5 string p bass split pickup....what's in there?

[pi_r_squared]

ok, higher end 5 string split pickups look like a 3/2 split, with 3 and 2 pairs of pole pieces.

On other (cheaper? ) 5 strings, a split pickup often looks symmetrical, both halves over-lap the middle string by the same amount, and doesn't have visible pole pieces.

What's going on inside these? Is it likely a rail? or ??

[tubby.twins]

I can only speak for what I know. It depends on the model.

Delano's model "PMVC 5 FE" has three polepieces in each shell. One one of the two shells, the polepiece for the "A" string is recessed (i.e. not exposed from the front) and the bar magnet on the back is shorter, so it doesn't touch the polepiece. The two coils inside each shell are the same size, but the non-magnetized recessed polepiece in one shell means that the "A" string is only sensed by the other (normal and magnetized) polepiece in the other shell.

Delano's "PC 5 HE" pickup uses blades (rails), which I assume are different sizes within each shell. I haven't opened this one up yet so I can't say for sure.

The Delano or Bartolini 5-string symmetrical P-bass pickups aren't cheap or low-end pickups by any means. I wouldn't draw the conclusion that symmetrical == cheaper.