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Pick-up help.

Discussion in 'Amps, Mics & Pickups [DB]' started by Comrade Lewis, Nov 9, 2005.

  1. Nov 9, 2005 #1
    Comrade Lewis

    Comrade Lewis Guest

    Jun 20, 2004
    Athens, Ga
    Hey guys, right now ive got some fishman pick-ups i think they supposedly require a pre-amp. The problem is i dont have that much money right now but i do have a 506II zoom box distortion pedal. Its got a bunch of stuff on it and i was wondering if i would be at all able to use to to get rid of the extranneous hand noises that i get. If i find this to be impossible i guess ill just do the old mic in the tail piece trick.
     
  2. Nov 9, 2005 #2
    bolo

    bolo

    May 29, 2005
    Apex, NC
    I would try the Zoom pedal and see. The pedal all by itself, set "flat" or "dry" might mellow out the sound of the Fishman some.

    Also, if it has a very mild overdrive setting, maybe that would be just enough tube-like goo to sweeten up the sound.

    I dunno.

    If the zoom has any EQ capabilities, then maybe you could also try maybe taming the mids around 700-800 Hz and see what that does. I think to some folks those are the frequencies that tend to sound kinda "honky" and "nasal."
     
  3. Nov 9, 2005 #3
    Ric Vice

    Ric Vice Supporting Member

    Jul 2, 2005
    Olivette, Missouri
    If the Zoom "Distortion Box" dosen't have any EQ capablilties, then
    I can't imagine it improving the sound of a piezo pickup especially
    if it's the older BP=100 which I affectionately call Mr. Nasty.

    Even if it's a Sure SM 58, it will sound way bettter than the Fishman does. Now if it's a Full Circle, then I think you'd be better off just using the pickup. What kind of amplifier are you using?
    It would be helpful to know thatl If you ever get any extra bucks, you will need to invest in a buffer preamp or a new pickup like a Revoultion Solo which is actually cheaper than a buffer preamp.

    Ric
     
  4. Nov 9, 2005 #4
    bolo

    bolo

    May 29, 2005
    Apex, NC
    Oops - I assumed we were talkin' the BP-100, not the Full Circle. Thanks Ric.

    I think I saw "pick-ups" plural in the original post and assumed BP-100. I'm still guessin' that's correct.

    Comrade?
     
  5. Nov 9, 2005 #5
    Ric Vice

    Ric Vice Supporting Member

    Jul 2, 2005
    Olivette, Missouri
    Comrade,
    Do you have two BP-100's or are you thinking since
    it's a dual element pickup that it's "two fishman pickups"?
    We are kind of in the dark here.

    Ric

    PS Bolo and I are trying to figure out what you have, since
    Fishman also makes the Full Circle PUP as well.
     
  6. Nov 13, 2005 #6
    Comrade Lewis

    Comrade Lewis Guest

    Jun 20, 2004
    Athens, Ga
    sorry for not getting back very soon, i am unsure of what the pick-ups are called, but they are like 2 little half circles which one places on the bridge inbetween the strings. AS i am looking at the pedal, there is a nob which says EQ (1-50)>Phase. I have no idea what this means and when i mess with the numbers it doesnt seem to do much. There is also a countour option, patch level, gain, and ZNR/AMP nobss to select. . I have no idea what they mean or do. My pathetic amp is labeled Dean Markely K-20BX In the mean time i guess ill just keep pushing buttons and see what works.
     
  7. Nov 14, 2005 #7
    Ric Vice

    Ric Vice Supporting Member

    Jul 2, 2005
    Olivette, Missouri
    Comrade Lewis.
    That's the older model Fishman BP 100. It's mounted onto the bridge with two metal clips that are lined with felt. You definitely need a Buffer Preamp to get this particular unit to sound any good. IMHO using a distortion pedal to alter the EQ won't solve your problems with the Fishman. You would probably be better off
    just using the pickup directly into you're amp, and EQ the pickup with it's tone controls. My advice for the long term to save your pennies and buy a Upton Revolution Solo. Their very reasonable, and they sound infinitely better that the BP-100 without a Buffer Preamp.

    Ric

    PS I do not work for Upton Bass