Telecaster Pickups...

[SimplemanBB450]

So I'm in the midst of my first build and I'm at the point of selecting the pickup. My goal is not to make a vintage correct Telecaster but a bass with that type of vibe. My question is, has anyone experienced both the '51 style single coils as well as the '70's era Humbucker (Mudbucker) to be able to compare their tonal properties? I was looking at either a Bassline SCPB-1 or a Squier VM Tele Bass Pickup. What is the general consensus as being a better pickup for versatility? Your input is greatly appreciated.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/images/...ine/SCPB-1.jpg

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/i...7-3880-000.jpg

[Mike Yocum]

I'm very happy with the Stack for Single Coil that I got from Seymour Duncan for my Fender Sting. It's a humbucker, however it looks like the single coil. And because it has all 4 conductors, you can wire it for both humbucking and single coil modes.

One caveat: make sure that your pickup cavity route is deep enough!

Mike

[SimplemanBB450]

Hey Mike thanks for the insight. Just out of curiosity, specifically which S.D did you end up going with? The SCPB-1 or SCPB-2? I'd also be interested in hearing how you wired it up to offer Single Coil and Humbucking properties. Thanks again for the insight.

[SimplemanBB450]

Excuse my last post - i didn't realize they style of pickup you had until i did some deeper research. I now understand the type of S.D pickup you have. With that being said, do you have a small switch to go from single coil to humcancelling mode? And thank you for pointing out pickup cavity depth. Being that this is a new build, i'll make sure to cut the wood to the appropriate depth to accomidate its added height. Thanks again.

[drewfx]

I put an SCPB-1 in my modded Squier:



The mudbucker is as generally described - masses of pure beautiful mud, with massive output, low end and low mids. Wonderful if you want that, but it's not what I'd call a flexible PU.

The SCPB is thinner and and a bit brighter than a split P.

FWIW, for general use, I much prefer the 2 together - the mudbucker adds a big low end to the SCPB, but a lot of the lower mid mud seems to cancel out on my bass with the 2 PU's located where they are. It's a much more "normal" bass tone - but with a twist.

[Mike Yocum]

I previously posted my upgrade procedure here (Adventures in Upgrading My Fender Sting -- it's a little lengthy, sorry!) that described what I decided to do. Basically, I used pots with DPDT switches on the back, so that I didn't have to drill any extra holes in the control plate. That way, I retain the vintage-ish look and still have the versatility I wanted.

Have a look at the post and let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Mike

[62bass]

Originally Posted by SimplemanBB450

So I'm in the midst of my first build and I'm at the point of selecting the pickup. My goal is not to make a vintage correct Telecaster but a bass with that type of vibe. My question is, has anyone experienced both the '51 style single coils as well as the '70's era Humbucker (Mudbucker) to be able to compare their tonal properties? I was looking at either a Bassline SCPB-1 or a Squier VM Tele Bass Pickup. What is the general consensus as being a better pickup for versatility? Your input is greatly appreciated.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/images/...ine/SCPB-1.jpg

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/i...7-3880-000.jpg

I've tried the Squier "mudbucker" extensively on several occasions in my local L&M through a couple good amps and considered buying one but went with the Squier CV 50s P instead. Even with the stock pickup the single coil is better I think. The humbucker is very fat sounding but still can get quite a bit of highs but it seems to have just that one sound. Nice, but for gigs I think I'd get buried easily even at the low volume things I do now.

I like my really cheap single coil Squier a lot. First thing I did was put on a set of Thomastic flatwounds and give it a good set up including fooling around with the height adjustment for the single soil. I got it sounding pretty good for such an incredibly low priced instrument. Then I searched around for a replacement pickup and decided on a Pete Biltoft single coil after a few email exchanges with him. I described the sound I wanted and he amazingly did exactly what I wanted. So I now have a stock looking single coil with 1/4" alnico polepieces and slightly overwound. Cost me about $110 Canadian with shipping and he had the pickup done in 2 days and on its way. I spent some time experimenting with the height again and now have it where I like it. It's very nice sounding bass now.

I think for your build you should go with the single coil. There are a number of good brands out there including Pete Biltoft's, although I highly recommend him.

For versatility, which you say you want, I think it's a better bet than that type of humbucker. But still, it's a passive single coil P bass and they are never going to be as versatile as a good 2 pickup bass with good active electronics. As a P bass though, I couldn't be happier. I paid only $300 Canadian for the Squier, about $110 for the pickup and maybe $65 for the strings. I've got a bass that sounds and plays as nice as any of my much more expensive basses.

Anyhow, good luck with it.

[Jefenator]

IME the single-coil can be testy. But when you get it right (wood, setup, pickup, strings...) it can be a thing of real beauty.

On my latest SCPB build, I find myself absolutely not missing any extra pickups or active electronics.

[SimplemanBB450]

So my pickup finally came in. I decided on the Bassline SCPB-3 (quarter pounder) and I can't wait to start cutting wood and installing the new p/u.

My question is - once i route out the cavity for the p/u how is the height adjustment, well.... adjusted? I notice they sent the p/u with a piece of foam. Do you basically cut the foam to size, place it under the pickup and screw the p/u to the body (the foam acting as a cusion)? I've worked with the P & J style pickups with covers and springs but never on a single coil configuration. Let me know what I'm over looking TB'ers. Thanks.

[GlennW]

I prefer to use springs around the height adjustment screws. It works very well.

Too much foam can stress the bottom bobbin if you're trying to lower the pickup. What happens is the screws are pulling the outsides of the bobbin down while the foam between them tries to keep the bottom bobbin up. That can arc the bobbin and in extreme cases the bobbin can work its way off the end magnet/s.

[Jefenator]

+1 springs. That's what I've encountered on the '51 Reissue. Lollar also supplied springs with his SCPB model.

If I were to try using the foam, I'd use it just around the area where the screws go through.