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Beginner questions - Pickups

L

landolakethat

Aug 23, 2009
49
0
Cincinnati, OH, U.S.
#1
I am a beginner and I am looking to purchase my first pickup system for my bass guitar. I've done some research on the internet, and I've got a basic idea of what's going on, but I'd like to get some input from people who have had first-hand experience with different types of pickups.

How does string-spacing work with pickups? Don't the strings have to match up almost perfectly with the pickup in order for it to work? Do they sell pickups with different spacings?

What are the different kinds of pickups, and what are their advantages/disadvantages? Active/passive/jazz/humbucker/single coil?

How does wiring work? Do the knobs basically just control volume and tone? If so, can I forgo all this wiring of knobs, and just have a basic, two wire direct output line?
 
#2
A pickup like the EMG 35DC has blade-style polepieces, so string spacing is irrelevant. You could even run them for a 5-string if you had super tight string spacing. If you're using pickups that have very obvious exposed polepieces or a string spacing spec on their instructions, you would want to make sure they'll cooperate with your project.
 
#4
Well, it isn't a specific model--its actually an acoustic guitar that I converted into a bass. So basically, I'm just looking for an inexpensive, reliable electric pickup to mount on it. Something very versatile and cheap. It's a studio setup, so I don't have to worry about any fancy wiring because its going directly into a computer. I'll also have it miked with a condenser, so the pickup doesn't necessarily have to be that great, since the signal will be mixed with the condenser's.

It sounds like a pickup with blade-style pole pieces is the best option, since I'm sure the strings spacing is anything but conventional.
 
#5
Im confused... So youve got an acoustic guitar.... taken some strings off put some larger ones on and turned it into an acoustic bass?

If this is correct then....

Sounds like a lot of work...majors mods, routing etc...

Pickup location plays as much of a part in sound as the pickup itself.

You may want to invest in a nice used bass...Heck some folks love the tone of a $150 SX bass.
 
#6
It will be a better move to get a bass. I've strung many a guitar and don't see where you can use bass guitar strings on those little tuners. Then because a guitar is usually in the 25" scale range (at least a strat) there will be bowed neck (due to heavier gauge strings) and intonation problems.
 
#8
So, let me restate the original question.

landolakethat said:
Well, it isn't a specific model--its actually an acoustic guitar that I converted into a bass. So basically, I'm just looking for an inexpensive, reliable electric pickup to mount on it. Something very versatile and cheap. It's a studio setup, so I don't have to worry about any fancy wiring because its going directly into a computer. I'll also have it miked with a condenser, so the pickup doesn't necessarily have to be that great, since the signal will be mixed with the condenser's.

It sounds like a pickup with blade-style pole pieces is the best option, since I'm sure the strings spacing is anything but conventional.
Click to expand...
 
#10
landolakethat said:
The amount of time that people have spent criticizing my project and providing their unsolicited opinions has been phenomenal.

I get it. You think its a waste of time. Well it isn't for me. Get over it.
Click to expand...

LOL... I understand what you're saying and you're not alone. This is a typical forum in that it's like a scrapyard.... you have to sift through a lot of junk in order to find the treasure you're seeking.;)


landolakethat said:
How does string-spacing work with pickups? Don't the strings have to match up almost perfectly with the pickup in order for it to work?
Click to expand...

Basically when it comes to induction pickups the popular mindset is that the pickup's poles (if they aren't blade type) should be located directly under each string. How important that is can be a point of contention but then it never seemed to have a negative affect the Fender Musicmaster bass... a four string bass with a 6 string guitar pickup.

landolakethat said:
What are the different kinds of pickups, and what are their advantages/disadvantages? Active/passive/jazz/humbucker/single coil?
Click to expand...

As for physical characteristics the dimensions of the pickup's coil will affect tone. A short fat coil will have a meatier/deeper tone than a tall thin coil. The types of magnets that are used, the gauge of the coil wire used, what it's coated with, how many windings... it all has an effect on the pickup's voice to varying degrees. Again all are points of contention but it's up to the individual to decide what is best for him/her.

There's a lot more information that I can get into concerning pickups but your best bet would probably be to check out Seymour Duncan's site which has a lot of technical questions and answers:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/faq/seymours-q-a/


landolakethat said:
How does wiring work? Do the knobs basically just control volume and tone? If so, can I forgo all this wiring of knobs, and just have a basic, two wire direct output line?
Click to expand...

Yes you can wire the pickup(s) directly to a jack if you want to.


As an aside... the first person to build a Whamola probably had to put up with a lot of crap and criticisms about how stupid his idea sounded or what purpose it could possibly serve. Then someone actually used it onstage and now it's a cool idea.;)

Build what you want... play what you want.
 
#12
Rocky McD said:
You have a very humble and grateful attitude when asking for others to help you. I am sure you will get more opinions.
Click to expand...

You know, I don't mean to be harsh, but it's just that whenever I ask for advice about this project, I never get any help because people spend all their time telling me that its not worth it.

This is a perfect example. We're not discussing pickups, we're having some stupid argument.
 
#14
landolakethat said:
The amount of time that people have spent criticizing my project and providing their unsolicited opinions has been phenomenal.

I get it. You think its a waste of time. Well it isn't for me. Get over it.
Click to expand...

the laws of physics apply to one and all, and they're inescapable....you seemed to be asking for info on a serious mod project...don't bite the messengers
sheesh, we didn't even talk about the bridge and nut :D
 
#16
That should work just fine and placement would not be very critical.
I just converted a six string guitar to a six string bass for a friend. He insisted that he wanted it, I told him it would not work. Well, it does not work. string spacing is too close. The neck is too weak, the tuners are a disaster, even though I used the lightest gauge strings available. Basically, it is a baritone guitar, they were mot very popular. Sorry to have flamed you but I guess we were trying to tell you from experience that you were headed down a bad path. Hang around, we will try to help.
 
#17
Hey, don't worry about. It's cool.

Mine actually doesn't sound half bad. Using a condenser mic, I can get it to sound like an electric (eqing out the highs) or a standup. The flatwound strings with a fretless fingerboard are also pretty cool.

But yeah, the downside is the added tension of the bass strings. I had to do some reinforcing underneath the bridge, which sort of deadened the sound. That's why I'm looking for a pickup to supplement the condenser.
 
#18
landolakethat said:
You know, I don't mean to be harsh, but it's just that whenever I ask for advice about this project, I never get any help because people spend all their time telling me that its not worth it.

This is a perfect example. We're not discussing pickups, we're having some stupid argument.
Click to expand...

Well, you are treading in unfamiliar waters (for everyone here) and you asked for advice and we gave it to you: we think you'd be better off just to pick up a bass. I'd suggest maybe explaining your actions a bit - like what was your goal, HOW did you convert the guitar to a bass, what are your plans for this instrument, etc. With that information you'll probably get more logical posts.

As far as pickups, I hate to be the debbie-downer here but there is soooo much information in the pickups and electronics forum that you really should do a search there. There's hundreds of posts containing all the info you could ever want and more on the topic, way more than you'll ever get from one post alone. And there are no shortcuts, especially when you're making modifications like you've made - you just gotta bury your nose in it for a while and do some reading. :D
 
#20
landolakethat said:
I just had some dude at sam ash tell me that I needed a bass pickup--that an electric guitar pickup won't work.
Click to expand...

Don't tell the owners of these basses that a guitar pickup won't work. They'd be very disappointed.;)

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