Pickups for a "tight" string spacing 5er

bassrique · #1 04-02-2008, 02:44 PM

I've spent about 45 minutes looking for good pickups for a "tight" spaced bass (Warmoth Deluxe [fretted] Jazz 5 w/Schaller 496 bridge), and haven't found much. I figured I'd come here for guidance because I can't look anymore [work to do]. I'm talking 15.8mm - 17mm.

And I did try the archives, but there seems to be a bug that won't let me plug in a "5" anywhere in the search.

Oh, what kind of tone? In passive, the usual classic tone that we've all heard on a thousand records; in active, I'm looking for that Miller zing. [I can't stand describing tone with words.]

The preamp will be less of a problem because string spacing won't matter.

fullrangebass · #2 04-02-2008, 02:49 PM

Any "blade" type would do fine if the mounting screws are aligned the same way (old and new pickups). Villex accommodates custom pickups (he uses blade type pickups)

www.villex.com

bassrique · #3 04-02-2008, 10:14 PM

fullrangebass,

Thank you.

Who else makes quality blade pups? Specifically I'm looking for passive, since I'd like to have a safety net when and if I run out of battery power.

Anyone?

Edit: wait a minute, upon second inspection of their website, these Villex pups are passive, no?

Edit II: Yeah, it says in black and white on the home page that they are passive. These are interesting pickups indeed.

I suppose the V2JSC (single coils) would work for me. Will the V2JLH (linear humbuckers) pick up the A string?

DavePlaysBass · #4 04-02-2008, 10:42 PM

Nordstrand makes singles for Fender fives.

deaf pea · #5 04-03-2008, 12:28 AM

FWIW, Carvin sells 2 different MM-style AlNiCo humbuckers . . . HB-5 (.6575 inch/16.7mm string spacing on centers) and HB-5W (.725 inch/18.415mm string spacing on centers) . . .

That HB-5 sounds pretty good . . . and should work out OK, size-wise.

I still like my SMB-5A's better, though . . .

Gyoon · #6 04-03-2008, 12:38 AM

I have a P bass where the rear j pickup cavity was routed slightly in the wrong place. As a result, the pole pieces dont' quite line up with the strings. It's not a big deal at all, volume wise. I don't really notice any imbalance between the strings. Does look a little funny when you look closely, though.

Also, if you look at any Musicman Stingray 5HH, you'll notice that the neck pickup pole pieces are the same distance apart as the rear pickup. the pole pieces dont quite line up with the strings, but again, I don't notice anything, soundwise.

I think the strings are a little bit more forgiving. They don't have to be right in the centre of the polepiece to be sensed. there's some leeway. I could be wrong, though.

Glenn

yarlipo · #7 04-03-2008, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrique

I suppose the V2JSC (single coils) would work for me. Will the V2JLH (linear humbuckers) pick up the A string?

You'd have to talk to Villex to move the split for the humbucker.

Tigran

bassrique · #8 04-03-2008, 07:09 AM

I really thank you guys for the information you've given me. This site and the people that come here are really wonderful.

I've been doing research on these Villex products here, at their site and elsewhere and I'm quite impressed. It seems as though the only preamp I'll need is the one in my amp!

How many of you Villex users didn't bother with an onboard pre on your Villex pickup basses?

Also:

Villex passive mid-range boosters

If I have a bass with Villex pups with their related circuitry [let's say two V2JSC on a 5er Jazz], why would I need the Villex mid-range booster?

fullrangebass · #9 04-03-2008, 08:42 AM

On one bass, the active preamp lies in hibernation, for the past 4yrs (being tried couple of times only to be by-passed again). In another bass the preamp it's been removed after a year or so cause it was not used a t all. In another 2 basses I did not even bother with a preamp. I was more than happy with the end result (esp when I have more than super great basses to compare them with)

As far as having Villex pickups and using the Villex RPTB (rotary passive tone booster) you can read my review here in TB. I absolutely love it

http://www.talkbass.com/reviews/show...t/1047/cat/16v

lug · #10 04-03-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrique

fullrangebass,

Thank you.

Who else makes quality blade pups? Specifically I'm looking for passive, since I'd like to have a safety net when and if I run out of battery power.

Anyone?

Edit: wait a minute, upon second inspection of their website, these Villex pups are passive, no?

Edit II: Yeah, it says in black and white on the home page that they are passive. These are interesting pickups indeed.

I suppose the V2JSC (single coils) would work for me. Will the V2JLH (linear humbuckers) pick up the A string?

Bartolini's are mostly blade pups under the cover.

yarlipo · #11 04-03-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrique

Also:

Villex passive mid-range boosters

If I have a bass with Villex pups with their related circuitry [let's say two V2JSC on a 5er Jazz], why would I need the Villex mid-range booster?

Villex mid control which comes with the pickups and PRTB boost mids in a different way/pattern. Their combination gives you more flexibility in shaping the sound. My favourite sound is Villex mid control off and PRTB fully on.

Tigran