Franchement Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 Hello fools I'm gonna order a bass to a luthier but I don't know which pickup I have to choose. I need just one passive pickup. I like a round warm and powerful sound. For examples : 'Ebin' of Sublime or 'I will survive' of Cake. But I'm playing Metal, with no effect, so I need something powerful that will easily pass the mix. Does someone have an idea ? Thanks and have a great day ! F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 A good starting point would be to think of the types of pickup that you know get near the sound you like. What kind of basses and pickups do the bassists in the bands you like use - you mentioned Sublime and Cake...what do their bassists use ? There's so many styles and makes of pickups available, it would help to narrow things down a bit ! After that I'd be thinking about choosing single-coil or humbucker in terms of picking up background noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franchement Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 Hi Ahpook They use P-bass most of time. On my Warwick Streamer Stage 1 there is a P/J configuration, and I always play with the balance at noon (so 50/50 for the 2 pickups). That's why I wonder if there is a sort of pickup that would made this job... I would prefer an humbucker to reduce parasitic noises. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 Hi Franchment Ok, so it sounds like you're after a P-bass but with that bit of extra definition that a P-J combination gives you. My first thought would be to try something along the lines of a Musicman-style pickup, but perhaps not in the traditional bridge position. I don't have much experience of the P-J setup, so perhaps see what other suggestions pop up - you've certainly narrowed the choice down a bit. Has your luthier got any suggestions ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franchement Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 No suggestion from him cause he don't have an experience of the Metal needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 (edited) P + J pickups (or any 2 pickups really) combined together gives you a more scooped and growly tone. I'd always go for dual pickups for metal as I prefer that sound, but if having to go with just one, I'd have a MusicMan Stingray style humbucker. Maybe a Bigman or Big Blademan: https://nordstrandaudio.com/collections/4-string-music-man-bass-pickups But then I just check out those songs you mention and they are not my typical metal sound. I'd choose a Fender P for this: Edited July 20, 2020 by dannybuoy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 Plenty of metal players using P basses out there though! If you ever want growl like this though you might want something different! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 5 hours ago, Franchement said: Hello fools I'm gonna order a bass to a luthier but I don't know which pickup I have to choose. I need just one passive pickup. I like a round warm and powerful sound. For examples : 'Ebin' of Sublime or 'I will survive' of Cake. But I'm playing Metal, with no effect, so I need something powerful that will easily pass the mix. Does someone have an idea ? Thanks and have a great day ! F. Cake - I will survive video shows the bass player playing a bass with a mudbucker and the tone seems to back this up, there is just something there in the lows that you just dont get with a P bass, sounds great , that being said I think this kind of tone will be lost in the mix easily in metal , I think if you want a warm sound but dont want to get lost in the mix you might need 2 pickups , one to provide the warmth and one to provide the mids, the Seymour Duncan SPB-2 will give you the warmth and the mids but dont expect anything remotely bright sounding from that pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franchement Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 @dannybuoy Yeah I have to go with just one pickup. Thanks for the advise, I'm gonna watch the Nordstrand's models. I think it's a good idea to look on the Soapbars side. @shoulderpet As I said I have to go for just one pickup. I'm gonna watch the model that you suggest. Thanks dudes ! If anyone have some other advices I will be glad ! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 17 hours ago, Franchement said: @dannybuoy Yeah I have to go with just one pickup. Thanks for the advise, I'm gonna watch the Nordstrand's models. I think it's a good idea to look on the Soapbars side. @shoulderpet As I said I have to go for just one pickup. I'm gonna watch the model that you suggest. Thanks dudes ! If anyone have some other advices I will be glad ! Cheers Ok, for metal I would normally recommend the Seymour Duncan Quarter pounder but if you are after warmth it may be a bit bright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 The following may give you what you need Creamery 58 P pick up Seymour Duncan custom shop 51 P hot stack Seymour Duncan APB-1 (yes it’s active but the preamp is in the pick up and you use a passive tone knob) Ulyate Tic-Tac EMG GZR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franchement Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Hi Cuzzie ! Thank you very much, I'm gonna watch that ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 2 minutes ago, Franchement said: Hi Cuzzie ! Thank you very much, I'm gonna watch that ! No worries The 58 creamery is very very good and not just vintage, it will do rock. The Seymour Duncan is found in the Custom Shop Fender Dusty Hill bass is you want to check samples - good old ZZ Top. I really like them with no effects - they just sit well in the mix, possibly finger style better than pick, but do either. APB-1 has sound samples on the website, but in a band context dUg Pinnick of Kings X uses them and they are on his signature Schecter bass EMG GZR - well that’s Geezer Butler and another for the mix Schaller PBX happy listening and researching! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franchement Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 And full details - thanks a lot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacopo San Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 I hope you don't mind a genuine question.... Why do you order a luthier made bass, personalised to your own needs and likes, if you don't know what you need or like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franchement Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Haha, good questions. I exactly now watch I like but I don't know brands and models of good pickups. I'm studying now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 Two options I have used. Firstly the SimS Superquad pick ups - each pick up gives you the choice of P/J/H - if you go with a pair there are 15 variations. The second option would be custom wound pick ups by Martin Herrick: https://www.herrickpickups.com/ He'll make you whatever you want at a very competitive price. He built the coil pick ups in my Psilos bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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