Has anyone done a side by side comparison, or recorded the same instrument using both? Any thoughts?
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Double Bass Realist vs. full Circle?
- Thread starter Jesse Dietschi
- Start date
On my carved bass the Realist (original copperhead) sounded good at lower volumes, but became muddy and uneven as the volume increased. I replaced it with a Full Circle which I find very consistent and better all around. On my hybrid bass, the Realist had a peaky, midrange-heavy sound and a low output. I replaced it with a Full Circle and obtained similar results as I did on my carved bass. I feel that the Full Circle allows the distinct sound of each bass to come through as well.
- Steve
- Steve
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I did a side by side comparison once. The realist sounds very dark and muddy. Like there is a blanket over the sound. The Fishman has a much more transparent sound. I prefer the Fishman because you can easily dial out harsh tones and add bass if you want. With the Realist you can't dial in treble because there isn't much to work with. I think most jazz guys like the realist because of the dark muddy tone but that's not for me.
Also the Realist is a bit more sensitive for feedback compared to the Full Circle.
On my new bass a Realist Lifeline will be installed. My luthier said the Lifeline is less dark than the normal Realist. He also said the normal Realist had a sort of filter build in in the cable or plug. When you remove that filter it sounds much better and less dark. He said he liked the tone of the Full Circle but that it is very fragile (because of the thin cable I guess). That's why he didn't install them very much.
Hope this helps!
Also the Realist is a bit more sensitive for feedback compared to the Full Circle.
On my new bass a Realist Lifeline will be installed. My luthier said the Lifeline is less dark than the normal Realist. He also said the normal Realist had a sort of filter build in in the cable or plug. When you remove that filter it sounds much better and less dark. He said he liked the tone of the Full Circle but that it is very fragile (because of the thin cable I guess). That's why he didn't install them very much.
Hope this helps!
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Any ideas on the Realist Lifeline Btw? Is it indeed more transparent than the normal Realist as my luthier said? If not I can cancel my order and choose another pickup. I want to try something else than the Full Circle that is on my other bass. Mainly because there are wooden wheel adjusters on that new bass and I like to keep those.
I think the LifeLine is right in the middle of the other two pickups. The best amplified tone I ever got was both the Realist and Full Circle going into a RavenLabs blender and out to an amp. For my sound I like the Full Circle more than the LifeLine. Guys I was working with were split.
Having also used both, I have found the Full Circle a great sound as well as the Lifeline which I am currently using. I feel the Lifeline is a more sturdy unit in general,and probably more durable, due to its overall construction. I have the FC on one bass and the Lifeline blended with the Troll on my main bass. The Lifeline is definitely a more darker sound of the two.. I think if the FC was a little better contructed I would of stayed with it exclusively ...
