sound problem

The Fishman requires an input impedance of 1 megohm or better for proper sound; otherwise, the sound is kind of thin and brittle, with weak lows. Sound familiar?

If that is the case, an outboard preamp with the proper 1 megohm or higher impedance will help. There are a bunch on the market, the K&K ones I sell, Fishman, LR Baggs, Bass Sansamp DI (940K) etc. Also, some stomp boxes, when active, have a sufficiently high impedance; I doubt the Peavey amp does.

That said, the mounting location and nature of the Fishman, even when properly buffered, is going to deliver more finger/string sounds (and noise) because it is so closely coupled to the string/bridge junction. You may be able to cut some of the undesired sounds using the EQ of your amp or an outboard graphic or parametric equalizer.

 

That is likely, but if you can find out the input impedance of your Peavey that would confirm it, also the tone character that I described.

I sell a K&K Power Pack Preamp for $72, the Pure Preamp for $82 - see http://www.urbbob.com/preamps.html - in addition to seeing the preamps I offer, further details of the impedance mismatch situation are offered at the bottom of the page. As I said, I'm not trying to make a sale to you (though of course it wouldn't hurt ), there are others available on the market but most cost more.

 

Thats about what a Fishman sound like.......

 

Here's my advice:

Take those Fishman pickups and throw them directly in the river! I tried just about every possible combination of adjustments with my Fishman's (including wrapping a bandana around the bridge...ugh!) and no dice! I used a K&K power pack preamp with 'em as well and I still had that finger/string noise. I had to EQ all of the High end off and boost the Low end all the way up to get even a little "midrange" with those pickups.

Best advice:
Go to Bob Gollihur's site immediately and try one of his K&K's. They are fabulous and darn cheap (if you ask me).

BTW, I used a Peavey amp as well and I would get feedback that would blow out you ear drums. I still have my Peavey but with the K&K pickup I get none. Give it a try.

 

If you can return them, get your money back and go for the K&K. I'll bet you paid more for them than you would the K&K so you should get some mey back to boot.

Maybe I shouldn't speak so bluntly, I was just so happy when I got mine and the vast improvement on sound that I feel like speaking up!

Also, with K&K you can pick the precise pickups for the sound you want. Go check out Bob's site. He was super helpful with me and he's renound all over cyber space.

Hope this helps...

 

I second that, as Andrew there stated. I use to use Fishman pickups and there sound was tiny and thin in my opinion, and this was with a preamp. And without a pre amp it was just not workabale at all. I replaced them with the K&K bass max and the improvement in sound (tone & volume) was wonderful! But I think you will still need a preamp.
Also I don't know what strings you are using but there are some, such as Supernyls, that seem kind of noisy with left hand movement. I guess it's the construction, steel round wound Wrap on the E & A.

Kevinlee

 

Kevinlee,
I think I saw your band play up here in Flagstaff. Good to see another AZer here.