5 string P-bass options?

[Zerozeddy]

I have a cheap passive 5 string with a P-bass pickup (or pickups, not sure of correct terminology...). It sounds OK but the volume pot is effectively an on/off switch, and the tone does zip.

I've come across these EMG P5 things, which presumably will give me more control over the sound (with the added benefit of not having to do any of my usual incompetent soldering).

What are my options?

[James Hart]

sounds like you need to wire a new volume and tone pot to it. If you are swapping pickups, I'm partial to www.delano.de but EMG, Bart, Nordstrand, etc all make nice P5 pickups.

[darthplagis]

as james mentioned delano make some FINE pickups, i just had my yamaha modded with a wilkinson P5 its a 3&2 set up.

i had a wilkinson MM5 too but the spacing was off so he part exed me a basslines now i have P5 and MM5 and its my fave bass (says alot since i have a jaguar and a P, an epi t bird another yamaha BBG5a and a semi).

all the manufacturers that james mentioned above make really good pickups but i do recommend wilkinson for quality 'budget' gear. but go for the other brands for quality gear

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by darthplagis

but i do recommend wilkinson for quality 'budget' gear.

I LOVE their bridges. Never tried the pickups.

[darthplagis]

i tried tele pickups 1st, my squire had packed up at the neck so i saw a set on ebay direct from factory outlet for like £25.........i was'nt expecting much but when i opened the plastic cases!

the bridge pickup was mounted on a HUGE brass plate like the old tele bride pickups, it has the cloth/string wound bobbin (just like my paisley 51 RI) and when i fitted them whoa!!!! just like you expect from a PROPER tele nevermind a £130 10 year old squire with £25 pickups in.

so given that test run i got the bass ones, im a little gutted the music man one was too narrow for my yamaha but the fact i got a basslines in trade for £30 and the routing, wiring and scratchplate made for another £45 i cant complain.

but at the jam session i had the other night the P held up to its design and defied its price (£15). but as i said before if money isnt an issue i would go delano (i would have if i had the cash)

[Zerozeddy]

Hmm, thanks for all the responses.

I need to get some other issues straight in me head before acting though.

• are all 5 string P-bass pickups the same size?
  
• do I need to worry about string spacing?
  
• are some easier to install than others?
  
• how different can the sound be between brands/models?
  
• do I have any passive options?

[Atomik Rooster]

Seems like a good place to drop this question...
I recently picked up a project bass that was intended to be a bare bones 5-string P-Bass. The price was right, but it needs a fix. Specifically the pickup is a Seymour Duncan SPB-3 for a 4 string. The two pieces overlap on the 3rd string, producing a tone that is different from the other strings and sounds more like two J's while the other strings sound like a P. I can't find a replacement pickup with exactly the same dimensions and I'd like to avoid drilling new holes or cutting out wood and/or pickguard material for a new pickup (which I don't want to buy). My thought is perhaps punching out the magnet on the top of the bridge half of the pickup. Not sure if I can do that without wrecking it or screwing up the sound even further. Thoughts? Other ideas?

[darthplagis]

i thinks screwing with the pickup will break it.

really the better pickup is the one that sounds right to you. some people love the most expensive on the market for the same tone as the cheapest (meaning the higher price 'can' give the same desired tone as the cheapo)

[Zerozeddy]

Originally Posted by darthplagis

...the better pickup is the one that sounds right to you...

While I know you're right, how does one test drive them? Are shops willing to let you have half a dozen variants so you can install them and have a go?

[darthplagis]

well thats the tricky part.......its a game of roulette trying to find the right pickup for the job and most of the time it will be a trial and error job which does get expensive.

the best advice i can give is to read up on the tonal variations between the different ones, than try and get a hold of a bass equipped with said pickup in the local shop for a test run (say wilkinson look for a 'vintage' branded bass as they have them in, delano come in sandberg basses). also asking opinions on here, usually some one has tried what you are after or knows some one else who has and word spreads.

a leap of faith is required, its an uneasy path to walk till you buy and install your 1st pickup after which EVERY time you change your mind on your tone or read a review of a cool new pickup you want to rip the guts out of the closest bass and try it without a second thought.

i would say try a wilkinson off ebay if its not suited to your style then it wasnt expensive and its good practice with an iron, a delano or a fralin however wont be as forgiving on your pocket or sanity if you A) bugger up with the iron B) fit it then a week later decide its not what you wanted then try a few more expensive pickups to find that the cheapest one it the one you wanted afterall. it can happen

[Zerozeddy]

Originally Posted by darthplagis

...i would say try a wilkinson off ebay...

Yes, seen them, but each - er - "bit" is a different length (1 x 6 polepieces, 1 x 4), is it not? and mine are the same.

[darthplagis]

ah right, yeah wilinson are 3=2 layout. ive not actually seen a 5 P thats equal.

[Zerozeddy]

i.e. EMG; Delano and so on.

[darthplagis]

hehehe, you wouldnt believe it but i played a sandberg 5 with that same pickup in at the weekend and didnt realize they were the same size.

ok then i say sandberg FTW!!!!

[Zerozeddy]

Originally Posted by darthplagis

hehehe, you wouldnt believe it but i played a sandberg 5 with that same pickup in at the weekend and didnt realize they were the same size.

ok then i say sandberg FTW!!!!

Blimey, where does one find a Sandberg of any size in the UK?