TRBboy Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 Hey folks, I'm hoping to start a build soon with the help of a local luthier I've found recently. It's definitely going to be a 5 string, and ideally I'd like it to be PJ config, but they're seems to be such little choice around? I want the bass to be passive, so that rules out EMGs, and apart from that there only seems to be Aguilars which are pretty pricey! Just wondered if anyone knows of any decent, reasonably priced PJ sets? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 (edited) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Relic-80s-Precision-PJ-P-J-Pair-Bass-Guitar-Pickups-Set/254646662508?hash=item3b4a1fb56c:g:rPEAAOSw8n9fBHE7 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SQUIRE-STANDARD-PJ-PICKUPS/274450443951?hash=item3fe6856eaf:g:PrUAAOSw8bJfKxVJ You could try new Wilkinsons and mix a J with a P set:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Wilkinson-WPB-AlNiCo-V-Bass-Pickups-for-PB-type-guitars-Precision/112531501958?epid=1266588005&hash=item1a33667386:g:~ekAAOSw1XNZmAv6 or if you want expensive and new, why not get some made by one of the many bespoke winders in the UK or abroad? https://www.houseoftonepickups.com/ https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custom-handwound-pickups-from-the-creamery/scatterwound-bass-pickups.html#.XzHSxh3TVz8 https://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/pickups/p-bass Edited August 10, 2020 by yorks5stringer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 Don't forget Aaron Armstrong, he makes phenomenal pickups! http://www.armstrongpickups.co.uk/bass-pickups/ Eude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 There's obviously Nordstrand and Delano too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 Thanks guys, will check all those out! 😊👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 (edited) Don't know about "reasonably priced", but Bill Lawrence pups are good and the P46 will handle 4-6 strings. https://www.wildepickups.com/products/p-46 https://www.wildepickups.com/products/j-45l I've not used the J pup, but I have a P46 and it's really cool. You could also ask Jess & www.JLGuitars.com if he can make a set for a 5er Edited August 11, 2020 by Grangur 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobatron Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 +1 on the Wilkinsons if you can find some 5 string pickups. Got one of their P pickups in my P bass and it sounds great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 17 hours ago, yorks5stringer said: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Relic-80s-Precision-PJ-P-J-Pair-Bass-Guitar-Pickups-Set/254646662508?hash=item3b4a1fb56c:g:rPEAAOSw8n9fBHE7 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SQUIRE-STANDARD-PJ-PICKUPS/274450443951?hash=item3fe6856eaf:g:PrUAAOSw8bJfKxVJ You could try new Wilkinsons and mix a J with a P set:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Wilkinson-WPB-AlNiCo-V-Bass-Pickups-for-PB-type-guitars-Precision/112531501958?epid=1266588005&hash=item1a33667386:g:~ekAAOSw1XNZmAv6 or if you want expensive and new, why not get some made by one of the many bespoke winders in the UK or abroad? https://www.houseoftonepickups.com/ https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custom-handwound-pickups-from-the-creamery/scatterwound-bass-pickups.html#.XzHSxh3TVz8 https://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/pickups/p-bass Just checking out your links, they seem to be 4 string pickups? Or do you mean there should be 5 string versions of these available? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 I have to say - the Aguilars are fantastic. The 60s wind P pickup in particular is just lovely. Definitely my favourite P pickup. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 (edited) 17 minutes ago, fretmeister said: I have to say - the Aguilars are fantastic. The 60s wind P pickup in particular is just lovely. Definitely my favourite P pickup. I've not played them, just heard them and I must say they sound very good.... Maybe worth the expense! Edited August 11, 2020 by TRBboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 52 minutes ago, TRBboy said: I've not played them, just heard them and I must say they sound very good.... Maybe worth the expense! Are they more expensive than Nordstrand? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 11 minutes ago, eude said: Are they more expensive than Nordstrand? In the same ballpark IIRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 16 minutes ago, TRBboy said: In the same ballpark IIRC Well I would absolutely give Aaron Armstrong a shout. He can wind the pickups to your specs too, or even just your sonic preference, and I expect he'll be cheaper than Aguilar and Nordstrand. Eude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 1 hour ago, TRBboy said: I've not played them, just heard them and I must say they sound very good.... Maybe worth the expense! I am selling some brand new ones too 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 2 hours ago, TRBboy said: Just checking out your links, they seem to be 4 string pickups? Or do you mean there should be 5 string versions of these available? Thanks doh did not read the post proprely, you are correct in that I have id'd 4 strings sets, my bad! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 17 hours ago, fretmeister said: I have to say - the Aguilars are fantastic. The 60s wind P pickup in particular is just lovely. Definitely my favourite P pickup. https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Aguilar-AG-5P-JHC-5-String-Hum-Canceling-P-J-Bass-Pickups-SET/12K0?msclkid=e73fb1eb03ee146d4065eed8c7624200&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DSA | All Website&utm_term=gear4music&utm_content=DSA - All Website £259 as set for 5 string PJ set 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 12, 2020 Author Share Posted August 12, 2020 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Grangur said: https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Aguilar-AG-5P-JHC-5-String-Hum-Canceling-P-J-Bass-Pickups-SET/12K0?msclkid=e73fb1eb03ee146d4065eed8c7624200&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DSA | All Website&utm_term=gear4music&utm_content=DSA - All Website £259 as set for 5 string PJ set The lowest price seems to be about £239 from some quick googling, or there's @walshy's brand new set in the classifieds for a bit less. I think I'm going to email Aaron Armstrong first though, and just see wear he can offer and for how much. Edited August 12, 2020 by TRBboy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 1 hour ago, TRBboy said: The lowest price seems to be about £239 from some quick googling, or there's @walshy's brand new set in the classifieds for a bit less. I think I'm going to email Aaron Armstrong first though, and just see wear he can offer and for how much. Aye, reduced to £180 inc delivery now 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 12, 2020 Author Share Posted August 12, 2020 So, heard back from Aaron Armstrong, he can certainly do it, and price would be £240. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 Just in case you don't know - Best Bass Gear in the USA often do free shipping to the UK. Sometimes that means a great deal even if you get stung for VAT and import coming. Worth checking their website. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 Still struggling to find much that's suitable for 18mm spacing, aside from some custom built Armstrong. Off the wall idea maybe, but is it worth me looking at a set of Big Splits? They're definitely 18mm string spacing, and my impression is they'd give the kinda tone I'm after? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Just now, TRBboy said: Still struggling to find much that's suitable for 18mm spacing, aside from some custom built Armstrong. Off the wall idea maybe, but is it worth me looking at a set of Big Splits? They're definitely 18mm string spacing, and my impression is they'd give the kinda tone I'm after? Big Splits would certainly get you close. From what I've read, they're kinda like a P Bass and a Jazz had a BIG baby, if that makes sense? I think live, or in a mix, most would struggle to tell yh difference. The only obvious issue would be the aesthetic, if you wanted a PJ look. Eude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 26 minutes ago, eude said: Big Splits would certainly get you close. From what I've read, they're kinda like a P Bass and a Jazz had a BIG baby, if that makes sense? I think live, or in a mix, most would struggle to tell yh difference. The only obvious issue would be the aesthetic, if you wanted a PJ look. Eude Thanks man, yeah that's kinda what I thought. The aesthetic isn't a big issue for me, but I do want the tone to be fairly trad/vintage but maybe with a kick up the bum! The other option is just to go Jazz, there's waaaay more choice 5 string jazz pickups than there is PJ. But I know I really enjoyed that P pickup on thy Yamaha BB435 I had! Hence why I'm considering the big splits I guess, a bit of a 'best of both'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 What will your string spacing be at the point where you mount the pickup? It will be narrower than at the bridge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 48 minutes ago, fretmeister said: What will your string spacing be at the point where you mount the pickup? It will be narrower than at the bridge. I'm not entirely sure to be quite honest, but string spacing is usually referred to as the spacing at the bridge, so I guess the pickup pole spacing is calculated based on that. I know what you're getting at though, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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