Afterarket Stingray pickups.

[thebisch]

What aftermarket Stingray pickup by itself (no pre/active EQ) sounds closest to a real Ray?

[topcat2069]

I just got a Nordstrand 5.2 and it's just like my '76 String Ray I also have a Bart but it doesn't.

[TGLbass]

I would be interested in finding out this info also. I would want to know first wether or not the passive pickups have good response on all four strings.

[BigOldHarry]

It rather defeats the purpose of having an aftermarket p'up that sounds like the original, don't you think? If it DID sound exactly like the original, why bother buying it?

Let me elaborate so as to not appear snarky: The whole reason companies like Duncan and DiMarzio came to be is that the two main builders of electrics at the time (Fender and Gibson) were cutting corners in making p'ups - - cheaper materials, faster production... So that by the time that I started looking at gear, *NO* self respecting guitarist or bassist would leave stock Fender p'ups in thier axe: The first thing we all did once we got a P or J (or strat ,for that matter) was get some good p'ups to replace the stock crap.

I'm no longer sure convinced that stock Fender p'ups are at all bad - they heard the marketplace, and over time improved their products. EBMM, however, has NEVER been known to cut corners. True, they are a "mass produced" instrument, but as mass produced goes, they do the best job out there. They sound exactly the way they should sound - so unless you are building a faux MM and want to get that MM sound using another company's p'ups, I can't get my head around why you'd bother to buy one. Heck, let's assume you ARE building a faux MM (using a Warmoth body or something) and you want to get a 100% MM sound - - why not buy a EB pickup? That would seem like the best bet...

[danomite64]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

It rather defeats the purpose of having an aftermarket p'up that sounds like the original, don't you think? If it DID sound exactly like the original, why bother buying it?

To put it in a Stingray copy, perhaps. Or, maybe his definition of original is 'pre-EB'. I replaced the pickup and preamp in my '96 Ray because it sounded harsh and clanky compared to my '80 Ray. I used a Basslines pickup and pre, but later on bought a Bart pickup at the Mars going out of business sale, and that sounded great in the bass. It wasn't exactly like my '80, but it was very nice sounding.

[murphy]

Originally Posted by topcat2069

I just got a Nordstrand 5.2 and it's just like my '76 String Ray I also have a Bart but it doesn't.

agreed

[Devo-lution]

"buy an EB pick up"

:/
Second hand or not gonna happen

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Heck, let's assume you ARE building a faux MM (using a Warmoth body or something) and you want to get a 100% MM sound - - why not buy a EB pickup? That would seem like the best bet...

The trouble with that starts with the fact that EB won't sell you parts, in case you're up to no good. Funny thing is, Fender'll sell you most parts, never hurt their business, Warwick too, even their unique Just-A-Nut(though their pickups/preamps are very expensive), in fact I'd say most companies do, even Rickenbacker, when they have spare stock.

Then there's people who want to change their pickup out but keep the same tone, for that weak G problem.

[danomite64]

Also, the Duncan pickups have bevelled magnet edges, while my '96 Musicman pickup magnets have very sharp edges. I used to (and probably still do) play very hard with my left hand to get the sound I liked, and after a 3 set gig, my fingertips were sore from hitting those sharp edges. My '80 Stingray magnets sat lower in the housing, so they didn't bother me. Go figure.

[MKoby]

Similar position here.
Have another brand bass with a dead humbucker/MM type p/u at bridge. It will need to fit a relatively shallow pocket, and have no sharp edges. Other p/u is 2.2 cm plus thickness of output wire.

Do not want to buy and install several in the T & E method.
Would like to find one that will sound decent, if not great; close to my long gone pre EB or '85 Stingrays would be good.

[thebisch]

Anymore opinions?

[iriegnome]

Wilkenson makes a pretty good passive MM replacement style p'up. EMG makes one now as well. Also, Mighty Mite makes a pretty good one as well.
edit:
I misread the original post - For the closest sound for an original MM P'up, get a Ernie Ball Music Man Pick up..