Pickups with an inherent 'hifi' tone?

Jaydin Nathan · #1 10-21-2008, 03:16 AM

Hi,

I did a search, but it didn't really come up with what I'm looking for.
Basically I'm looking into buying a custom bass (swamp ash/ebony fretboard), and I want an Audere 3ZB module in it (Blend, Bass, Mid/selector, Treble and Z-mode), but cannot find pickups that will mesh well.
I'm looking for 2 J-style, or soapbar (think Nordy Big Singles size-wise), sized pickups that have an inherently tight low end, and overall 'flat' response (besides the tight low end). I looked into the Nordstrand pickups, but they all seemed to be vintagely voiced.

Thanks,

Jaydin

Ach · #2 10-21-2008, 03:46 AM

Bartolini Classic Bass series,
EMG,
Seymour Duncan Basslines actives,
Villex pickups (NVT?).

synaesthesia · #3 10-21-2008, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJaydin

Hi,

I did a search, but it didn't really come up with what I'm looking for.
Basically I'm looking into buying a custom bass (swamp ash/ebony fretboard), and I want an Audere 3ZB module in it (Blend, Bass, Mid/selector, Treble and Z-mode), but cannot find pickups that will mesh well.
I'm looking for 2 J-style, or soapbar (think Nordy Big Singles size-wise), sized pickups that have an inherently tight low end, and overall 'flat' response (besides the tight low end). I looked into the Nordstrand pickups, but they all seemed to be vintagely voiced.

Thanks,

Jaydin

A tight low end is a drop off in the lower regions of the frequency spectrum, at a frequency point that your ear likes to hear as 'tight'. That point, at which tight is and below which tone is flabby, varies between 50 hz and 100hz or thereabouts for different ears.

'Flat' response is at odds with this.

fullrangebass · #4 10-21-2008, 04:09 AM

Normally people tend to associate the "hi-fi" tone with a more mid-scooped tone (myself included)

If you want some nice pickups (with a nice top end to have) you can go for Villex, Q-tuners, Dingwall pickups, SGD pickups (I will receive my first pair in couple of weeks), EMG's. Different strokes for different blokes. It all depends on the end result (or the overall versatility) you are aiming at.

I agree with Synaesthesia's comment over the "tight low end"

Jaydin Nathan · #5 10-21-2008, 02:32 PM

Thanks for all your replies guys.
Sorry about confusing the 'flat' for something else. Basically I meant a pickup that had a tight low end, good mid definition, and a crisp top-end.
Also, Chris Stambaugh has told me Bartolini pickups do not work well with the Audere Z-mode switch, and I did a search on here but everything seems to be fine. Is there anything someone knows?

Thanks

T'CharleS · #6 10-21-2008, 04:43 PM

Then I'd say EMG for active pickups (or even passive in fact), CREL for passive pickups.

cnltb · #7 10-21-2008, 04:55 PM

I am very happy with a pickup I had made by bassculture.
Amplified , the instrument sounds very much like it does when played unplugged.
I guess that may get close to a "flat" response.
The bottom end is very healthy , as are mids and top end.
Just not hyped.
There are no electronics in that bass.

But by the time you got your electronics on board, my guess is that you'll hear a lot more of electronics' effect than that , which the pickup has on the overal sound of the instrument