Double Bass Realist, Full Circle, and Wilson Systems

[Ric Vice]

The best amp in the world ain't gonna do much if the pickup doesn't even work. ...........

+1 and Amen

I DO believe many, many upright players invest time and money in better and better amps when investing in better technique and possibly a better instrument would be wiser.
Sadly, this comes from personal experience.

This is probably the most intelligent thing I've heard on these threads in a good while. As one who has " chased the Golden Fleece from time to time, I've found that more time spent on practice and playing and less time spent on amps, once you have a decent one, is the way to go.

Does anybody think Ray Brown wouldn't probably sound good through a Hartke kickback?

Unfortunately, Ray always seemed to be "fighting with the amp" when he used one live and I was fortunate enough to be in the audience listening. He was better of just standing in front of a good mic because his sound was "big as all out doors" with tone for days. Amps in general seemed to get in his way. Just my experience though.

Ric

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I remember the BBC master class with him telling the guy to turn the amp down. "You're getting close to having the amp play you. You play the amp". Forgiveness for an imperfect quote but that's basically it.

Unfortunately, I never got to see him live.

 

[Vic Koler]

+1 and Amen


Unfortunately, Ray always seemed to be "fighting with the amp" when he used one live and I was fortunate enough to be in the audience listening. He was better of just standing in front of a good mic because his sound was "big as all out doors" with tone for days. Amps in general seemed to get in his way. Just my experience though.

Ric

My observation as well.

Personally, I prefer the mic whenever possible. But I do quite often end up using a pickup. I've used about every PU ever made (including the first Polytone developed in the early 70's with Ray) and my current choice is the Full-Circle.

 

[cdaloisio]

clink,
there are a lot of clips of me playing double bass. not much solo stuff, mostly big band things. look up tucson jazz institute.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Was that you playing on Let's Cool One? Sadly, you were the only one who didn't solo. From what I could hear you sound great. Your technique is solid.

Players of your generation have many more opportunities than older guys like me. Enjoy this time and learn all you can.

 

[cdaloisio]

clink,
that was me on bass. that's not my normal group, i was sitting in that night for a friend.

here are some audio clips of a performance at lincoln center.

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just scroll down to tucson jazz institute.

this is on a foreign bass, but this group swings much harder than the other clips.


also, for the record. I recently bought the Full Circle, just to tie this post together. I'm very happy with it.

 

[Freddels]

Here's a Youtube vid of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALlXVZOkLcc

 

[Ric Vice]

Here's a Youtube vid of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALlXVZOkLcc

Now, I'm sure that the director of this group is very well meaning and an excellent teacher, perhaps even a great musician, but why directors/musicians feel the need to stand in front of a jazz ensemble and wave their arms around escapes me.
When the members of the ensemble play that well, then just count of the tune and move to the side of the stage. There are of course exceptions to this, when the piece has a lot of tempo changes and ensemble cues, but if it's straight ahead and swinging, there's really no need to be flappin' your arms around. Others may disagree, just one players opinion.

Ric

 

[Ric Vice]

clink,
that was me on bass. that's not my normal group, i was sitting in that night for a friend.

here are some audio clips of a performance at lincoln center.

Invalid Link Removed

just scroll down to tucson jazz institute.

this is on a foreign bass, but this group swings much harder than the other clips.


also, for the record. I recently bought the Full Circle, just to tie this post together. I'm very happy with it.

Good, I think it will serve you well, that's a very nice group you play with and nice bass playing as well.

 

[martingso]

First buy a Bass Max for about $ 100.00. Sounds good, never fails. I install mine w/ a thin piece of match book (or similar) cardboard one or both sides to soften the sound. Next buy the pick-up of your choice and use the Bass Max as a spare.
I use a Full Circle w/ PRO EQ Platinum pre-amp. I get maximum volume, good tone, very little fuss and bother.
EXCEPT, when it quits working which mine did on a gig Sunday night. Fortunately I pulled out my Bass Max and ready to go in minutes.
My bass tech said he reported 3 units down in as many weeks. If under warranry, you're good to go. Will cost me $ 80.00 to repair. I'll do it once but not twice.
I hate spending more than I earn.............::

 

[Ric Vice]

First buy a Bass Max for about $ 100.00. Sounds good, never fails. I install mine w/ a thin piece of match book (or similar) cardboard one or both sides to soften the sound. Next buy the pick-up of your choice and use the Bass Max as a spare.

I use a Full Circle w/ PRO EQ Platinum pre-amp. I get maximum volume, good tone, very little fuss and bother.
EXCEPT, when it quits working which mine did on a gig Sunday night. Fortunately I pulled out my Bass Max and ready to go in minutes.

It's always a good idea to have a backup plan. Until recently I didn't have a second sound source for my bass. Pickups in general are usually pretty stable. Realists don't actually fail altogether their output justs starts to fall off. When they do this it's time to get another PU

How many years have you had it? A Realist can go in around 4 years. It cannot be repaired. So it will cost about $50.00 per year. Not bad really

My bass tech said he reported 3 units down in as many weeks. If under warranry, you're good to go. Will cost me $ 80.00 to repair. I'll do it once but not twice.
I hate spending more than I earn.............::

How long does the warranty go for once you have it repaired? If it goes for another four or five years that's significantly cheaper per year than the cost of using the Realist.

 

[Marc Piane]

First buy a Bass Max for about $ 100.00. Sounds good, never fails. I install mine w/ a thin piece of match book (or similar) cardboard one or both sides to soften the sound. Next buy the pick-up of your choice and use the Bass Max as a spare.
I use a Full Circle w/ PRO EQ Platinum pre-amp. I get maximum volume, good tone, very little fuss and bother.
EXCEPT, when it quits working which mine did on a gig Sunday night. Fortunately I pulled out my Bass Max and ready to go in minutes.
My bass tech said he reported 3 units down in as many weeks. If under warranry, you're good to go. Will cost me $ 80.00 to repair. I'll do it once but not twice.
I hate spending more than I earn.............::

I do the same. I'm a Realist guy but I have a Bassmax as my backup. A pretty no nonsense pickup that take 5 seconds to install and just works. Not a whole lot of fiddling to find a sweet spot or anything. Just pop it on and go. Not the best sounding but works great in a pinch.

 

[martingso]

I had my Full Circle 1 yr. 10 months when it failed.Some have failed before the year was out. Within the warranty year they replaced for free.