Double Bass Xlson mic w/ bass amp

[Wasnex]

That’s absolutely, true my opinion is that Ehrlund did themselves a real disservice in choosing a U.S. distributor that as I understand it, significantly marked up the wholesale price of the pickup overnight to their U.S. retailers. Since I’m not Ehrlund nor am I their U.S. Distributor I can’t speak for them, but it’s my belief that big price jump lost them many initial customers and continues to do so. Just my take. It’s not a pickup that you can just order off the shelf and assume it will give you the volume and sound you’re lookin for without testing it on your instrument first. That said, it sounds absolutely wonderful on my 5/8ths Mirecourt, our 3/4 Knilling, and my Kolstine Busetto Travel Bass. I have talked with Goran several times over the years, he’s a lovely person to deal with.

Thomann lists the EAP system for $435. Ehrlund Microphones EAP System TRS – Thomann United States (thomannmusic.com)

I don't believe this includes free shipping. But in my experience, shipping from Europe to USA is often surprisingly cheap. However, it may not be so cheap on the return trip.

 

[John Chambliss]

I bought my C411 used without the putty. I've only used the Blue Tack and the White Putty.

 

[Ric Vice]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I wish there were some more videos of the Xlson. I can't even seem to find a clip of Chuck Israels using it live. I think maybe they should think about rebranding it as the official @rickwolff due to all the helpful videos you've done. ( I did find a video of Chuck Israel's demoing a vary expensive Schertler amp that thankfully, I did not like the sound of My wallet let out a huge sigh of relief.)

I will give the Erhlund a-go and see how it works for me. Although I am still fantasizing about being the kind of PITA bass player who only brings a mic to a gig. I found an old video of myself doing an amp-less gig that I just love the sound of, even though I'm sure it was just an I-phone recording.

The reason you don't see Chuck Israels using the Xlson, is that he now uses the Nadine

 

[Wasnex]

The reason you don't see Chuck Israels using the Xlson, is that he now uses the Nadine

However, I would assume mounting the Nadine is less of a hassle.

 

[Ric Vice]

However, I would assume mounting the Nadine is less of a hassle.

I would assume so, as I mentioned before, regardless of how light or small the microphone is, the Explore Audio H-Clamp will not hold on my bass.

it’s a Mirecourt 5/8 Flatback with a sloping back. The Nadine simply sticks between the after lengths and the connector velcros to the tailpiece.

My Remic D5400 and D 5400 LB just squish under the fingerboard, between the belly and the arch of the bridge, or under the tailpiece.

The Neumann MCM 114 clips to the after lengths so does DPA 4099 DVote.

The Ehrlund EAP just sticks to the body easy peasy. So, there are lots of options.

 

[crd]

Okay, I ordered the Ischell C3 mic with the X-Jack assembly. I am hoping I can find a way to attach the battery/jack to the C curve on the side of my bass, but I'm sure it won't be a big deal to put it on my tailpiece. I'm looking forward to mixing it with my Realist. I listened to every available clip of the Ehrlund but didn't feel like it was to different from what I accomplish with the Realist and EQ. If I find the Ischell works maybe I will be able to accomplish my dream of getting the Realist off my bridge entirely, but that seems a little unrealistic. It's been years but I remember I took it off for a record session in 2012 and couldn't believe how much easier my bass spoke with the bow.

 

[Ric Vice]

Okay, I ordered the Ischell C3 mic with the X-Jack assembly. I am hoping I can find a way to attach the battery/jack to the C curve on the side of my bass, but I'm sure it won't be a big deal to put it on my tailpiece. I'm looking forward to mixing it with my Realist. I listened to every available clip of the Ehrlund but didn't feel like it was to different from what I accomplish with the Realist and EQ. If I find the Ischell works maybe I will be able to accomplish my dream of getting the Realist off my bridge entirely, but that seems a little unrealistic. It's been years but I remember I took it off for a record session in 2012 and couldn't believe how much easier my bass spoke with the bow.

Well, I think you have to try the Ischell C3 and if it works for you then you have what you need. I'm not one to bother with blending a pickup with a microphone, because in truth I end up liking the microphone's sound better than the pickup

that's happened since I got my first Fishman Bass Blender and loved the sound of the Crown Mini Condenser that came with it. In regards to the Ehrlund, I've listened to the "examples" other's have posted on YouTube and frankly, their not very

well done. To get a real idea of what the EAP sounds like through an amplifier and into the room, unfortunately you have to be there. I've never found a way to accurately reproduce what it sounds like on my Mirecourt 5/8th's bass, into a Grace

Designs Preamp (I'm not overly fond of the Ehrlund Preamp) and a MAS 1/8 speaker. I'm not sure unless your very committed to using a microphone only ( the Ischell is a contact microphone) you're going to get the presence out of the C3

but I'm getting ready to try one myself. The only real successful microphones I've heard live were the DPA 4099 Dvote Core, the Remic Green (which I use) , the Nadine, the Xlson (which won't mount on my bass) and of course the

Schoeps MK41 CMC6 (or now the CMC1 which won't mount on my bass) Just my take of course, I hope it works incredibly well for you.

P.Sl Having had both the Realist and the EAP I can tell you they sound radically different from one another on my bass into my gear.

 

[crd]

@Ric Vice

I also noticed none of the comparison's between the Erhlund and other pick-ups I found were level matched so it was definitely hard to tell what's what.

I'll let you know how it goes with the C3 and post some clips. Even if I end up only sending the c3 FOH, I think it might be helpful to have the same mic set-up room to room. Since covid every venue now streams the shows and I am getting a little sick of having to live with mediocre live recordings for ever on the internet.

 

[Ric Vice]

@Ric Vice

I also noticed none of the comparison's between the Erhlund and other pick-ups I found were level matched so it was definitely hard to tell what's what.

I'll let you know how it goes with the C3 and post some clips. Even if I end up only sending the c3 FOH, I think it might be helpful to have the same mic set-up room to room. Since covid every venue now streams the shows and I am getting a little sick of having to live with mediocre live recordings for ever on the internet.

Actually, although that would definitely make a difference, the EAP will come up very evenly and gradually as you turn up the volume. Piezo's like the Full Circle and Realist come up fast as you turn up the volume and then tail off. I'll admit the EAP isn't a "one size fits" all pickup like the

Realist and Full Circle are, but a couple years ago when I compared it to the original Ishell, the Ehrlund had better volume, more faithful reproduction (for a piezo) and a more pleasing timbre. I won't know about the new Ischell until I get my hands on a C3.