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Double Bass Two realists?

coldtrain

coldtrain

Aug 19, 2004
282
98
52
North Conway, NH
#1
Hey everyone, long time DB lurker, first time poster...

I've got a Kay S-51 with a realist on it right now, and I've run it through various solid state and tube setups, neo cabs, ceramic cabs, etc. The issue that I'm having is that the upper strings (D-G-C) aren't projecting as well in a band setting. EQ has helped a little, a great setup would probably do more, but I was also considering adding a second realist to the far leg of the bridge, the one that's not close to the soundpost. Would this be a total catastrophe and/or waste of time and money? I'm playing Super Silvers from E to G, and a varnished gut for the high C.

Thanks!
Fabio
 
#2
I'm no expert but it seems to me that would be counterintuitive. A pickup under the E foot would only pickup more of the lower strings, which you don't want. Plus, having even less direct contact between the bridge feet and the bass top may really take away from the acoustic sound.

You might try a different pickup. The Realist tends to favor the lower frequencies at the expense of brightness. Perhaps a Fishman Full Circle?
 
#3
MingusAmongUs said:
I'm no expert but it seems to me that would be counterintuitive. A pickup under the E foot would only pickup more of the lower strings, which you don't want. Plus, having even less direct contact between the bridge feet and the bass top may really take away from the acoustic sound.

You might try a different pickup. The Realist tends to favor the lower frequencies at the expense of brightness. Perhaps a Fishman Full Circle?
Click to expand...

+1

I think that's probably the case. But, it sounds to me like you have the Realist mounted under the G String side of the bridge? The mounting instructions tell you to put it under the E String side. So you might want to try moving it there since that's what it was designed for.
Using two Realist's might give you phase cancelation problems between the two transducers, since it's not a two sensor system and you would have to plug the pickups into two different channels an amplifier or use a mono y cord. It's also a pretty complicated setup
with two sensors that go between the bridge and the top of the bass.
If you move the Realist and it still dosen't sound good, I think the Full Circle would be the thing to use.

Ric
 
#4
Sorry for the confusion -- the current one is under the E-string side, and I was thinking about adding another one to the G (C) string side, and running both through a Whirlwind A/B box, where A and B would be simultaneously active, going to my amp.

But, it sounds like a different pickup is the way to go to balance the qualities of the realist.

Thanks!
Fabio
 
#5
You might could also try a high pass filter. It can be used to tame the E and A strings compared to the higher ones. I use a Rev Solo in the E-string side bridge wing slot. As you might expect, the amplified string balance favors the lower strings since they're closer to the p/u. So the HPF helps me counter that, and gives me an amplified string-to-string balance that is much closer to my unamped sound. And it just projects cleaner out into the room 'cuz it's not as heavy of a tone. If you want to try it, I'd recommend the HPF-Pre. Works like a champ. Just IME, YMMV, etc.
 
#9
damonsmith said:
You also might try an underwood, they don't have a great sound, but for volume in a louder band setting they are very good.
I would also suggest getting a new drummer before buying a new pick up.
Click to expand...

LOL!!! So many drummers, so little time.

I always like what You have to say Damon, but I didn't know You had such a good sense of humor until now. I'm sending You a beer in the mail. --
 
#10
Just a little reminder - let's not forget that the sound coming from the Realist can be changed significantly by changing it's position under the bridge foot. Try to move it just a little and you might get very different sound.
This works on some basses. I have experienced some basses (of my students) where the Realist just doesn't work, though.
I personally have two basses, on one of them the Realist sounds fabulous, on the other not really...
 
#14
coldtrain said:
It's not so much the drummer, but keys and two guitars that I have to mix with.
QUOTE]

Yes, as long as the drummer is not too heavy on the kick I generally find that the keys and guitar smother the upper registers on the bass the most. I have thrown away a Realist, two Rev Solos and I'm not over-impressed with the Full Circle. Underwood with a preamp is the way to go if you want highs and mids with a great singing sustain. Lows always look after themselves and generally have to be eq'd out on my basses.
Click to expand...
 
#15
I'd say, make sure foot of the bridge is shaped so it's getting the ultimate amount of pressure to the Gage. I use a Gage but when I need more volume I switch to my Wilson. Gives me the best of both worlds. Maybe adding a Fishman or an Underwood might do the trick. But that means to use both pickups you'll need a two input preamp. Fishman makes one. Try re-seating the foot first.
 
#16
Bassmickeyd said:
I'd say, make sure foot of the bridge is shaped so it's getting the ultimate amount of pressure to the Gage. I use a Gage but when I need more volume I switch to my Wilson. Gives me the best of both worlds. Maybe adding a Fishman or an Underwood might do the trick. But that means to use both pickups you'll need a two input preamp. Fishman makes one. Try re-seating the foot first.
Click to expand...
I have never tried a Realist. But I just read a five year old post that said basically the same thing. The higher strings should sound balanced if the foot of the bridge fits the top (inc. the p/u) properly. Worth checking I guess.
 

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