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Double Bass Yamahiko Double Bass Pickup

#821
Is anyone using the two element version of the Yamahiko? Are the phase issues a problem for you?

I don't think there is anyway to phase align the two sources in this scenario. I know there are a lot of devices that are meant to phase align two mics or a mic and a pickup but this is particularly tricky because the source of the sound is changing depending on what string you are playing. IE sometimes the G bridge foot is closer to the sound source and the E bridge foot is further away an d then the opposite is true when you are playing a note on the E string. Maybe just really hi pass filtering the G side and lo pass filter the E side would work? The Wilson pick-up gets around this by having a piezo per string and the piezo close to each string.
 
#822
crd said:
Is anyone using the two element version of the Yamahiko? Are the phase issues a problem for you?

I don't think there is anyway to phase align the two sources in this scenario. I know there are a lot of devices that are meant to phase align two mics or a mic and a pickup but this is particularly tricky because the source of the sound is changing depending on what string you are playing. IE sometimes the G bridge foot is closer to the sound source and the E bridge foot is further away an d then the opposite is true when you are playing a note on the E string. Maybe just really hi pass filtering the G side and lo pass filter the E side would work? The Wilson pick-up gets around this by having a piezo per string and the piezo close to each string.
Click to expand...
I have the two element version. At the moment I am just using the G side because it has a punchier pizz response, but when using both I do notice some phasing. With my bass this can sometimes be a good thing because it acts like a natural HPF which my very low end bass can use.

I also want to try the Red Eye preamp with both sides to see what difference it makes.
 
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#823
So I’ve been playing the Yamahiko for about two weeks now (dual sensor version). It’s a pretty amazing pickup and I’ve noticed the following:

1. It loves all my preamps. So far I’ve tried the ToneDexter, Felix, and a SushiBox Space Heater. Of them all I like the Space Heater the best.

2. This was the easiest pickup to program into the ToneDexter. I wanted to try out the Yamahiko and ToneDexter on a gig and realized I didn’t have a slot programmed, since I was short on time I grabbed an EV ND96 SuperCardoid dynamic mic and gave it a whirl. It sounded absolutely amazing. In fact I’m still using that slot when I pair them together.

3. This pickup sounds awesome through all of my amps and when paired with my MAS 28 cab, it’s probably the best setup I’ve ever used. This is pizz and arco with hybrid strings… but I’ve been thinking of switching to new strings (maybe Evahs?) because I’ve never been totally in love with these strings.

4. It hates my MAS 16 cab with most setups. Using the same amps and preamps (with the exception of the ToneDexter) with the 16, the bass sounds sort of thin and the upper mids are very pronounced. Not quite nasally sounding, but I don’t care for it. However if I add the ToneDexter then it sounds as if I’ve put a good mic in my signal path. So I’ll only use the 16 cab if I bring the ToneDexter.

Overall, I’m glad I swapped out the Lifeline for this setup. Plus that let me move the Lifeline to the ply bass.

AD9A4460-66E9-47AD-A225-1D5993E9A119.jpeg
 
#824
@flatback Is there a version that is made to work with the Felix via a TRS cable? (i.e. a single stereo cable that splits both of the sensors into channel one and channel two of the Felix?) Does this version keep you from bridging the pickups at the sensors and using a TS cable like you would normally do?

I am thinking of finally biting the bullet and am trying to figure out what exactly to order.
 
#826
YUP. You can order just such a cable. The nice thing is that ALL the jacks they use are stereo jacks ( so that means the one you already have could be converted if you had the microdot connector) I just had Kiyohiko make me one because I am terrible with soldering and I couldn't find the part. A single TRS cable into channel 2 of the Felix splits the signal one to each. It is very elegant and simple yet very versatile and offers lots of control (depending on the characteristics of your bass) allows you to have one pickup at 20Mohms and the other at 10M or 1M. Allows you to adjust the balance between them (blend knob) and of course eq and HPF .

I Hear 16fuss on that...really bass dependent
 
#828
16fuss said:
@crd i did exactly that. Ordered the trs connector. Payed a lot taxes and fees.

To me, it has zero benefits. At least I can easily go back to the normal connector…
Click to expand...

Good to know! Is going back and forth just as easy as changing cables?

I could potentially see high passing the E sensor and low passing the G foot as useful.

flatback said:
YUP. You can order just such a cable. The nice thing is that ALL the jacks they use are stereo jacks ( so that means the one you already have could be converted if you had the microdot connector) I just had Kiyohiko make me one because I am terrible with soldering and I couldn't find the part. A single TRS cable into channel 2 of the Felix splits the signal one to each. It is very elegant and simple yet very versatile and offers lots of control (depending on the characteristics of your bass) allows you to have one pickup at 20Mohms and the other at 10M or 1M. Allows you to adjust the balance between them (blend knob) and of course eq and HPF .

I Hear 16fuss on that...really bass dependent
Click to expand...

I don't have any version of the Yamahiko and am thinking of ordering one today. What cable do I purchase to have the option of splitting the sensors using a single TRS cable into a Felix? Do you ever actually use it this way? If so, do eq the channels differently?

The variable phase shift I don't think will give you much for this application but I do think eqing and LPF/HPF filtering the individual sensors could be useful, but maybe not.
 
#829
Hasty said:
Thanks for that photo. The sorta looks like how it was when I was mounting. I was afraid I'd have trouble with the male jack.

I might re-evaluate... but currently having it on the front seems to work fairly well.
Click to expand...

Here's behind the tailpiece, below the string balls. The Mogami instrument cable has a 90 degree connector on one end. It makes for a clean installation.
 

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#830
Roger Mouton said:
Here's behind the tailpiece, below the string balls. The Mogami instrument cable has a 90 degree connector on one end. It makes for a clean installation.
Click to expand...
That's a great image. It looks like there is a little more space in there than I thought there might be. I use George L cables, so I bet I wouldn't have any issues getting my right angle jack in there.

Thanks for sharing that!
 
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#833
Maple said:
I made this TRS cable last year and have been pretty happy with it. It’s long enough for the jack to attack to the end pin quill. The tip lead is marked with red so if I need to use a mono cable, I know which sensor is active.
Click to expand...

If you want to use it in the bridged mode is it as simple as unplugging one of the sides of the Y cable and connecting the two sensors together?

Thanks for the info!
 
#837
Maple said:
Absolutely. The sound is better and you have a lot more control over that sound. It took some time and money to get it set up - cables, pedals and so on but it has been great ever since
Click to expand...

In this case, does the TRS cable allow you to individually buffer the piezo sides? How does impedance work in this instance?
 
#838
Maple said:
I made this TRS cable last year and have been pretty happy with it. It’s long enough for the jack to attack to the end pin quill. The tip lead is marked with red so if I need to use a mono cable, I know which sensor is active.

View attachment 4814473
View attachment 4814476
Click to expand...

Where did you source those connectors? I’ve tried searching Mouser and the web, but I think I’m using the wrong search term.
 
#839
flatback said:
Kiyohiko has made a stereo jack for me to use the two sensors of the Yamahiko separately...should arrive tomorrow....
On Sunday I was using the Yamahiko and Ischell blended. I had the cab on the floor and it was a mess of feedback. I took the Ischell out (should have had a chair or stand for the cab) and just ran the Yamahiko and it was excellent. (two pickups tied together) somehow when you are on the gig the two pickups tied together sounds pretty damn good. That is a regular loud quartet gig. Anyway all night I was wishing I had the two Y sensors going to different channels.
Below is the stereo jack. Check it out: with the stereo jack you can use one sensor (and a mic using only tip), both sensors (one into each channel of the Felix) both sensors tied and a mic or (with my present set up....which I prolly wont ever do....) two sensors going into the Felix and a mic going into the AI focus.
I am going to just work with the two sensors into the Felix for a while using this new system and see where Im at. Would love to have variable phase but I think with reverse and eq it'll get pretty close to it.
I'm going to call CS at Grace today to make sure that I can get the 20 Megohm imp on BOTH channels when I use the TRS cable into ch1.
Click to expand...

Sorry to dig up old history, but what did Grace Design say when you asked about how the impedance worked with a TRS cable?
 

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