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Double Bass Yamahiko Double Bass Pickup
- Thread starter Mike Arnopol
- Start date
Soundpost tweaking did it for me! Thanks!
Just put a single sensor on my bass. Man, this thing sounds good! Way less finger noise and “crunch” than a wing wafer. I can’t imagine needing the second sensor. Also got a reduced output cable, and the level is right in the range I would want/expect. I have an “un-reduced” cable as well, but haven’t tried it.
Very pleased with this pickup.
Very pleased with this pickup.
I ordered an output cable with a capacitor from Yamahiko, that lowers the output to a more typical level.
Earl
Supporting Member
When using both sides (as Yamahiko intended) you do not need the reduced output cable. I use only one side sometimes but I find using both (on my bass) has a more hifi, refined sound with less need for an HPF.
On my bass the single E side, gets serious bass response. SO much so that I need an HPF with it. SOunds great like that. THe G side pickup sounds different but similar to the E side with an HPF (no HPF needed) the two of them bridged sounds balanced in a way that neither side by itself does and part of that is that the frequencies from what ever strings you are playing from G to E get picked up and blended in a way that favors (whatever note/string) you are playing (so the Gside will better amplify the Gside) but together they cancel out some of the overly heavy bass signal. Can sound great or not depending on IMpedance setting and eq. Can sound really vintage 70's pickup if you eq it that way or super Hifi well balanced and punchy set up (and amp/speaker'd) THere is no right way to do it.
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Earl
Supporting Member
And even bridged there is a different sound from connecting the output to the G or E side.
Years ago, I had a 4 Hour chat with Don Underwood. His reason for using dual elements was that it catches the way the bridge vibrates. His description was that while the E Side moves up the G side moves in opposition to that.
Don was a super smart guy. So, from his description two sensors catch more detail. That was his take as a bassist and electronic engineer. So, what you folks are saying makes total sense to me. Now I know there's a whole
clan of onederwood converts here on Talkbass, I always preferred both elements in place. I think the Yamahiko allowing you to go either way is a refinement of Don's original idea. With the Walter Woods I used along with Don's
pickup the phase reverse switch would solve most of the minor issues I had with phase and the pickup.
Don was a super smart guy. So, from his description two sensors catch more detail. That was his take as a bassist and electronic engineer. So, what you folks are saying makes total sense to me. Now I know there's a whole
clan of onederwood converts here on Talkbass, I always preferred both elements in place. I think the Yamahiko allowing you to go either way is a refinement of Don's original idea. With the Walter Woods I used along with Don's
pickup the phase reverse switch would solve most of the minor issues I had with phase and the pickup.
I dont use it anymore because I am addicted to the way my tube preamp buffers the Yamahiko but sending each of the pickups via a stereo cord into the felix (and blending 70/30 and eqing etc.) is still one of the most versatile and excellent ways to go. THAT can make for a very HiFi and adaptable, excellent way to use the Yamahiko.
I have been so content with the bridged Y into the tube preamp. But after mentioning the stereo setup here the other day, I fished out the TRS cable and the Yamahiko stereo jack and put that back on the bass and did a gig. That set up with each pickup going to its own channel on the Felix ( I have written about it here extensively) is just the best ever. Blending those two sensors independently ( with separate HPF and imp) is so great. It just solves all the problems. And once each pickup is dialed in the blend knob is all you need to get the right sound. It is just such an excellent way to go - better then mixing a mic in or a contact pickup or any of the other ( excellent but futsy) combinations of sounds. One cable from the bass but total control and ease of use.
Makes one wonder how the newer Felix 2 would work using the new Phase Control that’s a feature on the box. Unfortunately, that’s a very expensive proposition
because we both already have a perfectly great Grace Felix and the new ones cost a bit more just for a few new features.
Ric, please don't remind me. For this setup, that phase dial would be (as I have always suspected based on Mike's posts about the same feature on his Doubler preamp) as useful as the blend knob. As it is you can eq the two pickups to sound just right but to have them phazed properly to start with would be excellent. Im not going to run out and buy a new Felix anytime soon though...I think (at least until the gigs start happening with prepandemic frequency) my days of buying gear are over.
Personally, I’m waiting to see how many of the new Ischell C3’s come up for sale used, for me it has two advantages,one, I can try one out
without paying full price, two, if a large number of them come up for sale (as did with the originals) then I take this as a a possible indicator
that the pickup might be a good choice for me personally. Just my take.
Sorry about that, for me, with the Grace and the Ehrlund EAP it’s kind of a non issue. They have changed over to a different power supply on the new ones as well.
Hi
I’ve just received a Yamahiko dual sensor pickup. I’m taking it to a luthier this week for fitting.
The threaded section is quite long, and I’m hoping that there is enough height on the bridge feet of my bass to accommodate it (the bridge already has adjusters fitted, threads down).
I wanted to ask if people have the threads facing downwards, or if it matters either way? The documentation that comes with the pickup has diagrams that imply that either way is fine?
I’ve also emailed Yamahiko to clarify this.
Thanks
Dan
I’ve just received a Yamahiko dual sensor pickup. I’m taking it to a luthier this week for fitting.
The threaded section is quite long, and I’m hoping that there is enough height on the bridge feet of my bass to accommodate it (the bridge already has adjusters fitted, threads down).
I wanted to ask if people have the threads facing downwards, or if it matters either way? The documentation that comes with the pickup has diagrams that imply that either way is fine?
I’ve also emailed Yamahiko to clarify this.
Thanks
Dan
Well,
Since the piezo’s are imbedded in the smooth part of the adjuster posts, you would be placing the sensors into the front of the bridge rather than the bridge
feed closest to the top. So, I’d be sure and have a private chat with one of our TB Yamahiko players. Before I did it that way.
Since the piezo’s are imbedded in the smooth part of the adjuster posts, you would be placing the sensors into the front of the bridge rather than the bridge
feed closest to the top. So, I’d be sure and have a private chat with one of our TB Yamahiko players. Before I did it that way.
