5-string Mudbucker

[Funkfaker]

I haven't found a manufacturer yet that will adapt the Mudbucker for a 5-string: Dimarzio, Gibson/Epiphone, Novak.


Anyone have any leads? Is anyone interested in the sound and aesthetic, besides me?

 

[LowB-ing]

I'm definitely into the aesthetic, but I would probably want something else inside that chrome cover. Mike Lull sells Thunderbird pickups with big chrome covers for 5-stringers. Really expensive though.

 

[Funkfaker]

I'm definitely into the aesthetic, but I would probably want something else inside that chrome cover. Mike Lull sells Thunderbird pickups with big chrome covers for 5-stringers. Really expensive though.

The goal is in replicating the sound of Colin Moulding's Epiphone Newport from the 80's:



I don't think I could nab that from a Thunderbird pickup. I know a lot of people don't dig the Mudbucker tone, but the sound on the track above is epic. Tubby with a little snap. Could be very cool with a fiver. In reality, if someone was willing to build the pickup in that format, it could be wound with more clarity in mind (a la the Dimarzio).

 

[Funkfaker]

Bump. Any thoughts on manufacturers I could approach for this? Would anyone else be interested?

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Sounds like your basic dead-flats-on-a-shortscale pick tone to me. Are you sure you need a mudbucker?

Moulding also played a Musicmaster a lot, and I used to get a similar sound from Harmony basses with DeArmond pickups. Ditto for my Hagstrom.

 

[Funkfaker]

Thanks, Steve. On the recording I posted of "Respectable Street," Moulding is actually credited with "Vocals, Bass [Epiphone Newport], Performer [Vox Humana]."

I know that a lot of the sound has to do with playing style and pickup placement, but I can't help but think that there's something to the Mudbucker's construction that does it for me.

Unfortunately, finding anything like a DeArmond/Hagstrom for a 5-string, will put me in the same place I'm in now.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

You could string a 4 string B E A D, or down tune to whatever pitches you prefer. Just take your Precision, chuck the split coil, cut the guard and maybe do a little cavity chiseling and throw in the mudbucker of your choice. I hope you play a little Grand Funk and Mountain while you're at it too.

 

[Funkfaker]

You could string a 4 string B E A D, or down tune to whatever pitches you prefer. Just take your Precision, chuck the split coil, cut the guard and maybe do a little cavity chiseling and throw in the mudbucker of your choice. I hope you play a little Grand Funk and Mountain while you're at it too.

Not a bad short-term solution. And it would give me a better picture of how the pickup will react to a low B.

My end-goal is to mount it in a short-scale 5-string, though.

 

[MPU]

I think cover is the most difficult thing. Other than that it should not be too difficult to make a mudbucker-like five string pickup.