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4 string pickups with wide field width?

S

saintx

May 30, 2005
125
2
Midwest
#1
My Fernandes 5 string uses jazz pickups that are the same size as 4 string jazz pickups. I've been researching possible replacement options, but so far I've come up empty.
Are there any 4 string pickups that will cover the B & G strings if total string widths are as follows:
neck pickup: 2 11/16" (66 mm)
bridge pickup: 2 14/16" (70 mm)

Bartolini single coil pickups won't work (according to Bartolini support).
EMG lists max string width as 2.75 inches (assuming that means 2 12/16")

Any other single coil, bar magnet style pickup options that I can research?
 
#4
According to EMG's site:
max string width for their jazz pickups = 2.725"
From the same pdf:
"A rule of thumb for any pickup is that the total magnet width should be the string width plus twice the distance the pickup is from the strings. So, If the pickup is 3/16” (5mm) from the strings, with a magnet width of 3.10“ (78mm) the maximum string width would be 2.72” (69mm)."

Given that, if we assume 5 mm from bridge pickup to strings, we would need a bridge magnet 80 mm wide. (10mm + 70mm = 80mm)
 
#7
Keep in mind, the reason for EMG's stated extra distance is to account for lateral string excursion from plucking, picking, and slapping. If the pickup stopped sensing right on or after the outside strings, they would either sound faint, or possibly hardly be heard at all. This is a common problem with sub- $300 import instruments, IME, and why so many recommend an immediate pup replacement.

Rob

Edit: Not that yours is, just making a general, derail observation.
 
#12
Invalid Link Removed are your exact shell size, and cover string widths up to 74mm (Not the 57 series, which are also listed on that page - too wide for your bass).

Most of the 59s are split coils, but they do also have one single coil set listed. Lots of tonal options available there - deep tone, bright tone, "classic bass" series, etc.

(Bartolini seems to call some "split coils", and some "dual in-line coils", don't know why 'cause they're the same thing)
 
#13
BruceWane said:
Invalid Link Removed are your exact shell size, and cover string widths up to 74mm (Not the 57 series, which are also listed on that page - too wide for your bass).

Most of the 59s are split coils, but they do also have one single coil set listed. Lots of tonal options available there - deep tone, bright tone, "classic bass" series, etc.

(Bartolini seems to call some "split coils", and some "dual in-line coils", don't know why 'cause they're the same thing)
Click to expand...
anytime Bartolini says "split coil" they mean offset coils, similar to a P-Bass pickup. So, inside that jazz shell, are offset coils/sensing areas.
 
#14
A bill Lawrence J-45 would also work.
j45whitel.jpg
 
#15
I have an email in to the manufacturer about the J-45 pickups. Hopefully those will work out.
I checked the Bartolini 59 series and it looks like those are larger than standard 4 string pickups, so they will not work.
 
#17
Bartolini page states: 91.44 & 94.615. So, you are correct, those should fit into typical jazz pickup slots. It appears that the pickup spaces in my bass, at least for the bridge pickup, fall 2.5 millimeters shy. Comparing against a four string Fender Jazz confirmed the pickup slots in the Fernandes 5 are indeed shorter. Odd!
Thanks to the tech from Bartolini for emailing me directly after reading this thread.
 

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