Double Bass Preamp Needed?

[Givati]

Hi,
My laminate DB with Realist Copper will be amplified with the PJB BG-400. Owner’s manual says both inputs are high impedance.
Do I need a preamp as well?

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

In general, no.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

No. The PJB amp inputs are an optimal impedance for most piezo pickups.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The realist copper pick up is really bass heavy, though, so you might want to roll the bass frequencies back or use a high pass filter if it sounds too muddy. Also, be sure to use the input control to make sure the pick up doesn’t overload the input stage

 

[Francois Blais]

Is there a Realist variant that is less bass heavy?

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Is there a Realist variant that is less bass heavy?

In my experience, the Lifeline is less bass heavy.

 

[Francois Blais]

I had one once, didn’t keep it.

Sorry for highjacking the thread, beam me up Scotty!

 

[Givati]

The realist copper pick up is really bass heavy, though, so you might want to roll the bass frequencies back or use a high pass filter if it sounds too muddy. Also, be sure to use the input control to make sure the pick up doesn’t overload the input stage

I’m not locked in in the Realist Copper. I know my amp, bg-400, doesn’t have tons of eq’ing capability (3 band) so if that is needed an in-line eq would be needed I assume.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of the Realist because it is so biased toward certain frequencies and (I feel) it has a really unnatural baked in EQ curve. But that said, I've been playing PJB amps for the last 10 years with a Full Circle and almost never need to touch the EQ knobs at all. What I do feel those amps need to sound truly great is a variable high pass filter; these are pretty easy to find and not terribly expensive. I've had a $100 high pass filter wired into the effects return of my PJB combos for 10 years now, and the only two knobs I generally touch at any gig are the HPF frequency setting and the master volume. If it may be of interest, my review of the PJB combos I currently play 95% of the time can be found here: http://www.chrisfitzgeraldmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/BGMArticle4.pdf

 

[Givati]

Just watched a YouTube vid on feedback control and he mentioned the Fdeck HPF. Where can those be purchased?

 

[Givati]

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of the Realist because it is so biased toward certain frequencies and (I feel) it has a really unnatural baked in EQ curve. But that said, I've been playing PJB amps for the last 10 years with a Full Circle and almost never need to touch the EQ knobs at all. What I do feel those amps need to sound truly great is a variable high pass filter; these are pretty easy to find and not terribly expensive. I've had a $100 high pass filter wired into the effects return of my PJB combos for 10 years now, and the only two knobs I generally touch at any gig are the HPF frequency setting and the master volume. If it may be of interest, my review of the PJB combos I currently play 95% of the time can be found here: http://www.chrisfitzgeraldmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/BGMArticle4.pdf

Have you ever used the BG-400? Just curious to know if it’s similar to the two amps you reviewed.

 

[Francois Blais]

Just watched a YouTube vid on feedback control and he mentioned the Fdeck HPF. Where can those be purchased?

Web Order Form - hpftechllc

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

@Givati I have not used the BG 400, but it has the same basic preamp (2 channel version) and the same array of 5" speakers as the flightcase series, only without the upward firing ones. And @Francois Blais is right on about the fdeck HPF.

 

[Givati]

Web Order Form - hpftechllc

this link seems way out of date!?
No info on the order form and extra link doesn’t work. Is this legit?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

this link seems way out of date!?
No info on the order form and extra link doesn’t work. Is this legit?

Read the whole thing and copy the link at the bottom to open a new page.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Here's a review I did years ago of the Fdeck HPF filters: http://www.chrisfitzgeraldmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/BGMArticle7.pdf

The link to order them is: Invalid Link Removed

 

[Givati]

Here's a review I did years ago of the Fdeck HPF filters: http://www.chrisfitzgeraldmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/BGMArticle7.pdf

The link to order them is: Invalid Link Removed

Read your review on the PJB. It was great and I concur totes. I use the bg-400 + extension with my EB’s as well! Great amps!

 

[fdeck]

this link seems way out of date!?
No info on the order form and extra link doesn’t work. Is this legit?

I just checked it myself. Sure enough the order form doesn't work on my browser either. I believe what's happening is that I wrote the order form in plain HTML, and browsers are (fortunately) getting nervous about archaic web pages. Looks like I have some researching to do.

 

[Givati]

Hi y’all. This is an update and ongoing discussion.

I finally played my DB at a show. It was ok. At least from my perspective. I struggled hearing myself on stage. Sound man said I was fine in the House. Here’s my setup.
DB with Full Circle into fDeck HPF into PJB BG-400 300w. I elevated my amp in order to get it closer to my head and not the body of the bass. I’m not using a preamp because my amp has high input impedance.
I’ve discussed this on FB and the folks over there gave me lots of tips such as.
I need more headroom.
Use either an in ear monitor or “Ear Box
Must have a preamp
Use a compressor
Etc.

we’re not a loud band however with 4 pc + vocalist it can get up there. I’m not competing with a kick drum cause our drummer uses a cahon. I do have the extension cab which will bring my amp to 500w.
Not sure what I’m leaving out of the equation.
I know gettin a DB amplified properly can be difficult.

Thoughts?

 

[Francois Blais]

The HPF is actually your preamp although it provides very little gain.
However it acts as an impedance buffer, variable high pass filter, and polarity selector.
Reversing the polarity may allow more volume before feedback.