Double Double P Projects--Pickups?

[knigel]

Hello all, I have recently acquired not one but TWO project bodies and both are configured with double P pickup configurations. The first is easy--it's a tele style bass (72 style I think) with a P neck and P Bridge, and I have two EMG Geezers, so I am going to use those because they are already paid for and they sound great.

The second one is a little more interesting (see pic). In this body, the pickups are right up against each other and angled. It's for a fanned fret neck, but I will be using a standard bridge and neck on it (builder says both fanned and standard necks will work). So--what pickups would you use? The same pickups, like the EMG PHZ (I could even mix up the colors and even do a Red White white Red thing)? Blade Style like a DiMarzio? Two different brands and flavors, like Aguilar and a classic Fender? What say you friends?

 

[knigel]

Like a pair of G&L SB1 pickups might be dope.

 

[garp]

Depending on what kind of switching you're planning on, I think it might be cool to do a combination of alnico and ceramic pickups. As to which goes where for an optimal Double P arrangement, I honestly haven't a clue.

Delano offers custom-made multiscale pickups. I kinda like the look of those big single pole-piece designs they offer. Ernie Ball also uses big single-poles on the Music Man Caprice. Can't imagine that custom pickups would be cheap, but if you're interested in achieving better pole-piece alignment, they might be worth a look.

 

[knigel]

The Caprice pickups are a great idea. Going to look into those. The Delanos look great but cost is an issue—not insurmountable though. Just looking at my options.

leaning toward a blade style like the DiMarzio—any other options for that?

 

[garp]

leaning toward a blade style like the DiMarzio—any other options for that?

Off the top of my head, the Nordstrand Power Blades might also work. I have no personal experience with them.

 

[themarshall]

Wilde P46’s are designed for 4,5 or 6 strings and have a wider sensing area than the average P.

 

[knigel]

You guys are really giving me some great suggestions. Thanks!

 

[abarson]

Since it's already quite unique, how about some Lace Aluma P's?
Aluma P Bass Pickup

And I vote for fanned frets.

 

[knigel]

Since it's already quite unique, how about some Lace Aluma P's?
Aluma P Bass Pickup

And I vote for fanned frets.

Whoa, those are very cool. Might be what I'm looking for, although the price has me swooning a bit.

I'm all for a fanned fret scenario, I'm just not familiar with where to buy one. Suggestions? I'd definitely be interested!

 

[abarson]

Whoa, those are very cool. Might be what I'm looking for, although the price has me swooning a bit.

I'm all for a fanned fret scenario, I'm just not familiar with where to buy one. Suggestions? I'd definitely be interested!

Novax Guitars: Parts/Accessories: Bass Necks

Otherwise, I bet you could pick up a fretless and have the angled frets added by a competent luthier.

 

[Clark W]

Off the top of my head, the Nordstrand Power Blades might also work. I have no personal experience with them.

Beat me to it

Nordstrand has the Power Blade available in it's split P sets. 128 a set. So 256 to fill up all four pup cavities. No worries about having to deal with string spacing either.
The Power Blade by Nordstrand

Power Blade Demo


Power Blade vs stock G&L LB-100 pups

 

[mikewalker]

I have a double-reverse-P with EMG actives (a P in the neck, and a PA in the bridge). This makes for a very wide range of Monstrous sounds - highly recommended!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

The Caprice pickups are a great idea. Going to look into those. The Delanos look great but cost is an issue—not insurmountable though. Just looking at my options.

leaning toward a blade style like the DiMarzio—any other options for that?

Quarter pounders yo! Beast mode

 

[2112]

I have a double-reverse-P with EMG actives (a P in the neck, and a PA in the bridge). This makes for a very wide range of Monstrous sounds - highly recommended!

Maybe it's just me, but that pup switch looks suspiciously Ric-y.

 

[David Jayne]

Like a pair of G&L SB1 pickups might be dope.

That would be SICK.

 

[pjbassist]

I built this pickup configuration to go with my Avatar Bass...I think I actually prefer it! Both Active EMGs...absolute THUNDER!!

 

[Dynomuttasaurus]

I recently acquired a double P loaded with [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. I've got to say, it has it's own snappy/punchy tone. Almost a classic Iron Maiden / Steve Harris type. Below is a recording I made over the weekend. I'm playing two-finger style over the neck pickup with both volumes and tone wide open. I did also use a Darkglass B7K for a pre-amp.

 

[izpak]

The pickup layout is somewhat similar to my ESP PPJ, and unlike all the other versions of this bass i've seen. Mine has them wired as one big pickup with a selector switch to switch between them and the J pickup. All others I know of have them wired seperatly with 4 knobs (3 Volume 1 tone)
(ESP Pictured on the left)
As far as I know the PUs are similar to SD Quarter Pounders.

 

[Laurent]

I would try some DiMarzio Model P. They work like champs for this sort of configuration.

 

[NKBassman]

I once had a dual-P bass with two Dimarzio Model Ps. It sounded amazing.
The only suggestion I'd make would be to use 500k pots, though.

Otherwise, Nordstrand Power Blades also sound fantastic.
Dimarzio Split P (also blades).