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Double Bass Palatino Megathread part I

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#601
I wonder if some of the hiss could be tamed by using higher quality components on the board? I know some types of resistors are notorious for hiss.

Anybody come up with a schematic for an improved version? It would be nice to keep the thing self contained.
 
#603
I thought about carving out more room on the inside of the bass cavity ( aka " sound chamber " ) to mount the K and K but decided not to because the K and K could be used for a regular upright also.

My solution to this was to mount the K and K on the top handle of my GK backline combo using the belt clip the preamp comes with. Easy on, easy off.

It would be nice to come with a workable schematic of a clone K and K or similar type preamp. The K and k controls are kinda small and you need that little velcro handle screwdriver for sound adjustments. Not user friendly for on the fly sound tweaks.

I a debating about drilling another hole for a 1/4 inch input jack somewhere on the bass. ( I drilled a hole in the back in an attempt to make an Eminence style side brace. Whoops! )
 
#604
Ok so would this work.........
is it possible to bypass the preamp so the pickup, input and the volume pot still works (i like having the volume on the bass) ??
then you can just put it through a EQ pedal to boost the signal and dial in your tone
let me know if this is possible and i'll get my wire cutters out tonight !!!
 
#605
I tried a couple of approaches utilizing the existing pre-amp and VT controls but still ended up with lotsa hiss. IF you look at my previous posts #439 and #550 you can see why I went after the inside wiring and removed it all.

It would be nice to get some kind of preamp and VT controls mounted in the body but I like the simple removable set up I have now. You might be able to take a K and K apart and remount it in the sound chamber. I tried another style of pre-amp VT combo but I still got a lot of hiss.
 
#606
I'll agree with BASSBOB that the stock pre IS cheap & nasty. It's a cheap EUB. Great for the price IMHO tho! I get a bit of hiss but not much. I'm using my MarkBAss LMII into a Agui;ar GS112-which has a tweeter. IF I turn up the tweeter fully-sure I'll get HISS, but I DON'T like this sound-without HISS- anyway & usually have the tweeter on 1/4 or less. As I said, there is a small amount of hiss, but it in no way hinders my sound or how I EQ anything! I just don't & wouldn't anyway, turn up the tweeter far. I also agree with BB- re taking out the stock pre- as the BEST option, BUT, AFAIK/IME it works OK & has worked fine for me for well over 120 gigs so far! I will take it out at some stage......when..... when I get time & can be bothered. AS I said-it doesn't stop me getting a good sound & many in the audience often comment on how good the bass sounds, as do many muso's that come to see our band.
It DOES sound even better now I've gotten rid of the wire tailpiece too!!!! Thanx Luke!
 
#607
I like Luke's wire tailpiece mod and so far over one gig I liked the result.

I wonder if one or two of those Radio Shack homemade piezo pickups would sound under the bridge feet? That does require removing more wood from the "bridge enclosure"

So... The stock neck, fingerboard and body are okay to start with. sometimes the fingerboard may need a little touchup sanding to cut down on buzzing notes here and there.

Again to repeat the obvious:

1. Take off the strings and the metal end of the tailpiece. keep the little triangle part for mounting your tail gut cable later on.

2. unscrew all the plates for the preamp, VT controls, headphone jack, ( does anyone have one of those that actually works? )

3. After removing all the screws, reach into the cavity and remove all the wiring. The pickup wire goes through a little hole in the bridge enclosure and you may need to do a little surgery to get it all out. Put in an order to GE Lutherie for an Eminence bridge.

4. Put all the wires and electronics in a little bag and set it off to the side for now.

5. Get some real DB strings, whatever you like and find a k and K pick up or a Rev solo pickup model 1 or 2 will both work.

6. Start putting the good stuff on and throw the bag of junk out. Fill in the cavities with some foam or whatever else you have handy.

7. Some assembly required.

8. Cost projections can vary greatly but should be affordable if you check out Ebay and the local version of craigslist for odds and ends and slightly used parts.
A. strings cost anywhere from $25 on up if you try weedwackers. ( has any one tried this yet? ) I spent $50 for a slightly used set of euros and they sound great. I had to pay retail for the bridge, $65. the Rev Solo model 1 should go for about $40 to 60 depending on condition. So roughly $150 to do a significant upgrade all around. It worked for me.

9. When I get some time to post a batch of pictures I'll set some kind of photo bucket site everyone can check out.




Mod #1
 
#608
Just moved my amp into my den so i can play bass and watch 'king of the hill' on tv at the same time, and guess what NO HISSING.
Well maybe a little, but nothing like as bad as it was in the front room. So i guess it's just crappy wiring in my house (not the bass)
I might take it out to one of my gigs this weekend now !!
 
#609
The only mod i've done to mine it foam under the pickup and between pickup and bridge. I love it, sounds and records wonderful. I"m sure there are better pre amps out there but i've not really had a problem with mine. The nut on the input does come loose i want to find a thicker one and try that, otherwise i really love the bass.
 
#611
Cathead said:
Do y'all think the Palatino will stand up to Spirocore strings? I'm thinking about taking them off my acoustic upright that I hardly use and putting them on the Palatino. The strings that came on the Palatino are just too flimsy for me.
Click to expand...

I don't think you will have any problems with it. I have hybrid heavies and tried Labella roap cores on too. They are very high tension strings.
 
#612
OK
took my palatino to play a gig with on saturday night
It did a great job (for about 20 mins) and then died on me, no idea why, i think it was somthing to do with the preamp ( it was like it was getting tired and losing %90 power)
SO..........
I ripped it all apart last night and put a K&K preamp inside it wired it into the input on the bass and kept the on/off switch wired to.
I've lost my tone control on the bass but still got the volume
AND NO HISS AT ALL !!!!!

BUT.....
I'm also having trouble with the bridge collapsing
Any suggestions ????
 
#614
Alright!!!!

Please post some pics or tell us how you got the K and K inside the "sound chamber."

As far as the bridge goes, get a better one. I don't know how many of the plexiglass bridges are floating around out there but that might work. You can also get the Eminence bridge which all around better than the stock one you have now.

Next week, let's discuss using a K and K basssmax or a rev solo to replace the stock PU also.


May the mod be with you.
 
#615
Speaking of which, I have been watching my plexiglass bridge slowly separate (it is two layers of plexiglass glued together to get the needed thickness) over the past month or so. Today I decided that I would make a stop by a local plastic retailer after a music lesson, and they had a 12.5" x 9.5" rectangle of acrylite that was an inch thick; perfect! I'm going to be making a solid bridge very soon and I'll put it on when my cello gut comes. Perhaps I'll record a sample of how mine sounds then through my bass driver . . .

Edit: I was cutting the plastic just this night and it kept melting back together, so I started spraying what I thought was water on the piece to cool it down. Turns out it was rubbing alcohol and as it happens the acrylite had a chemical reaction to it sending cracks through half of the piece. I managed to salvage enough leftovers for two bridges, if I don't mess up . . . I'm a little frustrated now . . . more on this later . . .
 
#616
LOOKOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My CELLO "GUT" nylon really string retainer/tailpiece broke!!! Lucky I wasn't playing it at the time-it was in it's bag. Good news- all else is still A OK!!! SO off to buy a double bass one..... It broke on one of the corners of the metal endpiece-so that probly had something to do with it-as did the tension of the strings on it I s'pose! Dunno whether real GUT ones are any stronger-this was F******N strong!!!! Coulda caught a mutha of a fish with it!!!!! ;-)
Get back here after I get another tailpiece!
 
#617
Right I've sorted my bridge problem (i think)
I found an old upright bridge i had laying about,
cut it at the height i wanted it (fits nicely over the pickup)
shaved the top of in to the shape of the old/original bridge. GOD BLESS MY DREMMEL !!!!!
Seems to be working, the sound is good too because the whole bridge is in contact with the pickup.

Haven't given it a real good slappin' yet but i'll let you know.
It may move a bit because i'm using weed wacker strings and there ain't alot of tension compared to regular strings.
 
#618
rodl2005 said:
LOOKOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My CELLO "GUT" nylon really string retainer/tailpiece broke!!! Lucky I wasn't playing it at the time-it was in it's bag. Good news- all else is still A OK!!! SO off to buy a double bass one..... It broke on one of the corners of the metal endpiece-so that probly had something to do with it-as did the tension of the strings on it I s'pose! Dunno whether real GUT ones are any stronger-this was F******N strong!!!! Coulda caught a mutha of a fish with it!!!!! ;-)
Get back here after I get another tailpiece!
Click to expand...

I hope you all read this carefully! I know a man who still has trouble with his face after 10 years because the tail gut let go and the tail stock crushed his lower jaw.
I looked at my cello and the bigest string is smaller that the smallest string on my bass.
 
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