Blocking F holes?

[stingrayPete1977]

So my ongoing feedback troubles remain, practice last night with a Genz shuttle 6.0 and 1x12 cab using a Fishman Pro and a K&K Bassmax pickup, we are practicing in a small church like a scout hut really. I have tried going in via the return and the line in along with the normal input, with and without the Fishman. The best result was with the foam packing from the Fishman stuffed in the F holes! I could feel the air coming out of the F holes before I could even hear the feed back begin!

So should I block the F holes? I know plenty of you dont but maybe at the volume I want to play at it might be the only way?

Thoughts and advice welcome as ever, yours frustrated, Pete

[alistair Sutcliffe]

Mag pickup maybe?

[stingrayPete1977]

Probably, I'm not too worried about tone at that volume, any recommendations?

[alistair Sutcliffe]

No i haven't tried any yet. I looked into it because i liked the idea of not having to worry about feedback but i've put it off for a while due to cost. I'd need to buy new strings as well so it was getting a bit pricey. I play through the pa with just a small monitor for the mid range and i've been okay. So far...

[stingrayPete1977]

Might have a look at mag pickups then, also I might try putting the fishman into the pa so the cabs are out in front, I wonder if my bass has a particularly resonant top?

[alistair Sutcliffe]

I found that at rehearsal, with my amp behind me, i was always on the edge of feedback at war volume. No problems so far with the pa cabs in front and no low frequencies through the monitor. For intonation, i want to hear more mid range than bass anyway. I might still go for a mag pickup at some point though and just be done with worrying about it.

[stingrayPete1977]

Cheers that's all useful, I have just been looking at home made velcro f hole covers too.

[ChrisF]

How close to the amp are you ??

Just wondering, as due to the shape of our rehearsal room I have to stand about 8 or 10 feet from my amp. I use a cheap ( 30 quid-ish) pick up into a Pro Plat pre amp. I have to play very, very loudly to compete with our drummer and lead guitarist...and I never have any feedback issues.

[keeponehandloose]

try the old beach ball trick

[stingrayPete1977]

Intrigued, go on....

[stingrayPete1977]

[center]Im presuming put it in and blow it up?[/center]

[Cat Burrito]

I wasn't sure if it was a wind up at first but I'd heard wedging a tennis ball down between the body and the bridge makes a difference... so I did it and I never get feedback issues

[stingrayPete1977]

I guess that makes sense as its my carved top that is vibrating in unison with everything else? the ball would stop the top resonating so much, worth a shot, ta

[keeponehandloose]

give it a try on the bassbar side

[keeponehandloose]

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1376078841' post='2169599']
I wasn't sure if it was a wind up at first but I'd heard wedging a tennis ball down between the body and the bridge makes a difference... so I did it and I never get feedback issues
[/quote]
this too

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1376080756' post='2169627']
give it a try on the bassbar side
[/quote]
That was where I noticed the air coming from even when I was not playing, must have been a sub frequency playing on its own, I shoved the foam in and it was lots better, the treble side did not make much difference thinking about it. I might make some F hole plugs and try again next practice armed with a tennis ball too

[keeponehandloose]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/PnSwMln.jpg[/IMG]

[stingrayPete1977]

Can you get matt black beach balls?

[keeponehandloose]

i keep looking, not found one yet. Puts a new meaning to "Pump up the bass"

[alistair Sutcliffe]

Put it in a bin bag first?

[keeponehandloose]

eureka

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='alistair Sutcliffe' timestamp='1376084001' post='2169677']
Put it in a bin bag first?
[/quote]very clever, I'm going to be busy.

[stingrayPete1977]

Well I have been to Hobby Craft! pictures coming up later..........

[stingrayPete1977]

Ok here we go, made a rubbing of the bass F hole.....
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/20130810_124348_zps89a3ed37.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130810_124348_zps89a3ed37.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Then transferred it to thin card....
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/20130810_130044_zps5ed539b8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130810_130044_zps5ed539b8.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Then onto some black foam mounting board but oversized all the way around....
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/20130810_131500_zps9039557f.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130810_131500_zps9039557f.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Stuck some foam packing (from the Stagg!) onto the back with strong foam doublesided tape....
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/20130810_134611_zps2e2eab36.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130810_134611_zps2e2eab36.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Voila!
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/20130810_134720_zpse28b8aff.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130810_134720_zpse28b8aff.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I have traced around it ready to make another one for the bass side, they are a mirror image thankfully.

[ChrisF]

Looking good so far