Bridge Pickup = Absolute Evil?

Jabinski · #1 06-17-2008, 04:58 PM

Hi,

I know this sounds strange but I have refrained from using the bridge pickup on my Warwick Rock Bass (Jazz pickups) without blending it with at least some of its neighbour.

The other day I rolled it back when playing some fast staccato fingerstyle and WHooooooo! It was amazing!

Now I'm a big Jaco fan and i'm guessing he used the bridge pickup a lot.

I've heard a lot of people say that it sounds too thin but I'm in love with the sound.

Is this a non issue or will future bandmates hate me for using just the bridge pickup?

lunarpollen · #2 06-17-2008, 05:09 PM

I guess it depends on the kind of music you are playing and whether the sound of that pickup fulfills the role. I know that for the music I play, a bridge pickup alone will not be adequate, unless I am playing a baritone part and not needing to take care of the bass end of the mix...

Jabinski · #3 06-17-2008, 05:39 PM

I take your point and agree that it depends on the style of music.

I'm thinking that maybe I can retain some of the timbre I'm seeking by boosting the bass on my EQ...

lonestarwings · #4 06-17-2008, 07:08 PM

I am a total beginner, but to me, the bridge pick up sounds too thin and nasal when solo'd. That's a big reason I went with a precison as my first bass. I may have preferred the feel of the jazz neck a little but I much preferred the think, bassy sound of the precision pickup. The jazz sounded thin and nasaly to me, even with both pickups on, although it sounded better with the neck pickup solo'd to me.

cowsgomoo · #5 06-18-2008, 03:31 PM

you can add a bit of neck pickup to add a bit more low end while still keeping some of that Jaco-esque honk... it's not my sound and not really suitable for what I do, but I still love it, and whip it out occasionally but only for Jaco impersonations

then I realise how crap I sound in comparison to Jaco (don't we all) and do something else instead

cowsgomoo · #6 06-18-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonestarwings

I am a total beginner, but to me, the bridge pick up sounds too thin and nasal when solo'd. That's a big reason I went with a precison as my first bass. I may have preferred the feel of the jazz neck a little but I much preferred the think, bassy sound of the precision pickup. The jazz sounded thin and nasaly to me, even with both pickups on, although it sounded better with the neck pickup solo'd to me.

I agree... but I play a Jazz (both pickups full on) with my band because it sits far better in the mix - if you get a chance to try both out in a band setting you might find a similar thing

funkybassplayer · #7 06-18-2008, 03:40 PM

I have recently been using my bridge PUP a lot more. I keep my bridge knob all the way up and my Neck knob at about 65% to get a lil more punch because most of my playing is done on the back PUP. I am debating on replacing the VVT pasive wiring to a volume-blend-tone type of set up.

OtterOnBass · #8 06-18-2008, 05:17 PM

I love my bridge pick-up. It gives my tone growl and mids. I do find my self cranking up the bass knob on the EQ to fill out the sound, though. In the end, it's delicious. It works great for my Americana/Roots Rock gig. For more modern stuff I blend it with the bridge, but I rarely don't use it.

kesslari · #9 06-18-2008, 05:45 PM

Funny, I'm generally a "mostly bridge pickup" guy. I love that growl.

The other day, though, I was enjoying the nice P-bass sound of my neck pickup - it was really sitting well in the mix, and for the songs we were playing, it sounded right.

It's all about what sounds right...

**Mark Wilson** · #10 06-18-2008, 06:26 PM

Noo. I NEVER use my bridge pickup!

Dogbertday · #11 06-18-2008, 06:31 PM

so a gaping hole where the pick-up was but you leave the knob in it's spot??? haha...

**Mark Wilson** · #12 06-18-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogbertday

so a gaping hole where the pick-up was but you leave the knob in it's spot??? haha...

haha couldn't find an alan key at the time.
And now, I'm lazy.
I think it adds character

Soon, I'll have a piece of rosewood going from the fingerboard to the pickup.

Deacon_Blues · #13 06-19-2008, 05:37 AM

I tend to boost the bass (on the eq) slightly when soloing the bridge pup, just to get some more bottom end. Otherwise I'm mostly a "both pups on" guy.

But the faster the bassline, the more bridge pup I want to make the sound more "defined".

Jabinski · #14 06-19-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Noo. I NEVER use my bridge pickup!

LOL. That's absolutely classic. Thanks

**Mark Wilson** · #15 06-19-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jabinski

LOL. That's absolutely classic. Thanks

zagralin_arf · #16 06-19-2008, 11:29 PM

I have one question:

Does it sound good?

If the answer is yes...then I don't you should have anyone not want to be in a band with you.

And if someone doesn't want to be in a band with you because you only use your bridge pickup, I want to meet them...because I want them in my band.

lonestarwings · #17 06-20-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowsgomoo

I agree... but I play a Jazz (both pickups full on) with my band because it sits far better in the mix - if you get a chance to try both out in a band setting you might find a similar thing

Yeah, I do wish I could do that. I'm still tempted to buy a 5 string jazz for my next bass, just so I can have a P and a J in my arsenal....then there's also the stingray that I've been eyimg, but I digress. Those seem to be the 3 main tones in the basses I've tried out...p, j, and stingray.

51m0n · #18 06-20-2008, 03:12 AM

u can fatten up a bridge pup on its own with a nice compressor, ratio around 3.5 medium slow attack and a low threshold, it will just bring out some bottom without the need for a lot of eq or a dash of neck pup. Works for me, and I love my bridge pup!

Beta · #19 06-20-2008, 07:19 AM

Two of my basses were made with only one pickup...but I'm never going to solo the bridge pickup on my Thumb.

When I had my Guild Pilots I tended to favor the P pickup, but that's only because I think I prefer the sound of a P pickup to the sound of a J pickup.