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Double Bass Upton RS and Realist

Steve Clark

Steve Clark

Jan 9, 2004
2,492
91
60
London ON
www.steveclarkonbass.com
#1
I just added the Upton RS to my Shen willow. Still have the Realist on the bass to compare. The Upton sounds huge compared to the Realist through a Markbass F1 and Epifani 112. Is this correct? Or is my Realist not so good or not mounted as well as the Upton RS.

As an aside I also installed a full set of Spiro Mittels which sound much bigger than Mittel E Weich ADG I had on before.
 
#2
Hi Steve,
I used to own a very nice Shen Willow, and it had the RS on it. Worked GREAT...in fact, far better than the Realist I tried on it.
I have since sold the Willow, and have moved onto a Shen Rogeri Hybrid (big, LOUD flatback with high shoulders), and have the RS on it. That pickup, for me, is the only choice that I feel amplifies my bass accurately. In comparison, (FOR ME), I thought the Realist was not as loud, nor as clear. Muddier, to my ear. I am not an Upton schill...I just think they have a superior, inexpensive pickup. You do have to make sure you have the RS fit correctly. If not, it sounds very strange. Fit correctly, it's much like having a feedback-free mic on your bass.
 
#4
Yup. Referring to the Revolution.

Good description of my experience when comparing the RS to the Realist. I will keep both on for now and experiment more. The RS, with new Mittels sounds big and clear although I can hear more finger noise compared to the Realist. Certainly does not sound strange, to my ear. I'm looking forward to my next double bass show where I might just go without an amp and use the AMT mic and the Upton to the FOH with a wedge monitor.

Steve
 
#5
I had the exact opposite experience. I also have a Shen Willow. I have always been a Realist guy. I bought a RSII 'cause of all the press it gets around here and while it was maybe the most transparent pickup I've tried the drummer even complained that the sound didn't cut. Played set one with the RSII. Good. I felt a little buried but the sound was very natural. Played set two with my Realist and everybody in the band asked how my sound got better. I even felt like I played differently 'cause I could hear myself and I felt like the sound was more dynamic. I also feel like the Realist gets more thump on attack which, at least to me, is key to making something groove.
 
#6
I found that different amps can make a big difference - some pickups will sound better or worse depending on what amp you use.

I recently started using a pickup again after a couple of years of mic-only. More for convenience on tight stages (at the expense of sound quality). I prefer the RS. I like it better than the Realist (which I used for a couple of years) - but with my bass/my amp/etc. YMMV - I certainly know guys that get a great sound with the Realist. FWIW, I think the Full Circle is really nice too. I think it has way less negative affect on the acoustic sound of the bass. I think the bridge wing pickups dampen the sound, and I cringe at the idea of putting something (like the Realist) between the bridge and the top of the bass.
 
#7
I have yet to find a pickup that is good at everything. It ends up becoming a compromise whatever pickup you choose. There are things I have liked and disliked about every pickup I've tried (save the BP-100). It all ends up coming down to what works best on your bass with your rig and gets the sound that works for you ear.
 
#8
I don't have any experience with the Realist but I just installed a RS last month. When I can't use my mic, this does get the closest to my natural, acousitc sound than any other pickup I've used through my AI Contra.

I do agree that bass, strings and amp will all make a difference in the final sound of a pickup.
 
#9
With regard to "finger noise"-- If you flip the RS over in the bridge wing, it will affect the amount of that you get. Also, the RS really "likes" to look into a load of 1 M-ohm or more. If the input impedance is lower, you probably won't get the benefits that have been spoken of here. I use fdeck's HPF/Pre with the RS 2 and am very happy with the combination.
 
#11
fingers said:
I had the exact opposite experience. I also have a Shen Willow. I have always been a Realist guy. ....... I also feel like the Realist gets more thump on attack which, at least to me, is key to making something groove.
Click to expand...

I had a similar experience. Just couldn't get a suitable sound with the RS It just didn't work on my Mirecourt instrument. I guess my bass likes pickups that aren't inserted into the wings of the bridge.

Ric
 
#12
Marc,
Since you bought the RSII from me, I guess you know it wasn't my favorite either. ;)When it fit perfectly and the moon was full it sounded pretty good, but it wasn't for me. I found it to be way too finicky to mess with.
I've tried a bunch of them, coming back to the Realist. It has that low end punch that is often felt more than heard.
 

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