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Delano pickups... Worth the price?

aerrigo

aerrigo

Mar 11, 2012
16
0
#1
Hey players, I'm in a quandary over pickups (shocker, eh?) I have a Reggie Hamilton Jazz I want to modify with better passive pbass pickups. I was going to pick up a reasonable set of quarter pounders (I've used in the past) but I want something better and thunderous. I've read good things about Delanos and my friend loves his. The band I'm playing with is mainly Foos, so I be playing with a pick. Just don't want to overspend with so many pickups choices. Thoughts? Thanks!


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#2
I take it your playing a four string, but never the less Delano pickups are just that good. I to in the stage of trying to decide on a good set of pickups. Did a lot of reading reviews on the Delano pickups. And then noticed the price, at one point I said I could buy a good preamp for this price. But soon made the purchase and hadn't looked back since. Mainly Delano pickups for me. Mostly the soapbars, or jazz and musicman style. I've got a P/J set just laying around. But think about it, and if you have the cash to spend and it won't bother you later. Take the plunge and get a set. :cool:
 
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#4
I have the Delano P with the big pole pieces. It is a great pickup and worth the price. It manages to sound huge in the low mids while maintaining a smooth frequency response. No intense dips or spikes in mids or highs. I recorded with that bass last week at a pro facility with very high end gear. The engineer loved the sound. I have mine paired with DR Low Riders on a wenge Neck with a mahogany body.
 
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#7
aerrigo said:
Thanks, yes it's a 4. It's always an experiment, but I pretty much can't go wrong. Just wondering if there's anything comparable....
Click to expand...

Short answer, no, but it depends on which model your looking at.

There have been a couple times where I started with the stock pickups and preamp thinking I would have to replace both of them. I usually start with the pickups first and then see if I really do need a new pre as well. In many cases, I've only upgraded to Delano pickups and left the original pre in place. They make that much difference.

IMHO, Delano pickups are definitely worth the price of admission and they do come up on here used from time to time if you can wait. I've owned quite a few different models, but I am currently using some from the HE/M2 line (blade) in a couple of my basses.

I've never heard of poles effecting sustain, pulling on a strings is possible, but I've never had that issue with the FE/M2 line (large poles) when I've used them.

Personally, I like the HE/M2 over the FE/M2 - they have more output and presence to my ears.
 
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#8
Thanks. I'm in a phase where I'm trying to get the cleanest signal path to the amp, and I'm starting with pickups. Never sure whether the descriptions are true!

Interesting that you chose to leave the preamp in... With the Reggie I have the same opportunity to keep it in. I've barely use the onboard pre live, although it has been a nice option to kick on if I'm using a backline somewhere.

Thanks again for taking the time. I may just have to go for broke on this one....


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#10
All I know is that Delano make very good pickups indeed. All else is down to personal taste.
Alternatives to Delano might be Haeussel and Bassculture both of whom are excellent as well. I can't say much on Haeussel in terms of communication, but Bassculture is very easy to work with in terms of questions answered etc. Prices are very fair as well.
 
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#14
They really do sound detailed, very satisfying if you like the sound of your bass. The only pickups they remind me of are some Lane Poors from ages ago that display that same crystal clarity. But the Delanos are hotter, I think. Yeah, I'd pay extra if hi-fi sound was my goal. Great product, I think.
 
#18
It's hard to illustrate as English is not my language, but I would say they have built technically almost perfect pickup (Germans tend to do things like that:D), but theye are just "too much perfect", flat frequency response sounds too much nasal, sometimes thin, and needs too much EQ tweaking especially in live situation.This can be great for some type of playing 8chords, soloing...), but not for all-around gigging bass.

JMVC/PMVC are some of the nicest pickups out there, and ones with classic poles too. too bad they don't make classic soapbars/humbuckers.
 
#20
I know this thread is old but I have Delano's in my four string J Bass and I must say I'll never look back. It's almost as if a J bass and a Passive Stingray had a baby. That's what I now have. I have a P bass I'm getting ready to throw them in. After being used to Delano's, it's hard for anything else to satisfy me in the Tone department. I'm a Delano guy for life. But again everyone's different. Definitely pull the trigger and try them. Delano's are definitely not overrated. You do get what you pay for.
 
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