Aguilar DCBs

So I got my DCBs in after a less than desirable experience with Aguilar getting them. I can't hold the entire company responsible and I won't try to. My angst is specifically for one employee there. That being said, Dave A @ Aguilar is an absolute first class and top notch guy. There is a lot to be said for him.

I've got the pickups mounted and 99% of the way wired in. Band practice ate up the time I had so I wasn't able to complete it.

I'm not entirely satisfied with the wiring job. I wanted it a bit cleaner, but I don't think it's bad. I'm going to finish this thing up either tonight or tomorrow. Hopefully, I can tidy things up a bit.


The holes for the pots weren't quite large enough to accommodate the new pots, so I had to drill them out.






Full passive, volume, blend, tone, tone. Bourns pots.

Following this diagram:

 

Ended up re-wiring entirely. It's not as clean as I'd like for the job to be, but spare time isn't exactly plentiful these days; so this will have to suffice. It's not like the cavity is on display anyhow.






I haven't gotten to spend too much time with them, but I do have some first impressions.

First up:

• Schecter Stiletto Elite 5
• Aguilar DCB G4 pickups
• Fresh set of GHS Boomers
• V-B-T-T (Bourns pots) pre setup
• Mesa Walkabout Head
• 2 Epifani UL2-310 cabinents

Initially, I was floored by just how aggressive they were. There is a presence like I haven't had in a pickup before. Very articulate and clear with a round bottom. If I were to make a comparison, the DCBs sound like what EMG HZs should have sounded like. A very round snarl with a upper frequency zing. Very clear. The bridge pickups doesn't have a thin sound like some bridge pickups have a tendency to nor does the neck pickup have the "honky" sound that most neck pickups do.

Jason over at www.bassstringsonline.com was great to deal with and has great prices! Definitely check him out if you're interested in these! (or any Aguilar product)

So far, I'm very pleased with these. I really have nothing negative to say about them. I'll try them in a band setting soon enough and we'll go from there.

 

By far the best tone I've had before.

No harshness, but had a very shimmering sound with a low mid growl to it. Clearer than my technique allows. I am incredibly happy about this.

Now if only Mesa would release a more powerful Walkabout.

 

A good friend of mine built a bass for Phil Lipscomb of Taproot and Phil requested the DCBs. He's loving them thus far.



http://bettermousetrapguitars.com/22-phil-lipscombs-aurora-sc-5-string/

Yes, the eye hooks are intentional. Phil requested them.

If I had to go back and redo it, I wouldn't run them passive. I would pair them with a pre amp and be much happier. I'll eventually do this anyway. The reason being is the glassy high end with the aggressive mids leave me feeling like the low end isn't as present as it needs to be. I'd like to round it out a bit with a small boost from the pre. This could be the bass' wood or even the strings I've experimented with, but I feel safe in saying that if there is a complaint to have with these pickups, it would be that.