Double Bass Yamahiko Double Bass Pickup

[Hasty]

I had an FC for a number of years without any failures. I put a Copper Realist on my "new" bass (8 years ago) because I didn't have adjusters on the bridge and wanted to experiment with not having them, and that's still there (and still no adjusters), but I always preferred the FC.

I would love to move to the Yamahiko, but then I'd have to have the bridge cut for it and I'm pretty happy with things as they are.

You could always have another bridge cut and fit for the Yamahiko. Heck while you're at it, just get a third... you can have the top half of that one set up for guts. Leave the lower half of that third one un-molested and save it for a new bass you get later on.

 

[Quentin MCB]

Somehow I’ve been using FC pickups for 20 years without a cable failure. Several of the early models failed after 8 years or so because of the piezo crystals, but the replacements are still going strong on both basses.

I got my first one 4 years ago, maybe the quality dropped in recent years. Or maybe I got really unlucky (although my luthier told me I wasn't the only one). Anyway the second time was one time too many for me. It's not like I brutalized it, just rotating the wheel to adjust, and having the jack hang a bit too the side while changing strings (that is, expected use cases). The Yamahiko elegantly saves that with its removable cable.

 

[SamuelHarris]

One of the first thing I did when I got my Yamahiko was figure out where to order those microdots and cables so I could makes extras if I needed them.

Where did you find them?

 

[Hasty]

Where did you find them?

Ebay.
10pcs M5/L5 Male Plug Microdot Connector Crimp for RG316 RG174 RF Coaxial Cable | eBay

These have a small solder window for the core, but that was easy to access. 10 pieces per package.

I got the RG174 cable from Mouser. Note- it is sold in Meters. 2 meters was enough for me to make more than enough cables for me and a few friends. I think I cut each cable to be 11 inches or so.

Link Removed

You can also order that RG174 cable from Adafruit... but I don't order from them anymore. I had a disagreement with their shipping department and they basically told me to jump off a cliff (they used an old address and refused to update prior to shipping 3 days later). However if you have a good relationship with them, then it's an option.

You'll also want a crimper that can work with RG174 cables, but those are cheap and available lots of places.

 

[bassmanbrent]

Somehow I’ve been using FC pickups for 20 years without a cable failure. Several of the early models failed after 8 years or so because of the piezo crystals, but the replacements are still going strong on both basses.

Same for me. One crystal failure after many years of use, but no cable issues...

 

[flatback]

Just gunna reiterate for all the other cats who play in loud bands or bars: The bridged Yamahiko is a totally useful way to use this pickup. It is like a better version of the Underwood. I have had the bridged version sound terrible but right now I am using it Fdeck>Sarno V8>MAS18p and it is fantastic for cutting thru and simplicity and loud drummers and is not piezo-y. Just saying it is a very versatile system.

 

[Hasty]

Just gunna reiterate for all the other cats who play in loud bands or bars: The bridged Yamahiko is a totally useful way to use this pickup. It is like a better version of the Underwood. I have had the bridged version sound terrible but right now I am using it Fdeck>Sarno V8>MAS18p and it is fantastic for cutting thru and simplicity and loud drummers and is not piezo-y. Just saying it is a very versatile system.

It really does handle loud situations nicely. I keep messing with my setup, for no particular reason that I can explain. I guess I'm just exploring the different sounds I can get from it. Through it all... I seldom get feedback.

 

[statsc]

Me too; never a cable failure with FC, only piezos wearing out after 15 years service. Are those that have cable failures yanking on the cable?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

The cable is a bit slippery and hard to compress, so fixation of the ends on either side might fail when stressed.

I sold the 3rd hand FC that I once got after five years because I was afraid a crystal might break earlier or later and replaced it with a 2nd hand single sensor 8mm Yamahiko (with slightly damaged threads).

My luthier put metal inserts into the bridge as there were for a standard 6 mm adjusters (and FC) before.

 

[lurk]

Had the crystals crap out on 2 FC's, but no cable issues.

 

[flatback]

I know this is not going to make people here go "Wow what a good idea!" but I have been mixing the Yamahiko with an Underwood lately. I was having clarity issues on some gigs: either dense sound gigs (modern drummers and players getting complicated) or bad acoustic gigs (where even my nice sound system gets vague)
I started thinking the other day that it would be nice to try a Yamahiko sensor (with the Micro-dot connectors) embedded in a bridge wing pickup that could either connect to a single wheel Yamahiko bridged together (I am less against bridging then I used to be) or to separate channels or to a double wing or whatever. The single E side Yama with a single E side Underwood blended in whatever proportion that is right for the gig is super useful and clear to hear and can be cranked.
Anyway I talked to Kiyohiko about it and he is going to look into it. He told me not to hold my breath but he likes my ideas generally (The stereo jack for example, or the 1/4 in. threaded pickup) Somehow I think if his industrial piezo was in a wing slot (and connectable with his system) it would be a good addition to the arsenal of pickups available.
He is going to talk to his luthier about it.

 

[Hasty]

I know this is not going to make people here go "Wow what a good idea!" but I have been mixing the Yamahiko with an Underwood lately. I was having clarity issues on some gigs: either dense sound gigs (modern drummers and players getting complicated) or bad acoustic gigs (where even my nice sound system gets vague)
I started thinking the other day that it would be nice to try a Yamahiko sensor (with the Micro-dot connectors) embedded in a bridge wing pickup that could either connect to a single wheel Yamahiko bridged together (I am less against bridging then I used to be) or to separate channels or to a double wing or whatever. The single E side Yama with a single E side Underwood blended in whatever proportion that is right for the gig is super useful and clear to hear and can be cranked.
Anyway I talked to Kiyohiko about it and he is going to look into it. He told me not to hold my breath but he likes my ideas generally (The stereo jack for example, or the 1/4 in. threaded pickup) Somehow I think if his industrial piezo was in a wing slot (and connectable with his system) it would be a good addition to the arsenal of pickups available.
He is going to talk to his luthier about it.

That's a really interesting idea, and much more portable than the wheel based system. I'm also curious to know what sort of sounds that crystal would pick up on the wing when combined with a wheel sensor.

Full disclosure, I've never been a fan on wing based pickups. I've always thought they had a nasal quality that I just couldn't overlook.

 

[flatback]

I dont think that the Wing has that Nasal sound inherently. I really think alot of that was imp mismatching ( My underwood with the right imp sounds more articulate but not inherently nasal..) In fact it can sound really good, and very clear. The other thing is that wing pickups are mostly cheap piezo buzzer type pickups, I think that a Yama piezo might sound different. Dunno,...curious.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

…
The other thing is that wing pickups are mostly cheap piezo buzzer type pickups, I think that a Yama piezo might sound different.

only the cheap ones are made from thin greeting card piezo wafers on a brass disk.

The Shadow and Underwood use a piezo ceramic as thick as the room between the outer brass plates. One side has contact to the brass disk (ground), the other is isolated against the brass and goes to the hot wire.

 

[Hasty]

I dont think that the Wing has that Nasal sound inherently. I really think alot of that was imp mismatching ( My underwood with the right imp sounds more articulate but not inherently nasal..) In fact it can sound really good, and very clear. The other thing is that wing pickups are mostly cheap piezo buzzer type pickups, I think that a Yama piezo might sound different. Dunno,...curious.

The last wing type pickup I tried was the Upton Rev Solo. Not sure what type of sensor they're using, but it seemed thin to my ears.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I know this is not going to make people here go "Wow what a good idea!" but I have been mixing the Yamahiko with an Underwood lately. I was having clarity issues on some gigs: either dense sound gigs (modern drummers and players getting complicated) or bad acoustic gigs (where even my nice sound system gets vague)
I started thinking the other day that it would be nice to try a Yamahiko sensor (with the Micro-dot connectors) embedded in a bridge wing pickup that could either connect to a single wheel Yamahiko bridged together (I am less against bridging then I used to be) or to separate channels or to a double wing or whatever. The single E side Yama with a single E side Underwood blended in whatever proportion that is right for the gig is super useful and clear to hear and can be cranked.
Anyway I talked to Kiyohiko about it and he is going to look into it. He told me not to hold my breath but he likes my ideas generally (The stereo jack for example, or the 1/4 in. threaded pickup) Somehow I think if his industrial piezo was in a wing slot (and connectable with his system) it would be a good addition to the arsenal of pickups available.
He is going to talk to his luthier about it.

There are plenty of wing pickups on the market. I personally don’t think another one is going to become a profitable option. That said, Yamahiko has a very good product as it is now, and having another pickup that is easier to get on and off without modifying the bridge would be cool especially for traveling. I think another option that would be way cool is a product that allows combining a mic with the pickup. This might be as simple a creating a jack that allows a mic to be attached, but since most mics require phantom power it might not work. Another possibility could be a little outboard buffer preamp, like we have seen from other manufacturers, with a single cable attached to the bass that provides a buffer to the pickup as well as phantom power for an optional mic, like a DPA or Remic.

 

[Ben Rolston]

WELL

After a year or so of trying to work with a Realist Lifeline I'm back to a Yamahiko. I'm sure I'll have frustrating days just like any pickup, but I do think it's the most balanced pickup among the commonly available options.

For curiosity's sake I ordered the M8 thread and had it installed threads down (previously I had 1/4"- 20 installed threads up). I do think the sound is better, less bright / buzz but still plenty articulate AND more importantly seems usable at 1mohm, 4.7mohm in addition to 10mohm and 20mohm. I wonder if the installation is the primary change or if the piezo discs themselves have some variability. I think I have old recordings from the previous installation, if so I'll do a comparison recording.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

WELL

After a year or so of trying to work with a Realist Lifeline I'm back to a Yamahiko. I'm sure I'll have frustrating days just like any pickup, but I do think it's the most balanced pickup among the commonly available options.

For curiosity's sake I ordered the M8 thread and had it installed threads down (previously I had 1/4"- 20 installed threads up). I do think the sound is better, less bright / buzz but still plenty articulate AND more importantly seems usable at 1mohm, 4.7mohm in addition to 10mohm and 20mohm. I wonder if the installation is the primary change or if the piezo discs themselves have some variability. I think I have old recordings from the previous installation, if so I'll do a comparison recording.

To your point, I was able to buy an unused but new M8 sensor here on TB and my 5/16 adjusters were already threads down. The unthreaded end was a perfect fit for the top of the bridge and my luthier easily plugged and re-threaded the feet. Compared to the Lifeline, the Yamahiko is clearer and has an ever so slightly hotter signal. It works fine into lower impedance inputs and takes EQ beautifully.

 

[Ben Rolston]

To your point, I was able to buy an unused but new M8 sensor here on TB and my 5/16 adjusters were already threads down. The unthreaded end was a perfect fit for the top of the bridge and my luthier easily plugged and re-threaded the feet. Compared to the Lifeline, the Yamahiko is clearer and has an ever so slightly hotter signal. It works fine into lower impedance inputs and takes EQ beautifully.

I forgot, I’m a person who had a problem with the previous one being too hot — like clipping AI Clarus at low gain settings, Felix showing red clipping at 0 on the input gain — this one is slightly less hot!

 

[Sean Peters]

Recently added another sensor after using a single element for a while. I think it is an improvement for me and my bass (a bassy American Standard with Chorda strings). I used to have to EQ out a lot of bass, sounds and feels much more even now. I did notice when installing the 2nd sensor, that both unthreaded posts (threaded side down) are quite loose in the bridge. I'm not too worried or concerned about this, but would a tighter fit result in a better/more efficient performance of the pickup?