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Double Bass High impedance preamp for upright bass

Jazzygreg

Jazzygreg

Jun 9, 2016
12
6
San Bruno, CA
#1
I've got an older Realist pickup on my upright bass. Have just used it, after a long hiatus, in a trio setting, plugged directly into my amp head- a GK MB500. I think it has a 1 megohm input impedance. The sound is just okay. Having an issue with getting the tone I'd like with this setup. I understand Gage says no preamp is needed with this pickup, but I'm thinking I want to try a preamp designed to work with piezos with a higher input impedance. I understand the L R Baggs Para Acoustic DI has a 10 megohm input impedance, and a good EQ section, but I'm not planning on running my preamp into a PA most often, if ever. So I'd like to find another high-impedance pre of modest cost that doesn't have a direct out. Any other alternatives come to mind?
 
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#4
This probably belongs in the double bass forum, but since we're here...
Every time I try a new DB pickup or amp, I try it out on a gig with and without my outboard buffer unit. Pretty much every time, it sounds noticeably more natural and musical with it.
I have the fDeck HPF-pre which has a 10M input, a HPF filter, a polarity switch and not least of all a volume control for the output. All essential things for an upright piezo pickup IME (at least the ones I've tried: Realist copperhead & lifeline, Full Circle, K&K Bass Max).
I wish it were not so as I do enjoy being able to plug straight in to an amp. But my ears get the final say.
I did for a while strap the preamp to my tailpiece, which technically did make it an onboard unit. But battery changes were a hassle and now I have two basses - so it lives among the cables now.
HTH
 
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#5
fdeck. If Francis is still making them. If not, you can get the schematic online and build your own.
Link Removed
BTW - did you know you posted this on the electric bass side of the forum instead of the double bass side?
 
#10
Jazzygreg said:
I've got an older Realist pickup on my upright bass. Have just used it, after a long hiatus, in a trio setting, plugged directly into my amp head- a GK MB500. I think it has a 1 megohm input impedance. The sound is just okay. Having an issue with getting the tone I'd like with this setup. I understand Gage says no preamp is needed with this pickup, but I'm thinking I want to try a preamp designed to work with piezos with a higher input impedance. I understand the L R Baggs Para Acoustic DI has a 10 megohm input impedance, and a good EQ section, but I'm not planning on running my preamp into a PA most often, if ever. So I'd like to find another high-impedance pre of modest cost that doesn't have a direct out. Any other alternatives come to mind?
Click to expand...

I use the FDeck HPF/Pre; works like a charm. :)
 
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#12
iiipopes said:
fdeck. If Francis is still making them. If not, you can get the schematic online and build your own.
Link Removed
BTW - did you know you posted this on the electric bass side of the forum instead of the double bass side?
Click to expand...
Sorry about that! Didn't see that. I was looking around for the Francis Deck preamp schematic; just found a couple of versions on his site. A bit of work to round up the parts needed and so on, though it looks like a fun project. I may just buy one from him! Still researching my best solution.
 
#14
Leo Smith said:
these might be worth a shot -

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Pure Preamp

No affiliation with Gollihur, other than being an occasional customer. There's a lot of good information on that website.

Since you are on the west coast, i was going to suggest Lemur Music, but their website isn't full formed right now. lemur music – Everything for the Double Bass
Click to expand...

Thanks! I have been a Gollihur Music customer for years now. Good people, and very informative site. I have ordered from Lemur, as well, but it's been a long time.
 
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#15
I guess no one has asked what kind of tone you're wanting from this rig???

I'm wondering if it might be time to think about a different pickup system, or a mounted mic, considering that (1) you're just back from a hiatus and might be listening for a sound your pickup cannot produce, (2) your pickup may be time-degraded, and (3) your tastes in tone may have changed...

If it's time to think about a pickup change, it would be good to do that before you get a pre-amp.

Your thoughts???
 
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#16
Jazzygreg said:
I understand the L R Baggs Para Acoustic DI has a 10 megohm input impedance, and a good EQ section, but I'm not planning on running my preamp into a PA.
Click to expand...

The Baggs also has a 1/4" output for your amp. I have one and used it with amps at first but now only use it for ampless gigs to DI into the PA.

For amp gigs needing a pre, I now use an fDeck because the Baggs has no HPF. With the HPF, I find my amp EQ to be sufficient.
 
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#17
Don Hergert said:
I guess no one has asked what kind of tone you're wanting from this rig???

I'm wondering if it might be time to think about a different pickup system, or a mounted mic, considering that (1) you're just back from a hiatus and might be listening for a sound your pickup cannot produce, (2) your pickup may be time-degraded, and (3) your tastes in tone may have changed...

If it's time to think about a pickup change, it would be good to do that before you get a pre-amp.

Your thoughts???
Click to expand...

I wonder if other people have any opinions about the Realist pickup being, as you put it, time-degraded. Does their response change significantly over time? I have had mine more than ten years, I'd guess.
Regarding my tastes in tone- I'm no stickler, but it seems obvious to me that the response of my pickup, at least into a GK amp with approx. 1 megohm impedance, is uneven and lacking. Can't adjust the EQ enough on the amp to properly compensate for the sound I'm getting.
 
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#20
For a no frills preamp at a great price, it’s hard to beat the fdeck, plus you get a very effective variable HPF which can help tame feedback and unruly rooms. For a high end (and cost) experience the preamps from Grace (Felix, Alix, Bix) are really good. Lots of top end studios use their microphone preamps. Lots of features, studio quality sound, and very well built. https://gracedesign.com/products/instrument-preamplifiers
 
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