fender squier 5 string percision bass Pickups question???

terrelli721 · #1 12-11-2007, 04:48 PM

Hello everyone. I have a question. I got a fender squier 5 string percision bass on ebay which was sold to me as a 20th anniversary edition. I was planning on modifying it with some bartolini pickups and a leo quan V bridge. The action on the bass is great and I think it will be an awesome sounding bass after the mods. The problem is, I called Bartolini and gave them the size and width of the pickups currently on the bass and was told that they are the 4 string pickups. Tom told me that he didn't have the short version of the pickups for a five string bass. I was curious if anyone else has had this problem and came up with a solution. I really like bartolini pickups, but would be willing to try out some others as well. Tom also stated that a luthier would have to do a lot of work to get the bass the way I wanted it. Any help will be appreciated.

terrelli721 · #2 12-11-2007, 05:12 PM

help!!!!

terrelli721 · #3 12-11-2007, 07:25 PM

anyone out there???

**Rodent** · #4 12-11-2007, 07:59 PM

can you post an image and also provide accurate dimensions?

in all my experience with P5 pickups they fit into the same route as a P4 set

all the best,

R

terrelli721 · #5 12-11-2007, 08:11 PM

I don't have a cam for a pic, but the pickups length are 3 9/16 or 3 10/16, the width comes in at 3/4 inch. The bass has 3/4 inch or 19mm string spacing, and when I talked with Tom at Bartolini he said that they were 4 string pickups. Thanks, hope this helps some.

rodl2005 · #6 12-11-2007, 08:45 PM

I think the 4 string p-ups would probly be fine. I think they have bar magnets in 'em so no pole pieces anyway. AFAIK.

DavidRavenMoon · #7 12-11-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrelli721

I don't have a cam for a pic, but the pickups length are 3 9/16 or 3 10/16, the width comes in at 3/4 inch. The bass has 3/4 inch or 19mm string spacing, and when I talked with Tom at Bartolini he said that they were 4 string pickups. Thanks, hope this helps some.

Bartolini list each half of the P bass pickup as: 1.08 in X 2.20 in (28 mm X 56 mm

Are you measuring both of them together? Or are these really non standard size P pickups?

Are you talking about a Jazz Bass? I don't even see a Squire 5 string P bass listed on their site.

coolrunner989 · #8 12-11-2007, 09:05 PM

the squire "P-bass" has jazz style pups - straight line, not like a standard split p-pickup.
why the H*** they call it a Pbass I dont know...

DavidRavenMoon · #9 12-11-2007, 09:08 PM

Oh.. is it a P bass body?

Well then.... the original poster wants Jazz pickups.

Troutdog · #10 12-11-2007, 09:33 PM

I recently modded my Squier 5-string P with a new custom tort pickguard and Seymour Duncan QP jazz 5 pickups. They were also wider than the 4-string stock pickups so I got a rotary Dremmel tool and chisel and widened the two pickup cavities myself and dropped them in.

The pickguard was custom-ordered so I had it specially made to fit the dimensions of the SD neck pickup. Since the pickguard hides where I manually widened the neck pickup cavity, it looks professional and fits perfectly.

The bridge pickup looks good from a distance, but upon close inspection you can see where I didn't perfectly widen the cavity all nice and straight, but the pickup fits in there and it plays loud and clear like it should. I don't care that much about looks, however, because its a bass I bought for about $200 some 5 years ago and I was more interested in improving the sound quality, which I have done tremendously.

I also upgraded the pots and copper shielded the cavities while I was at it. Now it sounds great and doesn't buzz at all. Its a hell of a bass, really, and I'm quite pleased with the results.

I would show you pics but I don't have a camera.

NorCal Dog · #11 12-12-2007, 10:30 AM

you can get any size pickup template at Best Bass Gear for any size pickups on the market to re-rout your bass.

I had the same problem, but with the Squier Active Jazz V. It came with 5 string pickups, but they were an odd size.

Did a quick layout, & a quick re-rout, & now it's got a fresh set of Nordstrand Big Singles.

( don't hack your bass with a dremmel,, use the proper tool for the job )

Bassic83 · #12 12-12-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Dog

I had the same problem, but with the Squier Active Jazz V. It came with 5 string pickups, but they were an odd size.

Did a quick layout, & a quick re-rout, & now it's got a fresh set of Nordstrand Big Singles.

( don't hack your bass with a dremmel,, use the proper tool for the job )

How did that work out for you? How's the sound? Did you replace the pre as well, or bypass it, or what? And remember- no pics, no bass!

NorCal Dog · #13 12-12-2007, 10:57 AM

it sounds great,, i replaced the active unit with 250k CTS pots & orange drop cap, VVT, shielded all the cavities, star grounded everything, & totally loved the outcome.

i may be able to post some pics later

terrelli721 · #14 12-12-2007, 01:29 PM

thanks for all the info. I was hoping to add bartolini soapbars, and was wondering if anyone know the make and model I should use. I don't have a preference from a sound perspective, Thanks.