Jason, you must run into these in the wild. Have you been able to hear them in Japanese clubs?
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Double Bass Yamahiko Double Bass Pickup
- Thread starter Mike Arnopol
- Start date
What are you using now?
The cool thing about this pickup is the design, I love how solid it is as an adjuster.
I acquired a Broughton Messenger preamp 3 weeks ago and it makes my single sensor Yamahiko pu sound incredible.
It beats the RedEye, Headway, F-deck, and Sarno by a wide margin. The adjustable HPF and LPF with a sweep-able mids control nails the best tone with tons of headroom.
It beats the RedEye, Headway, F-deck, and Sarno by a wide margin. The adjustable HPF and LPF with a sweep-able mids control nails the best tone with tons of headroom.
I use a Realist and it's fine but perhaps I can get a better sound with this thing...
I’m sure it’s in here somewhere but can anyone succinctly recommend a single or double version or highlight the differences?
If a Full Circle (or a bridge wing single element pickup) represents all strings equally well, you can go with a single element. If not, I recommend a soundpost repositioning until it is.
If you still want a two element one, ask for a second element with inverse phase as that sounds better than an in phase ne when coupled.
And plan to get/have a two channel amp/preamp and a double Yamahiko connection cable with a stereo jack with one cable for each of the elements of the Yamahiko as individually buffered elements sound better than passively coupled ones.
A double element is also a better backup as you can disconnect a failed one and continue with the working one rather quickly. Not that this happens often, the Yamahiko may work for decades without any problems.
If you still want a two element one, ask for a second element with inverse phase as that sounds better than an in phase ne when coupled.
And plan to get/have a two channel amp/preamp and a double Yamahiko connection cable with a stereo jack with one cable for each of the elements of the Yamahiko as individually buffered elements sound better than passively coupled ones.
A double element is also a better backup as you can disconnect a failed one and continue with the working one rather quickly. Not that this happens often, the Yamahiko may work for decades without any problems.
Actually, let me try again:
Compared to every other pickup I've tried (most of the usual suspects) a single element Yamahiko consistently produces a better sound and feels better engineered and more robust.
There are pages of members using two elements who swear there is more to be gained and I don't doubt them, but they seem go through some great lengths to separate and then blend signals from each element and of course there are mic-blenders as well.
Since you're in Japan, it seems like there wouldn't be much of a penalty for you to start with one and add the other if you want to chase that extra. Shipping and importing make that a bigger decision for people in the US.
Compared to every other pickup I've tried (most of the usual suspects) a single element Yamahiko consistently produces a better sound and feels better engineered and more robust.
There are pages of members using two elements who swear there is more to be gained and I don't doubt them, but they seem go through some great lengths to separate and then blend signals from each element and of course there are mic-blenders as well.
Since you're in Japan, it seems like there wouldn't be much of a penalty for you to start with one and add the other if you want to chase that extra. Shipping and importing make that a bigger decision for people in the US.
You're not wrong... had I started with the single element I would have likely been satisfied. The addition of the second element just sort of (IMO) elevates a really great pickup into a really really great pickup. The tonal possibilities of the dual system have plunged me into a rabbit hole of experimentation with phase, preamps, tone stacks, and seeing how to fit the most useful tools possible into the smallest form factor possible. Since I really love playing around with this sort of thing it's been great and I've learned so much. If I wasn't someone into the DIY build side, I probably would have been just fine with the single element or I would have stopped with the dual element/Grace Felix solution.
Honestly, I feel like it's hard to go wrong with any sort of configuration on the Yamahiko.
After many years of experimentation with this system my conclusion is this: Two can be great (into a FELIX blended) but one is fantastic. Here is the main reason to have two: All basses are different and you might as well not have a dummy adjuster on the other side (even though they are the best adjusters ever...the non pickup Yamahiko)
I dont think two is better then one unless you play loud and need real clarity (I used to do that more but now almost never need to) two is less acoustic then one, but way more control. Sometimes in some situations with some basses the G side sounds better. With two on the bass it takes all of 5 seconds to try that out in any room. just unscrrew and change the lead.
I dont think two is better then one unless you play loud and need real clarity (I used to do that more but now almost never need to) two is less acoustic then one, but way more control. Sometimes in some situations with some basses the G side sounds better. With two on the bass it takes all of 5 seconds to try that out in any room. just unscrrew and change the lead.
It's not the cheapest option but the TRS (stereo Yamahiko set-up) into the Grace Design Felix sounds great and is super convenient. Here is a video of what the Yamahiko trs set up sounds like on my bass. My usual mix is like 60/40 favoring the E side.
Def one wheel will get you there. And, you can swap out to 'other foot' if curious. I'd def agree that 'less is more' with the Yamahikos, but adding another wheel (both with AND without the bridging cable) gives you lots of options outside the box (stereo/Polarity/balancing/etc etc).
You nailed it about the quality of the actual adjusters, REGARDLESS of the excellent Yamahiko pickup in them!
They are super solid and feel like they aren't a "kink in the hose" in your tone. My bass sounded better with those adjusters in than when I had the FC installed.
Now the pickup? I have gone through the usual commercially available options, and really, in my world, on my bass, it is the Emperor of piezo options.
If mine failed, I would run, not walk to get another. Even if I had to walk the Pacific!
They are super solid and feel like they aren't a "kink in the hose" in your tone. My bass sounded better with those adjusters in than when I had the FC installed.
Now the pickup? I have gone through the usual commercially available options, and really, in my world, on my bass, it is the Emperor of piezo options.
If mine failed, I would run, not walk to get another. Even if I had to walk the Pacific!
Mitch Moehring installed my Yamahiko and he commented that those were the nicest adjusters he had ever installed. Clean and accurate threading.
Love having both sides on my bass. Have tried using just one side and for me, on my bass, I don’t really like the way using one side sounds. Much happier with both sides bridged. I would be curios about splitting the sides but I run a mic into the other channel of my preamp so don’t have an open channel to try that. I am more than happy with the tonal results of the what I have. I say buy 2. If you like the sound of just one you can put the other on another bass or sell it. You won’t see me doing that though……
My problem is I'm a minimalist. I don't want to go chasing sounds with gear. I run a mic and a pick up to FOH that's my whole set up...
I succinctly recommend a single version.
I came very close to buying a single version a while back, but then I got the impression that the double element was where it was at-- I guess I should have read this thread/asked more carefully. When I bought my new (old) bass this year, I bought another Lifeline for it. I am not interested in the two elements because if I am going to go through the trouble of blending two channels it is going to be a mic and a pickup. Having yet another option on gigs is just too much.
Seems like everyone who has tried both the Lifeline and Yamahiko here prefers the Yamahiko.
I guess my question is: How is the Yamahiko with the bow? I play gypsy jazz and bow many of my solos. The Lifeline is just great for that.
Seems like everyone who has tried both the Lifeline and Yamahiko here prefers the Yamahiko.
I guess my question is: How is the Yamahiko with the bow? I play gypsy jazz and bow many of my solos. The Lifeline is just great for that.
