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Custom Pickups vendor suggestions?

rubendlr

rubendlr

Mar 10, 2012
131
32
Austin, TX, USA
#1
So I am considering some pickups for a custom build. I am hearing scary things about both SGD and Reed James. So aside from Curtis Novak, who is someone that can get to make something really different? I hear Jason Lollar is great but he has a very limited selection. Same for Joe Barden. Not a lot of stuff outside P/J fare. Suggestions? Is the custom shop from some of the big guys able to do some really unique stuff?
 
#2
What do you mean by unique?

Is it the form factor? The sound? The string spacing or number of strings?

Aero is more or less totally custom but their actual pickups designs are relatively traditional in nature if you're looking for Neo magnet designs or blades etc.

Delano's Xtenders are pretty different.

Nordstrand can be really accommodating with custom stuff if what you want is doable with their designs.

Q-tuners might be worth checking out.

Of course EMG & Bartolini still have lots of sizes & options.

And theoretically SGD pickups are going to be offered by Best Bass Gear so you could but them in stock.

Other than Q-tuner I have experience with all of those brands.
 
#4
rubendlr said:
So I am considering some pickups for a custom build. I am hearing scary things about both SGD and Reed James. So aside from Curtis Novak, who is someone that can get to make something really different? I hear Jason Lollar is great but he has a very limited selection. Same for Joe Barden. Not a lot of stuff outside P/J fare. Suggestions? Is the custom shop from some of the big guys able to do some really unique stuff?
Click to expand...

Joe Barden has the worst customer service I've ever experienced. I've had great service from SGD but others have not.
 
#6
Jared Lash said:
What do you mean by unique?

Is it the form factor? The sound? The string spacing or number of strings?

Aero is more or less totally custom but their actual pickups designs are relatively traditional in nature if you're looking for Neo magnet designs or blades etc.

.
Click to expand...

I like blades because I don't want worry about string spacing and I like the look. So again Joe Barden is the guy but he only has P and J (and Ric) shapes. I would like MM or 35 sized bladed PUs or real skinny stick soapbars. Note that the blades don't have to be visible they can be under a solid cover.

Anyway, I've looked at Delanos and they look promising. After everything I really like their JSBC 4 HE. I think it would be a great alternative to the J style pickup. But, here's the rub - I am going to do a build from parts. The most stuff that I am going to do would be the electronics and the finishing. I am not up yet to full on routing by myself but with bestbassgears routing templates I'd might try it on a really cheap body (think basswood or paulownia) and then I can save it from any screw ups if needs be with a pickguard. Funny thing is it seems that this size pickup is only one they don't have a template for, they even have them for the xtenders. Sheesh, can't get a break. They have one for the similar X style Bartolini, though.

I also like the aesthetics of the Lace Music's Alumitone bass bars. Those are pretty much rails there. It looks like they may fit EMG routes. Comments? Anyone have any real world experience with those? I love to give them a whirl. I'd love to here from my fellow bassists/hobbist builders.
 
#7
rubendlr said:
I like blades because I don't want worry about string spacing and I like the look. So again Joe Barden is the guy but he only has P and J (and Ric) shapes. I would like MM or 35 sized bladed PUs or real skinny stick soapbars. Note that the blades don't have to be visible they can be under a solid cover.

Anyway, I've looked at Delanos and they look promising. After everything I really like their JSBC 4 HE. I think it would be a great alternative to the J style pickup. But, here's the rub - I am going to do a build from parts. The most stuff that I am going to do would be the electronics and the finishing. I am not up yet to full on routing by myself but with bestbassgears routing templates I'd might try it on a really cheap body (think basswood or paulownia) and then I can save it from any screw ups if needs be with a pickguard. Funny thing is it seems that this size pickup is only one they don't have a template for, they even have them for the xtenders. Sheesh, can't get a break. They have one for the similar X style Bartolini, though.

I also like the aesthetics of the Lace Music's Alumitone bass bars. Those are pretty much rails there. It looks like they may fit EMG routes. Comments? Anyone have any real world experience with those? I love to give them a whirl. I'd love to here from my fellow bassists/hobbist builders.
Click to expand...

Bartolini pickps use rails, and come in all the sizes you are looking for...MM, 35, and skinny soapbar.
 
#8
Aguilar's new DCB pickups come in Bartolini & EMG shapes and might be worth checking out.

I have a bass with a custom pair of Delano DJC 5 HEs and they are great pickups. I can definitely recommend their blade designs.
 
#12
I've been using a custom builder in Vancouver called Reilander Custom Guitar. He produces a line of custom winds for guitars and basses, but he'll also do custom orders. He recently did a three-tap single coil for my 59 Esquire, and is currently doing a hybrid- Strat single coil and P90 side-by-side in a Filtertron casing - for the bridge of my custom Thinline Cabronita. If you want something really unique, Mike's the guy you need to talk to.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#14
Teacher said:
There's also Rio Grande.
Click to expand...

Rio Grande are awesome, but I don't believe they do custom work. It would be worth an inquiry though, their pickups are amazing.

I have only come across one thread about Reed James that was negative, and the matter was resolved. Jim was great in my experience with him. That being said, if you are not 100% confident with him, don't buy from him.
 
#16
Arvin said:
Pete Biltoft: Invalid Link Removed

He can make just about anything you want -- much more than his website reflects. If you email him, he can give you more ideas. His customer service is excellent, as well.
Click to expand...

Yep. Pete is at leadt two steps ahead of everybody else, particularly when it comes to custom... Then he's more or less in a league of his own.
 
#17
I had a good experience with Patrick Michael at Invalid Link Removed. In the end, I didn't buy from him because what I wanted was not something he felt he could do a perfect job on (his recommendation), but I really appreciated his personal attention and attention to detail.
 
#19
Hopkins said:
Rio Grande are awesome, but I don't believe they do custom work. It would be worth an inquiry though, their pickups are amazing.
Click to expand...

I inquired with RG about custom work a few years back, and the guy on the other end of the phone came unhinged and went on quite a rant about how customers just need to accept stock models, quit expecting custom features, etc. After a couple minutes of that, I thanked him for his time and moved on.

So, no -- they don't do custom work.
 
#20
Johnny F said:
Another vote for Pete Biltoft. He made a very nice pup for my EB0, and I have one of his pups in my P bass that he made with alnico 2 magnets to take some harshness out.
Click to expand...
Oh really? Pete's a good guy...he fixed my Realistic violin bass pickups a couple years ago. Might have to contact him about that if I ever get to restoring my Eb-0 like I said I would last week.
 

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