Suggestions for P-Bass Special?

Thrashachusetts · #1 10-27-2007, 10:21 AM

This is my bass:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ss-?sku=515201

I've had the stock pickups in since I got it and I've always thought they were kind of lacking, so I'm looking to replace them with something new. I want to get pickups with no exposed pole pieces, and I'm not sure whether I want active or passive, doesn't really matter to me I guess. I've been looking at Bartolini and EMG, but I'm open to all suggestions.

I've been looking at the Bartolini website and it shows they have harnesses as well. I don't know much about these things, so I'm not sure whether I need those or not. Thanks!

kyral210 · #2 10-27-2007, 02:21 PM

if you want to route out a battery compartment then EMG's, if not then Seymour Duncans!

birminghambass · #3 10-27-2007, 03:00 PM

I sent you a PM on the subject.

meev992 · #4 10-27-2007, 03:29 PM

Emg's are "hi-fi" sounding, so if it's your only bass, i wouldn't reccomend it, as it's different than your non-active pickups. Other than that, they're really great, especially with de-tuned play.

bassmanrocke · #5 10-27-2007, 03:45 PM

If you have the Special deluxe like the one in your link , it is already active. Trying to use an active pickup with separate active preamp could cause some real problems. I would suggest Bartolinis in this case. If you bass is a passive Special (Standard) then either pickup would be satisfactory and it is a matter of taste. Barts will be a little warmer and EMGs will have a bit more definition.

kyral210 · #6 10-28-2007, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meev992

Emg's are "hi-fi" sounding, so if it's your only bass, i wouldn't recommend it, as it's different than your non-active pickups. Other than that, they're really great, especially with de-tuned play.

9v power supply = high fi
18v power supply = great sound

Allot of people just don't know this, and then assume EMG's don't sound great. Why do you think so many famous artists use them?

JimmyM · #7 10-28-2007, 03:26 AM

Famous artists use everything. There's hardly a pickup on the market that you can't find a famous artist using.

BTW, I have done the 18v thing in a bass I have that uses EMG's and found absolutely no difference in tone whatsoever between that and the 9v. I yanked it out and now I just use 9v in my EMG basses. If I was replacing the pickups in my P Deluxe, I'd probably go for EMG's if I wanted to stay active. However, other than a bit of a compressed sound, I don't find much of a difference between them and the stock pickups that come on the P Deluxe. They're actually really good pickups in that P Deluxe.

meev992 · #8 10-28-2007, 08:41 AM

the way i figure, if i'm paying 600 clams, outright, for a bass, I wouldn't change the pickups. Afterall, anything with that price tag should have some pretty nice electronics. This is why I get nice-playing beaters, and throw some really expensive guts inside.

And I was considering going the 18v route, but something about that seems weird to me. Either way, something about having one of my basses using up more batteries than my pedalboard just seems weirrd to me ;D