Kent Armstrong pickups

bongostealth · #1 10-22-2011, 09:39 PM

Hello,

I have an Xotic XB-2 6 string bass that comes with on onboard version of the Xotic TriLogic preamp and Kent Armstrong pickups. The bass is absolutely gorgeous and plays wonderfully. My only gripe is that I just can't seem to like the sound of the pickups. Any advice as to what you think would make a good replacement option? I'm going for more of a modern slap tone.

Thanks!

Kwesi · #2 10-22-2011, 10:30 PM

What don't you like about the Kent Armstrongs? Upper-mids and treble a bit much? That's why I switched mine out, but my bass is fretless so our tonal goals would be pretty different. Like all pickups Kent Armstrongs work great in some basses not so great in others.

bongostealth · #3 10-23-2011, 01:39 PM

For some reason they sound kind of flat to me. Nothing in their sound stands out. They are moderate output and don't get too bright or mid-rangey either. Maybe it's just me. Most other people seem to rave about Kent Armstrong pickups. I know he makes the pickups for Ken Smith but these don't quite sound like those either.

SGD Lutherie · #4 10-23-2011, 06:47 PM

What kind of string are you using? Maybe you need to change to a different brand. Different brand strings can totally alter the tone of the bass.

Adam Wright · #5 10-23-2011, 06:54 PM

what is your idea of a modern slap tone? Seems like that's exactly what the Armstrong pickups would have.

ZolkoW · #6 10-25-2011, 03:56 AM

We're talking about WD stuff, or handwound Armstrongs? I know only the latter, and they're absolutely top notch.. I don't like all versions/voicings, but most of them sound killer IMO.

bongostealth · #7 10-25-2011, 08:02 AM

Honestly, I don't know if they are hand-wound or what. I think I will first try what SGD Lutherie suggests and change the strings. I guess that in my mind, I'm trying to decide between Nordstrand Big Singles, the stock pickups, or Delano dual-coil humbuckers. Any more suggestions or opinions?

Lobster11 · #8 10-25-2011, 08:18 AM

A number of years ago I traded with a fellow TBer for a Karl Hoyt custom (4-string) that came equipped with Kent Armstrongs. It was an awesome bass in every imaginable way -- except for the tone. I just didn't like it, and my bandmates even discouraged me from playing it because they didn't like it either. The bass had been traded/sold around TB numerous times before it got to me, and my guess is that previous owners had had the same experience.

Eventually I tried a pair of Bartolinis, but that didn't really float my boat either. But then I tried a pair of Big Singles, and that turned out to be the answer for this bass. (Eventually I yanked the Bart preamp and went passive, on the advice of someone at Nordstrand, and that was better still.)

I can't say if the Big Singles will give you the tone you want, but they might. Their sound is frequently described as "Jazz bass on steroids," FWIW.

hoytbasses · #9 12-06-2011, 04:34 AM

I can't say if the Big Singles will give you the tone you want, but they might. Their sound is frequently described as "Jazz bass on steroids," FWIW

I second that ! I've used the KA's in a few basses over the years and we use them in the basses in my guitar building class, but my 'go-to' pickups are Nordstrand. The big singles are killer but if you want noise free, get the big splits or the fatstacks.

happy holidays

karl