Balanced split coil pickup set.

[tleeitsme]

Hello all,

I am wrapping up a P/P bass project and the last step is kind of the electronics.

I am trying to figure out if I need a “hotter” pickup in the bridge, or if that is really only a necessity with PJ setups.

If so what is the “typical” output of split coil and how much ‘more’ am i looking for in a balanced set.

Thanks

 

[tleeitsme]

....bump?

 

[ctmullins]

I don’t feel it’s particularly necessary. You can compensate for output through height adjustment.

The issue with the P/J arrangement is due to two factors:

1. A typical J pickup is inherently lower output, both in actual millivolts, and subjectively due to Fletcher/Munson, than a typical P pickup
2. A typical P/J layout puts the weaker pickup near the bridge, where the amplitude of the strings is much weaker

A P/P layout doesn’t suffer from the first issue. And even the second issue can be mitigated by using the reverse P layout.

(I always thought the “right” way to do a P/J would be to put the J in the neck position and the P, reversed, at the bridge...)

 

[tleeitsme]

I don’t feel it’s particularly necessary. You can compensate for output through height adjustment.

The issue with the P/J arrangement is due to two factors:

1. A typical J pickup is inherently lower output, both in actual millivolts, and subjectively due to Fletcher/Munson, than a typical P pickup
2. A typical P/J layout puts the weaker pickup near the bridge, where the amplitude of the strings is much weaker

A P/P layout doesn’t suffer from the first issue. And even the second issue can be mitigated by using the reverse P layout.

(I always thought the “right” way to do a P/J would be to put the J in the neck position and the P, reversed, at the bridge...)

I appreciate the input. Routes have been made so can’t go with the reverse positioning (at least in the bridge). I appreciate all the answers

 

[dwizum]

It really depends on what you're looking for out of the bridge pickup, not just in terms of output but also tone.

The bridge position has a naturally lower output since the string is displacing less, so there's less signal to pick up in the first place. The effect is greater for lower frequency tones, so the tone of the output will have less bass relative to a neck position. The impact can be significant enough to make the bridge pickup seem really anemic. To counter this, many pickup "sets" have a bridge pickup that not only has slightly higher output, but also sometimes a slightly different tone.

Of course as @ctmullins indicated, you can compensate for output by raising the pickup (somewhat), which just leaves the tonal shift, and some people WANT the shift, so - it really just becomes a personal preference thing.

 

[ex-tension]

....bump?

Maybe you can ask to the people with the similar interests/setups:
Dual P Bass Pickup Discussion- I Need suggestions!
The sound of a double -P- bass-
Dual P configuration Bass

These are result of a quick search. I'm sure there are more info/discussion on talkbass you can find with search.