Bass bridge and pickups choice for the old wood

parnas · #1 04-10-2008, 11:29 AM

So, here is the situation: I got bass made from 70 years old maple wood (actually, the exact age of the wood is unknow, but it's pre-WWII). But yeah, it's older than first fenders

I need to tell you that this wood sounds simply great. Every note is resonates beautifully.

For demo purposes that lutier used quite cheap parts. Now I want to buy something that will compliment this bass fully.

What bridge and pickups will allow me to get maximum of the bass primary strenght: it's body wood?

4 strings. Neck are slightly longer than usually (I forgot right term for that in english, sorry

)

Currently installed pickups are jazz bass like. So I could either use same type or go with humbuckers. No p-bass.

And no active electronics! I think that you will agree with me that it would be a shame to cut more than needed into that wood

I also want to change tuners. Not really related to wood question, but your advices will be greatly appreciated too. Holes are cut for the full size ones.

Thank you all very much in advance.

Barkless Dog · #2 04-10-2008, 11:52 AM

If you could post pictures that would help?

Better means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. It's what it means to YOU that important.

Also I think it depends on the sound you desire in your head and the type of music you play?

It sounds like you want more bottom end?

While maple wood has great sustain & treble, it's not the best for a big low bottom.

BryanM · #3 04-10-2008, 11:58 AM

If you're confident in the tone of the wood, you might want to check into piezo pickup options.

joeyl · #4 04-10-2008, 02:44 PM

not sure about the pickups, seems like you would want them to be very transparent and offer a wide response without coloring the sound. I heard that Lollar, QTuner and such are good in that aspect

as for tuners, Hipshot Ultralites 1/2 will fit in the full size holes

parnas · #5 04-10-2008, 05:14 PM

Thank you for your replies.

No, I do not want big bottom. In fact - a lot of the parts i play is punchy staccato notes - that's why I love longer neck of this bass.

And no - I do not want to have "wood only" sound either. I like bass guitars for what they are: wood+pickups+strings. I just do not want something like EMG, that sounds the same on any bass you throw it too

And the bridge question still stands. What bridge will give me maximum of the interaction with the wood?

Bassisgreat · #6 04-10-2008, 05:53 PM

AERO pickups sound like they'd be worth looking into for ya. They're pricy, but super high quality and are supposed to give you a very "true to your instrument" sound. I am about to install some on my six string (as soon as I finish it...) and then I'll have a more reliable opinion, but as for a shot in the dark, that'd be a pretty safe bet.

As for the bridge... I have no idea. I am using a solid brass ABM bridge and hoping that it will lend clarity and sustain to my tone. You could always make (or commission) a wooden bridge.

Bassisgreat · #7 04-10-2008, 05:55 PM

Oh and congrats on the old wood. Cool!

parnas · #8 04-10-2008, 05:56 PM

Hmmm... I never encountered wooden bass bridges. Any leads?

SDB Guitars · #9 04-10-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parnas

Hmmm... I never encountered wooden bass bridges. Any leads?

Check this out (from the "How To" sticky on the main Luthier's page)

Wood Bridge Tutorial.

newfuture · #10 04-10-2008, 06:45 PM

I have a delano split-coil jazz bass PU in a fretless bass. It sounds great. Low noise, good output level, and a very accurate representation of the way the bass sounds when played acoustically.

And yeah! we need to see some pictures of this thing!

The other style of wooden bridge is like you find on an upright bass. The musicvox spaceranger uses one:
http://www.legrattonaute.com/images/...paceranger.jpg