Soapbar Pickups

[mrdreadful]

I have two project bodies which are routed for soapbar pickups... the downside being that sourcing inexpensive bass soapbars seems to be a proper pain in the arse.

I know that Artec, Wilkinson and Belcat make/ have made bass soapbars but finding a supplier that has them in stock is difficult. Does anyone have any info that might be helpful (or other possible pickups)?

One bass I intend to sell on when finished and the other's a keeper.

[Dave_the_bass]

I have one bass that has a soap bar pup; it's an active Kent Armstrong. I love the tone of it and the luthier that I take my basses to really rates them.

I don't know what the price is like, or the availability, as it was the stock pup in the bass.

Hope this helps

[mrdreadful]

I have a vague feeling that I've seen mention elsewhere of Kent Armstrong doing lower priced bass soapbars, so I'll have a nose around and see what I can uncover. Ta!

[mrdreadful]

Kent Armstrongs are about the same price as Duncans... so still after places I can get Artec, Belcat and Wilkinson soapbars.

[BigRedX]

What sort of soapbar pickup do you want?

Unlike guitars where the term "soapbar" means something specific - namely a fat single coil pickup - bass soapbars can and do conceal almost anything beneath that bland exterior: humbuckers, single coils at an angle, P-type pickups.

Edit: Of course you could make your own covers to fit the routings and then stick anything of the right size inside.

Edited January 8, 2014 by BigRedX

[mrdreadful]

I'm game whichever way really, just needs to have be rectangular and roughly 3.5" x 1.5" - P-styles under a soapbar would be awesome. And it occurs that buying covers is also legit.

[matejj53]

You can find many on ebay and if you are lucky you might find some used pickups that are for half price I once found nordstrand here that cost £160 and new are £350. But That is my opinion. For me the pickups are something I like to look for and as in my bass they are most expensive thing. The idea of getting jazz bass pickup and making soapbar cover is good too...