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Double Bass Realist Placement

baste_artist

baste_artist

Jun 9, 2013
43
20
soundcloud.com
#1
Hey guys,

I just scored a realist pickup for my double bass, and I installed it myself after reading the PDF on the Realist website. I have been experimenting with bridge placement and height ever since I got my bass, and pretty much have it set just where I like it. Placing the Realist under the foot of the E string side of the bridge has caused a huge shift in my action though, after lowering the height wheel on that end as much as I could, it still has significantly higher action than before.

I was just curious if anyone has ever experimented with placing the Realist pickup underneath the OTHER foot (near the G string).
If so, how different was the tone? I am tempted to try it out just to get the action where I want it, but I just thought I'd ask if anyone has tried it before I go ahead and did it.

Thanks in advance :)
-Lincoln
 
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#3
I find it very surprising that you have a "huge" (your word) change in your action after putting a Realist on the bass. The Realist is only .063 inches thick, probably less once under string pressure. Raising your bridge that much would be almost imperceptible to probably half the players on this board, as the height at the bridge would effect a change of only a small percentage of that .063" up in the most frequented positions on the fingerboard.

Even the most sensitive to such changes should be able to easily dial that .063" back out with about 1/8-1/4 turn of the adjuster on that side.

I think something else might be at play here; is it possible that you accidentally shifted the bridge a hair closer to the fingerboard? This would have a far more noticeable effect, IMHO.
 
#4
Mark Gollihur said:
I find it very surprising that you have a "huge" (your word) change in your action after putting a Realist on the bass. The Realist is only .063 inches thick, probably less once under string pressure. Raising your bridge that much would be almost imperceptible to probably half the players on this board, as the height at the bridge would effect a change of only a small percentage of that .063" up in the most frequented positions on the fingerboard.

Even the most sensitive to such changes should be able to easily dial that .063" back out with about 1/8-1/4 turn of the adjuster on that side.

I think something else might be at play here; is it possible that you accidentally shifted the bridge a hair closer to the fingerboard? This would have a far more noticeable effect, IMHO.
Click to expand...


That makes total sense, I did shift the bridge slightly towards the E string side, making it more centered with the fingerboard. It's quite possible I shifted it closer to the fingerboard by accident, but I realize its the bridge movement in general that is causing the majority of change in my action.
 
#6
Mark Gollihur said:
You may already know this, but if you draw an imaginary line between the inner "notches" in the center of each f-hole, the centerline of the bridge should be sitting squarely on that line, between those two notches.
Click to expand...

I am aware of this, I have been reading all the info available on apparently YOUR website! :D

What I noticed actually is that after I put the realist underneath the bridge foot, the foot was no longer sitting flat on the top. What I did was loosened the strings, and took the realist out, and nudged the bridge around until I found the spot where it sits completely flush with the top. I then carefully replaced the pickup, with minimal movement of bridge feet. A few more subtle nudges and it is way way better.

A few other odd things about my bridge placement is that it's not completely center to the body. The feet are alined with the notches but it's about half an inch closer to the G string side f-hole. (side note: I also noticed when the feet are aligned with the notches, my string length is closer to 42" from nut to bridge, and if I move the bridge to match 41.3", then they are pretty far off from the notches) When I loosened the strings I tried moving the bridge to be more center, but the feet wouldn't sit flat. I also feel like when it's center, it doesn't match as well to the fingerboard. The E string will be too close to the edge of the fingerboard towards the high thumb position area, where the G string has tons of extra fingerboard space. Anyways, I went with my gut feeling that my bridge wants to live off center, and brought it up to tension and it feels good. Action is fairly even across the fingerboard, and no buzzing with the bow.

I am probably doing things very wrong, and I do agree that I need to go ahead and take it to my luthier. But I feel like this last adjustment I made has brought my bass back to the playability it had before, and am happy with it ATM.

BTW, I greatly appreciate any info you have for me, as well as everything you have already provided. :)
 
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#8
baste_artist said:
I am aware of this, I have been reading all the info available on apparently YOUR website! :D

...BTW, I greatly appreciate any info you have for me, as well as everything you have already provided. :)
Click to expand...

Glad that the site has been helpful.

It does sound to me that there may be some (hopefully subtle) things going on that might benefit greatly from a good once-over by a good luthier; but I'm glad that in the meantime you've re-obtained good playability and sound. Good luck making that bass sing, and do let me know - either here, or in email (through the site) if you have any other questions. If I don't know the answers, I'll try to help you find someone who does. ;)
 

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