Double Bass Realist + Preamp + Ampeg Portabass 250?

[hardwick139]

Hey, TalkBass. I have an amplification question. Now that I got my string situation sorted (I got Spirocore Mittles) I need to think about my amplification. I plan to join the jazz band at my college, and need to have some sort of amplification figured out I am a poor student without a job, although I am hoping to get on this summer.

My current rig is a K.C. Strings Series Fully Carved Bass, into a K&K Bass Max, into an Ampeg Portabass 250. It works, but it isn't the best sound, nor is it very good for bowing. I have no preamp, which is part of the issue. So, my question is about a setup chain.

I plan to get a copperhead Realist pickup. I tried the one on the bass at my local music shop, and thought it sounded really good, even without a preamp. So that is what I plan to do as far as a pickup upgrade.

As far as the preamp, I was looking at either an L.R. Baggs Para DI or some sort of FDeck Black Box. I can't find much good information on either, so I was wondering if guidance could be provided. (Sorry if i didn't look hard enough in Talkbass, but the search wasn't doing much for me.

Lastly, my amp is an Ampeg Portabass. I bought it for my bass guitar, but use it for everything. Is there something better that I could trade this in for? I don't think I need to swap amps, but I was wondering what you guys think.

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Hey, TalkBass. I have an amplification question. Now that I got my string situation sorted (I got Spirocore Mittles) I need to think about my amplification. I plan to join the jazz band at my college, and need to have some sort of amplification figured out I am a poor student without a job, although I am hoping to get on this summer.

My current rig is a K.C. Strings Series Fully Carved Bass, into a K&K Bass Max, into an Ampeg Portabass 250. It works, but it isn't the best sound, nor is it very good for bowing. I have no preamp, which is part of the issue. So, my question is about a setup chain.

I plan to get a copperhead Realist pickup. I tried the one on the bass at my local music shop, and thought it sounded really good, even without a preamp. So that is what I plan to do as far as a pickup upgrade.

As far as the preamp, I was looking at either an L.R. Baggs Para DI or some sort of FDeck Black Box. I can't find much good information on either, so I was wondering if guidance could be provided. (Sorry if i didn't look hard enough in Talkbass, but the search wasn't doing much for me.

Lastly, my amp is an Ampeg Portabass. I bought it for my bass guitar, but use it for everything. Is there something better that I could trade this in for? I don't think I need to swap amps, but I was wondering what you guys think.

Thanks,
Thomas

Thomas,
I have a good friend in town who uses that amp with a Realist and he sounds great. He's also been playing a great old bass for over 40 years with many of the greats in jazz and that had a lot to do with it.
I also used a PB 250 head and thought it sounded great with my basses which use the Realist. My Clarus sounds more natural but not by much. Sadly, my amp died and can't be fixed. The Ampeg has a very nice front end which helps to EQ a usable tone.

Buy the Realist and enjoy it!

BTW, I set up most of the KC Strings basses. I hope it is working well for you.

 

[Ric Vice]

My current rig is a K.C. Strings Series Fully Carved Bass, into a K&K Bass Max, into an Ampeg Portabass 250. It works, but it isn't the best sound, nor is it very good for bowing. I have no preamp, which is part of the issue. So, my question is about a setup chain.

I plan to get a copperhead Realist pickup. I tried the one on the bass at my local music shop, and thought it sounded really good, even without a preamp. So that is what I plan to do as far as a pickup upgrade.



Lastly, my amp is an Ampeg Portabass. I bought it for my bass guitar, but use it for everything. Is there something better that I could trade this in for? I don't think I need to swap amps, but I was wondering what you guys think.

Thanks,
Thomas

Thomas,
What you have is a really nice instrument and an amplifer with an EQ section that's very complimentary to Double Bass. The FDeck is a extremely useful device with features that can help you dial out low frequency issues. I'd take a look at the Realist Life Line, as it dosen't require you to remove the bridge. Just my take.

Ric

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

With a good sounding bass I like the standard Realist. It's one of the few pickups that can work into a lower input like the 500k on the Ampeg. I did try the Lifeline and liked it but I think I used it into the Clarus' 10k. I'd recommend you check it out.
The HPF is a great little box but I personally like the simplicity of going straight into the amp.

The designer of the Ampeg told me mine was one of the few failures he knew of. Based on the appearance of my friends amp (beat to s@@t) I think they are underrated amps.

 

[hardwick139]

Okay, seems like I was on the right track with the realist. I can do more research on the copperhead vs the lifeline, but it seems that line is what I need. And I think I'll wait on the preamp until I know i need it. Thanks, guys!

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The weakest link in your signal chain is the lack of a buffer. The Bass Max sounds OK but not great with a preamp in line. The fDeck is a touchstone for a lot of people on this forum, but I didn't like the one I had. Too transparent. The Fishman B2 does what I want it to do, and it cost me $25.

There are better options out there than the original Realist. I was a fan for years, until one too many died on me for no real reason. Haven't yet used the Lifeline but I hear good things. There was one available cheap on eBay as of a few days ago.

 

[Ric Vice]

The weakest link in your signal chain is the lack of a buffer. The Bass Max sounds OK but not great with a preamp in line. The fDeck is a touchstone for a lot of people on this forum, but I didn't like the one I had. Too transparent. The Fishman B2 does what I want it to do, and it cost me $25.

There are better options out there than the original Realist. I was a fan for years, until one too many died on me for no real reason. Haven't yet used the Lifeline but I hear good things. There was one available cheap on eBay as of a few days ago.

The Realist seems to have around a 4 year shelf life on many basses. It has something to do with how much pressure is exerted on the pickup. After three of them failed, I moved to the Ehrlund for just that reason, but it's expensive. That's why I suggested the Realist Life Line, because
it will likely last longer. I also prefer not having a "Copper Shim" between my bridge foot and the top of my bass. Just my take. I"ll be experimenting with a MSP pickup I purchased last fall. It's only $100.00.

Ric

 

[donk]

Plus 1on the fdeck hpf. Makes a big difference.

 

[Matt Ides]

Copper head realist + fdeck and you are good to go!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

The Japanese MSP is really great for the money, but like the Ehrlund, needs some time to find a good position that works with a good sound and less feedback. Not plug and play. If it gets loud you might get problems with feedback as with any top mounted contact mic.

I like the Shadow SH-965NFX better than the Realist. Use it with one foil on the bass bridge foot only for best sound. And you have a spare foil if the one you use might fail (which is less probable than with the copper Realist, I think). That one is plug and play, you only have to lift the bass side bridge foot to slip the foil under the foot.

If you need to get rather loud, nothing beats the Full Circle (except maybe the Yamahiko which is the original design of the Full Circle). But generally it doesn't get prices for the most natural sound. (But should at least be better than a BassMax.) but the full circle is an adjuster pickup, so you either need adjusters or need to install it by a luthier.

A high pass filter like in the HPFpre lets you filter out frequencies that makes the sound muddy and gives your amp the power for the frequencies you need, which means you could get a louder output.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

The Realist seems to have around a 4 year shelf life on many basses. It has something to do with how much pressure is exerted on the pickup. After three of them failed, I moved to the Ehrlund for just that reason, but it's expensive. That's why I suggested the Realist Life Line, because
it will likely last longer.

Interesting. I'm pretty positive my copper realist is mose than 4 years old. I bought it used and it's been living on my bass for some time as a backup or when I need bigger volumes. We'll see how long mine goes.

 

[Ric Vice]

Interesting. I'm pretty positive my copper realist is mose than 4 years old. I bought it used and it's been living on my bass for some time as a backup or when I need bigger volumes. We'll see how long mine goes.

Hdiddy,
Sam Findley from David Gage came onto a discussion thread on TB and gave us that information. I'll see if I can locate the thread.

P.S. If you search "Lifespan of a Realist" Sam's post is on page 2

Ric