Where to get an SB2 bridge pup?

[wyleeboxer]

Have an old yamaha bb300 heavily modified and was looking to get a new bridge pup, would like something hot like my L2000 basses and was thinking of an SB2 bridge pup or something of the like? thanks..

[TDR1138]

they pop up on the 'Bay from time to time....

[sunbeast]

The SB-2 bridge pickup is not hot like an L2000 humbucker- even in comparison to the P pickup on the SB-2, the bridge pickup is very weak. It is generally used as more of a tone control to dial in a little different flavor to the P on the SB-2, and doesn't really hold up too well on its own in my experience (and many others that have owned SB-2s).

I suggest looking at something like the Nordstrand Big Single...

[wyleeboxer]

Originally Posted by sunbeast

The SB-2 bridge pickup is not hot like an L2000 humbucker- even in comparison to the P pickup on the SB-2, the bridge pickup is very weak. It is generally used as more of a tone control to dial in a little different flavor to the P on the SB-2, and doesn't really hold up too well on its own in my experience (and many others that have owned SB-2s).

I suggest looking at something like the Nordstrand Big Single...

ahhh! damn... well it looks hot! I guess I could always rout for humbucker?

[sunbeast]

It is a little disappointing! Especially considering how similar they appear to the single coils in G&L ASAT Special guitars (6 stringers), whose pickups are extremely hot for single coils.

There was an earlier incarnation of the SB-2 in the 80s that had 2 of the single coils instead of a single and a P pickup- I've heard tell that the versions in those basses are hotter by comparison (though I wouldn't know for sure!).

Karl

Originally Posted by wyleeboxer

ahhh! damn... well it looks hot! I guess I could always rout for humbucker?

[ljazz]

All the talk on Ken's JB2 thread has got me thinking about those old SB2's....... I've got half a mind to find an old set of those sc pups, and stick them in a tribby sb2....

Could be kinda cool, especially with the tone control mod.... v/v/t.

Ljazz

[ac11367]

Originally Posted by sunbeast

The SB-2 bridge pickup is not hot like an L2000 humbucker- even in comparison to the P pickup on the SB-2, the bridge pickup is very weak. It is generally used as more of a tone control to dial in a little different flavor to the P on the SB-2, and doesn't really hold up too well on its own in my experience (and many others that have owned SB-2s).

I suggest looking at something like the Nordstrand Big Single...

The SB2 bridge pickup can be soloed with an optimal amp/cap setup. What's the setup? I'm still figuring that out. It seems that with my gear, a 800RB with Hartke 2x10TP and 1x15 bi-amped can pull it off, I even have to turn down the amp's boost knob to 1/4. With only the 1x15 cab, I have to turn the boost up to 1/2. But with the backline equipment I've played with last week, I have to use the split-coil pickup because the soundman said I'm not getting any low ends with the bridge pickup soloed.

I'm starting to get frustrated with this. I don't know if it's possible, but I want my SB2 to somewhat emulate a Fender Jazz. It doesn't have to be exact, but in the ballpark. Should I switch to a Nordstrand Big Single? Or would a Lindy Fralin or an Aero suffice? Please help. BTW, I still want the bass to be passive in terms of electronics.

[ac11367]

After further tinkering with the signal chain, I can safely say that I can solo the bridge pickup without it sounding weak (but would never be as strong as the split-coil pickup). What I did was to use the amp's volume knob as the main driver, which I have up to like 8/10. The speaker volume is at 3/10, gain/boost at 4/10, and the volume knob on my bass is at most a 3/10. I've realized that the more I turn up the bridge pickup's volume knob, the more trebly and weak it's going to sound.