Pickup removal

musicmanlv · #1 11-06-2011, 02:43 PM

I have a Musicman Bongo 4 with duel pickups and two pickups makes playing slap difficult so I was wondering if there was any way I could remove one of the pickups, put a new pick guard on and it still work fine. If you have any tips, advice, help, etc that would be great.
Thanks, Ben

Von Felgenhauer · #2 11-06-2011, 02:51 PM

Yes, use screwdrivers and a soldering iron. They probably sell pickgaurds online with that pickup configuration.

musicmanlv · #3 11-06-2011, 02:58 PM

So if I remove the pickup, am I going to have to do anything with the wires or something? I don't know a damn thing about electronics, or pickups so I'm very clueless on this

**line6man** · #4 11-06-2011, 03:10 PM

If you have a pickup selector switch, rewire the second pickup to the output of the switch, and remove the switch from the circuit.

If you have a blend pot, rewire the second pickup to the output of the blend, but leave the pot in the circuit, as removing it would change the tone.

If you have two volumes, you can simply disconnect one pickup.
Or, you might also consider also swapping the first and second terminals of the usable pot, since it can then work as a master volume.

Why not simply lower the pickup down until it is out of the way?

musicmanlv · #5 11-06-2011, 03:14 PM

Thanks. I have lowered the pickup, but it's still in the way. I'm very inexperienced at playing slap and it's getting in my way a whole lot, making it difficult to get any good amount of practice in

**line6man** · #6 11-06-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmanlv

Thanks. I have lowered the pickup, but it's still in the way. I'm very inexperienced at playing slap and it's getting in my way a whole lot, making it difficult to get any good amount of practice in

I don't slap, but I don't see how having a blank pickguard is going to feel any different than having the pickup down flush with the top of the bass. This is a technique problem that you should focus on before modding the bass.

musicmanlv · #7 11-06-2011, 03:22 PM

Well, the pickup isn't flush against the pickguard. I've lowered it as much as I can but it's still sticking up.

TC2112 · #8 11-06-2011, 03:31 PM

there are tons of guys slapping on Bongos, Stingray and Sterling HH, jazzes... all kinds of dual p'up configurations. I agree with line6man, you need to look at technique first, especially if you are new to it.

**line6man** · #9 11-06-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmanlv

Well, the pickup isn't flush against the pickguard. I've lowered it as much as I can but it's still sticking up.

Take out the foam/springs then.

musicmanlv · #10 11-06-2011, 03:42 PM

i'll see if I can figure out how to do that lol
Thanks again

guy n. cognito · #11 11-06-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

I don't slap, but I don't see how having a blank pickguard is going to feel any different than having the pickup down flush with the top of the bass. This is a technique problem that you should focus on before modding the bass.

Those pickups are within a 1/4 inch of the neck and cannot be lowered all the way into the body. They do make "popping" difficult.

musicmanlv · #12 11-06-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Those pickups are within a 1/4 inch of the neck and cannot be lowered all the way into the body. They do make "popping" difficult.

And that's the problem. There's very little room for me to move my hand around and since I don't have any experience, this limitation makes it hard to progress much

guy n. cognito · #13 11-06-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmanlv

And that's the problem. There's very little room for me to move my hand around and since I don't have any experience, this limitation makes it hard to progress much

You shouldn't worry about it. I had the same issue with my HH Stingray. I ultimately sold the bass.

musicmanlv · #14 11-06-2011, 03:50 PM

I'm considering selling it. I only want to if I can get another musicman and since I'm left handed, I'm not counting on that too much

Rano Bass · #15 11-06-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmanlv

I'm very inexperienced at playing slap and it's getting in my way a whole lot, making it difficult to get any good amount of practice in

Just practice, dont blame the tools

This guy uses a HH Bongo and slaps very well IMO. Pepe Bao bass solo-Obús en Salamandra 24-04-09 - YouTube

walterw · #16 11-06-2011, 07:08 PM

lift the neck pickup all the way out, then remove whatever foam or springs are underneath it. set it back in, and adjust it all the way down.

after that, it really is all about practicing, not blaming the instrument.

musicmanlv · #17 11-06-2011, 08:09 PM

I'm not blaming the instrument at all. I am just trying to make it easier for me to learn. It's all on me to practice and get better, I just want the advantage if I can get it

SGD Lutherie · #18 11-06-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmanlv

Thanks. I have lowered the pickup, but it's still in the way. I'm very inexperienced at playing slap and it's getting in my way a whole lot, making it difficult to get any good amount of practice in

Learn to slap with the pickup there. Just find a place where it works. It's not that hard. When you slap, your fingers should not be going below the strings much anyway, so the pickup shouldn't matter.