Can yer answer me some pickup questions?

[Joe Nerve]

I never changed any pickups in a bass, and never gave it much thought. I therefore need to edumacate myself. I'd be grateful if ya answered even one of the following and kept this thread alive till I had a clue.

1. Can you put passive pickups in an active bass?

2. Is there any reason I might not want to do that?

3. Is the Dimarzio PJ set active or passive? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

4. How do I know if anything I choose is going to sound better than what came stock in my Fender Mexican P Deluxe?

5. How do I know what'll fit and what won't? I don't want to have to cut into the bass, not even to make it deeper for thicker pickups.

6. Aside from almost a $300 difference in price how much difference in sound could I expect if I threw EMGs in with an EMG 4 band EQ (as opposed to the Dimarzios w the stock Fender electronics)?

7. Where does one even start with wanting to upgrade electronics? Are there any sites that offer sound clips. With what I know it seems I should just throw all pickup and preamp brands in a hat, say a prayer, pick and go. :/

8. I'm looking for a deep, punchy and funky sound. Can anyone point me in a possible direction.

9. What do you know about pickups that might be able to help me or others who know little and are looking to upgrade?

10. Where's the best place to shop for pickups.

 

[Nedmundo]

I've upgraded pickups in a couple of basses and one guitar, so I'll give these a shot.

1. Yes, most active basses have passive pickups with an active (i.e., powered) preamp with EQ. Thus, most active basses will work fine with passive pickups, because they already do.

2. However, if the bass's preamp is designed to work with active pickups, like some of EMG's systems, I'm not sure it would work well with passive pickups. But maybe it would. I don't know. I'd consult the manufacturer first, or ask the specific question here.

3. The DiMarzio P/J set is passive. It's a Model P with a Model J. I used to have the Model P in my Precision. Very high output, lots of grind.

4. You really don't know whether you'll prefer another set of pickups until you try them. Sometimes you can find a bass that comes with a particular type as original equipment, so you can test them that way. For example, when I was considering Fralins, I was able to find Laklands to play (when those used Fralins).

5. Most P and J type pickups will fit any bass with those types, but IIRC some MIM Fender Jazz basses have used pickups of the same size for neck and bridge positions, unlike the MIA models. Also, some five string Jazz pickups come in different sizes. Normally the manufacturer's site will indicate whether its pickups will fit standard Fenders.

6. No idea about EMG vs. DiMarzio.

7. For me, the desire to upgrade came from finding something specific that was lacking in the stock pickups. In the case of my Jazz, this was mainly the desire to go noiseless. With my Precision, I wanted a little more punch, and more clarity in the lows. I think you should have a good reason to upgrade, which could also be trying another bass with different pickups, and hearing something you really dig.

8. Not sure, but those DiMarzios are really hot pickups that will give more punch than any stock Fenders.

9. Don't know.

10. I would go to www.bestbassgear.com. This might lead you to some sound clips too.

Happy hunting!

 

[ser1960]

Joe, how come that a bassplayer like you (with at least 11 years of bassplaying experience and endorsements) has so less knowledge about this pup stuff? Your info at Myspace: Native New Yorker Joe Nerve carried the bass-balls for Heyday recording artists The Nerve! throughout their 11 year history. He has also during that time performed and toured the US and Europe with various artists including Michelene Van Hautem (of the Belgian group Michenscene), Bumblefoot (aka Ron Thal of Guns n' Roses), and a variety of other NYC indie groups. While rooted in Rock & Roll, Joe draws his influence from a legion of players and styles, and loves playing anything bass. He endorses Ernie Ball Musicman basses, Gallien Krueger amps, and Minarik Guitars). Best, Ser

 

[Vakmere]

Looking for attention? This guy is obviously bored but I've heard his playing and agree he's quite the player.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Jeez. I'm serious here. And I do much stupider things when I want attention.

As I said in another thread that got 2 responses, I've pretty much played MM basses and never needed to upgrade any pickups. My girl gave me this awemsome bass for Xmas, I love the way if feels, looks and plays - but well... ah hem...

the bass needs some help.

oh yeah - thanks ned.

 

[WalterBush]

What Nedmundo said, with a couple of additions.

4) Just do it. If your pickups don't have a name brand stamped on them already, I'll bet you a dime to a dollar it's an improvement. Most stock pickups sound boring IME.

5) Most P and J style pickups are direct replacements. Soapbar and MM style pickups are where you'll most likely run into trouble. Usually, after a bit of hunting online, you can find measured drawings of a company's pickups. Measure your own carefully in millimeters, and pay attention to pole spacing.

6) The difference between DiMarzio and EMG is as huge as the distance between worlds; throw an active EQ into the mix and it's the difference between solar systems.

7) Play a lot of basses, and monkey with the controls. Then start replacing pickups in your own axes. One you've done it once or twice, it becomes easy and fun. There's no way to really tell, even with soundclips, what something's going to sound like in advance except experience, and no way at all to accurately describe how a pickup responds to your touch on the strings. Again, just do it.

8) I'd almost always advise someone to buy EMGs or Bartolinis for anything, so that's what I'll say here. I have no idea what funky sounds like to you, but I'll bet you can scoop, boost, roll, or bump to your heart's content with an active EQ system. I don't have to worry about the whole DI-post-eq-is-my-sound-getting-out-front thing, and haven't for a long time.

9) Go to the library (or the book section at GC) and read a book on guitar electronics. The same stuff applies to bass, but no one's done a bass-specific electronics book that I'm aware of.

Pay attention to the wire colors! They are NOT universal, even though they look like they are. Check www.stewmac.com for an faq and diagrams.

10) Online is good (I'm thinking of going with bestbassgear.com for my next upgrade), but developing a relationship with a store near you is better, IMO. Once they know what you like, a good dealer can steer you in a direction you want to go more often.

 

[Nedmundo]

You're welcome.

And to the others I'll add that many of the best musicians aren't terribly obsessed with gear. They find something that works, don't worry about why it does, and play the heck out of it. I've played with excellent, experienced guitarists who don't know the first thing about pickups.

 

[stflbn]

What type of sound are you looking for out of the pickups? What style of music do you want to use the bass to play?



.

 

[Joe Nerve]

What type of sound are you looking for out of the pickups? What style of music do you want to use the bass to play?
.

I've been getting into a lot of funk lately. Walter made some interesting points though. What sounds funky to a guy with a soft touch may be light years away from my definition of funky and the way I dig in. Everybody loves DR strings but me. I think I'm going to have just dive in, toss a little money out there and experiment.

Fer what it's worth I like the sounds Bernard Edwards got, and sounds along the lines of the bass in the Commodores Brick House.