Single Humbucker Basses!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by hhenry

Last post brings up a good point. Do you consider a precision pickup to be a humbucker? Of course the split single coil does have humbucking properties (when wired like a p), but I think most people would not refer to it as a "humbucker". Most people (at least me) envision a double coil when they think of a humbucker. What do you say?

It's two single coils wired to buck hum. Not the traditional thing you think of when you think of a humbucker (we all think of a single pickup with two coils side by side), but it's a humbucker nonetheless.

[88persuader]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

It's two single coils wired to buck hum. Not the traditional thing you think of when you think of a humbucker (we all think of a single pickup with two coils side by side), but it's a humbucker nonetheless.

We can debate if the P pickup is a humbucker or not all we want and wired the way it is it does buck hum. But at the end of the day Fender calls it a single coil split pickup, not a humbucker. They created it, they classified it so Ill go with their opinion.

[pudgychef]

another great (imho) single HB bass is the Jack Casady - mind you it is nothing like the ray style bridge humbucker equipped basses....but ..I felt compelled to mention it

love to snag a nice used L1000 someday..

[Bonerific]

Cort curbow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nataku333]

Originally Posted by pudgychef

another great (imho) single HB bass is the Jack Casady - mind you it is nothing like the ray style bridge humbucker equipped basses....but ..I felt compelled to mention it

love to snag a nice used L1000 someday..

I forgot about those, a hollow body would be nice.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by 88persuader

We can debate if the P pickup is a humbucker or not all we want and wired the way it is it does buck hum. But at the end of the day Fender calls it a single coil split pickup, not a humbucker. They created it, they classified it so Ill go with their opinion.

Oh, you're one of them. Well you are right, Mr. By-The-Book...it IS a split single coil pickup. It is also a humbucker. Why? Because it's both. Is each half of the pickup a single coil? Yes it is. Does it or does it not buck hum in the traditional manner of wiring two pickups together in series and out of phase? Yes it does.

Thank you.

[Systolic]

Originally Posted by pudgychef

another great (imho) single HB bass is the Jack Casady - mind you it is nothing like the ray style bridge humbucker equipped basses....but ..I felt compelled to mention it .

This is a good idea! I've been GAS'ing at one of these for a while.

That being said, I picked up a Sterling SB14 not too long ago and absolutely love it. I mainly use it for more modern sounds though, anything remotely close to vintage funk or soul or classic anything I go to my P bass with flats. Just sayin'.

[superjesus]

Originally Posted by MisterStompy

Ibanez ATK series (are all of them so monstrously heavy? If they made an antigravity version, I wouldn't even be posting this, I would have bought an ATK already)
MTD Kingston Artist (also nice and light, and active. New ones are on the pricier side, but I might be able to stomach it if it's worth it)

I can directly address these two instruments from your list as I currently own both.

Not all ATK's are boat anchors. A few months back I purchased a mid-90s ATK300 that weighs under 9 lbs, stock. I even picked it up for a very student-friendly price. It is now my main bass. Keep your eyes open and don't let a few dings and scratches worry you. ATK's are tanks. There are light ones out there.

New MTD Artists can be somewhat expensive but used ones can be had for a steal. The older ones tend to be pretty light as well, IME (I've owned 3 total). They make great platforms for upgrading too. I think the quality of craftsmanship on the MTDs is on par with Lakland Skyline basses.

[88persuader]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Oh, you're one of them. Well you are right, Mr. By-The-Book...it IS a split single coil pickup. It is also a humbucker. Why? Because it's both. Is each half of the pickup a single coil? Yes it is. Does it or does it not buck hum in the traditional manner of wiring two pickups together in series and out of phase? Yes it does.

Thank you.

And of course I can't disagree because you are correct! It's simply a "classification" disageement. And yeah, I'm one of those by the book guys, can't help it!

Peace!

[Crystalman85]

Originally Posted by MisterStompy

Hello!

I've been playing for a couple years, and as with probably many bassists, I've searched for that tone that makes me happy. Well, it wasn't until earlier this week, when a trend finally dawned on me, from that bassist researching, youtube watching, and music store playing - the sounds that I really like, most of the time, come from four-string basses with a single humbucker, close-ish to the bridge. I love that bright, clear tone.

I play metal, but also other things.

I don't actually have one of the aforementioned basses, but I plan to soonish!

I know, I know, there are plenty of basses with two humbuckers, and if I only use the bridge one it's pretty much the same, and I've occasionally had a positive experience with that. But somehow, and this is probably completely psychological, it doesn't seem quite right.

Other limitations apply. As a student, cheaper is better (a full-blown musicman is out of the question, unless someone is selling a used one at an incredibly good price). And lighter is better too. I'm not the biggest bassist in the world, and a have to often spend a fair bit of time standing, and dealing with the pain involved. I don't think I could get anything heavier than a run-of-the-mill P bass.

So I've scoured the Internet, and have found the following basses:

Ibanez GSR100EX (played it, nice and light)
Ibanez ATK series (are all of them so monstrously heavy? If they made an antigravity version, I wouldn't even be posting this, I would have bought an ATK already)
Kramer Disciple (never even seen one in real life, but lightweight, and active electronics good)
Squire Jaguar Humbucker Version
Fleabasses (And I've found this board to have...mixed opinions on this. I have no idea how much this weighs either. But I find its looks endearing. All of a sudden, all the Fleabasses disappeared.)
MTD Kingston Artist (also nice and light, and active. New ones are on the pricier side, but I might be able to stomach it if it's worth it)
Sterling Ray34 (is it lighter than a stingray?)
Old Aria Pro Basses (the pickup isn't even that close to the bridge, but it sounded amazing. It was also heavy, and the one at the store was a sickly green-blue color)
A couple basses that are shaped more like weapons than instruments (not my cup of tea)

If anyone has any insight for any of these basses, given my unique needs, or would like to suggest a write-in candidate, I'm all ears! Thanks!

I use to have an Ibanez gsr105ex(a 5-string version of the Ibanez gsr100ex). it was a pretty decent bass. it did seem to have a nice warm sound. especially since I use nickle-plated strings. I also once own a dean ml metalman 4-string bass. it has one pole-exposed soapbar pick-up on the bridge position. it was a pretty cool bass. I would of kept that bass if only dean made lighter cases. the cases they made for the ml basses are really heavy. I really couldn't deal with it. that's why I ended up selling it. despite the heavy case dean made for the ml basses, the dean ml metalman bass is a pretty cool bass to have. right now, I'm in to Ibanez soundgear basses, schecter stiletto basses, and passive peavey millennium basses.

[MisterStompy]

Originally Posted by hhenry

Last post brings up a good point. Do you consider a precision pickup to be a humbucker? Of course the split single coil does have humbucking properties (when wired like a p), but I think most people would not refer to it as a "humbucker". Most people (at least me) envision a double coil when they think of a humbucker. What do you say?

Hmm I guess a P bass might be considered a single humbucker bass. Never really thought about that.

That said, I already do have a P-style bass. What I intended to mean is a more Musicman-esque humbucker, nearer the bridge.

[OrvCraig]

Originally Posted by Pacman

This guy:



Roscoe SKB Standard Plus MM5

That Roscoe bass is stunning!

[Luke S Mouse]

I'd like to thank the thread starter for supplying me with more bass pornography

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by OrvCraig

That Roscoe bass is stunning!

Thanks! The guys at Roscoe really knocked it out of the park with this one. This is the first (of many, I'm sure) MM style Roscoes.

[MaddAnthony_59]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Warwick Fortress One Masterman. I had one, paid $650 for it. Sold it like a dern fool. I'd like to have another.

Hmmm. The Masterman is actually 2 pickups siamesed together. Seperate tones/volumes and even preamps...But I miss mine as well! Too bad they didn't make a Fortress FNA!

And let's not forget the Old Warwick Streamer Standard! Under 8 Lbs, available in Single Bucker with a Single/Dual coil switch, and all the West German Growl you can handle for $500 or less!

[godofthunder59]

About all I play!

[C.Linton]

What about the late 60's early 70's Fender Tele bass/Squier Precision bass TB, and the Gibson/Epiphone EB O and EB 1?

[spiritbass]

I'd like to play the modded Squier in the middle!

[Fishheadjoe]

How about a Pedulla Rapture single soap bar like this?

Fishheadjoe

[mellowgerman]

Originally Posted by ggvicviper

G&L L-1505:

+99999. Super agreed. G&L's are as good as it gets off the shelf IMO.
For a good economy choice though, check out OLP basses:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLP-MM2-4-St...item416ec48c00