hamfist Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Just set up one of my Thunders with this MM/P config. It is absolutely superb, and what a great mix of tones. The MM (in parallel) is in the Ernie Ball sweet spot, and then The P pickup snug right up to it, just a few millimetres nearer the neck than the Fender sweetspot (in use I'll never notice those few mms). All into a 3 band pre-amp with parametric mids. The P and MM soloed obviously give great P and MM tones, but there are also excellent Jazz-like tones blending the two. This really is a sweet setup. You just don't see it around. Don't understand why. [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/green-w-body.html][/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I was thinking that a little while ago, it does seem like a good pickup placement. Perhaps it's aesthetics? It's not the most attractive and us bassists are a conservative bunch when it comes to looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 They could be built into a single housing as part of a custom build though which would look fine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyellowcar Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1388775772' post='2325995'] They could be built into a single housing as part of a custom build though which would look fine? [/quote] Good shout - megabucker! I've always thought this would be a killer combo, but never had the £ to spare (or the technical ability) to mod one of my basses/start a bitsa project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I like this idea!! Great colour too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 that really is a great build there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Reminds me of Outshined's Pingray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Bassman Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Could be wrong here but I think the guys at Enfield may have already done this... http://www.enfieldguitars.com/ Just sayin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 If positions didn't overlap it would be a fun experiment to route out and fit, from neck downwards, Mudbucker Jazz neck Precision Musicman Jazz bridge Would take some wiring and switching but would definitely be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee4 Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Like it! What about reversing the P pup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted January 4, 2014 Author Share Posted January 4, 2014 Thanks for all your comments guys. Maude's suggestion about fitting 5 pickups sounds interesting, but I think it would look disgusting ! For me , there's nothing a mudbucker or Jazz pickups could offer me sonically that I'd want. All my taste is fulfilled with the MM/P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 How about this one as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1388775772' post='2325995'] They could be built into a single housing as part of a custom build though which would look fine? [/quote] I think that's a brilliant idea :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 (edited) You are in danger of heading in this direction As for what a set up like this in a single housing should be called how about "Motherf@ckerbucker"? Edited January 4, 2014 by Dom in Somerset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I've thought about doing just this but with a reverse P - live the motherbucker idea though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzyrazzy Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Agreed that it i indeed a great configuration. Here is one I had made but later sold due to custom building another bass. It started as a Fender MiM 50's classic P. Picups are Nordstrand MM, and Wildepickups P-46 P. It sounded wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danomar Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 What is this layout like in terms of noise or hum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Should be totally hum free if put together well, unlike a PJ combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1388942341' post='2327890'] Should be totally hum free if put together well, unlike a PJ combination. [/quote] Correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 The Sandberg California VM has a similar configuration, but the MM pickup is closer to the bridge. Still has a great range of sounds though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 PJ configuration is awesome, but I do love humbuckers... It's weird that there aren't more basses with this setup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 (edited) FOr me, the distance from the bridge is critical for a bridge pickup. It only takes a few mms too close for a pickup to become rather uselessly thin and/or honky for my needs. The MM sweetspot is as far as I want to go bridgeward. I suspect that manufacturers like Sandberg position their bridge humbucker where it is for mainly cosmetic reasons. The positioning I have shown in the OP may look cumbersome as we are not used to it, but for a variety of useful tones it is way ahead IMO. Edited January 6, 2014 by hamfist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 [quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1388994984' post='2328433'] I suspect that manufacturers like Sandberg position their bridge humbucker where it is for mainly cosmetic reasons. The positioning I have shown in the OP may look cumbersome as we are not used to it, but for a variety of useful tones it is way ahead IMO. [/quote] I would doubt very much that Sandberg place their pickups where they do for cosmetic reasons. They position their bridge pickups closer to the traditional Jazz bridge pickup position which surely increases the tonal variables. There is no best option as "Useful tones" are entirely subjective to the player. Personally speaking, I wouldn't have a bass that didn't have a pickup in the tight and honky zone. That's the pickup on which I play most of the time. I agree that tonal options are good though. I just prefer distance between the pickups, different positions, different string resonance, different pickup types, different sounds, blend to suit, bobs yer uncle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 [quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1388996987' post='2328451'] I would doubt very much that Sandberg place their pickups where they do for cosmetic reasons. They position their bridge pickups closer to the traditional Jazz bridge pickup position which surely increases the tonal variables. There is no best option as "Useful tones" are entirely subjective to the player. Personally speaking, I wouldn't have a bass that didn't have a pickup in the tight and honky zone. That's the pickup on which I play most of the time. I agree that tonal options are good though. I just prefer distance between the pickups, different positions, different string resonance, different pickup types, different sounds, blend to suit, bobs yer uncle. [/quote] I hear where you're coming from Fionn and, yes, I'm sure Sandberg's pickup placement is not just for cosmesis. But I suspect cosmetic "normality" is definitely a consideration for virtually all manufacturers, as the instrument-buying public is a very traditional lot, and not many will try out something very different. Players "expect" to have pickups near certain Fender and Musicman "norms". Manufacturers will probably lose sales if they differ too much from them (and yes I'm sure there are lots of niche market manufacturers who do try different things, but their overall sales will probably be low). It seems to be conventional "wisdom" that pickups placed a decent way apart gives the best variety of tones. Not my experience though. The wider the gap, the bigger the mid-scoop when blended is my experience. I know we're all looking for different tones but for rock players who tend to focus on the Precision and Stingray sounds, I reckon my pickup positioning is perfect. And, as I mentioned before, the blended tones are surprisingly excellent too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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