Double Bass I plead INSANITY, yer' Honor...

[DoubleMIDI]

You might want to check how much influence the RedEye has by checking the sound with the RedEye, a HPFpre (I assume you have one or any other impedance buffer with at least 5 MegOhms input impedance) and direct to the amp.

BTW, ceramic piezos are highly undamped which results in a resonance of the eigenfrequencies if not damped by the electrical load (load = 1 / impedance).

So a high impedance might let the ceramic piezo ring, but a low impedance may deform the electrical output because the amount of electrons needing to flow for a true electrical output cannot be delivered by the piezo. So it might need a bit of experimentation to find the best input impedance for a certain pickup and it might still be a compromise.

Synthetic material piezos (like the Shadow NFX) are much more damped and typical don’t have the ringing problem (or less pronounced and at a much lower frequency). But, AFAIK, they are only available as foils.

The Shadow NFX pickup has a nice sound, but a bit too polite, missing some of the attack. I find it great for folk music and Tango where bowing is about 50%, but less for modern jazz. But that might be based on the position under the bridge foot. I like it best with one foil only under the bass side bridge foot.

But generally I’m happy with a Yamahiko bass side single sensor (plus an impedance buffer) or an AKG C411 contact mic.

 

[Bruce Calin]

Not totally related but I played a gig a few days ago with my old Ehrlund pu that I hadn't used in years to try with the RedEye and see if it still worked and what the difference might be. The other players(two guitars, drums, and vocals) were new to me and the room was large and boomy so I didn't really know what to expect. Once we started playing I couldn't hear myself well and couldn't tell if I had any impact. I was pleasantly surprised when the other players and even some of the audience complimented me. When I'm tempted to try some new piece of gear, which isn't that often anymore, I'll go back to some old piece of the same thing. I can usually talk myself out of the new thing as just being different, not necessarily better. The exception is the RedEye, which has been a real game changer for me. It has made a real improvement in every situation I've used it in. I'm looking forward to a gig this weekend in a room where I know I'll be able to hear myself better and get a better sense of this setup.

 

[Don Kasper]

The exception is the RedEye, which has been a real game changer for me.

I'll drink to that.
Thx.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I have been comparing the K2 (my K4 with only 2 pickups plugged in at the back of the bridge G side and E side) with the Yamahiko... Really interesting differences. The Yamahiko is So much louder and fuller a sound that at first it does not seem like apples to apples. But then (I use the two ch's of the Felix) when you dial in the proper gain and IMP on the Wilson (and of course finding the right orientation of the directional pickups) they both sound good in Different ways. More bass on the Yamahiko but who needs more bass? The Wilson, especially on a gig with a bunch of other white noise happening sounds airy and weirdly acoustic yet direct and really good. The Y sounds thicker and less distinct. Both sound good. I was just twisting the blend dial back and forth the other night and I noticed that when I got bored with that midway thru the first set, I left it on the K2. Punchy, cutty (not MBOL) but not 70's nasal twang either.

Does that mean you can give a comparison of K2 and K4?

 

[Don Kasper]

I just ordered a Wilson K-2 pickup (the version w/ 2 elements), thru Lemur music.
I have a drawer full of used DB Pickups that I either did not care for, or they Crapped Out, or both.
I might be INSANE. (...or, I just might be a GENIUS?)
(insane face emoji, here.)

Well, I guess I'm a GENIUS.
I love this pickup (Wilson K-2) and I'm shocked that their line of pickups are not hugely popular.
I used it again today at my monthly Hang N' Play, with Grand Piano, Drums, Tenor Sax & Trombone, (no PA, large living room), and it performed beautifully (using my DIY 10" cab and the EA Doubler thru the RedEye pre.) Not insanely loud, (Drummer is a seasoned veteran and is not a Basher!), but my bass was full-sounding and very smooth in all registers (NO HotSpotz or ColdSpotz.)
This pickup is not cheap, ($550 usd), but neither is my Carved Juzek...or the rest of my Bass Gear. (I really am S & T of hearing folks whine about the cost of ALL DB related gear and services. STFU, please.)
So, it looks like I may have reached the (Happy?) end of my Pickup journey.
Also - The earlier "low level" output issue was solved by a deeper insertion of the 2 elements ( please, get your mind out of the gutter....) and I am only curious now how it would sound in a louder (i.e., Stoopid Loud), situation, which would require my DIY 15" EV Proline cabinet and the WW Electracoustic setup for Extra Large Cajones.
Finally - If Wilson makes a "Hunks of the Wilson K Series" calendar for 2025, I am willing to be included as Mr. October.
IMFO, of course.
Thx.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Finally - If Wilson makes a "Hunks of the Wilson K Series" calendar for 2025, I am willing to be included as Mr. October.

As long as you are wearing the banana mittens, you should be included in the calendar.

 

[Don Kasper]

the banana mittens

Well, you know what they say - "Big Mitt/Big......".
Thx for your ongoing support and encouragement.

 

[Don Kasper]

TMI/FYI...
I was not fond of the Wilson K's metal clip gizmo for attaching the output jack (too heavy!) - so, I attached the 1/4" jack (covered with a layer of shrink wrap) with a few zipties behind the tailpiece, exiting horizontally on the G side (see below.)
Also - this pickup is so beautifully (over-)engineered (unlike some other well-known Fishguy...type PU's) that the wires are sturdy and a bit stiff, so...I routed the wire (between the elements and the output jack) close to the afterlengths and secured it with 4 very small zipties. That way, there is zero chance of any sympathetic vibrational buzzes or rattles - see below.
IMFO, of course.

 

[Don Hergert]

Nice!

It's a good thing Spiros last forever though!

(My OCD really wishes you had a 5-stringer.)

 

[flatback]

I just installed my K4 in the bridge of my new bass on the underside of the bridge in just the orientation of the dowel holes in the picture above. Twist to get the right tone, and just an awesome pickup sound. Maybe even better then the Yamahiko

 

[Earl]

I just got a used K4 and it sounds great on my bass, better than the Yama.

 

[Don Kasper]

Maybe even better then the Yamahiko

better than the Yama.

Well. The verdict is in: I Am A Genius.
Thank You, and, You're Welcome!

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Anybody got gig sound clips using this pickup?

 

[flatback]

Earl you are always one step ahead.

 

[Earl]

Earl you are always one step ahead.

I thought that was you!

 

[Don Kasper]

Anybody got gig sound clips using this pickup?

"Not I", said the Geenyus.
Sorry, and You're Welcome.

 

[flatback]

At first I just had my K4, K2'd like Don back from the strings (I had already drilled both sets of holes).... The K2 is all that is really needed - a great sound. But the extra pickups kept vibrating against each other and the bridge so I just put them in the other holes and twisted and the sound is excellent no phasing. The pickups in the bridge (but back from the strings and well impedance-d) Have a fullness and body sound that is really great. And totally different from other pickups. Really digging it. Installing them under the bridge eliminates the ugliness of the frankenpickup look having all those wires sticking out the bridge...

 

[Don Kasper]

frankenpickup

Hey, That's Dr. Frankenpickup to you!
(Note the good Doctor's K-2 Steth below...)

 

[flatback]

This pickup, the K4 which used to be thought of as the whiny E pickup (in the 90's) is ....(still a pickup) but damn it is just so nice the way it sits in the context of a band: it has body sound, articulate sound, is really easy on the hands little effort to hear yourself and be present or pull back into the back round and stay under. Sounds great straight into the Felix with either the 10M or 20M setting. Blends with a mic really well. My new bass came with an FC which I have been using too but it by comparison sounds muffled and more electric-y in the long notes. Somehow the K4 has a more open yet more articulate sound. K-ool.

 

[Don Kasper]

K-ool.

I'm stealing this...
Thx.