Double Bass Time For a New Pickup

[funkinbass37]

I've had a Fishman Full Circle on my bass for the last seven years and have been mostly happy with it. After finding a broken element while resoldering the wire (tripped on my cable and detached the wire and output jack from the element) I've decided it's time to get something new.

Do I get another Full Circle? A Realist?

I play through an EA iAmp Pro into an Acme Low B-2. I used the mid attenuator to voice the cab by playing an album through the amp that I know inside and out.

I am mostly happy with the sound, but would like to get a bit smoother sound on arco. I am concerned that by going with The Realist I might lose detail and the open, resonant sound I'm getting with the Full Circle.

Is this a fair assessment?

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Yes, it's a fair assessment, IMO. I've owned a Realist. I auditioned a Lifeline and Full Circle on my bass for a week each and decided to stick with my Stat B. The others were good pickups, I just like the Stat better.

 

[Don Sibley]

IMO The Lifeline is similar to the FC but has 1000 times better arco tone.

If you're not regularly playing in really loud settings you could check out the Ehrlund. It's a much better system as far as acoustic fidelity but more finicky and susceptible to feedback.