TRBboy

Hey folks, I'm just about to embark on my first bass build from scratch, with some help from a local luthier. It's going to be a 34" scale 5 string, with 18mm spacing at the bridge (as that's what I'm used to and like). It's going to be passive, possibly wired VTVT I really want a nice, organic, open tone, I guess more vintage /traditional in character, but maybe a bit ballsier. I do prefer Alnico V pickups. I did have my heart set on a PJ config, with a hum cancelling J, but it seems too be fairly difficult to find many PJ sets which are suitable for 18mm spacing (even though that seems to be one of the most common 5 string bridge spacings... 🤷🏻‍♂️). I've been in touch with Aaron Armstrong, and he could build me some, which would be pretty cool, as I'm sure other people could. But I've also been reconsidering my choice; should I just go JJ, because there would be much more choice of pickups then. OR, do I look at something like Nordstrand Big Splits, which sound like they would give me a kinda cross between a P and J pickup in both positions... Or should I just give up on the 18mm spacing and go 19mm, as I'd have more choice of PJ pickups then (albeit not much more). Any inspiration greatly appreciated, I haven't even started the build yet and I'm getting frustrated! 😂

I'm STILL waiting for them to bring out a 5 string Electra.... 😏

How is it that there seem to be more 18mm 5 string basses, yet there's more pickups and bridges for 19mm spacing....? 🤔

I am starting to wonder if I should just go for 19mm spacing, I'd have more choice of bridges and stuff too, and could buy Walshy's Aguilars then! 😂

Gregor Fris (of Bass the world) runs Sandberg's social media for them, and he is very helpful and knowledgeable. BUT if I were you @SammybassI would email the service department ([email protected]) and ask if they could post you a replacement. They've gladly sent me various bits over the years, so definitely worth asking. I'm not sure you'd find something to suit if the shelf, you'd probably have to buy a nut blank and file the grooves yourself. May be wrong though

I'm not entirely sure to be quite honest, but string spacing is usually referred to as the spacing at the bridge, so I guess the pickup pole spacing is calculated based on that. I know what you're getting at though, I think.

Thanks man, yeah that's kinda what I thought. The aesthetic isn't a big issue for me, but I do want the tone to be fairly trad/vintage but maybe with a kick up the bum! The other option is just to go Jazz, there's waaaay more choice 5 string jazz pickups than there is PJ. But I know I really enjoyed that P pickup on thy Yamaha BB435 I had! Hence why I'm considering the big splits I guess, a bit of a 'best of both'?

Still struggling to find much that's suitable for 18mm spacing, aside from some custom built Armstrong. Off the wall idea maybe, but is it worth me looking at a set of Big Splits? They're definitely 18mm string spacing, and my impression is they'd give the kinda tone I'm after?

Oooh, and my current one is s/n 35542, only had it a couple of months, if that.

My Ken Taylor was ordered June 2012 and delivered in Dec /Jan, and had s/n17297 My Classic Booster was ordered maybe autumn 2013 and delivered spring 2014 I think, and had s/n 20931 Don't know if I can easily find details of the others I've had

So, heard back from Aaron Armstrong, he can certainly do it, and price would be £240.

The lowest price seems to be about £239 from some quick googling, or there's @walshy's brand new set in the classifieds for a bit less. I think I'm going to email Aaron Armstrong first though, and just see wear he can offer and for how much.

In the same ballpark IIRC

Try Mike and Dustin in the setup /service /tech department: [email protected]

I've not played them, just heard them and I must say they sound very good.... Maybe worth the expense!

Just checking out your links, they seem to be 4 string pickups? Or do you mean there should be 5 string versions of these available? Thanks

Thanks guys, will check all those out! 😊👍

Hey folks, I'm hoping to start a build soon with the help of a local luthier I've found recently. It's definitely going to be a 5 string, and ideally I'd like it to be PJ config, but they're seems to be such little choice around? I want the bass to be passive, so that rules out EMGs, and apart from that there only seems to be Aguilars which are pretty pricey! Just wondered if anyone knows of any decent, reasonably priced PJ sets? Many thanks

This is looking fantastic man! I've been lusting after a pink like this too and currently planning a build from scratch with the help of a local luthier in a similar colour. I actually resprayed my Yamaha BBN5 with Montana Black during lockdown! Best spray cans I've ever used hands down! You said the finish feels a bit fragile - I sealed mine with a couple of coats of matt polyurethane after, and it's rock solid now! Might be worth looking at.

Sorry, late to the conversation, but back on pickups: After nearly 10 years and many different Sandberg models /configurations, I've found the following; Sandberg large pole piece standard pickups - they're pretty good all-rounders, some say a bit lacking in output, but I've never found that especially. They are pretty well balanced, but quite clean /neutral (some would say too clinical). Sandberg Black Labels - I ordered a Cali VM5 with these as I'd heard great things, and after 9 months patiently waiting, I ended up selling the bass almost immediately.... I found these pickups to certainly be very aggressive /hot, but to my ears they just didn't seem to have any 'tone' to them, the neck P pickup and the MM bridge pickup sounded almost the same! I know others love them, but that was my experience. TT Passive alnico V pickups - These are probably the best pickups I've ever had, toneful, organic, but plenty of guts. I know my tastes have changed a bit over the years, but these are really great. I believe they're the same as in two of the signature models, the Marlowe DK and the Torsten Sholtz, which I guess says something also. As with everything though, it's entirely subjective/personal 🤷🏻‍♂️

Very nice mate, exactly the same as the one I used to have!

We've kind of assumed we won't be playing until next year now.

I think also this business of being a 'professional' musician will be somewhat of a quandary for pub bands that have a day job, but maybe get paid to play every weekend; most people in this situation will take cash in hand, and will have never declared any of it.... Therefore, on paper, you've never earned any money from being a musician, ergo you're not a professional.... Unless you want to drop yourself in it with the tax man... 😬

I had an RBX270, that I got really cheap and tricked out with Dimarzio model P/J set - what a bass! It was absolutely incredible. If it wasn't for me moving to 5's exclusively, I definitely would've kept it.

Is I had the money spare and it wasn't 4.5kg, I'd be all over it! 😂