• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Realist installation

C

CPike

May 28, 2005
344
10
Dallas, TX
#1
I couldn't decide if this post is more relevant to the amp/pickup forum or this one, but I chose this one. I just got a used Realist from another player. I noticed that the copper colored transducer material kinda peeks out from the sides of the bridge foot. Is it safe to trim this little excess so that the pickup is completely obscured by the bridge foot? I worry that I might compromise the pickup's ability to do it's job. Has anyone ever done this successfully?

Thanks, Chris
 
#3
Mine peeks out from the bridge foot. It never occured to me that trimming it would make the pickup, my bridge or my bass more aesthetically pleasing to me.

Anyway as far as I can tell, there is the piezo disk inside, which will make around a 1/4" imprint on the top of your bass and wires connecting that disk to the jack. As long as you don't damage the disk or the wires, you're probably ok as it's just sort of there to keep the disk and wires from getting pulled or beaten up unnecessarily.

I wouldn't trim it, myself...just in case I wanted to sell it and potentially shy players away because it doesn't stick out from the bridge foot and makes them feel they're missing something special. :p
 
#9
I've having another issue with my recently acquired used Realist pickup. The E side bridge foot does not fully contact the surface of the copper area. Normally, the foot fits the top perfectly, so that isn't the issue. The foot is also in the exact same position, not up/down relative to the f-hole notch nor is it rotated out of place. Is it possible that being on another bass for a couple of years has caused the pickup to deform somewhat?

I noticed that the two discs that are embedded in the copper are quite noticeably thicker than the copper itself, so I suspect that is what is causing the gap under the bridge foot. Will this eventually settle in over time or is there something else I can do to help the feet fit better?

Thanks, Chris
 
#10
CPike said:
The E side bridge foot does not fully contact the surface of the copper area...
I noticed that the two discs that are embedded in the copper are quite noticeably thicker than the copper itself, so I suspect that is what is causing the gap under the bridge foot. Will this eventually settle in over time or is there something else I can do to help the feet fit better?

Thanks, Chris
Click to expand...
That's kinda the nature of the beast. Everyone uses it that way. Should be fine.
 
#11
Hey folks, sorry to keep restarting this discussion, but I was at a rehearsal last night and spotted a colleague of mine with a brand new Realist. The copper transducer portion was much shinier than my troublesome one, and the jack was completely different. It was thicker and more heavy duty that mine (remember, I got mine used).

Anyway, there was no gap whatsoever between the bridge feet and the copper part on his bass (see above for info on this issue for my bass), so I'm wondering if they did a significant redesign of of the pickup. I'm thinking about just chucking this used one and spending the $ for a brand new one. Has anyone noticed a difference between the new and older/used Realists, and if so, where can I purchase a one of the new designs?

Thanks in advance,
Chris
 
#12
Most adjustable bridges have enough "play" in the adjusters that the E foot will still be fairly well fitted to the top + Realist. However, I have had to refit some tight fitting adjustable bridges and many non-adjustable bridges because of the gap CPike mentioned. I've found that if you tape a single layer of thin maple veneer over the area where the E foot sits, it approximates the thickness of the Realist close enough that you can re-fit the bridge to compensate for the Realist thickness. It's also sometimes possible to use an "oversize" threading tap to loosen up very tight fitting adjusters enough to introduce some "play" in the bridge feet.
 
#13
Thanks Bob, for your insight and experience. My bridge adjusters are quite old, and definitely have a bit of "play" you referred to. However, that is not related to the "fit" issue I'm having. There are two small disks inside the copper rectangle part of the pickup - I'm assuming those ar the piezo elements. The disks are a considerably thicker than the copper material in which they are embedded. It is upon these disks that the bridge foot is resting, and almost the entire perimeter of the bridge foot is elevated about .5 mm above the copper material - a gap large enough to fit my fingernail in.

As I mentioned before, the feet fit the top of the bass perfectly before I installed the pickup, and every aspect of the bridge is aligned properly. I think I will just try a new one, unless anyone else has any ideas...

Chris
 
#14
What would happen if you scraped a tiny scoop out of the bridge foot, right where each of those disks sits? Use a piece of graphite paper (face up) to mark the location on the bridge foot, then reduce those areas a bit? Or is the intense pressure on those spots part of what makes the piezoelectric thingy work?

Seems to me it ought to be possible to custom fit the bridge foot to accept the pick-up without messing up the other foot.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back