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Double Bass The Realist, FullCircle, DPA 4099B,Ehrlund pickup! What should I get?

SG-Jazz

SG-Jazz

Dec 24, 2007
436
13
Los Angeles
#1
Im looking to purchase my first pick up or contact mic for my double bass. I have a hybrid with a carved front and back. Originally I was leaning towards either the Full Circle pick up or the Realist but after more research here, I see alot of you guys also and or are like using the ehrlund and DPA 4099Bmics. Perhaps there is a popular combination between a standard pick up and mic.

I play both arco and pizz and have medium Spiro core strings on my bass.

Any recomendations or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
 
#2
If this is your first pick up can I assume you are a new player to the instrument. I would suggest a simple pick up to begin with. There is a learning curve when it comes to basses and electronics. Start with the basics and when you know more about what you want you can make a switch. That said, either a full circle or a Realist is a fine place to start.
 
#3
SG-Jazz said:
Im looking to purchase my first pick up or contact mic for my double bass. I have a hybrid with a carved front and back. Originally I was leaning towards either the Full Circle pick up or the Realist but after more research here, I see alot of you guys also and or are like using the ehrlund and DPA 4099Bmics. Perhaps there is a popular combination between a standard pick up and mic.

I play both arco and pizz and have medium Spiro core strings on my bass.

Any recomendations or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

SG,
Well the first hurdle you are going to have is that Spiro's tend to sound to bright when you bow through an amplifier. So, it's something you're going to have to live with especially if it's a fairly new set of strings. If you already have bridge adjusters then the Full Circle is easily installed, but the Realist sounds better for Arco playing even with the Spirocores. In my case the Ehrlund was easy to install and sounds great bowed or plucked but it costs a lot more with it's pre amp. I wouldn't start with the DPA 4099 either since there is a learning curve with a microphone as well. Just my opinion though.

Ric
 
#4
Hmm.. Im too complicated to start simple. I have the cash, a private instructor and a few local musicians here in LA who give me suggestions, I just like to see what talk bassists have to say. Been playing electric for 15+ years and just started on the upright recently. I engineer music on the side so I am familiar with mic types and preamps, One of the reasons I was so intrigued with the two mics I posted about. When I purchase I purchase for the long term.

Anyways, currently my bass has adjusters, so I think I might go with the full circle. I know there are a few different sizes of full circle adjusters. Should I remove an adjuster on my bridge and measure it? Is it as easy as releasing the string tension, mark where the bridge was, and then taking it off? I dont want my sound post to drop:( Its been a long day excuse my grammer.

One last thing are the ehrlund, DPA, the end all in portable miking for double?
 
#7
Jason Sypher said:
...but save your complicated side for the music, not your gear. I can't tell you how many people focus more on their gear than learning how to play. It's a real time waster.
Click to expand...

Best... Quote... Ever

The Erhlund and DPA are the pickup/mic dejour right now. I'm sure they are great but don't be fooled by the amount of chatter they are getting. Remember too you are looking at dropping some serious change for that combo.

Oh, and remember, Dave Holland still uses an Underwood.
 
#8
SG-Jazz said:
Im looking to purchase my first pick up or contact mic for my double bass. I have a hybrid with a carved front and back. Originally I was leaning towards either the Full Circle pick up or the Realist but after more research here, I see alot of you guys also and or are like using the ehrlund and DPA 4099Bmics. Perhaps there is a popular combination between a standard pick up and mic.

I play both arco and pizz and have medium Spiro core strings on my bass.

Any recomendations or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would recommend getting a pick-up first, then adding a mic later. Though I prefer the sound of a mic over a pick-up, mics present a few obstacles the pick-up avoids. Primarily feedback, then optimal placement, and lastly loss of articulation. (And we won't even begin to discuss the abundance of unqualified sound engineers.) Simply put, on loud gigs the mic alone doesn't cut through.

I used an Underwood, then switched to the Full Circle. My choice of the Full Circle over the Realist was based on reports I read about the Realist failing over time from the pressure exerted by the strings. Some have reported good results and longevity with the Realist (YMMV). Remember, you MUST use a preamp to load a piezo properly. I'm using the Fishman but am considering trying the Fdeck <http://personalpages.tds.net/~fdeck/bass/hpfpre.htm> primarily for the High Pass Filter. Search this forum for discussions on the Fdeck Preamp.

I use an Audix D4, an EV RE20, an AKG 451, or a Neumann KM184 to blend with my pick-up live. I'm considering trying the DPA 4099B or the Erhlund <http://ehrlund.se/> to make set-ups easier. AMT is another viable option, but it's more costly than the other two and probably not the best value (IMHO).

Whatever you choose to do, make your decision and then get on with the real business at hand. You can waste a lifetime searching for the perfect amplification.
 
#9
fingers said:
Best... Quote... Ever

The Erhlund and DPA are the pickup/mic dejour right now. I'm sure they are great but don't be fooled by the amount of chatter they are getting. Remember too you are looking at dropping some serious change for that combo.

Oh, and remember, Dave Holland still uses an Underwood.
Click to expand...

This is very good advice as you should spend your time learning and playing the Double Bass not searching for the holy grail.

The Full Circle is a very dependable pickup and is used by a large number of players. The Ehrlund with it's pre amp is @ $418.00 by comparison the Full Circle with a the Pro Platinum Preamp is somewhere around $380.00 and there's FDecks HPF in combination with the Full Circle that would cost @ $310.00 considerably less than the Full Circle Pro Platinum combination. Since I have ebony adjusters on my bass, I was thrilled when the Ehrlund came along, but I'm not sure I would advise a new player to get one right out of the gate. As an aside, I'm not using the Ehrlund and the DPA in combination because the Ehrlund works fine all by itself.

Ric
 
#11
Let's not turn this into another "I use the blah blah" thread.
There are several pretty extensive "The Best Pickup" threads here already like this one.

My only point (and I think what Jason is getting at too) is be careful to not get swept up in the gear search. Spend your time getting good at playing the bass.

I'm as guilty as anyone for talking gear and strings and **** but I am a pro and gig several times a week and am practicing in between my posts here so while it may look like I am obsessed with gear and strings this site is only part of the picture. I know the same is true of many of the regular posters here. Good luck.
 
#12
Thanks for all the info guys.

About worrying about gear and not practicing. I practice a alot of upright. I just like to do research on all aspects of bass playing. In this instance Pickup suggestions. Nothing wrong with that right. I never said I wasnt practicing my craft. Assumptions are always bad. I have a private instructor and play upright in a few ensembles in college. I get your point though.

Back on topic. I think the 50 dollar difference between the ehrlund and the full circle isnt that bad. Right now its between those two. Wanting to lean more towards the ehrlund because of ease if installation and maybe picking up a full circle later.The yamahiko looks pretty.
 
#13
SG-Jazz said:
Back on topic. I think the 50 dollar difference between the ehrlund and the full circle isnt that bad. Right now its between those two. Wanting to lean more towards the ehrlund because of ease if installation and maybe picking up a full circle later.The yamahiko looks pretty.
Click to expand...

SG Jazz,
Actually, I believe that the Yamahiko came before the Full Circle, the difference of course is that the Yamahiko is a dual element design and cost more. They have two sound clips on their site and the bowed sample was pretty nasal sounding.


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



PS. I just played a duo rehearsal with the Ehrlund and forgot the pre amp and darn if it didn't sound really good.
 
#14
Loudness vs. fidelity is always a question to ask yourself. As volume goes up potential fidelity goes down. If you are looking for authentic sound then the mics are probably your best bet.

If lots of volume is important, mics and contact pickups don't have near as much gain before feedback as piezoelectrics like the Realist and Full Circle. Be sure that the pickup or mic you choose can get the level of gain you need without causing lots of racket.
 
#15
SG-Jazz said:
About worrying about gear and not practicing. I practice a alot of upright. I just like to do research on all aspects of bass playing. In this instance Pickup suggestions. Nothing wrong with that right. I never said I wasnt practicing my craft. Assumptions are always bad. I have a private instructor and play upright in a few ensembles in college. I get your point though.
Click to expand...

Not implying a lack of practicing only that his gear crap can get all-consuming.

Use the search function and set aside an afternoon. There is TONS of info here on pickup and mic favorites.
 
#16
I"m also spending most of my time practicing and more and more giging. I'm far from a gear freak. The sound comes from your hands so that's where the foccus is.
The only reason I mentioned the Yamahiko is because people think the Full-circle is the only pick-up in its kind. It's alway good to know there are alternatives.

So excuses if I looked like I tried to start up the whole my gear is better than your's discussion.

Everyone needs to find the gear that works for him or her.
And now back to practice.......
 
#17
Ric Vice said:
SG Jazz,
Actually, I believe that the Yamahiko came before the Full Circle, the difference of course is that the Yamahiko is a dual element design and cost more. They have two sound clips on their site and the bowed sample was pretty nasal sounding.


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



PS. I just played a duo rehearsal with the Ehrlund and forgot the pre amp and darn if it didn't sound really good.
Click to expand...

Yamahiko came first indeed. And it works perfect with a single element. Dual element is off course an option.

And yes it is expensive.....
 
#20
Jason Sypher said:
I don't think anyone is pointing fingers around here at who is paying too much attention to gear instead of practicing. I personally like to get good gear so that I don't have to think about it...
Click to expand...
Indeed. I do a lot of research up front (whether musical instruments, household appliances, automobiles, business services, etc., to the point of being called a "gearhead" - or worse - including asking many stupid questions) so that when the time comes and the $$ drop, I can plug in, tune up, and go, and never have to think about it again, whether practice, rehearsal, or gig/concert, so I can focus on the music.
 

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