What do you guys prefer in a two pickup bass?

Depends.. but for me personally.. Humbuckers baby!!!! :)

DM

Two soapbars (humbuckers)
Two J-type (single coil or humbucker)
One soapbar and one J-type (split humbucker and single coil)

Warrior offers the reverse of the Lakland layout with a humbucker in the neck position and a single coil jazz at the bridge. Makes sense...but I don't like the way it looks. I also don't like slanted pickup installs.


Never really liked P-J combos.

Originally posted by Brad Johnson



Never really liked P-J combos.

Me neither. It's like mixing guinness with a fine moselle. Both have their place, but not in the same glass.

Andy

I think single coil pickups are misunderstood. Sometimes a raunchy buzzing pickup is alright. On my new custom bass I am going to put a pre-'57 Telecaster (P-Bass) single coil pickup in the bridge and a vintage humbucking P-bass in the middle.

My preference is for two of the same type of pickup (ie. two soapbars or two jazz style). I have found that a slanted pickup - with the G-string side toward the neck - gives a more even string to string balance especially on the bridge pickup. That is why many high end manufacturers like Warwick and Sadowsky and players like Leland Sklar slant their pickups. Players have gotten used to the traditional Fender styles pickup arrangement and have learned to compensate for their irregularities. However, slanted pickups are superior to the stock configuration.

How about you guys' opinion on jazz single coils vs. soapbars? I think the middle position with single coils is a bit more bright and punchy. I don't have much experience with either since I have played a p-bass most my life.

Originally posted by biscuit
My preference is for two of the same type of pickup (ie. two soapbars or two jazz style). I have found that a slanted pickup - with the G-string side toward the neck - gives a more even string to string balance especially on the bridge pickup. That is why many high end manufacturers like Warwick and Sadowsky and players like Leland Sklar slant their pickups. Players have gotten used to the traditional Fender styles pickup arrangement and have learned to compensate for their irregularities. However, slanted pickups are superior to the stock configuration.

That could be true:D I don't like the way they look...isn't that silly?:D

Not to start an argument (like I usually do;)) but I have several basses with great string to string response meaning, in my case, the B strings don't sound like they were added on later and the rest sound even (and great). Maybe if the pickups were made to look like they should be installed on an angle rather than a rectangle that looks correct perpendicular to the strings I wouldn't have a problem with it... Nah! JMHO

Originally posted by The Sound of the Police
I think single coil pickups are misunderstood. Sometimes a raunchy buzzing pickup is alright. On my new custom bass I am going to put a pre-'57 Telecaster (P-Bass) single coil pickup in the bridge and a vintage humbucking P-bass in the middle.

I agree. People tend to listen to pickups solo instead of where it really counts, in the mix. Sometimes that raw unrefined sound is just what I need to cut through. It took me literally years to really realized I wasn't happy with super refined, boutique sound. I'm much happier now.