ischell c1, c2 or c3

Not the reply you want, but just wondering if you really need a second pickup since you don't seem to play much upright.
Maybe it's your plucking technique that makes you sound more electric.

 

You may want to work on your technique of getting a big acoustic sound on the bass before you try any contact mics as they will only give you what you put into it.

 

I have the Ischell C3 and it's incredible. A big improvement over the earlier mic(s).

I did an A/B test on a gig last Monday with a $1000 air mic and the C3 won. I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't done it myself as a 'blind test'.

 

Waiting on arrival of the new c3 myself!

 

You have to consider the bass, amp, cab, and pickup a system. My impression is the Ishcell is a good choice if you have a good sound bass. It's one of the more accurate and mic-like pickups, so it will normally be very faithful to the sound of your bass.

However, if your bass has strong resonances in the body, it may be better to stick with some sort of bridge mounted pickup. As you turn up the gain, a feedback loop forms acoustically between the bass, amp, cab, and pickup. As the gain goes higher, the resonances are emphasized and degrade the tone.

The last bass I played professionally was very resonant as it was designed to be an acoustic cannon. It was not a great choice for amplification, especially with a pickup that mounted to body of the instrument.

 

The c3 is great! I’m still experimenting with mine but I already found a few positions that works great. You might not even need your Wilson, if you find a good balanced spot for the ischell.

 

Just remembered, I have an ischell c1 for sale(I don’t use it since I have the c3 now). It’s not as good but almost. It’s yours for 150euro + shipment. It needs phantom power though…

 

Have you tried the C3 with a bow?

 

I did! Sounds ok but not as good as a normal mic. Better then a piezo. Lacks highs. In the room it sounds good though…

 

Sounds kind of similar to how the C1 handles arco... Do you feel that the C3's extended range makes it sound slightly airier/closer to a traditional microphone than the C1?

 

Yes, it’s definitely a step closer to a real mic sound.

 

I got this msg from Fischer:

I'm also working on the air mic, A3 will soon come with great qualities as well I think

I'm looking forward to getting one and blending it with the C3 contact mic.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X6t1Z7ompxgkf4Jm6

 

What do you plan on using to blend them? Both will need phantom power, right?

 

My secret weapon:

Gollihur Series Bass Acoustic Array Pro Amplification (Exclusive)

You could also use a 2 channel pre-amp with phantom power, such as an EDB-2 or similar. I really enjoy having an all-in-one solution with my 2 channel 'Genzlihur' Amp. I've been using it almost exclusively for several years (I bought the very first one: serial number 0000). It sounds great, goes on a speaker pole and only weights 30 lbs.

 

Oh right, I forgot you had that. I've see it in your videos. It looks like an awesome amp, but I would really only ever be interested in the preamp or head if they sold it separately. I'm spoiled by a couple of MAS cabs and an Audiokinesis TC112.

I'm not sure that the Headway would work with that combo. It only has one balanced input with 48V. The 1/4" input has something kind of odd like 11V iirc. I'm not sure if either of the Ischell devices will work with that for anyone else interested.

I have a Zoom A3 that's great for blending a mic with a pickup, but I need another mic preamp or phantom power supply to blend two condensers. I also have an LR Baggs Mixpro, which provides 9V over two unbalanced connections, but that doesn't always work with every mic either.

 

Eli,
With great cabinets like you have, they go a long way to getting you a great sound. My advice, (pun intended) save your pennies and get a Grace Felix. Just my take I know they are a expensive. Before I got my MAS 1/8s I used the Grace, a Monique M700 Power Amp, and the TC 112. It was breathtaking on big gigs

 

DOH !! (slaps forehead).
You're absolutely right.

I'm going to suggest to Jeff Genzler that he consider offering that as a separate or removable head.

I have also used it to amplify my bass AND the singers mic. That's really it's origin as the first Genzler Acoustic Pro amp is aimed at the singer/songwriter musician. Thanks to Mark Gollihur who suggested to Jeff to offer it with a bass driver. Hence the 'Genzlihur' (my name for it) which is a Gollihur exclusive and my favorite amp for DB