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Anyone put a Darkstar/BiSonic in a P bass?

P

PeeeBass

Sep 23, 2022
221
679
#1
I'm wanting to try installing either a Curtis Novak Darkstar, or Guild Bisonic in a P bass I was considering selling. I know there is a HUGE price difference, but they seem completely different, so that's not a deal breaker for me.
I can't find a ton of info on either of these pickups.
I heard the Guild BiSonic has narrow spacing. Too narrow for a P bass??
I know Novak sells a version with P bass spacing
How do you adjust the height if these things?? Looks like they mount directly to the pickguard.
Do I need special wiring? Will a standard P bass harness work?
Will eighter of these cover my existing P pickup rout?
Has anyone here done this?
I realize I will have to route out a bigger hole to accommodate the bigger pickup.
I'm not worried about that.
I know Novak sells a router template. Guild does not.
So many unanswered questions.....

I appreciate any input
 
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#3
pxl_20211231_202141832-jpg.4523812


Sold, though. :drool:
 
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#6
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#7
I’m in the middle of a build with 3 dagstars by Roger Daguet. I like the form factor better as a bisonic goes. You might want to look into these. Mine were built with custom spacing. But he does have some standard sizes too.

“Homemade, according to the Hagstrom “BISONIC” design (also called “Darkstar” by Fred Hammon). I make them following the physics of these kind of pickups, same bobin, same magnets, same pole pieces sizes (included same materials). I redesigned only their “look” in order to ease the adjustments which wa a kind of pain in the neck with the bisonics…

They are available with two usual string spacing ( 16.25 et 17.25mm ) but are available on request on any spacing you need. Supplied with stailess steel pickup rings or any kind you’ll ask for. (they will need special routing on Fender bass)”

“Dagstar” bass pickups – Daguet Guitars
 
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#12
I converted my Cabronita to have (2) of the Novaks. Mine both have the coil tap option for the Bisonic winding vs the Darkstar wind.

if your going to put the pickup in a standard p bass location the Guild is going to be to tight of spacing. The pickup mounts right to the body and adjustment is made via the screws to raise and lower the poles. With a pickguard underneath you should be fine for having enough clearance. Mine were mounted without a pickguard and I had to use spacers underneath to provide the correct height.

These will not cover the p bass route on a pickguard so if you want it to look clean you have to order a pickguard from A vendor that won’t have the route already there. Warmoth is one that will allow you to order without the route. There are others as well.

I used 500k pots on mine and it works well. I converted mine to be just two volumes and no tone control and it is not overly too bright.

Buy the routing template and get a blank pickguard and you’ll be good.
upload_2023-10-18_21-10-32.jpeg
 

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#13
OMG YES!!! The original Hammond (sp) darkstar pickups were just the t*ts!!!! I'm trying to find a picture of an old Lakland I had back in the mid-2000s that had one. It was a factory option back then for US model orders. It wasn't one of the Dude Pit editions that came out for a hot minute, but were those equally as awesome.

The most recent bass I had with a darkstar was a 51P reissue with one. Lawd...
 
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#14
So I was looking at Novaks instagram feed. In several older posts they said they occasionally sell "Blems"
Another word for scratch and dents.
I messaged them asking several of the question I posted here.
They were VERY nice in answering all my questions.
I asked if they had any 17.4.. DS-BS pickups as blems.
They did in fact have 1.
I got a SWEET deal on one and a router template.

They did say the DS-BS route will not cover the P route.
Now I have to find a tort P bass guard that does not have the P pickup hole
They suggested WD
Thanks everyone for the input. I will post pictures
 
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#16
BBKINGBASS said:
I converted my Cabronita to have (2) of the Novaks. Mine both have the coil tap option for the Bisonic winding vs the Darkstar wind.

if your going to put the pickup in a standard p bass location the Guild is going to be to tight of spacing. The pickup mounts right to the body and adjustment is made via the screws to raise and lower the poles. With a pickguard underneath you should be fine for having enough clearance. Mine were mounted without a pickguard and I had to use spacers underneath to provide the correct height.

These will not cover the p bass route on a pickguard so if you want it to look clean you have to order a pickguard from A vendor that won’t have the route already there. Warmoth is one that will allow you to order without the route. There are others as well.

I used 500k pots on mine and it works well. I converted mine to be just two volumes and no tone control and it is not overly too bright.

Buy the routing template and get a blank pickguard and you’ll be good.
View attachment 5223969
Click to expand...
Do you have sound clips? Really interested in how that setup sounds!
 
#17
BBKINGBASS said:
I converted my Cabronita to have (2) of the Novaks. Mine both have the coil tap option for the Bisonic winding vs the Darkstar wind.

if your going to put the pickup in a standard p bass location the Guild is going to be to tight of spacing. The pickup mounts right to the body and adjustment is made via the screws to raise and lower the poles. With a pickguard underneath you should be fine for having enough clearance. Mine were mounted without a pickguard and I had to use spacers underneath to provide the correct height.

These will not cover the p bass route on a pickguard so if you want it to look clean you have to order a pickguard from A vendor that won’t have the route already there. Warmoth is one that will allow you to order without the route. There are others as well.

I used 500k pots on mine and it works well. I converted mine to be just two volumes and no tone control and it is not overly too bright.

Buy the routing template and get a blank pickguard and you’ll be good.
View attachment 5223969
Click to expand...
Wow that sure is impressive looking!
 

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