Double Bass Pickup that sounds like Full Circle without adjusters

[MaxJohnson]

Hi folks! The Fishman Full Circle is the pickup I like, I've used on almost every bass I've ever owned and for me personally it sounds the clearest and fullest with a bow and pizzicato. However, if I had a bass without adjusters that I didn't want to put adjusters in, for whatever reason, which pickup would you recommend. I've used the KNA DB-1 from Gollihur, the Realist, Wilson, the other Fishman one, and Underwood, and all of them are fine, but not what I'm looking for. Thoughts?

 

[dylanjohnson]

I don't think there is anything that has the quality of the FC that's not in the adjuster. You might want to try the Schertler, but I'm not familiar with it. Maybe others can give some insight.

 

[srbbass]

I don't think there is anything that has the quality of the FC that's not in the adjuster. You might want to try the Schertler, but I'm not familiar with it. Maybe others can give some insight.

I use the Schertler Stat B dual pickups and get a really great sound. It does require some modification of the bridge holes to support the pickup but it sounds great pizz and arco!

 

[Mgaisbacher]

Have you looked into the Ithaca strings pickup? I have one on one of my basses and I know a few folks who also use them. You have to send a bridge to him and he installs the pickup in the bridge, which does take a couple millimeters off the height.They like a nice preamp (Felix or similar) but they are one of the best sounding pickups IMO.

ISI Pickup

 

[dperrott]

I've seen a luthier friend install a full circle on a bass with out adjusters. Just cut the one leg. I can check with him. He did that for the Lemur fly away and think I've seen someone else with that on a non adjustable bridge/adjustable neck bass

 

[TroyK]

The Stat-B is a high quality pickup that doesn't require adjusters, but it doesn't remind me much of the full circle sonically. I'm not sure what will unless it is something embedded into the bridge, like....I think...a Wilson.

 

[Earl]

Have you looked into the Ithaca strings pickup? I have one on one of my basses and I know a few folks who also use them. You have to send a bridge to him and he installs the pickup in the bridge, which does take a couple millimeters off the height.They like a nice preamp (Felix or similar) but they are one of the best sounding pickups IMO.

ISI Pickup

Would love to hear a sound clip of this pickup!

 

[notabene]

Partially going off topic, but... about a month ago, my full circle, after over ten years of use, failed, with a bad hum (bad ground cinnection, I assume). I was willing to buy another at @ $250, since I have been pleased with its reliability, sound, and non-fussines. Fortunately I carry an Erlund with me, so no gig disaster, nor hurry. On "talkbass" a kind soul wrote that Fishman might repair/replace the FC. And so they did, for $50 and small shipping cost. The new one, (apparantly the old one was unrepairable) came and works well. Such corporate behavior seems so rare (to me) these days that I hope telling this tale may help others to chose the FC. As a side note, my bass playing wife, and my violinist daughter in law both have Fishman amplifiers which (to me) sound good. Good company!