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Double Bass Had Realist, Trying Full Circle

Jefenator

Jefenator

Aug 22, 2008
6,960
10,144
Oregon
www.jeffaddicottglassworks.com
#1
I sure had it good with the old setup (Realist, buffered & mixed with magnetic signal from Biesele). Very seldom had a bad tone night over literally 1000 gigs.

Then the Realist died. Well, didn't die, but developed this undesirable digital clipping type effect.

I figured I'd try something slightly different so I went with the Fishman Full Circle. It sounds natural enough on its own, but on the job, it doesn't seem to be working as effortlessly as its predecessor did. I keep fiddling with knobs and switches, trying to get the level (& phase) right.

The descriptions I read lead me to believe the FC would be similar to the Realist but with more "string definition". Yeah, maybe more definition but less mojo with my Kay so far.

I'll keep trying, see if we can grow in to each other. If not, I guess this was one gear experiment that didn't bear fruit. It happens...

This is my first post BTW. I'm glad to be here. I'm a full-time player and a forum junkie so I guess it was only a matter of time.
 
#2
On my bass, the two pickups sound very different.

The realist was darker and more natural. For jazz gigs that didn't get too loud it was perfect.

However, the FC is more a work horse for me b/c I know I can play stupid loud and not have to worry about all the inherent problems in doing so. It's a give and take. FWIW, I've darkened up my amped sound using different preamp/amp/speaker cab configurations.

I often think about going back to the Realist, but the FC is on there now and it works. Punchy, clear and enough lows going on to satisfy my taste.
 
#3
Last night I experimented a bit with the orientation. (Easy enough to do!) It seems to have more "kick" with the cord sticking out back towards the fingerboard. Still doesn't have the same growl I used to enjoy but when combined with some magnetic signal (50/50) it seemed to mirror the unplugged sound.

I'll keep poking around, see if I get used to it. If I don't get the mojo eventually, I'll probably wind up with another Realist. There's tone you can work with and tone you love and they're two completely different things.
 

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