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Double Bass What to use with Pub 280
- Thread starter Tom Baldwin
- Start date
Although it appears that Chris has moved on past the FC, I wanted to post my first impressions of FC which I mounted in a new bridge threads up with the "hot" side of the FC pickup approx. 1.8cm from the table. I found that on this particular bass (my German 3/4), it does not sound anything like the Realist does on my other two basses. It bows better than most pickups, but not a smooth as with the Realist - a little more scratchy. I was quite surprised that the over-all sound was much more "string" than I would have anticipated the the pickup element so far from the strings and so close to the table. I do not find the sound to be anything like a microphone (as some have declared), and I hear a definite piezo sound to it. Now to be totally honest, I have not tried to optimize the sound by moving the soundpost. This will be my next step. Hopefully, I will be able to tame this beast into something I can live with. I hate this pickup merry-go-round as much as anyone.
IMO, Chris would be just as well off leaving the FC in its current location - threads down. The threads up installation did not give me what I expected. It now occurs to me that the reason for lack of the "wood" sound I'm looking for may be the result of how the FC active adjuster is made and the fact that with the threads up, the threaded part of the adjuster actually extends another inch or so up from the "hot" side. Since the adjuster is made from one piece of aluminum, the FC is going to pick up vibrations from well above the hot side through the conduction of sound through the aluminum threaded part. Now if someone (like Bob Stenholm) would just make something like that but with a non-metal adjuster ... oh, well, just dreaming
IMO, Chris would be just as well off leaving the FC in its current location - threads down. The threads up installation did not give me what I expected. It now occurs to me that the reason for lack of the "wood" sound I'm looking for may be the result of how the FC active adjuster is made and the fact that with the threads up, the threaded part of the adjuster actually extends another inch or so up from the "hot" side. Since the adjuster is made from one piece of aluminum, the FC is going to pick up vibrations from well above the hot side through the conduction of sound through the aluminum threaded part. Now if someone (like Bob Stenholm) would just make something like that but with a non-metal adjuster ... oh, well, just dreaming
Just a quick update: I got my PUB hand delivered today at the Aebersold camps (Thanks, Scott!), and got to use it in the afternoon sessions. It sounded great, and at lower volumes, had that "DAMN, your bass is loud...oh, you are using an amp. My fault!" thing going. After the rehearsal, I pushed it pretty hard, and it sounded clean as a whistle the whole time. I'm running the FC through it at the moment, and it sounds really good - clean and powerful. I should mention, though, that after about six unsatisfying gigs I replaced the Obligatos that came with the new bass with my old Spiro Starks, which cut like a laser. They definitely improved the sound of the FC. My Dyn-B should be coming in a day or two, and I'll report back in then.
After dinner, I got to hang for about an hour with Rufus, who told me all about spending a week overseas studying with Rabbath (as you might imagine, he was blown away by the experience), then started to talk about gear, as we always seem to do. Right now he's Got a Dyn-B, AMT, and Barbera on his bass. He says that he rarely uses the Barbera, but keeps that bridge on for those few really loud gigs that require a faster attack and cutting power. He reported that he uses either the Dyn-B, the AMT, or a mixture of both depending on the room, and feels that with this setup he is ready for any possible amplified situation. He had been using the Schertler pre with the Dyn B through the PUB, but later discovered that he likes the Raven Labs unit better, whether as a single preamp, or as a blender for any two of the signals he is sending into the PUB. Heard him on the concert Sunday night, and he sounded amazing as usual. He offered to help me get set up and find the sweet spot and best EQ settings when the Dyn-B gets here, which I'll definitely take him up on. Can't wait!
After dinner, I got to hang for about an hour with Rufus, who told me all about spending a week overseas studying with Rabbath (as you might imagine, he was blown away by the experience), then started to talk about gear, as we always seem to do. Right now he's Got a Dyn-B, AMT, and Barbera on his bass. He says that he rarely uses the Barbera, but keeps that bridge on for those few really loud gigs that require a faster attack and cutting power. He reported that he uses either the Dyn-B, the AMT, or a mixture of both depending on the room, and feels that with this setup he is ready for any possible amplified situation. He had been using the Schertler pre with the Dyn B through the PUB, but later discovered that he likes the Raven Labs unit better, whether as a single preamp, or as a blender for any two of the signals he is sending into the PUB. Heard him on the concert Sunday night, and he sounded amazing as usual. He offered to help me get set up and find the sweet spot and best EQ settings when the Dyn-B gets here, which I'll definitely take him up on. Can't wait!
Thanks for the report, Chris. When you've had a chance to use your Pub in a variety of situations, I'd be interested to hear how you think it compares to any of your other rigs (since you've had a few!).
Were the Obli's new when you got the bass? I remember from an old thread that they supposedly don't last more than six months...
How fortunate we all are to have people like Rufus who are so generous with their time and knowledge.
Were the Obli's new when you got the bass? I remember from an old thread that they supposedly don't last more than six months...
How fortunate we all are to have people like Rufus who are so generous with their time and knowledge.
T-Bal said:
Will do!
No, they were of indeterminate age. I ordered a new set from Bob G and will try them on the new bass after the camps. But for the concerts in the big hall here for the next couple of weeks, I think I want to stay with the old tried and true.
+1.
Rufus is truly a beautiful human being, and is as kind and attentive to the newest newbie as to the most experienced veteran. We need more like him.
I've heard similar things said about Rufus more often than I can remember. Virtually everyone who's met him has said something along those lines.
I hope he comes back out to the Hawaii Contrabass Fest sometime, I'd love to meet him.
I hope he comes back out to the Hawaii Contrabass Fest sometime, I'd love to meet him.
Since a few days, I am experimenting with the SPL Gainstation 1+AD. I originally bought it as a preamp for my Fichter electric upright. Before the gainstation, I was using the Schertler Pre-AII both with the Fichter and the Dyn-B. The Gainstation does not have any EQ, so I did not expect it to function properly with my Dyn-B. But lo and behold: by just using the class A preamp stage of the Gainstation and the hi pass filter I ended up with a sound that I actually liked better than the sound I was getting with the PreaII and its resonance filter set at three quarters. Now, the gainstation is about three times as expensive as the Schertler preamp, so it is not really recommended as an alternative for those who want to buy the Schertler preamp. But my experiment does show that a very high quality mic preamp can be a very good match with the Schertler Dyn-B.Chris Fitzgerald said:
So, for now my live rig will consist of the Schertler Dyn-B, the SPL Gainstation, a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and one or two Link Removed. I think I can live with this setup...
Vincent
AEOLIAN MODE said:
So far, I've only used it in small quartet rehearsals, where it sounded great with the Full Circle. Shortly after I bought the PUB, the Full Circle died. I had ordered a Dyn-B, but when it got here, it was defective, so I couldn't use that, although I'll be getting another one before too long. So, with only my backup Bass Max as a pickup, which sounds great on my old bass but kinda compressed on my new one, I chose to play the rest of the Aebersold Faculty concerts with my iamp800/VL208 rig, as I had a hunch that the moment that guys like Don Braden and the rest started getting cranked up, the PUB might not be able to hang by itself in that big hall. Even Rufus agreed with this assessment, so I guess I'll have to wait to find out how it does until I've got the right pickup.
You can bet I'll give a full report when there's something to report, though.
I'm also interested in trying to find the smallest and lightest stand available for the unit, as I noticed it sounds clearer when off the floor. Ideas, anyone?
Chris,
I bought a stand made by quickloc that holds the pub 280 kinda nice, at an angle, but it is a drag to carry around...I think that the stands that Schertler offer for the pub are probably the way to go. How did the dyn b sound in the pub? I have heard it sound fair and bad (wolfy) and I am really looking forward to hearing it work like it is supposed to.
I borrow a pub 280 from time to time (as I try and sell some stuff to get one...) it projects that clarity that I have always been looking for...but it has to be up off the floor...
How's it sounding to you tbal after a month with it?
I bought a stand made by quickloc that holds the pub 280 kinda nice, at an angle, but it is a drag to carry around...I think that the stands that Schertler offer for the pub are probably the way to go. How did the dyn b sound in the pub? I have heard it sound fair and bad (wolfy) and I am really looking forward to hearing it work like it is supposed to.
I borrow a pub 280 from time to time (as I try and sell some stuff to get one...) it projects that clarity that I have always been looking for...but it has to be up off the floor...
How's it sounding to you tbal after a month with it?
Still like it. I love the way the low end is so controlled and fat but not muddy or boomy. Last night I had it on an outdoor gig with a wedding band and it really puts out! I'm a little concerned I'm pushing it too much, but the sound remains clear at higher volumes. I think it's still disbelief that the 8" driver could sound so deep. At any rate, I'm satisfied with my sound enough to temporarily postpone any mic/pickup upgrades. Besides, there's always strings, another bass, etc.
Still, in the back of my mind, I wonder what a Focus with a VL-208 or LDS 2x8 or RE bass10 would sound like.
I need help.
Still, in the back of my mind, I wonder what a Focus with a VL-208 or LDS 2x8 or RE bass10 would sound like.
I need help.
I had a Raezers Edge Bass 10/Clarus. I now have the Pub. I liked the RE and I think it went louder, but the Pub had a much more focused bottom end.
flatback said:
Can you post a link? Since I carry a barstool to gigs, any stand that would fit inside an inverted barstool would not be too much of a drag, since I bungee the amp and stool to a dolly anyway. My only real concern is that the stand not be too tall, since I only need to get the PUB off the floor rather than at "PA" height.
I'll let you know. About a third of the pitches were distorting with the unit I had (defective), but the ones that weren't sounded pretty damn good. Monte was kind enough to send me a very detailed set of parametric EQ settings that he likes for the Dyn-B, which he says eliminate the wolfiness. Time will tell. Rufus likes to mix his Dyn-B with either an AMT mic (for quieter gigs), or a Barbera pickup (for louder ones). I only heard the combination with the Barbera this year, but it sounded really, really good, and this was at some pretty serious volume levels in some pretty crummy rooms.
Invalid Link Removed is the one I have. I put the Pub on its side, with the "back" of the amp resting on the lower support bar. The speaker faces up at a steep angle, so if you need to direct alot of sound out to the audience, it might not seem ideal. I've had no complaints, though.Chris Fitzgerald said:
This company has the best shipping rates I found - 5 or 6 bucks for 3 day express, and I got mine in 2 days.
If you want something even more portable than the Quiklock, Schertler makes a little T-bar thing that goes in the stand hole and allows you to adjust the angle. It is great!! I keep one in my gig bag. You can see a picture on the lower right of
Invalid Link Removed .
I don't remember how much they were, but if you contact Lou Roten at his website , I'm sure he could get you one.
I also have the full speaker stand from then. When using my 2 Pubs as a PA, I mount them both on poles. If it is just me (in a larger room), I put one on a tall speaker stand and one between me and the drummer on the small floor stand.
Monte
Invalid Link Removed .
I don't remember how much they were, but if you contact Lou Roten at his website , I'm sure he could get you one.
I also have the full speaker stand from then. When using my 2 Pubs as a PA, I mount them both on poles. If it is just me (in a larger room), I put one on a tall speaker stand and one between me and the drummer on the small floor stand.
Monte
Cheap solutions to a stand I've used in a pinch:
Borrow a chair,
Stick an ashtray under the front lip of the pub
(angles like a floor monitor),
A plastic milk crate,
A park bench (outdoor gig).
Hope you enjoy the cab, Chris.
Borrow a chair,
Stick an ashtray under the front lip of the pub
(angles like a floor monitor),
A plastic milk crate,
A park bench (outdoor gig).
Hope you enjoy the cab, Chris.
Fixed the Full Circle and bought a stand for the PUB today, and I ave to say the results of raising that cab up at ear level are impressive. There's a clarity there that was never there before, and a "realism" in the way the sound disperses that makes you wonder if the amp is on even when the volume level tells you that it clearly IS on. I like it. I'll have to get it out on some gigs, but...
At the high end of the volume spectrum, the woofer will start to make a "puffy" air sound on the low notes, which tells me that the cab does have its limits, but I'm not sure if the "farting" was from the speaker or from the input electronics. But at every level but completely cranked, it sounds amazing so far.
At the high end of the volume spectrum, the woofer will start to make a "puffy" air sound on the low notes, which tells me that the cab does have its limits, but I'm not sure if the "farting" was from the speaker or from the input electronics. But at every level but completely cranked, it sounds amazing so far.
One thing to never forget is that what you're hearing may not be what others hear out front. The wavelengths are so big that the only way to know is to have someone else play your bass or do what I do which is setup high quality stereo mics twenty feet away and listen to them through headphones. That puffy sound you're talking about may be non-existent out front.
