Fretless Pickup Opinions Needed!

[delonybro]

Ok, continuing on with my fretless gecko build...It's time to get some electronics.

Swamp Ash body, Wenge Neck, Ziricote Fingerboard.

I think I've finally settled on an Audere Classic 4-band for my pre, but I'm not sure what kind of pickups to get. The bass is routed for EMG40-size and I'd prefer something that I can install a coil on split each pickup to go from humbucker to single coil.

I play in a funk/blues/rock band, so some growly sound with balls for a majority of the time (currently playing a fretless warwick) and I like the tone, but also the occasional woody, warm, mwah-full solo are what I'm after. Any suggestions??

Am I asking too much to try and get "it all" in one bass?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rickett Customs]

Sounds like the pickups that I'm eyeing right now.......Seymour duncan basslines NYC phase II, they fit in EMG 40 sized routes.....

They ain't the cheapest things.....but man do they sound good.

Ok, continuing on with my fretless gecko build...It's time to get some electronics.

Swamp Ash body, Wenge Neck, Ziricote Fingerboard.

I think I've finally settled on an Audere Classic 4-band for my pre, but I'm not sure what kind of pickups to get. The bass is routed for EMG40-size and I'd prefer something that I can install a coil on split each pickup to go from humbucker to single coil.

I play in a funk/blues/rock band, so some growly sound with balls for a majority of the time (currently playing a fretless warwick) and I like the tone, but also the occasional woody, warm, mwah-full solo are what I'm after. Any suggestions??

Am I asking too much to try and get "it all" in one bass?

Thanks in advance!

 

[delonybro]

Sounds like the pickups that I'm eyeing right now.......Seymour duncan basslines NYC phase II, they fit in EMG 40 sized routes.....

They ain't the cheapest things.....but man do they sound good.

Those are what I'm looking at as well! Just not quite sure about them since reviews are few and far-between except for the bassplayer article from a year or so ago...

 

[Rickett Customs]

These are similar to the duncans used with Fodera, a very nice "organic" tone.

I had also looked in to the Nordstrand "duals", but apparently they come either hardwired in a series or parallel........

Those are what I'm looking at as well! Just not quite sure about them since reviews are few and far-between except for the bassplayer article from a year or so ago...

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I had also looked in to the Nordstrand "duals", but apparently they come either hardwired in a series or parallel........

That's because Carey winds them specifically for each situation, I believe he overwinds them a bit if they're in parallel.

He seems pretty easy-going. He might be able to allow for more options and send it to you with the 5 wires. You should send him an email. FWIW, Nordstrand is the first brand name I associate with "fretless".

 

[CH Design]

These are similar to the duncans used with Fodera, a very nice "organic" tone.

I had also looked in to the Nordstrand "duals", but apparently they come either hardwired in a series or parallel........

I don't think this is true. I'm pretty sure you can put a coil tap on any of his dual coil pickups. Depending on if you want a series or parallel wiring, he winds them a little differently. I don't know if the series/parallel thing relates to the coils within the same pickup, or if it's the wiring between two (neck and bridge) pickups. I think it's the later, but I could be mistaken.

 

[delonybro]

Thanks, guys! I'll shoot them an e-mail and see what they say!

 

[Stealth]

fretless_guy, Nordstrands are wound differently depending on how the pickup as a unit will be wired (two coils in series or parallel).

 

[Ian Perge]

I certainly second (or third, or whatever...) giving Carey Nordstrand all call, explaining your situation and what you're looking for, and hearing what he has to say. He and the guys in his shop were amazingly patient with me after numerous calls over a period of 2+ years! when I was deciding what pickups would allow me much more of "My Sound" out of my Spector Euro Bolt-On basses (a total of 4: 4-string fretted, 5-string fretted & fretless, and a 5 fretted set-up as a "Spector P-Bass" with the P/Dual Coil arrangement of the pre-'08 Fender American Deluxe Precisions) and getting the downlow on the various Nordy pickups, then once I had decided to go with their "Big Single" pup if over-or-underwinding would help as well (we went with a 5% Overwind), and *then* time to save up the ca$h as I wanted to do the 3 Big Single-equipped Basses at the same time.

By the time I finally got around to placing my order, not only did he/they remember me and my needs but gave me a "Volume Discount" as I was ordering a) 3 sets of pickups at once, b) a "first level" of "custom" by having them built in their alternate EMG-sized shell as opposed to their standard Bartolini, and c) a "second level" having them custom-wound as well. They took off a large amount of their rightful custom fees that frankly, enabled me to purchase all 3 at once as opposed to 2 with the added costs. And when all was said, done, paid for & installed, I got a sound far beyond what I had in my head!

It's certainly good to look around and do your own research: I still love the Fralins in my Mike Lull Modern 4 & Aero Type 1s in my Modern 5 as well as Mike's reverse-engineered "T-Bass" pickups and the Bassline Custom Jazzes that come standard on Lulls. But I know now that for any more Euro Bolt-On Spectors that come my way in the future (which, as a bolt-on Alder back and Maple or Zebrawood-topped bass are "My Spector" Jazz-like tone as opposed to the more typical Maple neck-thru & Maple wings with active EMGs) I've found exactly what pickups suit my playing needs and tonality. And I certainly can't say enough about Carey and everyone at Nordstrand for their patience and helpful nature through my multi-year search!