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Additional P p/up Placement

What additional P pickup position/orientation

  • 1 p/ups close together

    Votes: 3 11.5%

  • 2 p/ups further apart like an elite

    Votes: 17 65.4%

  • 3 reversed bridge p/up a la Warwick Buzzard

    Votes: 6 23.1%
  • Total voters
    26
  • Poll closed .
Ezbass

Ezbass

Apr 3, 2008
1,643
70
U.K.
#1
OK TBers a litle help please. I'm going to be adding another p/up to my '50s roadworn. I love the sound of a P bass but sometimes want a little more "bridgeness" in the tone. I've tried P/Js and P/MMs but definitely want a P/P config. The question is about placement and orientation of the new p/up (a Seymour Duncan SPB1). The options are, and I apologise for the poor photoshopping,

1
PV1-1.gif
2
PV2-1.gif
3
PV3-1.gif
 
#3
I really don't have much comments on the sound or pickup placement of a dual-P setup (due to my lack of inexperience), but I'd like to comment on the fact that you're going to have to cut into the pickguard for configurations 1 and 3. It does involve either work and experience (if you do it on your own), or costs (if you get a tech to do it for you).. So I assume you've taken all that into consideration.

Also, I notice that you intend to get another hole drilled in the body (as well as the pickguard). Why not just use the pre-drilled hole used for the jack? More aesthetically pleasing, IMO. Though, u'd have to drill a hole into the side of the body for a new jack, as well as do some minor rewiring. Just my opinion on this matter.

Peace.
 
#4
Don't forget you might need to balance the output in positions 2 and 3. The bridge pickup, IMO, is generally a tad quiet in a mix compared to the bridge pup. Less string movement and all. So I vote 1 for that matter. All IMO.

If you bought a hotter bridge pickup, I'd go with option 2 to bring out the difference.
 
#5
No. 3 all the way, you don't want the treble strings getting too harsh.


And Jkambing, cutting into a pickguard is much less work than a clean rout through the body, easier, and cheaply replacable if there is a mistake.
 
#6
I'd go with either 2 or 4 (postion 2, but flipped around like 3). I dont' see much point in squeezing another P so close to the original - it'll just sound the same. Even on 2 I'd push it closer to the bridge.

Getting a clean route on a finished bass is tough - at least it would be for me, as my woodworking skills are limited. I have routed a few pickups, and that's easy enough to do a half decent job, but I've always thrown a pickguard over it - as noted, cutting pickguards is FAR easier than making a neat route.

You'll also need a fair bit of routing for the extra control knob, but that's easy, as it's all hidden. I'd go with the control layout you have, rather than drilling through the side of the bass, as all the work will be under the pickguard, and you can always put a new pickguard on, and do it differently if you decide to later on.
 
#10
bh2 said:
Nice bass, although I question the mod. I would leave it alone. Just add a tort guard, covers and thumbrest!
Click to expand...

I've already got a really nice P and this was bought specifically with the mod in mind. Tort p/g? I love 'em but I'm gonna stick with the gold one for now (my other basses have tort p/gs so I may succumb eventually), thumbrest already on. Covers? Very tempting, watch this space.

Thanks to all those who voted so far, option 2 looking the favourite with you all so far, keep those opinions coming.
 
#14
It sounds a little mid scooped when they are both on the same volume. I have two volumes, so you can adjust accordingly. I like the normal P all the way up and the the bridge P about 75%.
 
#18
never cared for the tone, but something about the dual P config just looks tough and aggressive, like it's for biker bar metal or something.
 
#19
The die has been cast and version 2 is to be the way forward. I've been quoted a very reasonable rate to have it professionally fitted so I won't be hacking it up myself as originally planned. I'll post pics of the finished article when it's completed. Thanks for all your opinions.
 
#20
Well the deed is done and here it is with the Seymour Duncan vintage added, I also added a Hipshot D Tuner for the full on custom bass. My favourite sound is neck p/up full on, bridge at about 95% (about 30 degrees off full turn) which just adds that little bit of definition. Full on it's a Jazzish bass sound, but with more balls, just what I wanted. I'll still mainly use it with just the neck p/up, but when I need that extra zing I've got it there.

Ez1.gif

Ez3.gif

Ez4.gif
Hmm that D tuner is a bit shiny by comparison.
 

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