Double Bass Realist Lifeline dying

Sean Riddle

Sean Riddle

Aug 11, 2013
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Hatfield, Massachusetts
www.sean-riddle.com
#1
I've been noticing recently a buzzy distortion coming from my amp, but after playing a recital on a friends amp tonight that buzz still existed. Two other bass players played that night and they did not face the same issue, making me believe it is not an amp or a cable issue, but a pickup problem. I use a Realist Lifeline and have used the one currently on my bass for the past three years. Has anyone experienced a similar issue and do you think this pickup has a certain lifespan?
 
#2
I have not experienced similar results with my lifeline (it's been on close to the same amount of time). What I have noticed is that I am getting a different response on my upper notes, or the G string in general than before. Where the upper notes are much softer than lower strings. not sure if it's related to the pickup, or the preamp, but just kinda weird. (And yes, it sounds balanced raw/acoustically).
 
#3
Sometimes I can get a distorted sound and have noticed that it is caused by my "fretting finger" literally vibrating on the fingerboard. This will give a "buzzy distortion coming from my amp". I adjust my left-hand position and squeeze the string differently to fix the issue. Does it make the sound on open notes or closed notes only?
 
#4
Studiodawg said:
Sometimes I can get a distorted sound and have noticed that it is caused by my "fretting finger" literally vibrating on the fingerboard. This will give a "buzzy distortion coming from my amp". I adjust my left-hand position and squeeze the string differently to fix the issue. Does it make the sound on open notes or closed notes only?
Click to expand...
I know that sound because I learned it from listening to Mark Dresser and use it in certain improvisational settings, and it's not that. I honestly think the piezo elements in the pickup have worn because of bridge adjustments and are not as powerful as they were, thereby causing the pickup to clip.
 
#6
dday110 said:
What I have noticed is that I am getting a different response on my upper notes, or the G string in general than before. Where the upper notes are much softer than lower strings. not sure if it's related to the pickup, or the preamp, but just kinda weird.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, mine has always been like this and I've never really thought much about why. Whether they are all like that, whether it's my bridge setup, or whether the pickup might be faulty or degrading.
 
#7
I have had similiar experiences. I sent mine back to Gage, and they tested it and found no problems, despite me getting the issue through multiple amps. Mine doesnt distort, rather it cuts out. They sent me a new one anyway, and the new one is now experiencing the same issue. I play on heavy tension strings, and I believe that is causing my problem. I think this pickup may be very sensitive to this, considering where it is placed.

Lately, I have been using a cheap Hurley single shot, which sounds surprisingly good, and is virtually no fuss. I miss that sweet arco sound, though the Hurley sounds alright arco.
 
#8
Hi I know this is an older thread but I just had this issue with my plywood Christopher and solved it, so I thought this info could help. I had a significant loss of input from the lifeline right after I changed strings, along with a buzz on the open A string. I checked the cab, endpin etc and all the usual suspects were clean. When I had tuned up the new strings it had pulled the bridge forward and the bridge winder was not making full contact with the pickup. I raised the action a little and pulled the bridge back so it was 90 degrees to the body and in the volume came right back. The buzz, which seems like it was coming from the metal pickup vibrating the bridge, also disappeared. I think the pickup not only needs full contact on the top and bottom, but it also needs enough pressure coming from the strings, so I think if the action is too low or the strings feel too loose it could affect it also. Also, the the Christopher bridge has slightly beveled edges on the winders so if the horseshoe is not all the way in it will not make full contact. I'm going to have my Luthier install flat winders. I hope this helps!
 
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#12
Mine has done that a couple times. Try to rotate it just a little bit..just a millimeter or two is enough. Hold the adjustor and bridge foot steady with one hand and gently just move the pickup a little bit. No need to tune your bass down. As soon as I did that my pickup sounded normal again.
 
#13
I
Mike Carr said:
Mine has done that a couple times. Try to rotate it just a little bit..just a millimeter or two is enough. Hold the adjustor and bridge foot steady with one hand and gently just move the pickup a little bit. No need to tune your bass down. As soon as I did that my pickup sounded normal again.
Click to expand...
I have a lifeline and am a guy who tends to fiddle with my adjusters - maybe once a week. Should I be worried about this or take any special precautions?
 
#15
Hi, I have a lifeline since a couple of weeks, and for all people experiencing low/distorted/muffled output: it is crucial that if you have an adjustable bridge, that both sides are equally high. Otherwise only part of the lifeline surface has good contact with the bridge, resulting in poor sound. Mine first sounded great, and then I adjusted the bridge, and then it sounded very muffled. I used a caliper to make both sides of the bridge at the same heigth, and then the full sound was back...
 
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