mrdreadful Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_the_bass Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdreadful Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdreadful Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 Kent Armstrongs are about the same price as Duncans... so still after places I can get Artec, Belcat and Wilkinson soapbars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdreadful Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matejj53 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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