Pickups for other instruments:  Cello

Realist CELLO Pickup

Manufactured by: David Gage

David Gage Bass REALIST^TM
Cello Pickup

The Realist^TM has rapidly become a popular choice of bass pickup, and they make this one (of very similar design) for cellists as well. It consists of a thin, flexible piezo film that fits between a bridge foot and the top of your instrument, and is carefully and specifically designed so it won't alter the acoustic sound of your cello.

Its sound is very natural and woody, with less focus and more body, due to its location on the body of the instrument. However, it is still sensitive to string sounds, and the Realist is an excellent choice for bowed response. By comparison, pickups with "more detail" can sound scratchy or overly trebly when bowed.

The pickup seems to perform best on carved cellos and quality laminated instruments with a nicely responsive top. As with all transducers, the instrument and its characteristics dictate the results.

The photograph to the right is a close-up of the Bass Realist installed on my Eminence electric upright bass. The Realist is the stock pickup on the Eminence, and the Eminence is (IMHO) the most authentic-sounding electric upright out there. It installs similarly on the cello. The pickup's design and installation is very similar (just a bit smaller for the smaller instrument). The pickup consists of a thin, flexible film that fits between a bridge foot and the top of your instrument, and is carefully and specifically designed so it won't alter the acoustic sound of your cello.

Violin/Viola: We also carry multiple versions of the Realist which are specially made for Violin and Viola; it is available in our selection of pickups for Violin and Viola - check them out there!

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