Double Bass Yamahiko Double Bass Pickup

[shwashwa]

Well my bass was set up in this country but it was made in Germany. So.... I don't know

 

[SamuelHarris]

Not to derail this derail, but where did you land with the Yamahiko, Mike and others? I subscribed to this thread 17 pages ago to follow the conversation on it, but every time I get a notice, it is devoid of Yamahiko content.

With a good preamp/amp this is the best piezo pickup out there IMHO (just single sensor, large metric version).

So glad I got it, IMHO it should be the new standard instead of the realist or full circle.

 

[Earl]

Well my bass was set up in this country but it was made in Germany. So.... I don't know

If you take it to your luthier he can tell you.

 

[shwashwa]

yeah, but i wanted to have the pickup in hand when i go to him so he can install it, trying not to make 2 trips

 

[flatback]

I would suggest buying the pickup, either one and then taking it to your luthier. He will be able to deal with either thread. If you get the bigger threads he will thread the bridge to that (will not take more then a few minutes) if you bring the 1/4 and it fits it will take only moments. I take my own bridge off from time to time, it isn't that big a deal. A little grease pencil around the bridge feet marks the spot they are in.

 

[Ric Vice]

yeah, but i wanted to have the pickup in hand when i go to him so he can install it, trying not to make 2 trips

There always seems to be an exception. I encountered this many times. Options are nice, but I'm sure there's a way to measure the shafts or
talk to the luthier who installed them. Most luthiers have their go to adjusters. Mine are however ebony so using the Yamahiko isn't in the cards

Ric

 

[Ric Vice]

I would suggest buying the pickup, either one and then taking it to your luthier. He will be able to deal with either thread. If you get the bigger threads he will thread the bridge to that (will not take more then a few minutes) if you bring the 1/4 and it fits it will take only moments. I take my own bridge off from time to time, it isn't that big a deal. A little grease pencil around the bridge feet marks the spot they are in.

This is an excellent idea, provided you're going up in size and not down. Going down is pretty tricky.

Ric

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Another simple method to re-locate the bridge feet is placing strips of tape on all four sides of the bridge foot. Blue painter’s tape works well. Apply it lightly and don’t leave it on too long.

 

[bassmanbrent]

im considering ordering one of these. am i correct when i say it looks like the site offers 2 different sized thread options? whats the best way to know which size you need?

1/4 20 means the post is 1/4" in diameter and has 20 threads per inch. You might have to remove the bridge to measure a full inch of your adjuster, but at least you'll know...

 

[robobass]

Almost all aluminum adjusters installed in the US are 1/4-20. You can just buy a bolt at the hardware store and compare visually without taking down your setup, as long as you have a few threads showing. The other possible sizes are different enough that it will be obvious. I'd use 1/4 rather than the M8, since it will be much easier to transfer the pickup to other basses.

 

[Ric Vice]

The only exception would be ebony adjusters, as some of them have different threading and are I believe larger. At least mine
appear to be. When I transitioned to ebony ones my bridge had to have some modifications, to accommodate them.

Ric

 

[lurk]

Put a sack of flour on the top (bass lying down) so the post doesn't fall, take an adjuster to the hardware store and see what size nut fits.

 

[lrhbass]

Like Ric , mine are the big adjusters that Robertson uses. So we are out of luck at the moment.

 

[Earl]

Like Ric , mine are the big adjusters that Robertson uses. So we are out of luck at the moment.

Mine were the large ones as well - took it to Gage and they filled and re-tapped the holes - not exactly cheap but worth it.

 

[SamuelHarris]

I would suggest buying the pickup, either one and then taking it to your luthier. He will be able to deal with either thread. If you get the bigger threads he will thread the bridge to that (will not take more then a few minutes) if you bring the 1/4 and it fits it will take only moments. I take my own bridge off from time to time, it isn't that big a deal. A little grease pencil around the bridge feet marks the spot they are in.

I agree, but either and have a luthier install. I bought the larger metric version (this was before there even was a 1/4x20).

Paid $25 to have my bridge feet filled and retapped, took maybe an hour.

 

[Ric Vice]

Mine were the large ones as well - took it to Gage and they filled and re-tapped the holes - not exactly cheap but worth it.

In my individual case, the bridge adjusters on my bass were reversed, when the Ebony ones were installed. The screw ends go into the feet. Since it’s been filled and re-tapped once, I wouldn’t risk it a second time, moreover, I like the way the bass sounds and looks with the ebony ones.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I'd say go with the metric ones. Of course---there are more 1/4-20 bridges out there.The metric is a lot larger in diameter and I feel that the threads in the wood will have greater longevity as a result. They don't strip out as easily and have a longer life. The good news is that the basic hole before threading with the metric one is the exact same size as the 1/4 tapped. I forget what size, but you just run a bit through the 1/4-20 and it's the perfect size to run the metric threader. Tb'er Radbass did it for me but when I saw what was done---I could have easily done it myself.
BTW--drilling out and doweling the bigger holes with ebony adjusters is really easy. Then you redrill and tap.

 

[delta7fred]

I forget what size, but you just run a bit through the 1/4-20 and it's the perfect size to run the metric threader.

The tapping drill for an M8 x 1.25mm tap is 6.7mm which is a gnats whisker (or a human hair) larger than 1/4" and fluted drills usually drill slightly over size anyway so 1/4" will be spot on.

 

[robobass]

Yes, ebony adjusters naturally are bigger than 1/4-20. I was talking about aluminum. Some luthiers say that the thinner shaft is actually a good thing, since it allows the bridge to flex more. Is M8 more durable than 1/4? Here is what they look like side by side. M8 is certainly stiffer, but the 1/4-20 thread is slightly coarser and taller. I think the durability contest is a toss up.

 

[flatback]

Just a note abut the threads and M8: The pickup element THE PIEZO itself is IN the threaded shaft not the wheel. The reason I like having the bigger thread is because it seems like a better idea to have it bigger then smaller. Is the Piezo the same or a smaller version? Don't know.