What pickups for <custom bass build>

Webtroll · #1 11-29-2008, 10:16 AM

I've got a bass build (moving slowly due to other projects) involving a 5 string 24 fret graphite neck (Peavey Quad made by Modulus). I have not decided on a body yet but I am leaning towards a mahogany Warwick Stryker or Alembic Exploiter shape (basically a modified Gibson Explorer) with the back horn cut like Eric Clapton's Explorer. What I'd like is a nice agressive fat sound in the realm between an EMG active Precision and a vintage Thunderbird. I am not entirely sold on active or passive, but many of my favorite basses have been active. Pickups of interest to me include the EMG-40 CS, Nordstrand Fat Singles/Stacks, or who knows what when the time comes. I want to avoid the traditional Fender and Musicman shapes. I'm not buying today, but would like some food for thought while I continue designing.

Ideas?

bassmanrocke · #2 11-30-2008, 09:04 AM

If they're wide enough why not try a pair of t-40 pickups. They have a very flexible tone, look different than anything else, have blade magnets, and would keep it more Peavey(like the neck). there's a pair on ebay right now for $50 each.

Webtroll · #3 11-30-2008, 01:12 PM

Not sure if the T40 pickup will be wide enough, I'm going to have to do a little measuring.

greenboy · #4 11-30-2008, 01:16 PM

Q-Tuners, also available in J form factor:

Webtroll · #5 11-30-2008, 07:21 PM

Do they sound pretty beefy? The sound clips on their website (or at least the ones they used to have) were pretty bad. Do you have these in a bass?

greenboy · #6 11-30-2008, 07:49 PM

Look at the thread with samples in it, I think several people put their own sample links in there. I don't usually judge much by other people's sound clips though. Too many variables.

So it came down to trying them. The suckas are beefy as all get-out, probably have more true low end going on than most pickups - especially evident during ultra punchy transients as well as the sustain - but that's topped with extended frequency response. Actually they seem more sensitive than most to picking/plucking hand placement than most too so you can really do a lot of tonal trips before even reaching for a knob. But they really go dubby with a passive rolloff. I'm thinking of trying them with several caps, as well as going for an Auder in one bass JUST TO SEE.

I have them in two basses but now I need to get two more of them for the bridge positions because frankly they have more output than various bridge pickups I've had in, and I just need to have that same sensing potential at another point along the string.