Pickup suggestions for first bass project

[mid_life_crisis]

I've decided to build a bass. I've also decided to jump in with both feet. These are the specifications I've decided on so far.
1) 5 string
2) fretless
3) through neck
4) two pickup positions.
5) Active preamp.

I'm leading toward humbucker pups, but I'm not married to that yet.

What I would like is for one pup to lend itself towards the kind of warm, rich sound you hear on old songs like "Stand By Me". The other should lend itself to sounds appropriate to when I fantasize that I'm the second coming of Jack Bruce circa Cream.

Keeping in mind my usual proviso that budget counts (a lot), what pups would you recommend and where would each be positioned?

Thanks all.

[SGD Lutherie]

Stand By Me is an upright bass. You wont get that tone from an electric. But with flats and a warm sounding humbucker you will get close.

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Stand By Me is an upright bass. You wont get that tone from an electric. But with flats and a warm sounding humbucker you will get close.

Where would you put the humbucker to get the closest to that sound? Bridge or neck? I'm still pretty new and have a lot to learn about how specific tones are created.

[SGD Lutherie]

At the neck.

[mid_life_crisis]

I appreciate the help and went to your site to check out your pups. Which would you recommend for my goals? The one or two that I glanced at are currently out of my price range, but they are custom pups...
Economics may change, who knows.

[DrStereo]

Hi newbie here...also what size pots would you use with the humbucker?

[mid_life_crisis]

No particular pickups cross anyone's mind when they read this? I'm most concerned with the ability to mimic a standup.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

I appreciate the help and went to your site to check out your pups. Which would you recommend for my goals? The one or two that I glanced at are currently out of my price range, but they are custom pups...
Economics may change, who knows.

If you want a Jack Bruce/Gibson tone, try this pickup:

http://guitarpartsresource.com/bass_pickupseconomy.htm

Look at the "CHROME COVERED EB STYLE BASS PICKUP" ($29)

Hmmmm I see they are out of stock.

OK, here it is at AllParts for a little more money ($45):

http://www.allparts.com/Gibson-Style...u-0416-010.htm

Put that in the neck spot and you will have a thick deep tone.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by DrStereo

Hi newbie here...also what size pots would you use with the humbucker?

It all depends on the pickup. Generally you use 500K pots. But if you want a somewhat warmer tone, go with 250K.

[mid_life_crisis]

Thank you for the help!

How about if I focus on the upright bass sound?

I've seen that I should chamber the body for this, but I really do not understand how chambering the body will do anything except make it lighter. I could see it possibly affecting sustain due to changes in weight and stiffness, but how could that make a significant change in how a steel string excites a magnet?