51 P bass single coil options

I'm considering getting one of those Douglas basses, and if I did I was going to pop one of these in http://www.fralinpickups.com/bass.asp#51pbass .

 

Many people make them. I believe Duncan has about five, Rio Grande has a couple, Fralin, maybe Jason Lollar. My fav so far has been a rewound Fender RI with about 7.7K of 42 awg wire. I have no way to test magnets, but I have a feeling that A3 rods would counter some of the brittleness those pickups seem to have.

 

Nordstrand has a fantastic one, and they also have a hum-free split version of the straight single coil pickup.


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You might not need a replacement. I replaced the stock CIJ Fender pickup with an Antiquity II and saw an extremely negligible difference in tone.

 

Also Aero.

 

I had a custom wound one made for me by Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe Guitars. Great sound and he nailed what I asked for. Fast too. He had the pickup done and in the mail one day after I sent him payment.

It's smoother and less harsh than the stock pickup. A little less of the extreme high end zing, but that's what I asked for. Pretty high output. Very responsive to playing technique. Setting the pickup height is critical with these type of pickups.

 

Lollar or Nordy Single/hum cancelling
Fender Vintage

 

+100 ! This type of pickup is extremely simple. The one on my Jay Turser sounds amazing, I wouldn't consider replacing it. I've also noticed that it is extremely sensitive to pickup height adjustment. It really has to be 'just right' to sound great.

 

I've experimented with all 3 versions of the basslines in my Nash TB-68J.
(1968 Telecaster style bass with an added J pickup at the bridge)

SCPB1 - This pickup has a very wide sonic footprint. Meaning, each note envelops your speakers and lays a very broad foundation. Not punchy at all and no growl to speak of but has lots of high end. Not sure I could use this pickup by itself, but works very well in conjunction with the J bridge pickup. The J tightens up the tone while still retaining some of the plush low end resulting in a very unique tone that I enjoyed.

SCPB2 - This one is a bit hotter, has more low end and is punchier than the SCPB1. The growl factor makes an appearance (unlike the SCPB1) which I prefer for adding some stank to the notes when necessary. This is the one I chose to keep in my bass because it sounds very good by itself and great with the J bridge pickup. Sounds excellent for Meters style funk and Stones style rock.

SCPB3 - This one adds alot more mids, more low end and will punch you square in the jaw. If you play any sort of hard rock or metal and want to cut thru the mix, this is the one for you. Lots of growl and cutting mids in here. This pickup isnt shy...the notes are very strong and the bass sounds very commanding with the J bridge pickup blended in.

IMO...Hope this helps some.
FYI....I havent tried any other manufactures pickups of this style, so I couldnt compare.

 

Good descriptions. Roundwounds or flats?

 

Good to know!

My Aero single coil pickup came with very specific instructions for height adjustment: 4mm below the string when pressed down at the 12th fret.

I'd be curious to know where others set their pickups, and how raising/lowering impacts the response.

 

I have a Duncan Custom Shop stacked (humbucker) quarter pounder in my 55 CS P. Blows the stock pup out of the water.



I also have a Duncan SCPB-2 in my CIJ Silver Paisley SCPB. It's the stock factory pickup. Another great sounding pup...I agree with Bass_Trax's description above.

 

My fave pickup in my Sting was Fralin's split version of the classic SCPB pickup, very open on top and dead silent, no noise whatsoever. Highly recommended unless you play really heavy music, I'm sure there are ruder pickups that could be more appropriate for that.

 

Curtis Novak makes three:

Tele Bass:
http://www.curtisnovak.com/pickups/tb-v.shtml

Humcancelling Tele Bass:
http://www.curtisnovak.com/pickups/tb-hc.shtml

Tele Bass with Jazz style magnets:
http://www.curtisnovak.com/pickups/tb-jb.shtml

 

Rio Grande Makes two the one with the larger poles is killer.

 

I used rounds - DR Hi Beams

 

Great.

 

I wonder if they sound balanced with a Fender fretboard radius since all the poles appear to be the same height.