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Schertler Stat Select - Electrostatic Bridge Pickup with Pre A 111 Preamp - Double Bass Pickup |
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I've read your write up about the Schertler Stat Set. What is the main difference between the Stat Set and the Stat Select? That's an excellent question. Let's get down to Schertler terminology first. The term "Stat" refers to the miniature "electrostatic microphone" that fits - in the form of a cork capsule - into the eye - sometimes referred to as the "wing-hole" of the bridge. In both the Stat Set and the Stat Select this paramount part of the system (includes a high quality Schertler cable and specially designed clips to attach the connectors to the tailpiece of the instrument) - are virtually identical in every detail. What is different then - is the type of Preamp that comes supplied with the Stat. With the Stat Select you get the latest generation "Pre A-111". With the Stat Set you get the "Stat-Pre". So what are the main differences between the Pre A-111 and the Stat Pre? That's a more difficult question. The sophisticated Pre A-111 has so much packed into it that a few words will never do it justice. The best thing to do is to read our Stat Select review or read about the Pre A-111 on its own pages in our section on preamps. For those of you who still just want to get some sort of an overview for now - we would best describe the Pre A-111 as a floor-mounted unit that is mains operated. The unit offers both dry and equalized outputs and has individual Volume, Resonance, Bass, Treble and Gain controls. The Stat Pre on the other hand is powered by an internal 9-volt battery and has just the one control knob - which is a Gain (The Gain - allows you to adjust the amplification of the input signal.) control. The advantages of this are twofold. Firstly it means that the unit is small and light enough for the player to mount on his belt by means of an optional clip. Secondly it means that the player has no problems with a mains power source restricting his onstage movements. So let me get this straight. For the player who is performing more or less in situ - the Pre A-111 allows the ultimate performance flexibility and for the player requiring complete on stage portability it is the Stat-Pre that allows the ultimate in ease of use and versatility? Yes. Obviously there are other things that you should consider - but hopefully this will help point you in the right direction for what you need - Stat Set or Stat Select. OK - I'm following you so far. Tell me about the actual "Stat". I've heard that it provides a really impressive performance. Yes that is correct. Double bassists right around the world regard the Shertler Stat pickup system very, very highly. This well deserved reputation is because the system provides a full and realistic string instrument sound with full bass tones and clear, bright trebles. The transducers are also well known for working well with any bass amplifier, for their high feedback resistance, for providing an impressive "bridge-sound" - without the harshness or distortion of a piezo pickup - and for their simplicity of installation. Will I be interested in this pick-up? The Shertler Stat works well for all playing styles. For those
of you who play rock, fusion and jazz with loud amplified levels
- the system's resistance to feedback is particularly attractive.
Furthermore - the Stat works very effectively with signal processors
and effects courtesy of its strong solid signal. Tell me what I get when I purchase the Schertler Stat Select system. The particularly nice thing about the Schertler Stat Select system is that the whole package is delivered in it's own handy sized protective black carry case - complete with Schertler logo, integral carry handle and opening zip. On opening - the case contains everything you need to get you up and running in the minimum amount of time. The contents are as follows;
How does the equipment feel when you handle it? Very nice indeed. You just know as soon as you pick up the various components of the system that everything is made from top quality components and fittings. Take for instance the two RCA plugs - they have a sort of weighty feel to them that just exudes quality and the contacts are plated in gold for the ultimate connection. Take for instance the fact that the cables are shielded from radio interference and just take a look at the number of sophisticated features that the Preamplifier has to offer. What does the Stat look like? The actual Stat looks like a small straight bottle cork (10mm x 8mm x 8mm) with a black PVC lead-cap at one end. Immediately below the black lead cap is an aluminium ring. What is inside the Stat? At the heart of the cork "capsule" is a miniature electrostatic microphone that is sealed inside a specially constructed sound chamber. Tell me about fitting the Stat capsule. The Stat capsule has to be mounted vertically in the treble (G-string) side eye (wing hole) of the bridge with the black cap (signal-lead cap) facing towards the foot of the bridge. Installation instructions and diagrams are provided and are relatively easy to understand. The good thing about installing the Stat is that it is not necessary to remove to bridge and should only take a few minutes to get up and running. Here is a summary of the fitting procedure;
At the other end of the Stat signal lead is a female RCA phono plug. Where do I fit that? The female RCA connector is secured by means of the factory attached fixing bracket and screw to the bass side of the tailpiece. With the socket pointing downwards - position the rubber cushioning washer that is affixed to the other end of the bracket - behind the round string hole at the base of the E-string slot. Insert the threaded screw through the front of the string hole and into the hole in the centre of the washer and through into the thread in the bracket. Tighten the screw until the bracket is secure. The fixing bracket and screw look really neat. Yes - the fixing bracket and screw have been specially designed by Schertler to hold the connector the connector approximately 2cm away from the side of the tailpiece - so that it is easily accessible. The moulded black plastic knob at the top of the screw feel absolutely great in the hand and looks fab on the bass. Each time I play - do I have to make any other adjustments? No. Once the Stat Select system has been fitted - there are no further adjustments required other than making the usual connections to the external equipment. Can I remove the Stat Select if I need to? Yes - the entire system can easily be removed at any time. All you need to do is unscrew the tailpiece bracket and carefully push out the Stat from the eye of the bridge. The small wedge affixed to the lower eye of the bridge can be left where it is - ready for the next time that you want to reinstall the system. Can we get onto the Pre-A 111. It looks incredibly impressive. Yes - the latest generation (first available in 2008) acoustic preamp from Schertler - the Pre-A 111 really is loaded with goodies for the recording and amplified bassist. In brief the compact device not only provides a +19dB preamplified signal ("dry output") for connection to any power amp or active speaker - it is musically and technically synchronized to the Stat. Fine tuning equalisation ("main output") has been pre-tuned to frequencies which Schertler deem the most appropriate to the double bass and there are integrated Volume, Resonance, Bass, Treble, and Gain controls to provide a wide selection of tone and dynamic settings. If all that wasn’t enough the Pre-A 111 accepts both XLR (Canon) and 6mm (1/4in) jack inputs and has a regulated AC power supply. All this wizardry adds up to an incredible amount of onstage flexibility and a top class sound reproduction. What does Shertler say about the Pre-A 111 in their technical specification fold-out sheet? "The ACOUSTIC PREAMP PRE-A 111 is the result of a new amplification concept by means of an innovative circuit with class A design with NO NEGATIVE FEEDBACK!! The generated signal reproduces an acoustic instrument's sound with incredible fidelity and response. The choice of high quality components and the external (no battery) power supply provides solid circuit stability. This preamplifier has been engineered and designed especially to derive the best performance from SHERTLER transducers and active loudspeakers. The sound quality of your amplified instrument will improve using the PRE-A 111." Can you tell me briefly what all the knobs and buttons do on the Schertler Pre-A 111?
Does the Pre A-111 provide power to the Stat? Yes - the Stat transducer has to be supplied with 10V phantom power to operate. Remind me briefly what phantom power is. Condenser mics, also known as capacitor or electrostatic microphones must have a source of direct electrical power in order to operate. Some models are powered by an internal battery, but most condenser microphones receive their power through the microphone cable from the input of the device to which they are connected, such as a mixer or microphone preamp. This method of sending a DC electrical voltage through the microphone cables is called "phantom power". In addition to powering the circuitry of the microphone the phantom powering directly or indirectly supplies the voltage used for polarizing (cause something to acquire polarity) the microphone's transducer element ("capsule"). Phantom powering consists of direct current applied equally through the two signal lines of a balanced audio connector (usually an XLR connector). The supply voltage is referenced to the ground pin of the connector (pin 1 of an XLR), which normally is connected to the cable shield or a ground wire in the cable or both. How is the Pre-A 111 powered? The Pre-A 111 measures 12.0 cm x 12.0 x 4.0cm (with rubber feet) and is intended to be positioned as a floor unit. The Pre-A 111 is powered by a regulated AC (Alternating current i.e. "wall power") power supply. This along with the class A (100% of the input signal is used. i.e. the active element works in its linear range all of the time) constant current circuitry ensures an optimum performance from the Stat. Where can I mount the Pre-A 111? The Pre A-111 is intended to be positioned as a floor unit. Don't worry too much about it getting damaged by carless stage hands - for the housing is made from cast aluminium and is well up to the job of protecting the internal circuitry. For your info the unit measures 12.0cm x 12.0cm x 3.5cm and weighs 400gms. What else will I like about the Pre A-111? You'll just love the user friendly controls on the front of the unit and the clear labelling and Schertler logos on the top of the unit. You'll also love the rugged good looks of the cast aluminium housing and the small but chunky rubber feet that the unit sits quietly upon. Anything else to appreciate? Yes. In the middle of a gig you'll find it incredibly reassuring to see the small but intense blue - unit is receiving power - LED CHECK light glowing away at front bottom left of the unit. That's a pretty complete review. How about a final summary? The Stat pickup system was first introduced in 1988. Today it is used by thousands of musicians worldwide. We like the fact that both the pickup and the preamp are made to an extremely high quality and standard of workmanship and that in combination as the Stat Select - the system offers the following;
Final, final summary. The Schertler Stat Select is a system that just works.
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