Bummer. Basslines in a 5 string SX

vlad335 · #1 02-01-2008, 04:45 PM

Got one of my brainstorms today and decided to install an active set of 4 st. Basslines I had laying around here into my 5 string SX bass. I bought this set to put in my Warwick Corvette awhile ago but realized that the EMG's sounded better in that particular bass.

The 4st. Duncuns fit right in. I was hoping since they didn't have exposed pole pieces, that there would be even coverage of the strings. Wrong! The A string is almost dead. Half the volume of the other strings. What is surprising is the other strings sound great. No, they sound absolutely fantastic! Especially the B string. It's clear as a bell and focused with a solid punch. This bass sounds so good that I am seriously considering keeping these PU's in and just adjusting my playing positions!

I don't understand how just one string can be so much lower in volume though. With the exception of the D string which is a tad louder, all the strings are even with very similar frequency response. Why just the A?

Can anyone recommend a 4 string PU model with continuous poles with tone close to the basslines? While these PU's didn't do anything for me in my Warwick they woke this cheap bass right up. I would even dare to say that they made this bass sound like it cost $2000 instead of $129.

**Eric Perry** · #2 02-01-2008, 04:52 PM

What model Basslines were they?

vlad335 · #3 02-01-2008, 05:21 PM

AJJ-1 system. Comes with the 2 PU's, pots, jack, etc.

http://www.basspartsresource.com/bas...canjactive.htm

newfuture · #4 02-01-2008, 05:43 PM

Had the same problem with a delano hum canceller I put into a 3 string bass (same string spacing as the B, A and G strings on a 5). Turns out what I thought was a stacked PU was split coil, with the split right at the A string. So there's not much PU there to begin with, and what is there is out of phase on one coil to the other. Big drop in volume.

Any blade style PU should work for you. If you want noise canceling, make sure it's a stacked design. I'm waiting for a duncan SJB-5n (neck; the bridge is -5B) to come in for the 3 string bass. It's a bladed, stacked design for 4 & 5 string basses (per Seymour Duncan's site). It's slightly larger than a standard 4 string neck PU, but only just. Should fit my bass...you'll have to measure yours to make sure.