Bad idea?

[birminghambass]

I have 2 PJs, thinking about converting one to a MM-J, routing a bit around the P and replacing it with a Stingray pickup. Would a MM in the neck position completely dominate the j at the bridge? I've never seen or heard a bass with this configuration. Thanks.

 

[line6man]

Indeed, the MM is going to be louder than the J. Especially because of the pickup placement.

Consider wiring the MM pickup in parallel to reduce output and output impedance. Also consider switching-based schemes, as opposed to volumes and blends. Volumes and blends will cause weird behaviors as the mismatched impedances load each other.

FWIW, here's a bass with the MM-P configuration.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[warrplayer]

Stu Hamm's latest Washburn signature bass has this configuration.

 

[ctmullins]

IMHO it depends on the particular pickups. Some MMs are hotter than others, and the same with Js.

Good call on the parallel wiring, though. That should even things out quite a bit.

 

[birminghambass]

Stu Hamm's latest Washburn signature bass has this configuration.

His are EMGs. The EMG MM sounds nothing like a traditional MM.

 

[birminghambass]

Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Mudbucker - that's what this sounds a bit like.

Okay - so let me ask: What's the goal? Keep in mind that a MM p'up near the neck will be *right* where many folks like to pluck / slap - so consider that.

 

[birminghambass]

Mudbucker - that's what this sounds a bit like.

Okay - so let me ask: What's the goal? Keep in mind that a MM p'up near the neck will be *right* where many folks like to pluck / slap - so consider that.

It won't be near the neck, it would be in exact P territory.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

It won't be near the neck, it would be in exact P territory.

Okay... right in the middle. So again - what's the goal, sound-wise? It's not like a P pickup is, by design, all that different sounding - I think you'll find that putting soapbar / MM p'up right there will result in it sound a whole lot like a P-bass. I guess that why I like the original Lakland arrangement, with the MM p'up by the bridge - I can sound (more or less) like a J bass, a MM, a P-bass or a MM+J, depending on how I set my balance/coil taps.

You might seek out a MM that has the two H option and see how that sounds for you before you sink that router blade into your wood.

 

[birminghambass]

I have a P, just trying to get a more refined P-ish tone. Yes they're both humbuckers but they are a completely different design. I'm looking for less mid grunt, more dynamics. The only bass I can think of that's similar is the Warwick FNA 4 stringers.

 

[acebase62]

Louis Johnson playing a MM style pickup with a J bridge style pickup:

 

[birminghambass]

Nice!

 

[vxjoe]

Another option is using a Gibson mudbucker, as pointed out earlier. See Grand Funk about 8 mins. Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out 1969:

 

[birminghambass]

Another option is using a Gibson mudbucker, as pointed out earlier. See Grand Funk about 8 mins. Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out 1969:

Thanks but I already have the MM pickup, pretty set on using it.