• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Realist losing volume?

The long and the short of my question is this: can the Realist lose volume over time? I've been happy with the overall sound of the pickup, but I feel sometimes that I have to crank my amp up more than normal. Or if other people use my amp, they don't have to turn it up as much. Same if I use a different amp. I usually have to turn it up quite a bit. I was thinking about trying a new Realist, thinking that maybe it can lose volume over time, unless it's just my bass, but that doesn't seem logical to me. Any thoughts?
 
I've had the same issue with my realist, and I think it's quite a common problem. After awhile (third year of use) I had to use a preamp to get more volume. Some people replace their realist every couple of years. I'm using a fishman fullcircle now and haven't turned back (not that the realist isn't a good pickup). Hope that helps.