• 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 New Pickup MSP (Magnet Sandwiched Pickup)

#63
The Phil Jones should be OK, no preamp needed for it.

Putting the MSP on the bridge could only be done like the Fishman BP-100, just a bit lower on the bridge because it probably wouldn't fit between the strings.
I guess you either don't get a balanced sound across the strings (if it's close to the strings) or not much volume (far from the strings at thick wood).

I still think it's basically a piezo disk clamped between two high power magnets with a case around one magnet and the piezo disk. Simple, but a nice idea to use it on the top.
So, it's not very different from a BP-100 with clamps.
 
#65
I'm actually going to test out the MSP on a gig tonight. Got it yesterday, and am still playing around with placement, but sounds promising. It's definitely very piezo-y, but to me sounds at least as good as the lifeline with less of the artificial sustain we've been discussing. Will let you know how it goes.
 
#66
The MSP did well the other night. This was an acoustic, predominately pizz show, singer songwriter type of stuff, so not a ton of volume. I only had a few hours to play around with location, and I think I'm going to have to do some more dialing it in. Something as small as a half inch movement can completely change the sound, and some locations sound just plain bad. I found a spot a few inches south and to the left of the bass bridge foot that had a good balance of low-end thump, but still focused. It does have a bit of an annoying piezo sizzle to it, but adding the felt or rubber pads may help with that. Will have to experiment some more, but for now it sounds pretty good, nothing revolutionary, but I think it's an improvement for me over the lifeline I have been using, and the mechanism of it is just a great idea.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Groove Doctor and lurk
#67
jlmorgan84 said:
The MSP did well the other night. This was an acoustic, predominately pizz show, singer songwriter type of stuff, so not a ton of volume. I only had a few hours to play around with location, and I think I'm going to have to do some more dialing it in. Something as small as a half inch movement can completely change the sound, and some locations sound just plain bad. I found a spot a few inches south and to the left of the bass bridge foot that had a good balance of low-end thump, but still focused. It does have a bit of an annoying piezo sizzle to it, but adding the felt or rubber pads may help with that. Will have to experiment some more, but for now it sounds pretty good, nothing revolutionary, but I think it's an improvement for me over the lifeline I have been using, and the mechanism of it is just a great idea.
Click to expand...


Good to hear, I've been pretty busy with teaching and playing, so I won't be able to work with the MSP until later next week. One thing I'll say is that, the care in packing, construction, and design of this pickup, speaks to a well built design.

Ric
 
#68
I recieved my MSP this tuesday, and have been able to play around with it in my livingroom and compare it to my Erhlund pickup that I normally use.

I play an all gut-string setup, and play through a AI Focus series III and a MAS 25.5. When I use the Erhlund pickup I use the Erhlund pre, and occasionally the Headway EDB2.

I was very curios about this pickup, and bought it mainly for these reasons:
1. The Price (if good and usefull very cheap (100$ intro-offer))
2. As a possible replacement if the Erhlund somehow should fail.
3. As maybe a little bit more direct signal in situations with very difficult acoustics, or in cases where the bandleader favors a slightly more "electric" sound (it has actually occurred a single time...).
4. And also because I really dont want any pickup that I can't take on an off my bass)

First impression is that I personally think that the Ehrlund wins hands down in all the parameters I care about. the percussive attack the note, dublicating my acoustic tone much better, and much better arco. As I kind of suspekted the MSP sounds piezo-ish in its "core"-sound. The attack-decay profile of the note is not entirely there. And even though it's flexibility (in placement and in removeability) is a plus, the Erhlund is the clear winner.

When that is said the MSP in my opinion and on my bass sounds way better than the realist or Wilson that has been on this bass while I have had it.

But this is just in my livingroom! Maybe it will be different at the bandstand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: richhansen
#69
I found a Youtube video that shows the MSP being played pizz.

To me, the tone on the video sounds great. I just wonder how much of what we're hearing is the pickup only. I never could get my Ehrlund to sound right on my old fully carved Juzek, but it does sound good on my Bulgarian carved bass. The old adage: Each bass and player responds differently definitely applies. I've been happy with the tone of my Troll mic, but the gigs I've done lately have me thinking about trying something that will cut through the mix a little better, so it might be worth trying this MSP. At $100 it's worth a try.
Thanks to Lauren for the heads up on this pickup. I must also say that I love your playing, Lauren. Great stuff.
 
#70
Well I got my MSP today but - after a couple of hour's experimentation - I am sticking with my Realist Lifeline. To my ears the MSP does sound very similar to (and share sound envelope characteristics with) the Ehrlund although obviously its quicker to play around with positioning - trouble is the Ehrlund didn't sound great on my many-times-patched-up boomy old German carved flatback. Too airy and nasal. To me the Lifeline just works, even if its not perfect. Also, as the proud possessor of a rather nice mechanical wristwatch, I am seriously worried about those neodymium magnets with the MSP - you could pick up an elephant with them (OK, exaggeration but they are very powerful). Expect it in the for sale forum in the near future.
 
#71
Clarkybass said:
Well I got my MSP today but - after a couple of hour's experimentation - I am sticking with my Realist Lifeline. To my ears the MSP does sound very similar to (and share sound envelope characteristics with) the Ehrlund although obviously its quicker to play around with positioning - trouble is the Ehrlund didn't sound great on my many-times-patched-up boomy old German carved flatback. Too airy and nasal. To me the Lifeline just works, even if its not perfect. Also, as the proud possessor of a rather nice mechanical wristwatch, I am seriously worried about those neodymium magnets with the MSP - you could pick up an elephant with them (OK, exaggeration but they are very powerful). Expect it in the for sale forum in the near future.
Click to expand...
would you be able to eq out the nasal quality? i have that problem with many piezos, but am pretty successful at getting rid of it
 
#72
shwashwa said:
would you be able to eq out the nasal quality? i have that problem with many piezos, but am pretty successful at getting rid of it
Click to expand...
I did spend a couple of hours tweaking the position and the EQ and I just felt the Lifeline has more bottom end, as well as being so simple (plug-and-play). I play bluegrass/folk type stuff on a beat-up old bass. I suspect someone playing jazz with a better quality bass than mine may well have the opposite view
 
#76
I am also contemplating the plunge. It could be the right pickup for a very lightweight and lively ply I have. Somehow it seems that it might be the pickup the Headway Band almost was, but much more user friendly, and way less of an eyesore. One client jokingly referred to the Band as a diaper...it is kinda of an unsightly contraption I must admit, but a great recording device when placed well. I wonder if the MSP and the Band share the same transducer element construction, the Band having more than one transducer.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back