Pickups same size as EMG 35DC

tplyons · #1 08-17-2006, 07:33 PM

I'm looking to replace my pickups in a bass, what out there is the same size as the 35DC, preferably passive?

Thanks

PilbaraBass · #2 08-17-2006, 08:13 PM

I've been recommending Kent Armstrong soaps...a great pickup in that size package

I run one in my wishbass (passive, of course, it's a wish)...

sounds quite nice...

tplyons · #3 08-17-2006, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

I've been recommending Kent Armstrong soaps...a great pickup in that size package

I run one in my wishbass (passive, of course, it's a wish)...

sounds quite nice...

How would you describe it? Warm? Bright? Detailed? Harmonically rich?

bongomania · #4 08-17-2006, 09:01 PM

JPJ of blueberryhillbass.com just informed me that Nordstrand has begun making his Fat Stacks in the EMG35 size. I'm almost certainly going to pick up a pair. Check with JPJ for a tonal description, but he recommended them in response to my request for pickups with a warm tone, strong in the mid frequencies, not too hi-fi/clacky.

tplyons · #5 08-17-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

JPJ of blueberryhillbass.com just informed me that Nordstrand has begun making his Fat Stacks in the EMG35 size. I'm almost certainly going to pick up a pair. Check with JPJ for a tonal description, but he recommended them in response to my request for pickups with a warm tone, strong in the mid frequencies, not too hi-fi/clacky.

I remember hearing about that, that's what I was looking for. I remember hearing that one of those awesome pickups was being made in EMG35 sizes, but couldn't remember which it was.

Now this is for a 12 string... might do the trick? Maybe?

12bass · #6 08-17-2006, 09:40 PM

Pickups that come to mind which would drop right in are the Bartolini M34CX and M34CBC which are more open than other Bartolini models, and are the same size as the EMG 35 (3.50" x 1.50"). Also worth trying is the Q-Tuner BL, which is slightly smaller (3.45" x 1.46"). Just this week I installed a Q-Tuner BL-5 in my Pedulla Rapture 5. Definitely a clear sounding pickup, but not at all harsh on the highs like an EMG.

As you probably know, I've got a set of Lane Poor M3.5Ws in my Hamer B12L. I think that all of the above are good sounding pickups, and much better than any of the EMGs available, although I hear that their CS models are less harsh than the others.

tplyons · #7 08-17-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

Pickups that come to mind which would drop right in are the Bartolini M34CX and M34CBC which are more open than other Bartolini models, and are the same size as the EMG 35 (3.50" x 1.50"). Also worth trying is the Q-Tuner BL, which is slightly smaller (3.45" x 1.46"). Just this week I installed a Q-Tuner BL-5 in my Pedulla Rapture 5. Definitely a clear sounding pickup, but not at all harsh on the highs like an EMG.

As you probably know, I've got a set of Lane Poor M3.5Ws in my Hamer B12L. I think that all of the above are good sounding pickups, and much better than any of the EMGs available, although I hear that their CS models are less harsh than the others.

I KNEW you'd come along!

I'm aware of the M34CX and CBC but I can't find any place that stocks these. I'm interested in the CX (did you pull them out of your Pedulla?)

I also debated about the Q-Tuners, but I frankly couldn't find any sound clips about these. Considering it's a CH-12, I'm not sure if I want to drop $400 in pickups in a $500 bass.

And of course, I've been eyeballing the M3.5W's but I think you have the last pair.

Could you record soundclips of the Q- Tuners?

Passinwind · #8 08-17-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

I'm aware of the M34CX and CBC but I can't find any place that stocks these. I'm interested in the CX (did you pull them out of your Pedulla?)

I've been looking for either one myself, with no joy. I think I want the M34CBC, but I'd be happy to try almost anything a bit brighter than the standard Barts in the right form factor at this point.

12bass · #9 08-17-2006, 10:23 PM

The Rapture 5 came with a custom wound Bartolini 66BD5C-T. After enjoying the tone of the Lane Poor wide apertures in my Hamer, I ordered a Lane Poor SB3.950 to replace the Bartolini in the Rapture. The LP sounded great, but the radius didn't match the radius of the neck making the inner strings too quiet. After sending the SB3.950 back to David King, I ordered a custom Bartolini 66BD5CX-T which never arrived after more than a year waiting (66 mm is the coil length).

So, I then ordered a more common 72BD5CX-T, but it has the same problem with neck radius that I had with the Lane Poor, meaning that it wasn't usable in the bass. Right now I have the Bartolini 66BD5C-T and 72BD5CX-T in the parts bin. The Q-Tuner has no radius issues, and can be adjusted to match.

If you decide to go Bartolini, I would definitely suggest either the CX or CB, as the C coils are just too muted on the top end IMO. The M34CBC is probably easiest to find in captivity....

I'm planning to record some clips of the Rapture 5 with the Bartolini 66BD5C-T and Q-Tuner BL-5 for comparison purposes. If I'm inspired, I might get around to it tonight....

Passinwind · #10 08-17-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

If you decide to go Bartolini, I would definitely suggest either the CX or CB, as the C coils are just too muted on the top end IMO. The M34CBC is probably easiest to find in captivity....

I have a pair of the Cs in my fretless right now. I agree that they're muted in the top end. I'd buy CBCs right this minute if I could find any without having to wait twenty years for Bartolini to make some.

How bad's the shipping hit on the Qs? I guess I'll probably just get the Nords if they're actually gonna ship anytime this year though.

12bass · #11 08-17-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

How bad's the shipping hit on the Qs?

I paid $160 USD for my Q-Tuner BL-5 with optional 4-wire output. Shipping was included in the price. The 4-string BL model is $150. Oddly, customs didn't seem to notice it, so I didn't have to pay duty. Took about a month from ordering until I received the pickup in the mail.

Passinwind · #12 08-17-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

I paid $160 USD for my Q-Tuner BL-5 with optional 4-wire output. Shipping was included in the price. The 4-string BL model is $150. Oddly, customs didn't seem to notice it, so I didn't have to pay duty. Took about a month from ordering until I received the pickup in the mail.

Cool, thanks! I could handle that. Does yours work well in split mode?

The sound clip on their website isn't all that helpful, although it does sound very clear on all the harmonics. They could've included a bit of standard-issue playing somewhere in there though, IMHO.

bongomania · #13 08-18-2006, 12:05 AM

FWIW I'll very likely have a Bart M34CB (and an M34M) for sale in the next month.

PilbaraBass · #14 08-18-2006, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

How would you describe it? Warm? Bright? Detailed? Harmonically rich?

warm and harmonically rich...not a whole lot of character change between series and parallel - a bit more output in Parallel and a little more bottom emphasis.

not a bright pickup at all...quite well balanced...in fact, I don't even have a tone control on my wish and it certainly doesn't need one, either.

Guascone · #15 08-18-2006, 01:07 AM

Hey guys first of all hi to all from Rome !!!
I have a good solution to propouse....
let me to introduce you to an italian pickups brand named Magnetics (TM) pickups They build high quality pickups and electronics since 1983, Please visit their website at www.magneticspickups.com, there you' ll find a complete catalog including both active and passive version my own bass, a Fender jazz 5 strings have a couple of active units and they have a great sound and tone

I have installed J532AR PU on my bass because of great balanced sound, great tone (and respect of jazz style sound) and great attack (and i'm not talking about volume but I tell the good tones pushing)

take a look to the soapbars session

Micolao · #16 08-18-2006, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guascone

Hey guys first of all hi to all from Rome !!!
I have a good solution to propouse....
let me to introduce you to an italian pickups brand named Magnetics (TM) pickups They build high quality pickups and electronics since 1983, Please visit their website at www.magneticspickups.com, there you' ll find a complete catalog including both active and passive version my own bass, a Fender jazz 5 strings have a couple of active units and they have a great sound and tone

I have installed J532AR PU on my bass because of great balanced sound, great tone (and respect of jazz style sound) and great attack (and i'm not talking about volume but I tell the good tones pushing)

take a look to the soapbars session

SUPERQUOTE...

Piero is the man...

There's no way I'm gonna put something else on my bass except magnetics pu...I put them on EVERY bass I own.
I've tried EMG, Di Marzio etc...
Magnetics is way way better than every other brand I've tried in the past.
I got a P & an MM both alnico on my P/MM:

and I'm going to put a pair of active jazz humbuckers and a 3way electronics on my new project bass.

I'm not economically affiliated with this brand, I'm just a super satisfied customer.

Passinwind · #17 08-18-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guascone

Hey guys first of all hi to all from Rome !!!
I have a good solution to propouse....
let me to introduce you to an italian pickups brand named Magnetics (TM) pickups

Thank you! I was not familiar with this company, they do not distribute to the US apparently. I have been talking with Piero today, and I may well buy a set. I will definitely post some sound clips if I end up getting 'em.

Micolao · #18 08-18-2006, 01:41 PM

you won't surely repent!
I believe you will fully be satisfied of the pu,
I can assure you that more and more affirmed musicians are appreciating the production of Piero, real high quality, Piero is also a true expert in matter of pu and electronics, giving a HUGE contribution as expert in the greatest Italian bass forum, a true institution.
You can't go wrong

I switched at first my P Di marzio Dp122 (it was my third change of P ) for a Magnetics and now this P is stable in my bass, (I also added the MM which is GREAT)
I think now it's about 1 year and 1/2 since I use magnetics pu and I don't think I'll never change them.
I'm waiting for the new bass body to be finished and I can't wait to mount the new active set...

Ps: I also think he's the only one who makes active pu in alnicoV....

Passinwind · #19 08-18-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micolao

you won't surely repent!
I believe you will fully be satisfied of the pu,
I can assure you that more and more affirmed musicians are appreciating the production of Piero, real high quality, Piero is also a true expert in matter of pu and electronics, giving a HUGE contribution as expert in the greatest Italian bass forum, a true institution.
You can't go wrong

That's cool, he told me to talk to you actually.

I've exchanged several emails today, and I am impressed with his responses. The price to get a pair to the US is pretty high, around $250 shipped for passive single coils. A bit less than the Q-Tuners though, so I think I'll take a stab at the Magnetics. He quotes 2-3 working days to ship, FWIW. Beats the heck outta Bart's 'maybe someday, or not.'

Edit: Piero has now offered me a little sweeter deal, duly changed above.

Micolao · #20 08-18-2006, 02:11 PM

This is cause unfortunately the change Euro/dollar at the moment is not favorable for the States and the shipping costs to USA from Italy are more expansive than to Italy from USA...

I face this kind of problem everyday...also when I'm willing to do some good bargain on the 'bay in the States and I have to add always a 25% of taxes to the price...

talking in Euro the price is more than reasonable, considering also that they are REALLY handbuit with all the possible care.
but as I said, in my opinion you will not regret about it...