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Double Bass Full Circle...second time around.

bassfiddlesteve

bassfiddlesteve

Your first second choice™
Supporting Member
Dec 3, 2003
3,141
5,477
#1
I just installed a Fishman Full Circle pickup on my German hybrid bass and I'm pleased with the results. I now have this pickup on both of my double basses and while they have similar characteristics, they bring out some of the distinctive qualities that you can hear in each instrument acoustically. After trying several different pickups over the years, I feel this is the best amplified sound yet...outside of using a mic when the circumstances allow for this option.

It's worth pointing out that the adjusters on the hybrid bass are installed threads up while on the carved bass they are threads down. From what I've read this affects the sound of the pickup too.

- Steve
 
#2
I've settled on the Full Circle as well. It's not perfect but it has a very usable sound and is very simple to use. It's nice to just take my bass out of its case, plug in, and play.
Mine is threads up as well and I usually use some EQing to help it sound better. I use my amp's HPF to get rid of boominess and I use a parametric EQ to narrowly cut some mids (600-650hz) to tame the piezo whine.
I like that the Full Circle is quite even across the range and notes in thumb position don't get thin or weak.
 
#4
Ric Vice said:
+ I think the Full Circle works very well, unless you do a lot of bowing. Since do arco solo and ensemble work, it's not the best choice for that particular technique.

Ric
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I agree that the arco sound with the Realist is superior, but the Full Circle isn't too bad. It's certainly better than the bridge wing pickups I have used.

- Steve
 
#5
Steve Boisen said:
I agree that the arco sound with the Realist is superior, but the Full Circle isn't too bad. It's certainly better than the bridge wing pickups I have used.

- Steve
Click to expand...

+1 The only I could bow with an. Underwood was with a two channel Walter Woods MI series amp using a dual mono adaptor and the Woods channel selector switch. Even the. The sound wasn't ideal.

Ric
 
#6
About a year ago I purchased my first fishmann full circle. For that year it sounded great, many compliments for tone For the last month+ it's been no good- a broken element I believe. I doubt it's common, but has anyone else had a short lived full circle? I am thinking of buying another one, but with my personal experience being as such Iam hesitant to pull the trigger on another. If this is a common occurrence I think I'll try a realist next- I have read several threads where these have worn out as well, but I think they generally lasted over a year. I guess am hoping to hear that this is uncommon, and feel better about a new FC.
Steve, I swear I just read a thread where you were a realist advocate. (The blind realist vs FC comparison) what made you switch? Didn't you just sell a new realist? You must me all aboard the FC bandwagon. Do you keep a spare in your bag? If so what is it?
 
#7
Fat bob, my first Full Circle died on me a few months after I purchased it second hand. I thought that I had damaged the thin wire from experimenting with mounting a mic in the bridge. But when I opened the FC up to see about the connection, I noticed two elements cracked. :hmm: I was worried about its durability and thought about trying the Realist Lifeline pickup.

But a really nice TB'er from Russia sold me a very well-priced replacement FC (also second hand) that has performed well over the last year and maybe 75 or so gigs. During this time, I took it on and off the bass a couple times while experimenting with pickups and mics. I was also checking out some different strings and used the bridge adjuster wheels quite frequently. Despite being manhandled a bit, my FC is still working great and I feel like I'm finally working out how to get the most out of it with my bass/strings/amp setup.

I'd say you should just grab another Full Circle. It seems like you already know you like it's sound and are familiar with getting a good sound of it with your setup. If you make sure it's installed very well and the bridge stays straight throughout the seasons and it should sound good for a lot longer than 1 year.
 
#8
Fat bob said:
About a year ago I purchased my first fishmann full circle. For that year it sounded great, many compliments for tone For the last month+ it's been no good- a broken element I believe. I doubt it's common, but has anyone else had a short lived full circle? I am thinking of buying another one, but with my personal experience being as such Iam hesitant to pull the trigger on another. I
Click to expand...
I've been using FC pickups on both my basses for about 7 years now. During that period I have two failures and on both occasions Fishman repaired them under warranty.Impressive customer service so maybe you should give them a ring.
I now carry a spare just in case. I like the sound of them and can get a workable sound arco too.
 
#9
Fat bob said:
Steve, I swear I just read a thread where you were a realist advocate. (The blind realist vs FC comparison) what made you switch? Didn't you just sell a new realist? You must me all aboard the FC bandwagon. Do you keep a spare in your bag? If so what is it?
Click to expand...

I might have sung the praises of the Realist here on the forums as I used one for years with my '49 Kay M-1 and was very pleased with it. When I sold that bass I included the Realist and bought a new one for my carved E. H. Roth, but I found that it was very uneven and certain notes would "take off". This was the case with both the solid bridge that came with the bass and the adjustable one I had made for it. I sold this Realist as a used item and bought the Fishman. When I got my hybrid bass, it had a Realist on it that had a very low output. I replaced it with a new one, but within a few months the signal was just as weak and the tone was all midrange. David Gage replaced it since it was still under warranty, but I decided that another Full Circle was a better choice based upon my previous experience. I have a K&K Bass Max as a spare, but I've been using the the Full Circle since July 2012 with no problems.

- Steve
 
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#10
I have an older Full Circle. I believe its no longer working well. I got a hold of Fishman. They let me know that they can't fix the older ones but they would let me buy one for about $15. less than if I order from Gollihur or one of the other less expensive sites.
As much as I like the pickup you'd think they'd give a slightly better deal for a long time user and supporter of their product.
I once had an issue with my Underwood about five years after I bought it. Underwood ( a much smaller company) insisted on sending me another one for free.
 
#11
Second time around for me too, now. With Stereo joe's advice- and the great tone I once had- in mind, I replaced my broken full circle with another. I have yet to find the ultra sweet spot (for me the tightest, most quiet setting for the fc). Mostly cause I had to install the new one and immediately hit the road, fortunately it came in time! I will say it has been sounding good. I happened to try a couple different basses with realists, it made me want to stick with the FC. How many guys add a mic to get some sparkle?? I have no problem getting the low end (or- maybe too much even) but I'd like to get a little more high end/ definition. Is that doable - and practical- with a mic, or more practical to blend with a brighter pickup? Of course I will do some fooling with the new full circle now that Iam home- but ...

Oh, and props to fishman. They were very understanding and helpful in my situation.
 

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