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Double Bass Heil PR40 internals?

#3
swingingoodtime said:
Hi all,

I've been reading up about the PR40 & the general rumblings about its length. What do the internals look like to make it that long (pics, anyone)?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Bob Heil actually built a prototype for a smaller version of the PR 40. Piro Patten (Flatback) got to try it out. Unfortunately, Bob couldn't justify bringing it into production. There were pictures of it in a thread from several years ago.

Ric
 
#5
If I understand the purpose of your question, the shell design including the venting as well as the interior size and shape is what gives the mic it's pickup pattern and also it's minimal proximity effect, so to get similar results from a transplanted capsule would require a redesigned shell.

The mic is similar to an EV RE-20. If you want something a little shorter in the same sonic ballpark, with an easily adjustable mount more suited to bass, and the reduced proximity is not a critical factor for you, you might search out a discontinued EV RE-38N/D. It lacks the "variable D" venting of the RE 20 (and similar design in the Heil) but it does have a screwdriver adjustable 16 position built in EQ switch on the mic that you can use to compensate for the proximity effect fairly well if you like.
 
#6
The Heil PR 40 is a sound I just love on bass smooth and deep and directional, but the thing is an end firing beast. The PR 40 mini that I had for a week or two I compared side by side with the big version and it sounded really close. I was committed to getting that mini version for at least a year until it became apparent that it would not go into production. Totally bummed me out. I just passed on the big version too at that point because it is soooo big (even though I had it on an H clamp and left it on the bass. It was always a conversation point too, I just didn't want something that big and then other miss came out that mixed in pretty close.
I have my speaker up on a pole now and that enables me to use a nice condenser without feedback.
I would call or write Bob Heil and put some pressure on him to come out with a limited run of the PR 40 mini. Id sure buy one just to have around.
 
#9
tito mangialajo said:
"...I have my speaker up on a pole now and that enables me to use a nice condenser without feedback. ..."

hi Flatback,
what kind of condenser do you use now?
and speaker up on a pole? wich one?
thanks,
Tito.
Click to expand...

Hi Tito,

Just while we wait for Flatback's response: a bass player I sing with regularly has recently started using a DPA 4099 with an RCF ART 310-A powered PA speaker mounted on a speaker stand at seated-head-height. Sounds really, really good; gives a 'reinforced' rather than 'amplified' sound (if that makes sense) - very natural, even better than the Ehrlund pickup he was using before. Your can still easily hear him clearly well into thumb position as well as down at the bottom end (although that's not boomy either; sounds like a bass, not an amp, in action).

And just so that I'm not going OT on my own thread: Bump for pics of PR40 internals, anyone...? :)
 

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