Double Bass Tech21 Q\Strip vs Radial PZ-Deluxe ?

[Frank77]

I finally ordered and installed a KNA pickup on my upright bass about 2 months ago. It's funny, this pickup has the exact opposite problem I had with the Realist: This one is overly bright/honky. I briefly tried to install it on the bass side of the bridge instead, but it did not give good results (very low output), so I put it back on the treble side. I had some cash available from selling other stuff, so I ended getting a Q Strip after all, and now I think I have a very workable solution. After cutting quite a bit of high mids (see pic below), it sounds fairly natural now through my Bass Block + Changeling cab. It sounds better than the Realist did through my PJB Suitcase, for sure.

 

[shwashwa]

I had the Radial PZ for a while, and have used various Tech21/Sansamp products through the years. I haven't used the Q strip.

The radial PZ isn't a good preamp for upright bass IMO. I tried it in several configurations with my amps/PA's. It was just to dry for my tastes. Unless I cut nearly all of the mids and a good amount of treble, I couldn't get any warmth from it. I also found the low cut switch to be impractical. This looks be another preamp where the manufacturer thinks they can make a one-size-fits-all piezo product that will accomodate any instrument. Maybe it's great for guitars or mandos, but not for bass. Also the DI was not as quiet as one would expect from a Radial product. There was enough hiss on mine that I thought it was defective, so I sent it back for a new one, and it had the identical problem. This occurred with several PA's, cables, etc.

i have the exact opposite experience with the radial pz pre and pz deluxe. i get a really great sound out of it... i boost the low mids and cut the highs. i also boost the lows while engaging the high pass filter which i find super useful and depending on the room, i will use in on either of the 2 settings. ive used it for many years and im kinda known around here for having a good tone. i do acknowledge that if you take a traditional approach to eq you will get a honky sound out of it, but it has the tools to deliver a great sound.

 

[Ric Vice]

I think the AI's have one of the best integrated eq sections for URB and EUB but I also just bought a Quilter BB 800 because it has a warmth rarely heard and felt in this class and price range of an amp. Bought a Grace Alix to go with it and will experiment with front input and rear DI input and report back after well tested. So far I love the Quilter, but even though the eq is easy to dial in and has a great sound for EB, I know I can get a much better sound with the Alix, or Radial, or Fishman, etc for Upright.

Very true, with one caveat. The AI heads sound wonderful with carved Double Basses, that have their own sound. Plywood instruments that don't have that distinct tone and sound, don't fair as well.
There are instances where you need to color a sound with the EQ, and AI's really aren't designed to do that. So, occasionally you need an amp with a defined midrange to give those basses a little help.
Just my take of course. The Grace Felix is similar that way, I can use it with my Mirecourt Bass, and get a beautiful tone and timbre. Not so much with a laminated instrument.

 

[kerrycares]

I've been through about 50 preamps from $50-$700 dollars and recently went back to Aguilar Tonehammer 700 and 2 Aguilar SL112 cabs after hearing Patitucci.
Straight in with my David Gage Lifeline and it's a wrap

 

[Zbysek]

I already have a fdeck hpf, so the low-cut/phase reversal bits are taken care of. The only thing I'm missing is a proper EQ to tame some of the boxy nastiness due to my bass/Realist. Ideally I was hoping to find one box that could do it all, but maybe that's not the answer...The cheapest solution at this time would be for me to get a graphic EQ pedal, and use my VT Bass DI strictly as a DI box. The Q strip would be an elegant solution, but comes with a much heftier pricetag.

IMO, parametric mid control is better for these purposes than graphic EQ.

I would recommend MXR M81 preamp. Semi-parametric mids, 2,2MOhm input impedance, clear-sounding.

Out of the two you listed, I would go for Q Strip because it features two semi-parametric controls for mids.

 

[Frank77]

IMO, parametric mid control is better for these purposes than graphic EQ.

I would recommend MXR M81 preamp. Semi-parametric mids, 2,2MOhm input impedance, clear-sounding.

Out of the two you listed, I would go for Q Strip because it features two semi-parametric controls for mids.

That's what I ended up doing (getting the Q/Strip - see post #21!), and it works quite well. Turns out it was an even better purchase then I thought, too : I've started using it for bass guitar as well. I'm using it for both silent practice at home (it replaced my VT Bass DI in that regard - the dirt circuit is nice but it gets in the way sometimes) and for recording with my band. With bass guitar I leave the EQ mostly flat - just using the LPF and HPF sends a nice tone to the mixer. I connect the parallel out to my amp's front end, and one of the outputs to the mixer and voilà! It's just a super convenient little box, I'm never leaving home without it!

 

[Zbysek]

That's what I ended up doing (getting the Q/Strip - see post #21!), and it works quite well. Turns out it was an even better purchase then I thought, too : I've started using it for bass guitar as well. I'm using it for both silent practice at home (it replaced my VT Bass DI in that regard - the dirt circuit is nice but it gets in the way sometimes) and for recording with my band. With bass guitar I leave the EQ mostly flat - just using the LPF and HPF sends a nice tone to the mixer. I connect the parallel out to my amp's front end, and one of the outputs to the mixer and voilà! It's just a super convenient little box, I'm never leaving home without it!

Great! Sorry I missed you reporting about the end of the hunt...

 

[Frank77]

Great! Sorry I missed you reporting about the end of the hunt...

No worries!