New Pick Ups Analogy

[Dave D]

I have an Ibanez SR305 which i really like the feel of. Very comfy neck, good spring spacing, and bright sounding acoustically. I bought it as a cheap entry to 5 string bass, and could happily stick with it.

But the stock pick ups seem to lack power and oomph (which is understandable for a sub £300 bass i guess). I notice that Wizard offer replacements for £70 each, so it'd be cheaper to replace them rather than change the bass.

Would you advise this, and what would be a good analogy for replacing pick ups on a budget bass? Is it like putting a Jag engine in a Kia? Or maybe a new caburettor? or just a set of 'go faster stripes'?

DD

[discreet]

If you like the feel of the bass then upgrading the pickups can only improve the sound. IMHO.

[Ou7shined]

Definitely the Jag engine analogy... but it depends on your replacement pups... just because they are popular you might only be putting in a stock a Focus engine.
The Jags of the pup world are your Duncans.... your Bugatti's are you Nordies, Delanos and Fralins etc.

[The Dark Lord]

It's like when a fat bird wears a thong.

[Dave D]

[quote name='mercuryl' timestamp='1319056122' post='1409509']
It's like when a fat bird wears a thong.
[/quote]

Hmm? Not sure i understand your analogy, but i like your thinking!!

[discreet]

The Thong Remains The Same.

[Hobbayne]

I dont see why not, some folk on here have been souping up their Sue Ryders with better pickups

[Spike Vincent]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1319055809' post='1409501']
If you like the feel of the bass then upgrading the pickups can only improve the sound. IMHO.
[/quote]

Absolutely. My Fender is stock,my Tokai and Squier have EMG's.

[Spike Vincent]

[quote name='mercuryl' timestamp='1319056122' post='1409509']
It's like when a fat bird wears a thong.
[/quote]


Pics or it didn't happen.

[Muzz]

I've put Wizards in my FrankenP, and then sold my US Precisions because it sounded and played better. I also put some in a Warwick Fortress, and that worked a treat, too. I'd have some in my Fenderbird, but they don't make 'em to fit.

[Slipperydick]

i put Kent Armstrongs on my bitsa and then on my old passive Bass Collection. really impressed for the (£35 quids ish) money. Never seen em even mentioned on here though, so either nobody agrees, or they aint rated by anybody else.

[mike257]

Wizards in an old Squier here, and love it. The naysayers may disagree, but if the bass feels good enough in your hands that you're going to keep on playing it for the forseeable, then it's worth taking the plunge.

[Paul S]

I put a Kent Armstrong pup and a J East P-retro preamp into my Westone Thunder Jet - now it is the Mutts. I think that if the rest of the bass is of decent enough quality to get the most out of the upgrades, and it feels comfortable to play, then it is worth doing. It won't increase the value - that's not why I have done it - my intention, when I eventually move it on, is to put it back to stock and sell off the bits separately or stick them into another project. But for now I am enjoying a unique bass that is lightweight, comfy, sounds the biz and has a fantastic neck.

Edited October 22, 2011 by Paul S