I would have to agree with Champagne. What makes them much less prone to feedback, especially the Radio Shack model, is its' low-tech lack of sensitivity. However, you must also have it very close to the source to even pick up the bass properly. It works great, at least for me, inside of the F hole. If it's between the bridge feet or under the fingerboard I think it will be much too far away from the sound source to hear much of any real bass. All that will happen is you will need to turn up the volume more to hear the bass and will also pick up more surrounding noise, introducing lots of feedback. I tried it near the bridge and the sound was weak and distant sounding. With it in the F hole, the sound is powerful and deep, and it only picks up the bass.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Micing with a bass amp
- Thread starter Mandobassman
- Start date
Jeez, I have enough feedback issues with cardioid mics....
In the hundreds of shows I've worked as a tech I don't recall ever seeing a lav used on anything other than humans speaking or singing. Seems to me in picking a mic (free ones aside) you start with what sounds best and then compromise as little as possible given the environment and cost restraints. A lav wouldn't even register on that radar. You don't always get what you pay for but in mics most often you do....but over the years some of that cheapass Radio Shack stuff has definitely been the exception to the rule.
In the hundreds of shows I've worked as a tech I don't recall ever seeing a lav used on anything other than humans speaking or singing. Seems to me in picking a mic (free ones aside) you start with what sounds best and then compromise as little as possible given the environment and cost restraints. A lav wouldn't even register on that radar. You don't always get what you pay for but in mics most often you do....but over the years some of that cheapass Radio Shack stuff has definitely been the exception to the rule.
Believe me, I thought it sounded pretty crazy at first. When I started this thread to get suggestions I figured I would be spending a decent amount of money. The RS mic was cheap enough to try it as an experiment. The results were so much better than I ever expected. I've used a couple of very good mics and a couple of well regarded pickups and this stupid cheap RS mic sounds better than any of them in live use. I gave up trying to figure out why it works so well. All I know is that it does.
I retrofited it with a pot to blend the signals from the mic and piezo but I think u will b right.... However the resistance of the piezo is less so I'll probably get more piezo and blend in just enough mic
With the RS mic stuck in my f-hole I can practically be 1 foot away from my amp without feedback. That is with my amp DI'd to mains as well.
Yeah, that's pretty much been my experience as well. Every gig I have the amp no more than two feet directly behind the bass. The mic is mounted inside the f hole and the only feedback I ever get is if I accidentally turn around for some reason and face the bass into the amp. The sound I get is anywhere from pretty good to excellent, depending on the room. I would say that I'm very with the tone and volume at least 85% of the time. Since I've been using the RS mic, I have not had a gig where I was dissatisfied.
Just stumbled on the thread and REALLY want to try this. The link you provided several pages back @Mandobassman doesn't work anymore. Is there a similar product at RS I should use?
Thanks!
Thanks!
I dont see it on their website anymore. I have a Radio Shack very close to me. I'll stop in to see if they still carry it. If not, that would be real disappointing as I was planning to buy another as a backup.
I'm gonna stop by mine as well. Would you be able to provide the basic specs. I remember the drop off is 70...Mandobassman said:
Is this it?
Invalid Link Removed
Hopefully I find something similar. Gonna give this a whirl before I purchase a Kk Bass Max. Thanks for all the detailed posts. Awesome to watch it progress over these 14 pages.
Anyone in or near Memphis wanting to try one I have one that you can have free.
If nobody local takes it, I'd gladly pay you to ship it. Kinda a hassle, so no worries if you'd rather not.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
I've tried a mic into the mic channel of my Acoustic Image Coda and it sounds good. Susceptible to feedback, but I keep it low, blended with a K&K Bass Master and it works well.
Finally got a chance to stop in at Radio Shack. They do still have the tie clip mic and I bought one to have as a back up. I am assuming they have changed the website, which would explain why the previous link does not work anymore. But the link above is to the correct mic. I'm glad they still have it and was able to get another.
By the way, when I bought the RS mic, I was replacing a Bass Max pickup that sounded terrible on my bass. Not saying it's a bad pickup, but it really sounded bad on my bass and the RS mic sounded ten times better and continues to sound good.
@Mandobassman: don't they have part numbers at Radio Shack? With a part number you can always enter it in a search field (even using Google entering the part number together with Radio Shack) to get to the right part.
Last edited:
The Shure A85F line matching transformer has been my solution for plugging an SM57 into a bass amp. I liked the full circle until it broke and I never could get into the sound/design of the realist. The animas are loud on my bass and I have always had more than enough volume with a 210 cab and 250 watt head with the sm57-A85F-head setup.
Audio Technica makes a version of that balancer as well.
