Pickup options, vote your conscience!

[drbassman]

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:

[gearHed289]

I don't see Rickenbacker toaster on the list. 

[Lightyear]

I don't see Rickenbacker toaster on the list. 

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]

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]

I don't see Rickenbacker toaster on the list. 

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!

[Pilgrim]

Anything that's made by TV Jones.

[patman]

lipstick tubes?

[drbassman]

Anything that's made by TV Jones.

Always a good choice for sure!

[drbassman]

lipstick tubes?

Good idea, didn't think of those!

[Dave W]

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]

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...

[Nocturnal]

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.

[Basvarken]

No option for TV Jones Thundertrons?

[drbassman]

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.