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Double Bass Yamahiko Double Bass Pickup

#1,124
Found elsewhere on TB:

Kiyohiko at Yamahiko writes:

The output level of the pickup can be reduced in the following way.
The easiest way is to make an attenuator cable.
Connecting the film capacitor C between hot and cold of the cable connecting the pickup and the amplifier can reduce the output level by ATTdB.
C=3300pF, ATT=12.5dB
C=4700pF, ATT=15dB
Please Note,
Install the capacitor inside the metal shell of the 1/4 phone plug.
Please refer attached PDF document.
Use a 50V film type capacitor.
I think the film type capacitor makes the best sound.
 
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#1,126
Unscrew the metal housing, it becomes pretty obvious - you’re just tacking onto the existing solder joints, no big deal. Just barely fits when you slide the metal sleeve back up. See the green wart inside?
image.jpg
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#1,127
It doesn’t matter if you install it in the pickup cable jack or in an instrument (plug-plug) or adapter cable (plug-jack).
But no other electronics in between the piezo and the capacitor.

The short adapter cable makes it easy to use the attanuator or not. Anything else makes it permanent (or you need to get another instrument cable if installed there).

Film capacitors (polyester or polystyrol) work well and exist in that range.
Don’t use capacitors with polarity (electrolyte, tantal) or ceramic ones.
They should be put inside the jack/plug to be shielded by the metal case of the jack/plug.

BTW, 3300 pF = 3.3 nF, 4700 pF = 4.7 nF.
 
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#1,129
Eric Hochberg said:
Did you wrap the capacitor with tape?
Click to expand...

Nar, I didn’t need to. The body of the cap keeps it still enough with plenty of space between the solder joints and the shielding - no way for it to move to short out, no issues, easy-breezy. If you don’t like it two small snips away to undo, but I’d be hard pressed to imagine anyone putting the cap in and not feeling like it’s an improvement for the single element.
 
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#1,130
This is the reply I got from Mr. Yamaya

Thank you for using our product.
The output level of the pickup varies greatly depending on the individual characteristics of the contrabass and the playing style of the player.
Also, the maximum allowable input level and gain differ depending on the amplifier.
For example, if the amplifier's VOLUME knob is at a position below 9 o'clock during normal play, making it difficult to use, it may be a good idea to attenuate the pickup's output level.
We supply custom attenuated output cables.
If you would like to purchase a custom attenuated output cable, please choose from the specifications below.

Order name: CPS-DB-OC(2n2), attenuation: 10dB (approximately 1/3 voltage)
Order name: CPS-DB-OC(3n3), attenuation: 12.5dB (approximately 1/4 voltage)
Order name: CPS-DB-OC(4n7), attenuation: 15dB (approximately 1/5.6 voltage)
The unit price for these items is 6000 JPY, and we will ship them worldwide with a shipping charge of 1500 JPY. Production takes approximately one week.
If you would like to place an order, please let me know the order name and quantity and I will send you a PayPal Invoice.

If you have any question, please let me know.
Thank you.

Best regards,

Kiyohiko,

I know that it would depend on the amp I use but which of these options would have a gain level in the ballpark of the more common pickups? (Full circle, realist, lifeline etc).
 
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#1,134
Replying to a megathread is intimidating! I really do try to get the background on a topic before I add anything, but I’m not reading through 57 pages. Sorry.

I am a recent convert to the Yamahiko, I like it quite a bit. however, it’s too hot for my Redeye Preamp, it clips very badly. I also have the F deck, HPF, and have had no issues plugging into that. I’ve tried going from the F deck into the Redeye, which works… But in order to get the impedance, following feature of the Redeye to work, you have to plug directly from the pick up into the box.

I read about the cables YH makes that drop the gain, but I have a choice of -10, -12.5, or -15db. Any thoughts on which one I should get?
 
#1,137
edfriedland said:
Replying to a megathread is intimidating! I really do try to get the background on a topic before I add anything, but I’m not reading through 57 pages. Sorry.

I am a recent convert to the Yamahiko, I like it quite a bit. however, it’s too hot for my Redeye Preamp, it clips very badly. I also have the F deck, HPF, and have had no issues plugging into that. I’ve tried going from the F deck into the Redeye, which works… But in order to get the impedance, following feature of the Redeye to work, you have to plug directly from the pick up into the box.

I read about the cables YH makes that drop the gain, but I have a choice of -10, -12.5, or -15db. Any thoughts on which one I should get?
Click to expand...

It really depends on the input sensitivity of the Redeye and the output level of the pickup, which will change depending on the input impedance of the device you plug it into (a lower input impedance will result in less signal).

The Redeye states a maximum input of "2Vpk-pk", which translates to -3dBV. If the Yamahiko puts out, say 4Vpk-pk, that's equivalent to +3dBV, so a -10dB cable would have more than enough attenuation to get the signal into a good range for the Redeye (+3dB-10dB=-7dB, etc.). As long as the Yamahiko puts out less than 6Vpk-pk, the -10dB cable should suffice to keep the input under 2Vpk-pk.

Now I have no idea how much signal the Yamahiko puts out, but I think you'd be ok with the -10 or -12.5dB. If you go to the -15dB cable, you might find the signal is too low and boosting so much after attenuating so far will increase the noise floor. Less attenuation is better in that regard.

Sorry if that's a bit techy, but it's a technical question with no easy answer outside of "pick one and try it". Hope that helps!

I should add that the output of the pickup will be dependent on the bass, the strings, and the player. If you have a loud bass and play with a strong right hand, the pickup will put out a lot more signal than a soft bass and soft touch, so 2 players could have completely different results using the Yamahiko/Redeye combo that has nothing to do with the actual hardware. FYI.
 
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#1,140
Jeff Kissell said:
You only have to go back to the top of this page of this thread to see a detailed discussion of this very topic.
Click to expand...

Where does this thread address how much attenuation is needed for the Yamahiko into the Redeye? The discussion centers around which capacitance gives how much attenuation and how to do the mod if one is so inclined. But how do you choose the required attenuation if you just want to buy the factory cable and use it?
 

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