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Double Bass Full Circle / Tone / String Question

richhansen

richhansen

Oct 2, 2006
312
130
Utah
Disclosures
Endorser of the KSM Foundation Bridge.
#1
I'm somewhat new to Talk Bass, but I've been reading a bunch of the threads here, and I've found a lot of helpful advice.

I have an old Miesel Fully Carved bass made in Mittenwald, and it sounds fantastic pizz and arco. Like so many here however, I'm still struggling to find my amplified tone (you know, the elusive "my bass but louder" quest). I have a Full Circle, and it sounds decent, but I'm thinking that the tone is not up to its full potential, particularly after hearing Chris Fitzgerald's sound samples with the FC (I played his "My Romance" mp3 of the Full Circle only through my rig to compare the tone to mine). His is much warmer and more natural than mine.

My Full Circle is set up with the threads facing up (so the "hot" side is facing the bass body), and I'm wondering if I should try reversing that first? Has anyone experimented with this on an FC?

My amp is an Ampeg combo with a 1-10 Mega-Ohm input, and I don't think the lack of warmth is a product of ohm mismatch, since that is what the Full Circle manual recommends. I realize the Ampeg is probably not the optimal amp for URB, but in my gigs I play both BG and URB and I’d prefer to continue using that amp if I can get the tone happening with the pickup. Again, playing Chris' mp3 with the full circle only through my rig with my ipod sounds great, so I’m trying to achieve a simliar tone to his FC.

I wonder also if my strings are a factor? I have Super Sensitive Pinnacles on mine right now, which sound great acro and pizz acoustically. Should I try the Thomastiks he uses, or should I try a different pickup first? I'm willing to do some buying and experimenting, so I'm ready to either try a Realist, or slap a set of different strings on my bass to see what works best, but I'd like to know what you all would recommend first.

Thanks in advance
 
#3
The Fishman Full Circle definitely needs to be installed with the threads going into the feet. The improvement in tone is substantial. When I first got one, my adjusters where already threaded into the bridge and I didn't think it would make a difference - boy was I wrong. The sound was tubby and unclear. As soon as I installed the pickup with the threads going into the feet (with the pickup element now touching the bridge), and with space between the wheel and foot, I fell in love with the sound. Good luck.
 
#4
I have both Barbera and Full Circle pups.

I've been using the FC on quieter gigs (especially in nice acoustic spaces) and it sounds more warm and mic-like...but can get too growly when pushed too loud.

The Barbera is still the winner in noisy environments as it cuts thru the mix much better.

My FC is threads down and I think strings make a huge difference.

I recently stepped up to a Spiro mittel A and stark E. Not only is the acoustic output better, but the signal to my amp is stronger too.

Good luck!
 
#5
I'd also recommend flipping it to see if you like it better. The Full Circle (threads down) is my favorite of all the pickups I've tried on my bass (ply New Standard Cleveland)--Realist, Bass Max, Underwood, Stat-B and Revolution Solo.

Every bass (and bassist) is different, so it's usually best not to assume that you'll cop someone else's tone by using the same gear.
 
#6
You all were right about the Full Circle sounding better with the threads going into the bridge feet, it does sound great now.

On a similar note, I've been experimenting a bit with my FC going into my Yamaha BP1 preamp, and it adds a bit more body and warmth to the tone. I was wondering if any of you use the Full Circle with the Fishman preamp, and if it actually improves your tone like their web site advertises it to?

Thanks for all your help!
 
#7
I use the FC pickup with the threads going up :spit:

It works for me, and my bass is so loud that overall sound has never been too muddy.

It really does help to use a preamp, as well. I usually play through a GK MB-150 amp--which sounds okay--but adding the preamp really adds alot more presence, gain, body, and overall 'booty' to the sound.
 
#8
richhansen said:
You all were right about the Full Circle sounding better with the threads going into the bridge feet, it does sound great now.

On a similar note, I've been experimenting a bit with my FC going into my Yamaha BP1 preamp, and it adds a bit more body and warmth to the tone. I was wondering if any of you use the Full Circle with the Fishman preamp, and if it actually improves your tone like their web site advertises it to?

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...
I've had the Fishman Pro Platinum Bass DI/preamp for years but I just got my Full Circle last month. IMO they work very well together--high-pass filter and phase switch are great for taming boom/feedback, EQ points are useful.
 
#10
I've been using the Boss Bass EQ.

My old one was getting a little crusty -- so I bought a new one recently.

Adds a ton of gain and lets you dial out any nasty frequencies.

I tried the Fishman preamp -- great little box...just sounded noisy with my SWR stuff...
 
#11
I wasn't really satisfied with the fc, when I first got it last fall. It sounded hollow with the Evahs I had on. Changing to good ol' spiro reds helped a lot, but since I got the Fishman platinum eq, it sounds phenomenal. Tons of punch and nice bassy depth to the tone without being boomy, and very acoustic-like quality to the sound. And, mind you, that's with spiros!
 
#12
Few years ago I at some festival I played on Ampeg amp, some songs I used Electric Bass (Stingray) and I used Upright too. The El. Bass sounded fantasic with Ampeg, but the Upright was horrible for me. I think Ampeg not the amp for acoustic bass (in my opinion). The upright players mostly prefer GK, Acoustic Image, Aer, Eden, SWR, Henriksen. Maybe some preamp like Platinum EQ, helps to mask the Ampeg characteristic. But I prefer not too mutch EQ on the Acoustic bass. I use Pirastro Obligato strings, it also helps to get more natural sound. (sorry for my english)
 
#13
paulunger said:
The Fishman Full Circle definitely needs to be installed with the threads going into the feet. The improvement in tone is substantial. When I first got one, my adjusters where already threaded into the bridge and I didn't think it would make a difference - boy was I wrong. The sound was tubby and unclear. As soon as I installed the pickup with the threads going into the feet (with the pickup element now touching the bridge), and with space between the wheel and foot, I fell in love with the sound. Good luck.
Click to expand...
How would one reverse the the threads down on an original threads up bridge? is this possible?
 

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