to ernie ball or to jazz, that is the question

[ABH_bassist]

so this p bass im building, i want to add a pickup at the bridge.

originally i wanted to jsut throw a jazz in so i could get that good trebley grrr.

but now i am entertaining the thought of putting an ernie ball pickup into the bridge instead.

any opnions on which would be better?

and does anyone know how good the MEC ernie ball style pickup is?

thanky

[luknfur]

Originally Posted by ABH_bassist

so this p bass im building, i want to add a pickup at the bridge.

originally i wanted to jsut throw a jazz in so i could get that good trebley grrr.

but now i am entertaining the thought of putting an ernie ball pickup into the bridge instead.

any opnions on which would be better?

and does anyone know how good the MEC ernie ball style pickup is?

thanky

In my experience, with an MM style pup you have 3 basic tone options: Bart/LP, Alnico whoever, and ceramic whoever. Add 4 if you figure a Bongo (which is slightly different routing). Never had a Sable pup, Sterling pup sounded just like the MM.

With the variety available in J pups, you can get close enough to all the above and lots more.

That doesn't mean you personally may not be more satisfied with an MM, it just means you're options are more limited by that choice.

[Risen Ashes]

Originally Posted by ABH_bassist

so this p bass im building, i want to add a pickup at the bridge.

originally i wanted to jsut throw a jazz in so i could get that good trebley grrr.

but now i am entertaining the thought of putting an ernie ball pickup into the bridge instead.

any opnions on which would be better?

and does anyone know how good the MEC ernie ball style pickup is?

thanky

I'm on a similar mission, but reverserd I want to add more growl and punch to my Jazz basses...My experience with the MEC Ernie ball type pickup derives from the Warwick $$ (Double-Buck) humbucking p/ups. (Found on Corvette and Streamer Stage II. Warwick models) Honestly all I can say is extreme growl and balls. I don't know how a single one with a P pickup will sound, but if you replace the P p/up with a Seymour Duncan Hot P or Quarter Pounder + MEC Eball type Pickup-you should have some serious GRR!

Good luck and keep it dirty!

[joelb79]

I believe there would be an issue with using a MM/P combination due to how the pups are wired, specifically the phase.

More people with education using that combination should chime in, or do a thread search.

[stef]

It's a great combination that i have used on a jazz with dimarzio model-p with SD-MM ceramic version+single/parallel/serie wiring. VERY versatile.
My next project will be equiped with spb-3+MM ceramic or alnico FOR SURE!

Hand made ash jazz model J +badass +mono/stereo output
GK-RB800
high :2x10 eminence alu +tweeter
low :4x10 eminence bp102
FAT PUNCH:behringer EP2500 bridged mono into
18 inch omega pro 800w custom cab

[luknfur]

Originally Posted by joelb79

I believe there would be an issue with using a MM/P combination due to how the pups are wired, specifically the phase.

More people with education using that combination should chime in, or do a thread search.

FWIW:

There are no wiring issues I'm aware of. Standard is for P to be wired series and the EB parallel but that's within the coils of each pup not between pups. Someone can inadvertently wire two pups out of phase but that's an easy fix.

Something I'd forgot about was you can't install the MM in standard position becuase the bridge half of the P is in the way. The MM has to be moved toward the bridge some. That wouldn't matter to someone like me.

Personally, I'm a bridge player and I typically line the back coils of an MM up with standard bridge J placement anyway.

[ABH_bassist]

awesome im glad i got some feedback on this.

i do have a 1/4 pounder in for the p pickup and im not trying to get rid of that.
i either want to add a jazz pup or a MM.

i figured the ernie ball would actually give me more tonal variety than just a jazz bass pickup but i suppose not.

im not too worried about where it will be placed. and it will be picking up the tone i want if its near the bridge anyway so its all good..


so now
if you were in my position
looking for good growls, and soaring highs.
(think a bit of geddy lee)
do you go with the jazz or the EB?