1986 SB 1 Pick-up question

rkingly · #1 10-26-2008, 08:18 PM

Hello G&L fans, I've recently acquired an SB 1 & was hoping some of the experts could help me identify the pick-up thats in her.
I Replied to an add & went to check the bass out, expecting to see the MFD.... no deal, plain looking p-pick-up w/ black covers &
no identifying marks. I was thrilled to find this baby, as I've wanted the older school neck w/ original headstock, so I asked about the pick-up & he assured me he had not changed a thing & has had the bass for umpteen years.
I bought it anyway because it's a great playing bass & the pick-up sounds great as well. She used to be white but looks more like butter now, Black pick-gaurd Maple neck & board w/
original knobs...cool black crinkle bridge + original case!

Neck dates sept 86 & another stamp at aug 86
Body dates july 86
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Did they use different P-ups @ some point?
Do any of you guy's or gal's have one like this?

Ken Baker · #2 10-26-2008, 08:33 PM

It's probably a Schaller pickup. These were used in some of the SB-1's around that time. Just so's ya know - a split MFD will drop right in with no further adjustments needed. Just hang onto the Schaller if you ever decide to flip the bass.

Ken...

rkingly · #3 10-26-2008, 09:15 PM

Thanks for the info! Here are a few more pics

rkingly · #4 10-26-2008, 09:20 PM

And 2 more for good measure

T'CharleS · #5 10-27-2008, 08:05 AM

Yup, it's most certainly a Schaller TBX from those 1985-1986 series. Good pickup though completely differently sounding from a MFD imho.

Madcity Fats · #6 10-27-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T'CharleS

Yup, it's most certainly a Schaller TBX from those 1985-1986 series. Good pickup though completely differently sounding from a MFD imho.

I'm not so sure. I have an '86 SB-1 w/ the original Schaller (it's PBX, btw) and it doesn't look quite like your garden variety pickup. For one thing, it has hex adjustable pole pieces.

Here's a pic on GG Jaguars site:

http://www.ggjaguar.com/sb-1pu.htm

... and a pic of the bass itself:

http://www.ggjaguar.com/sb-1-85.htm

Maybe that it what you've got and I just can't tell from the pics. To my knowledge G&L went straight from the PBX to the MFD, but who knows? Maybe there were a few more oddities in there in between.

rkingly · #7 10-27-2008, 12:22 PM

Thanks for the input, My pick-up does not look like the PBX.
I noticed the hollow pole piece's & mine are solid. Keep it up
out there I'm eager to find out if anyone else has something
like this. & photos are really helpful.
By the way an SB 1 is listed on the bay & other than the MFD, it's just like mine. Also there's a Cherryburst SB 1. & a set of DiMarzio
pick-ups from the 90's.

Thanks, R

spideyjg · #8 10-27-2008, 01:50 PM

Not a G&L pickup. The LB series had a non adjustable pole piece but all the examples I have seen had white covers.

The pickup on Evilbay is the Schaller that was the pre MFD split coil.

Never seen an original SB-1 with anything other than an MFD or the Schaller. They may exist but doubtful.

Contact Guitarman in NY and have Matt get you an MFD. You can thank me later.

Jim

rkingly · #9 10-27-2008, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the hook-up spideyjg, Matt was really helpful.
He said that the pick-up in this bass was designed & used
by G&L. Looks like everyone is right on point w/ helpful info!

I'm going to play her the way she is for a while. This pick-up does have wonderful qualities & If it aint broke.....

And spideyjg, you're right, I'll be thanking you later as I'm itching to swap out a couple bass's with MFD's!!

rkingly · #10 10-28-2008, 11:43 AM

Just wanted to post this SB 1 that's on the bay today
It looks to have the same pick-up as mine & it's listed as 1984.
Cool custom pick gaurd.

Madcity Fats · #11 10-28-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkingly

Just wanted to post this SB 1 that's on the bay today
It looks to have the same pick-up as mine & it's listed as 1984.
Cool custom pick gaurd.

Saw that one. It's hard to tell, but that one looks to have the same adjustable pole piece non-MFD that's in my '86. I'd need a close-up to be sure.

As for the date, the serial number may appear to place that specimen in '84, but the earliest it could be is '85 because that's the year the 2nd generation SB-1 first appeared (with the split coil P pickup instead of a single J-style, among other differences).

G&L serial numbers are notoriously unreliable when it comes to dating instruments. The date stamp(s) on the body and/or neck heel are the only way to know for sure.

Hi, my names James and I'm a G&L geek ...

Really like the look of your bass, rkingly. That color is suh-weeet!

Ken Baker · #12 10-28-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madcity Fats

G&L serial numbers are notoriously unreliable when it comes to dating instruments. The date stamp(s) on the body and/or neck heel are the only way to know for sure.

Yes, but why?

Quote:

Hi, my names James and I'm a G&L geek ...

HI, JAMES!

Ken...

Madcity Fats · #13 10-28-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Baker

Yes, but why?

Oh, there have gotta be twenty threads around here that talk about the serial number plates being manufactured in bulk and the builders just grabbing one out of the box, etc., right?

(Did I earn my geek badge?)

rkingly · #14 10-28-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madcity Fats

Saw that one. It's hard to tell, but that one looks to have the same adjustable pole piece non-MFD that's in my '86. I'd need a close-up to be sure.

As for the date, the serial number may appear to place that specimen in '84, but the earliest it could be is '85 because that's the year the 2nd generation SB-1 first appeared (with the split coil P pickup instead of a single J-style, among other differences).

G&L serial numbers are notoriously unreliable when it comes to dating instruments. The date stamp(s) on the body and/or neck heel are the only way to know for sure.

Hi, my names James and I'm a G&L geek ...

Really like the look of your bass, rkingly. That color is suh-weeet!

Hey James, Thanks for the education on the SB 1, good stuff!!
I'll be playing mine tonight!! Sounded fantastic @ sound check.
I'm digging the pick -up in this beauty, really even tone w/solid lows
& a smooth Mids ( tone @ about 2 ) I generally keep the tone off on my P- style bass's, with that being said, the tone on the SB 1 is very smooth & usable. I'm very pleased w/ my cheap purchase, felt kinda like stealing..... oh well, one man's trash...has become my treasure!

Thanks you all, I love this forum!! And hopefully I'll graduate from novice to G&L geek. Yeaaaaaa!

Templar · #15 10-28-2008, 07:54 PM

About the pre-MFD split pickups, maybe *ping* member "bdgotoh".

I could be wrong but there may have been more than one variety used back then, and he would know.

Ken Baker · #16 10-28-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madcity Fats

Oh, there have gotta be twenty threads around here that talk about the serial number plates being manufactured in bulk and the builders just grabbing one out of the box, etc., right?

Yup. It's still like that with the decals. I just don't understand. 1, 57, 16, 32, 1136.

Quote:

(Did I earn my geek badge?)

ROTFL!

Of course! How can you help but have one?

Ken...