as when I got it when I sold it a few weeks ago (in favor of a Yamahiko to be installed soon).
But there is a large range of sound inside a quarter turn of the pickup. So you might experiment with different positions inside that quarter turn for a better sound.
I didn't know they had such a short expected life. If so then mine's on borrowed time as it's been on for 12 years. It still works fine but now I'm nervous.
Bumping the bass side bridge on top might be the worst thing for a Full Circle since the impact goes directly onto the crystal(s). So careful handling and/or a good bridge protection in the bass bag might result in a longer life as well as a well planed bridge leg (mine wasn't but it might be that the force was only in the inside of the Full Circle where a bass insert for the previous adjuster was mounted and might stick out a tiny bit).
One of the weakest, most fragile pickups I've ever seen, designed in a lab, not on the gig. On a good day it does sound good for a few seconds before the stupid wires get caught on something and then you spend the rest of the gig trying to get it right or how to reconnect the wires that just pulled out ....not a fan.....pickups are supposed to lower your stress level, not increase it, especially for the $200 price tag....
How is your experience with the Lifeline compare wit the Full Circle?
Do you dig the sound?
The lifeline is darker and a little punchier. The Fishman is more articulate. Whatever those descriptions might mean to you... For the last few months I've been using a Tonedexter, and I think that box will become standard equipment. If you get one I don't think the choice of pickup is too important; you could go with a cheaper bridge wing pick up, put the extra $150 or so towards a Dex and be happy.
The Yamahiko. More expensive, but should last a lot longer since there is no heavy weight on the piezo inside.
The Lifeline is a lot darker and therefor not the best to combine with a Tonedexter. It is easy to cut loud stuff out, but amplifying quiet areas in the sound spectrum always raises hiss.
I’ve gotten about three years out of mine on a travel bass and a fairly active touring schedule.
I’ve had mine replaced by Fishman twice in their repair program. It’s a $50 bench fee to assess the problem and repair. If they fix it or deem it untepairable, you get a new/like new pickup back for a fraction of the cost of new. I haven’t found a thing that is as repeatable and easy for my travel bass—so I’m still on the FC train.
That being said, I’d love to try the Yamahiko. I also bought the KNA DB-1 as a failsafe to keep in my kit and it’s really great for the money too, and you can pull it out when you don’t need it anymore. I’ve tried both realists, and they’re way too dark on my setup.
I’m also running the Tone Dexter, with what I think are great results. The full circle (and likely yamahiko) is a good pairing, and the Gollihurs give the KNA the thumbs up for that too.
I’ve had mine replaced by Fishman twice in their repair program. It’s a $50 bench fee to assess the problem and repair. If they fix it or deem it untepairable, you get a new/like new pickup back for a fraction of the cost of new. I haven’t found a thing that is as repeatable and easy for my travel bass—so I’m still on the FC train.
That being said, I’d love to try the Yamahiko. I also bought the KNA DB-1 as a failsafe to keep in my kit and it’s really great for the money too, and you can pull it out when you don’t need it anymore. I’ve tried both realists, and they’re way too dark on my setup.
I’m also running the Tone Dexter, with what I think are great results. The full circle (and likely yamahiko) is a good pairing, and the Gollihurs give the KNA the thumbs up for that too.
FWIW, I like the results I've got with the Dex and Lifeline quite a bit. I've used a few different mics. I've got an ancient Underwood and one of the Upton pickups whose name escapes me at the moment. Maybe I'll make some maps with those and see what's up. Again, FWIW, I greatly prefer the Lifeline to both those and the Realist by themselves.
I’m shocked to hear it the short lifespan comments, I did not know that. I don’t even know how many years I’ve had mine installed, way more than 5 I’d think. No problems for me yet, even when I gigged more than I do now. Always seemed to sound fine enough for a pickup, but my tone expectations are pretty low I guess, I don’t even try to make it sound like MBOL - just good
I think I got my first FC about a decade ago. It has lived on three different basses, done countless gigs and still works just fine. I still use it regularly. I got a second one about 4 years ago for a different bass and it has given me exactly zero problems - just like the first one. Maybe I should shut up and consider myself lucky. 
Mine has been on this bass I got last year since early 2007. It has been played a lot - at least bowed. It has the a lot of rosin dust build-up on one side of the bridge.
Some people are complaining that the FC is too fragile. Our entire bass is fragile, but no one blames the builder if it suffers damage from an accident or the weather.
I got my first FC when they first came out (can’t even remember when that was!); had to replace it two years ago; not bad for longevity!
I should add, that in my case (3-4 years out of each pickup I’ve had), that it’s likely related lo physical damage. A bump on the bridge wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility. I’ve never had a single case where the cable visably failed, or anything.
Also, my Chadwick gets torn down at least 150 times a year. I try to be careful, but stuff happens.
Also, my Chadwick gets torn down at least 150 times a year. I try to be careful, but stuff happens.
Lots of interesting comments. Mine still works and I get enough sound from it but it's not a sound I like. Seems to me it was better a year or two ago.
