zonular Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Hey guys picked up a Yamaha bbg on the cheap and I was looking for a suggestion for upgrading the existing soapbars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 The term Soapbar covers several different sizes.. what dimensions are the current pickups, what's the string spacing, and are you looking for passive pickups only or also considering active? Also is your bbg completely passive or does it have an active (battery powered) preamp? Some people find its the preamp they don't like and the pickups are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonular Posted July 9, 2020 Author Share Posted July 9, 2020 It's a passive bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Check out Nordstrand pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonular Posted July 9, 2020 Author Share Posted July 9, 2020 I should ask any budget suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 15 minutes ago, hubrad said: The term Soapbar covers several different sizes.. what dimensions are the current pickups, what's the string spacing, and are you looking for passive pickups only or also considering active? Also is your bbg completely passive or does it have an active (battery powered) preamp? Some people find its the preamp they don't like and the pickups are fine. Also, unlike the guitar where a "soapbar pickup" is a fat single coil based on the Gibson P90, on the bass there could be absolutely anything inside the housing so long as it will fit. So very different coil and magnet configurations all housed in identical looking covers. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 23 minutes ago, zonular said: I should ask any budget suggestions? An upgrade and budget? Please make up your mind first. SD, bartolini, EMG, KA, Delano, Lollar, Bareknuckle... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 10 hours ago, BigRedX said: Also, unlike the guitar where a "soapbar pickup" is a fat single coil based on the Gibson P90, on the bass there could be absolutely anything inside the housing so long as it will fit. So very different coil and magnet configurations all housed in identical looking covers. One of the reasons I first got into EMG s.. with that built in swappability they definitely appealed to my sense of gadgetry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 (edited) As per @hubrad Start with the dimensions, not all pickups (many great options mentioned above) are available in the required dimensions. Just to make for more fun some Yamahas have 'non regular' pickups, e.g. my BB300 has P bass style pickups, split coils but not the P bass shape. Edited July 9, 2020 by 3below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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