Odd P-Bass Pickup ID

M.R. Ogle · #1 11-06-2010, 10:32 PM

Okay, a several weeks ago I put together a Frankenstein P bass out of all the spare stuff I had laying around in tha parts bins.

These P-bass pickups (marked BBI or BBE, Barcus Berry?) went in, and they've got a very strong midrange to them... very unique.

They only has one wire from each pickup, they're completely epoxy sealed, nothing showing at all, and I had to wire the two woven "shield" parts of each lead together to make them work.

So, I'd like to know if anyone has ANY other info on these pickups, I can find nothing on the BBE website about them at all. I'd like to try to obtain another set, but I'm completely striking out . Anybody know anything about these odd pickups?

M.R. Ogle · #2 11-10-2010, 06:36 PM

Hmmm... must really be rare birds if no one on TB has any more info. I'll keep looking, though.

pbd · #3 11-10-2010, 06:42 PM

what did you get them out of?

80'sRocker · #4 11-10-2010, 06:45 PM

Barcus Barry Incorporated

SGD Lutherie · #5 11-10-2010, 06:51 PM

Yes, Barcus Berry. They are more famous now for the BBE exciter pedals, but they made pickups for many years, and still make acoustic piezo pickups.

Back when I worked at American Showster, BBI sent us some guitar pickups to check out. So that's from the mid 80's. Probably a nice sounding pickup.

M.R. Ogle · #6 11-10-2010, 07:04 PM

My parts box, LOL!!!

Honestly, I have accumulated so many odd spare parts over the years, I do not remember where these came from. Most likely, they were installed in a bass acquired in a trade.

I thought they were dead, because I didn't figure out to run the two shields together.

I've got two plastic wardrobe boxes full of old parts and hardware. Enough to put together a bass or two without spending a dime for anything except some fancy Russian caps!!!