Poll

OK, as I build my next round of basses, I was thinking of trying something different.  What do you all think of these possibilities?

SD 51 P style 1/4 Pounder
4 (18.2%)
Thunderbucker single
9 (40.9%)
Split coil P bass style
1 (4.5%)
Allparts Gibson mudbucker clone
2 (9.1%)
Novak Hofner style replacement
0 (0%)
Jazz set
0 (0%)
P-J set
0 (0%)
Dimarzio Will Power Humbucker
1 (4.5%)
Anything chrome
4 (18.2%)
Nothing black plastic
1 (4.5%)

Total Members Voted: 15

Author Topic: Pickup options, vote your conscience!  (Read 3073 times)

drbassman

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6699
  • Gone but not forgotten
    • View Profile
Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« on: June 01, 2015, 07:52:49 AM »
So, I'm just thinking what to try next.  Suggestions welcome!  Note, you are allowed up to 2 votes if you like.   :)

Remember, the pup will go into something like this:


« Last Edit: June 01, 2015, 08:29:54 AM by drbassman »
I'm fixin' a hole where the rain gets in..........cuz I'm built for a kilt!

gearHed289

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4416
    • View Profile
    • Book of faces...
Re: Pickup options
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2015, 08:30:12 AM »
I don't see Rickenbacker toaster on the list.  ;D

Lightyear

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2190
  • Hey! You damn kids get off my *@%*~&# lawn!
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2015, 08:41:33 AM »
I don't see Rickenbacker toaster on the list.  ;D

Hmmmm, Steve seems to be quick to adapt - could be he could mill the Thunderbucker cover and turn it into a toaster?  Toasterbucker or perhaps Thundertoaster?

chromium

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2316
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2015, 09:26:31 AM »
Another pickup that has impressed me is the Dimarzio DP-221 ("F spaced" neck pickups in both positions).
Really useful all around sound, clear and punchy with some tasteful grit to it.  These aren't quite as hot in the mids as the X2N, nor as big-and-boomy as the X2NB.... and they're infinitely more interesting (to me) than the EMG-HBs that were originally used in what is now my main bass:




Also worthy of consideration is the Bill Lawrence EB-50.  I have those in another bass, and they do quite well live.  They have kind of a vintage P vibe to them...

drbassman

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6699
  • Gone but not forgotten
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2015, 09:31:38 AM »
I don't see Rickenbacker toaster on the list.  ;D

Well, I've used Toasters before and I like something a little more powerful and beefier in the lows.  I also don't want to look like I'm going for a wholesale Ric copy with my basses.  Good idea though!
I'm fixin' a hole where the rain gets in..........cuz I'm built for a kilt!

Pilgrim

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9957
    • View Profile
    • YouTube channel
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2015, 11:13:28 AM »
Anything that's made by TV Jones.
"A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any other invention with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila."

patman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1344
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2015, 12:12:30 PM »
lipstick tubes?

drbassman

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6699
  • Gone but not forgotten
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2015, 12:31:30 PM »
Anything that's made by TV Jones.

Always a good choice for sure!
I'm fixin' a hole where the rain gets in..........cuz I'm built for a kilt!

drbassman

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6699
  • Gone but not forgotten
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2015, 12:59:50 PM »
lipstick tubes?

Good idea, didn't think of those!
I'm fixin' a hole where the rain gets in..........cuz I'm built for a kilt!

Dave W

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 22193
  • Got time to breathe, got time for music
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2015, 02:06:42 PM »
I voted Thunderbucker from your options.  MusicMan would probably be my personal choice though.

I would avoid the the AP mudbucker clone as an only pickup. SD QP is fine if you like that particular tone but it just doesn't have the mids of a traditional P pickup.

Highlander

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12539
  • There Ken be only one...
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2015, 04:27:41 PM »
Any modern "vintage" Thunderbird pup in the TBII position, or equivalent for a shorty... though I haven't had or played one since the 79's so what do I know... ;)
The random mind of a Silver Surfer...
If research was easy, it wouldn't need doing...
Staring at that event horizon is a dirty job, but someone has to do it; something's going to come back out of it one day...

Nocturnal

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1883
    • View Profile
    • Myspace page
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #11 on: June 02, 2015, 06:03:41 PM »
Another pickup that has impressed me is the Dimarzio DP-221 ("F spaced" neck pickups in both positions).
Really useful all around sound, clear and punchy with some tasteful grit to it.  These aren't quite as hot in the mids as the X2N, nor as big-and-boomy as the X2NB.... and they're infinitely more interesting (to me) than the EMG-HBs that were originally used in what is now my main bass:




Also worthy of consideration is the Bill Lawrence EB-50.  I have those in another bass, and they do quite well live.  They have kind of a vintage P vibe to them...

I will second Joe's choice of the Dimarzio or Bill Lawrence pickup. Both are sound great and can be coil tapped if you want a single coil option. I also agree with the X2NB being too boomy. It's good for what I did with it, but I would have gone with the DP221 if I had thought about it more.

I agree with you Doc about not wanting to look too Ric-ish with toaster style pickups.
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE BAT
HOW I WONDER WHAT YOU'RE AT

Basvarken

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6861
  • hobby luthier. gibson bass nerd
    • View Profile
    • www.enkoo.nl
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2015, 01:35:19 AM »
No option for TV Jones Thundertrons?

drbassman

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6699
  • Gone but not forgotten
    • View Profile
Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2015, 04:54:22 AM »
No option for TV Jones Thundertrons?

Sure, they are always a possibility.  I decided to try the ThunderBlades instead, no need to worry about string spacing on a Fender width neck setup.
I'm fixin' a hole where the rain gets in..........cuz I'm built for a kilt!