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Double Bass Realist vs. Realist Sound Clip

ToeJam76

ToeJam76

May 15, 2010
88
15
Dallas, TX
#1
Hey everyone. I've searched and looked through the stickies for this but can't seem to find any info (most comments were groom 2001), so forgive me if this info already exists. I am new to upright and especially upright pickups. The David Gage Realist has been recommended to me by a few sources. As I was shipping for one, I noticed on Gollihur's page there is a Realist Sound Clip. Can someone out there share their experiences with these two pickups and compare your experiences with them? FWIW, I'm playing a Englehardt upright (with some mods like adjusters on the bridge, new silent end pin) and will be using a Aguilar Tone Hammer with a GS112 cab. Thanks.
-T.J.
 
#2
ToeJam76 said:
Hey everyone. I've searched and looked through the stickies for this but can't seem to find any info (most comments were groom 2001), so forgive me if this info already exists. I am new to upright and especially upright pickups. The David Gage Realist has been recommended to me by a few sources. As I was shipping for one, I noticed on Gollihur's page there is a Realist Sound Clip. Can someone out there share their experiences with these two pickups and compare your experiences with them? FWIW, I'm playing a Englehardt upright (with some mods like adjusters on the bridge, new silent end pin) and will be using a Aguilar Tone Hammer with a GS112 cab. Thanks.
-T.J.
Click to expand...


T. J.,
I assume that you've noted the difference in price between a Realist at $196.00 and the Realist Sound Clip?
At $399.99, that's a pretty significant. Most of the Talk Bass members who have the Sound Clip have said that it sounds like a Realist. The advantage of the Realist Sound Clip is that you can easily take it off you're instrument and move it to another, without loosening the strings, provided you own two basses.

My concern, would be that the Realist doesn't sound as good on a plywood instrument, as it does on an instrument with a wooden top, and ribs. In my experience, you would be better off with a Fishman Full Circle, unless you're doing a lot of arco work. Realists are better with the bow, IMHO.

Ric
 
#3
Ric,
I did notice the difference in price. If it's under $500 that makes it easier to get the P.O. approved by the CFO. ;)

I'm playing strictly pizzicato at this point. What is it about the Fishman you like better? Just the response on a plywood bass? Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look it up!
Thanks for your response.
 
#4
I've owned all 3 pickups in question.

They all sound similar, but not the same. The reason to have the Soundclip is so that you can remove it from your bass when not in use, which is important to a minority of us. It can sound very good, but it's more dynamic and less consistent than the other two. Meaning that I can move it around and configure it differently and get some different experiences with it. It may also misbehave a bit depending on circumstances.

If you don't need to remove it and don't want to futz over sound. The other two are better choices. They are both pretty plug and play. I feel that the Full Circle sounds better hands down, but there is nothing wrong with the Realist either.
 
#5
TroyK said:
I've owned all 3 pickups in question.

They all sound similar, but not the same. The reason to have the Soundclip is so that you can remove it from your bass when not in use, which is important to a minority of us. It can sound very good, but it's more dynamic and less consistent than the other two. Meaning that I can move it around and configure it differently and get some different experiences with it. It may also misbehave a bit depending on circumstances.

If you don't need to remove it and don't want to futz over sound. The other two are better choices. They are both pretty plug and play. I feel that the Full Circle sounds better hands down, but there is nothing wrong with the Realist either.
Click to expand...

Troy,
Thanks for the reply! Since you have owned all the pickups in question, would you happen to have a recording where you've used each? Whether they are direct or mic'ing a room/amp that you were using one in? Sorry, the recording engineer in me wants samples! :D
Thanks,
T.J.
 
#6
Might have a live recording of very poor quality of the Realist and the Full-Circle, but it would take some forensics to figure out which was which, if I could find them at all. I'm a "mic only" in the studio guy. So every proper recording I have is without a pickup (which is why I like the SoundClip option.)

There are differences in sound, but if you're talking about gigging in the types of places that most people gig, there are factors at play bigger than those differences.

The Full Circle sounds the best and is generally the most useful in my experince. If it installed a little bit differently, I might still be using it.

The Realist has a little less clarity, in my experince, it can sound muddy. It also marks the top in a way that I don't appreciate, but it's not the end of the world.

I'm using the SoundClip and I used the Ehrlund for a year for the same reason. I don't want it or anything else on there when I'm not using them. I don't think the SoundClip a better pickup than the Full Circle. It can sound as good, but it takes some attention to get it sounding that way. Not as much as the Ehrlund, which CAN sound better than any of them, but it's not for the faint of heart. You can read about the difficulities with it. And when it sounds bad, it sounds the worst of all.

If you don't care about having a pickup mounted on your bass, which most people don't and I'm not suggesting that you should, then I'd choose between the Realist and the Full Circle and I'd chose based on how you feel about how they mount. Strings, setup, technique will make a bigger difference in tone, as will the amp you're using for that matter.

The only other, practical option are various types of bridge wing mounted pickups. I think some of them have started getting a little bit better, but they all have a similar characteristic that has never resonated with me.

Don't over think it. Realist is a good suggestion, so is the Full Circle.
 
#8
CButterfield said:
I've tried the sound clip and in my experience, with my bass, etc, it sounds horrible. But I would never use a realist since it does mark up the top of your bass. Just my two cents.
Click to expand...

You can put a peice of rubber, or wood in between it, itcan be thin and it won't mark it up...I have to edit my gear, I have a realist now and I love it to no end. It is on the queter side, but that's ok, it sound good arco and pizz, I have a thin sliver of rubber around the edges of the pickup, so A) it'll help the bridge stay and not slide, B) it won't mark up my bass, and C) it stays in the sweet spot all the time
 
#9
CButterfield said:
I've tried the sound clip and in my experience, with my bass, etc, it sounds horrible. But I would never use a realist since it does mark up the top of your bass. Just my two cents.
Click to expand...

What pickup do you use Craig?
Thanks Geoff


EDIT. I've just seen that you are about to take the plunge with the new Upton pickup. Looking forward to the review.
 

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