can a 5 string P bass pup be used as a 4 string?

The Crusader · #1 01-04-2011, 07:38 AM

I have a Bill Lawrence P46 from a frankenstein 5 string P bass.

so, can a 5 string P bass pup be used as in 4 string? and still get proper tone?

Ric5 · #2 01-04-2011, 07:47 AM

Sure ... why not ... just position it so it covers the strings.

The problem is it will look kinda dumb.

phillipkregg · #3 01-04-2011, 07:49 AM

One of the splits will be longer on a 5-string P bass pickup - to accommodate the extra string.

So you will have to reroute your 4-string bass for it to fit. Might as well just get another 4-string P bass pickup if you want to replace it.

chucko58 · #4 01-04-2011, 09:15 AM

If it's truly a Wilde P46, with 5 equally spaced pole pieces per side, you're good to go.

edit: See the top photo here.

The Crusader · #5 01-04-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucko58

If it's truly a Wilde P46, with 5 equally spaced pole pieces per side, you're good to go.

edit: See the top photo here.

Thats it right there. I want to put them in a Warmoth body, pre routed. But it looks like the pole oueces wont line up with the strings. Doesnt that matter?

The Crusader · #6 01-04-2011, 10:12 AM

Pole pieces that is. Stupid phone.

dalkowski · #7 01-04-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

The problem is it will look kinda dumb.

Not with a pup cover!

chucko58 · #8 01-04-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Crusader

Thats it right there. I want to put them in a Warmoth body, pre routed. But it looks like the pole oueces wont line up with the strings. Doesnt that matter?

Nope. Ask Bill himself, he designed it that way. You can think of it as a rail with gaps.

And on a real Fender Precision, each string runs between two pole pieces by Leo's own design.

The Crusader · #9 01-04-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucko58

Nope. Ask Bill himself, he designed it that way. You can think of it as a rail with gaps.

And on a real Fender Precision, each string runs between two pole pieces by Leo's own design.

Awesome. That will save me some money on a new build.

Atomik Rooster · #10 01-04-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Crusader

I have a Bill Lawrence P46 from a frankenstein 5 string P bass.

so, can a 5 string P bass pup be used as in 4 string? and still get proper tone?

If pole pieces from the top and bottom half of the pickup line up under any of the strings, you'll get the distinct tone of two single coils acting on that string, very much like a Jazz with both pickups turned up.

The Crusader · #11 01-06-2011, 07:09 AM

think Im gonna put it up for sale. if interested, please check the FOR SALE forums. thanks for the help.

Darkstrike · #12 01-06-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atomik Rooster

If pole pieces from the top and bottom half of the pickup line up under any of the strings, you'll get the distinct tone of two single coils acting on that string, very much like a Jazz with both pickups turned up.

No you won't, Ive done it before without any issue(in my case, using 4 string P pickups for 5ers.), sounded like a P bass on all strings.

Crusader, this pickup is designed to be used as a 4 string, or a 5 string, and plenty of 4 string P bass owners are very happy with it.

Atomik Rooster · #13 01-06-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

No you won't, Ive done it before without any issue(in my case, using 4 string P pickups for 5ers.), sounded like a P bass on all strings.

Crusader, this pickup is designed to be used as a 4 string, or a 5 string, and plenty of 4 string P bass owners are very happy with it.

Something particular to the P46 then. Thanks for the correction.

Darkstrike · #14 01-06-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atomik Rooster

Something particular to the P46 then. Thanks for the correction.

Oh no, I've not used the P46, but I have done it with 5 or 6 other kinds of P pickups, all fine.

Atomik Rooster · #15 01-06-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Oh no, I've not used the P46, but I have done it with 5 or 6 other kinds of P pickups, all fine.

My experience was a little different, so maybe it isn't a fair comparison. I inherited a Frankenstein P Bass that had been converted from a 4 string to 5-string, but with a 4-string SD Quarter Pounder sitting underneath them. Where the top and bottom halves of the pickup overlapped, directly under the 3rd string, both pieces responded to the string, causing it to ping unmistakably like a Jazz. I replaced it with a Bartolini 5-string pickup that fixed it. If I remember correctly, the top of the bottom half of the pickup is electrically dead so the string acts only on the top half of the pickup. You might have to read that twice to get what I mean, but the problem was definitely there and the replacement definitely fixed it. Food for thought anyway.

Darkstrike · #16 01-06-2011, 11:26 AM

Weird, espcially considering that P pickups are wired in series, and the two pickups of a J are in parallel, a very different sound. I would have expected if anything, for it to sound more like a dual coil humbucker.

Then again, them Quarter Pounder P pickups are pretty midscooped, which could have had an effect.