Hey guys, I have a brilliant sounding 50's Kay. Brilliant while unplugged, that is. My realist is really muddy. I can't get the clicky and nice sound of my Innovation Silver Slaps through it. I play mostly pizz., and they just sound muddy. Any suggestions? I am new to the whole amplification deal.
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Double Bass Realist Tone Problem
- Thread starter showfeet
- Start date
The Realist I had didn't get along with plywood basses. The Upton Revolution Solo that eventually replaced it is much friendlier, but REALLY finicky about how it likes to be fitted into the bridge wing.
roll your lows down and mids/upper mids up
lows - 180hz and below
low mids - around 250hz - 400hz
upper mids around 800hz - 1khz
these are approx frequencies... but a decent place to start
I'm sure others will give great suggestions too
lows - 180hz and below
low mids - around 250hz - 400hz
upper mids around 800hz - 1khz
these are approx frequencies... but a decent place to start
I'm sure others will give great suggestions too
A realist on my blonde 53' Kay was barely usable, the notes on thumb position sounded choked, with no sustain. I also had the wilsons which sounded real good, but the Full Circle sounded great!! With a lot of body and fingerboard detail! What a great pickup, at least on my Kay!
Show Feet,
Unfortunately, the Realist works better on bass that has a solid wood top. Something about the combination of a plywood top, and the way the Realist senses vibrations doesn't match up as well. Hybrid basses, work just fine. I know this because my Mirecourt bass has a laminate back.
The Full Circle seems to better with an instrument like yours. Just my opinion though.
Ric
I keep going back to my old Underwood. I'm using the GK MB112, and it's warmth (or darkness) is a good foil for the brightness of the Underwood.
Treaks,
It's a very dependable pickup, and as long as you're happy with the sound then that's a good, thing. It's also a very reliable pickup with good longevity.
As I do both Arco and Pizzicato, I had to run the pickup into both channels with a Y chord, EQ Channel 1 for Pizz and Channel 2 for Arco, and toggle between the two, with the channel selector switch on the amp. Not an ideal solution, as it only works if the music calls for bowing or plucking exclusively throughout the entire selection.
It's much easier to use a pickup that gets both, so I use an Ehrlund EAP and Pre Amp.
Ric
