Double Bass Headway EDB-2 with EAP & Full Circle

[Dave Tompkins]

After many failed attempts I may have finally found a good spot on my bass for my EAP. It’s not quite there as the sole sound source so I’ve been trying to blend it with my Full Circle. I had been using a Line 6 Helix Stomp with the Full Circle going through a 3 Sigma double bass IR before blending with the EAP coming in through the effects return. After this I have blocks with HPF and EQ if needed.



A few weeks ago I got a really good deal on a Headway EDB-2 on eBay. I’ve spent a fair amount of time at home testing it at a decent volume (I’m blessed with neighbours who are out during the day) and have taken it out on a couple of gigs. I’m struggling to get as good a balance between the pickups as I was with the Stomp. This stands a good chance of being down to user error. My ability to use gear tends to be inversely proportional to the number of controls on it (which is why the Noble is high on my shopping list for bass guitar)



Is anyone else using the Headway with their EAP? Are you using the Ehrlund pre before the Headway? I was but trying it out today it sounded better without (though better with when plugged direct into the amp but this means I can’t blend in the Full Circle.) I’m also not sure which impedance setting to use with each pickup. If I get the Channel gain right for the Full Circle and then bring the other channel up the EAP jumps from being barely audible to taking over the sound in a short sweep around the 50% mark. I’m not in love with the notch filter but the EAP seems to need it.



I’ve tried the Headway into the front of the amp and also into the effects return. I think I prefer the latter but I’m a little nervous running the Headway with high Channel Gain & Master as the Full Circle was clipping on the first gig I did and I feared for my speaker.



As previously stated, I’m happy to put my hand up and admit to being rubbish with gear but if there’s either something else I can try or a consensus that the EAP & FC don’t suit being mixed together in the Headway it would be good to know before getting too frustrated.



My signal chain is a Hawk’s Professor with EAP and FC>Headway EDB-2>Aguilar TH500>Barefaced Super Midget.



I may have to admit defeat with the EAP and try the Ishell. One of the justifications for buying the EDB-2 was that I might try one in the future and it would be useful to have the phantom power…and the usual lie to myself that I can always sell it if it’s not right.

 

[Ric Vice]

Is anyone else using the Headway with their EAP? Are you using the Ehrlund pre before the Headway? I was but trying it out today it sounded better without (though better with when plugged direct into the amp but this means I can’t blend in the Full Circle.) I’m also not sure which impedance setting to use with each pickup. If I get the Channel gain right for the Full Circle and then bring the other channel up the EAP jumps from being barely audible to taking over the sound in a short sweep around the 50% mark. I’m not in love with the notch filter but the EAP seems to need it.

The first run of the EDB-2 had some Channel volume pots, that would jump volume.
does your Channel gain on the EAP come up evenly or do you hear a scratch, when you move the pot back and forth without the pickup plugged in to the channel?

The EDB-2 has a very hot signal from either the Realist and the Ehrlund. I never needed the notch filter with the EAP, but all basses are different.

I’ve tried the Headway into the front of the amp and also into the effects return. I think I prefer the latter but I’m a little nervous running the Headway with high Channel Gain & Master as the Full Circle was clipping on the first gig I did and I feared for my speaker.

When you insert the Headway into the effects return, you are essentially using the EDB-2 as the Pre Amp and your amp as a power amplifier, I found it worked better that way, the Headway puts out a strong signal, I never liked using it into the front end of any amplifier. When I use it
I run it into a powered cabinet, not into an amplifier. All amplifiers are not the same in regards to where in the effects return is placed in the signal path.

As previously stated, I’m happy to put my hand up and admit to being rubbish with gear but if there’s either something else I can try or a consensus that the EAP & FC don’t suit being mixed together in the Headway it would be good to know before getting too frustrated.

You may be correct

My signal chain is a Hawk’s Professor with EAP and FC>Headway EDB-2>Aguilar TH500>Barefaced Super Midget.

That's a great setup

I may have to admit defeat with the EAP and try the Ishell. One of the justifications for buying the EDB-2 was that I might try one in the future and it would be useful to have the phantom power…and the usual lie to myself that I can always sell it if it’s not right.

On my bass the EAP/Headway is a stellar combination, but I don't do any blending.

 

[Dave Tompkins]

The first run of the EDB-2 had some Channel volume pots, that would jump volume.
does your Channel gain on the EAP come up evenly or do you hear a scratch, when you move the pot back and forth without the pickup plugged in to the channel?

Thanks for your reply.

The previous owner had sent the unit back to Headway to replace a few pots. I don't know which ones but I haven't noticed a scratch or sudden jump in volume with individual channels. It's more like adding a little red paint to white paint, it doesn't take much for the new colour to take over. Once the EAP's channel is around the same level as the Full Circle it goes from pink to red pretty quickly. Next week, when my neighbours are out, I'll try again without the notch filter engaged as it's the mid cut that seems to become prominent in the mix.

I'll also try again using the effects return.

Maybe I can face another search for the sweet spot for the EAP too.

 

[Dave Tompkins]

I've moved the EAP a little closer inland so that it's partially over the bass bar. The boom around the open G seems to have gone and the EAP finally sounds good on it's own going straight into the Headway with only minimal use of EQ. I then tried bringing the Full Circle in and the warmth started to get sucked out of the tone again. This led me to try the phase reversal on each pickup. It didn't help on the EAP (in fact it made the sound worse) but made a big difference on the Full Circle.

I think I may have cracked it but won't have a chance to use it on a gig for a few weeks.

 

[Ric Vice]

I've moved the EAP a little closer inland so that it's partially over the bass bar. The boom around the open G seems to have gone and the EAP finally sounds good on it's own going straight into the Headway with only minimal use of EQ. I then tried bringing the Full Circle in and the warmth started to get sucked out of the tone again. This led me to try the phase reversal on each pickup. It didn't help on the EAP (in fact it made the sound worse) but made a big difference on the Full Circle.

I think I may have cracked it but won't have a chance to use it on a gig for a few weeks.

Hard to say without hearing it. I had the EAP accidentially come of the bass a couple of times without any incidents. Is the pickup lead from the 1/4" jack still really long or did you change it out. If that lead touches the strings, tailpiece, bridge, or body
it will result in a nasty sound. I know nothing about the Full Circle because I have wooden adjusters and refuse to part with them. Just my take.

 

[Dave Tompkins]

The lead is still long but in a neat loop tied up so as not to touch the body of the bass. I could just never find the right spot to get a good sound from it. I tried a lot of different places. The sound was always either too boomy or too thin. The new position seems to have dealt with that...hopefully. In fact it's sat right next to my Wolf Terminator

.

 

[Ric Vice]

Here's where mine is attached the position is similar