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The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: drbassman on June 01, 2015, 08:52:49 AM

Poll
Question: OK, as I build my next round of basses, I was thinking of trying something different.  What do you all think of these possibilities?
Option 1: SD 51 P style 1/4 Pounder votes: 4
Option 2: Thunderbucker single votes: 9
Option 3: Split coil P bass style votes: 1
Option 4: Allparts Gibson mudbucker clone votes: 2
Option 5: Novak Hofner style replacement votes: 0
Option 6: Jazz set votes: 0
Option 7: P-J set votes: 0
Option 8: Dimarzio Will Power Humbucker votes: 1
Option 9: Anything chrome votes: 4
Option 10: Nothing black plastic votes: 1
Title: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: drbassman on June 01, 2015, 08:52:49 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:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN0727_zps40e10949.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN0727_zps40e10949.jpg.html)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN0665_zps6a3baee8.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN0665_zps6a3baee8.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Pickup options
Post by: gearHed289 on June 01, 2015, 09:30:12 AM
I don't see Rickenbacker toaster on the list.  ;D
Title: Re: Pickup options
Post by: Lightyear on June 01, 2015, 09:41:33 AM
Quote from: gearHed289 on June 01, 2015, 09:30:12 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?
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: chromium on June 01, 2015, 10:26:31 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:

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/hamer/227f045a-e223-4434-90b0-39b0ea94d8e7.jpg)


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...
Title: Re: Pickup options
Post by: drbassman on June 01, 2015, 10:31:38 AM
Quote from: gearHed289 on June 01, 2015, 09:30:12 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!
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: Pilgrim on June 01, 2015, 12:13:28 PM
Anything that's made by TV Jones.
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: patman on June 01, 2015, 01:12:30 PM
lipstick tubes?
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: drbassman on June 01, 2015, 01:31:30 PM
Quote from: Pilgrim on June 01, 2015, 12:13:28 PM
Anything that's made by TV Jones.

Always a good choice for sure!
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: drbassman on June 01, 2015, 01:59:50 PM
Quote from: patman on June 01, 2015, 01:12:30 PM
lipstick tubes?

Good idea, didn't think of those!
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: Dave W on June 01, 2015, 03:06:42 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.
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: Highlander on June 01, 2015, 05:27:41 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... ;)
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: Nocturnal on June 02, 2015, 07:03:41 PM
Quote from: chromium on June 01, 2015, 10:26:31 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:

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/hamer/227f045a-e223-4434-90b0-39b0ea94d8e7.jpg)


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.
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: Basvarken on June 03, 2015, 02:35:19 AM
No option for TV Jones Thundertrons?
Title: Re: Pickup options, vote your conscience!
Post by: drbassman on June 03, 2015, 05:54:22 AM
Quote from: Basvarken on June 03, 2015, 02:35:19 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.
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