Pickup test- in body VS temporarily mounted above strings

[jibreel]

I have a Villex pickup mounted in one of my basses with a long wire from the pickup to the pots. I want to test the pickup on one of my other basses that is not routed out. I would just temporarily mount the pickup [ with tape and small blocks ] 1/8" above the strings and listen to the sound through the controls of the other bass.

I know there are many variables here but in a general sense, how much of the sound of a given pickup is effected by being actually mounted into the bass?

Thanks.

[walterw]

i figure enough that it won't be exactly the same, but not enough that this test won't be useful to get an idea.

the bigger variable will be how close it is to the strings.

[j_nition]

hey thats a great idea...I am wondering if you'd encounter any interference from the two magnets facing eachother if you had the one being tested on top directly over an installed pickup. I imagine you'd want it centered in about the same spot along the length of the strings as it would be installed since this would be a huge variable to the tone.

[fullrangebass]

Hi jibreel

I suppose you are referring to the AC50 bass of yours. I thing that as long as the pickup is not "wobbly" it will give you a good interpretation of the tonal aspect of that position of that bass

By the way, I have received my AC50 as well and I will try changing the strings to DR Acoustic strings in few days to have a go at the "brighter side".