5-String Pbass Pickups

[PDavis]

Can you share any of your thoughts on available 5-string pbass pickups?

I am looking at the Aguilar since its readily available. Seymour Duncan looks to offer their models in the custom shop. I am new to bass electronics really so I only know the mainstream stuff... any off the wall brands I need to be looking at?

I gotta be honest, I don't know if a new pickup is going to solve my problem because truly I think I am wanting this thing to sound more like a different bass lol...

 

[LoveThatBass]

Aguilars are exellent if you are looking for a vintage type tone. I have the Aguilar dual coil noiseless and love them as they retain about 95% of their vintage single coil tone

Listen to this video of the Aguilar noiseless Jazz pickup:

 

[honeyiscool]

First of all, there are at least four different shapes I've seen from various 5-stringed P Basses:

1. Standard 4-stringed P Bass size, symmetrically placed. This is the most common aftermarket option and uses the same routing template as a 4-stringed P bass. The A string passes over both shells, but one of the shells does not sense it.

2. Standard 4-stringed P Bass size, asymmetrically placed. I've noticed this kind of placement in Carvin & Schecter. This uses the same shells as a 4-stringed P bass, but the placement of one of the shells is offset so that the A is only sensed by one of the two shells.

3. One small, one large shell. Fenders and Squiers almost always have this style.

4. Two large shells, symmetrically placed. Aguilar P pickups are made this way. I don't know of anyone else using this shape.

 

[Geri O]

I'm very pleased with the Nordstrand NP5FS pups. Those are a direct replacement for the stock Precision V pups. To my ear, they are a little warmer, but still have the wonderful Precision growl without being too bright and clacky.

So far, I'm using this bass passively, but soon I plan to see what a Nord 2-band preamp does for this bass.

 

[PDavis]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[JustForSport]

First of all, there are at least four different shapes I've seen from various 5-stringed P Basses:

1. Standard 4-stringed P Bass size, symmetrically placed. This is the most common aftermarket option and uses the same routing template as a 4-stringed P bass. The A string passes over both shells, but one of the shells does not sense it.

2. Standard 4-stringed P Bass size, asymmetrically placed. I've noticed this kind of placement in Carvin & Schecter. This uses the same shells as a 4-stringed P bass, but the placement of one of the shells is offset so that the A is only sensed by one of the two shells.

3. One small, one large shell. Fenders and Squiers almost always have this style.

4. Two large shells, symmetrically placed. Aguilar P pickups are made this way. I don't know of anyone else using this shape.

And, #5- a soap-bar shaped split-coil 40P5 from EMG.

Even Bart may make something similar in shape/ config (w/o the active circuitry).