'51 style precision pickup

Jimbow · #1 02-12-2007, 07:48 PM

Hey, I really don't know much at all about pickups so please bear with me.

I'm looking for a pickup to put in a bass i'm building. What are some tonal characteristics of a 51 style pickup? Do they sound different from today's precision pickups? Do they tend to hum badly?

What brand/model do you reccomend?

Thanks so very much.

darthplagis · #2 02-12-2007, 09:19 PM

hum in a quality made pickup is very rarely an issue unless there are loads of RF emmiting devices (flourescent bulb, transformers and dimmers).

as for tone the pickup in my paisley P is really clear and rich with less low mids than a split.

basslines (seymour duncan) do a few models from vintage style to hot quarter pounders.

Jimbow · #3 02-13-2007, 10:20 AM

Okay, thanks.

I know you mentioned they seem to have less low mids, but is it still a nice full bottom end? (the bass will probably be semi-hollow).

shooter_mi · #4 02-13-2007, 10:24 AM

The low end is very strong, a nice fat sound. This was the case with the factory pickup in my 51 ri, and the jason lollar in it now has more mids but not as much as a split p pu.

bassman blue · #5 02-13-2007, 10:34 AM

check out stan's mojo 'p' pickup. it'll give you some information that should help you in your quest for the right p/u. i just ordered another mojo p from him being extremly happy with other pickups and products i've ordered from him in the past.

http://www.has-sound.com/pickups.htm#Bass%20Pickups

Taurus · #6 02-13-2007, 10:42 AM

That pup would not be my first choice for a pickup. It's a single coil so it's not a question of will it hum but how much and it seems to be a little shy on bottom end and the number of people who make that pup is small so there's less to choose from. It's also a pup that is unusual since it is not in a cover and is exposed and more prone to getting damaged, collecting dust etc.

shooter_mi · #7 02-13-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurus

That pup would not be my first choice for a pickup. It's a single coil so it's not a question of will it hum but how much and it seems to be a little shy on bottom end and the number of people who make that pup is small so there's less to choose from. It's also a pup that is unusual since it is not in a cover and is exposed and more prone to getting damaged, collecting dust etc.

Taurus is right, if you're looking for a versatile, durable, or fashionable pickup, this is not what you want. It only makes one sound, and that sound is not very modern. The lack of cover is an issue for some players, especially those that like to dig in (forget about slap and pop).

It has a very specific tone, and if you're going after that tone, there aren't any other options, though. For this reason, before you run off and plunk money down for this, try out a single coil p bass and a split coil p bass and see if the tone of the SCPB is something that really excites you. If not, go for the split coil pick up.

Jimbow · #8 02-13-2007, 04:01 PM

I have a split-coil P, just wondering how a '51 sounded in comparison.

LoveThatBass · #9 02-13-2007, 08:01 PM

I think the SCPB single coil pickup is more like a J on steroids.
A bit fatter than a J but not quite as smooth as a split coil P.
The Seymour Duncan SCPB Quarter Pounder is more like a regular P and less hum than the stock SCPB stock pickup on a 51P Re-issue.

Jim Carr · #10 02-13-2007, 08:20 PM

Lindy Frailin makes an authentic early 50s p-bass pup.

chadds · #11 02-13-2007, 08:27 PM

Rio Grande makes SCPB called a Muy Grande. It is beefier than the original yet sounds like the original. I have it in a 1980s Japanese 51 reissue. I had a 70s tele bass that I put a Seymour Duncan SCPB in and it lost that original sound and sounded more modern without that nice sweetness that an original SC or Split P-bass Ri has. Players have used open pu for 55 years I wouldn't worry about dust etc. Just my 2 cents. The Lollar sounds interesting.