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G&L SB-2 Humbucker mod

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Southpaw5, Apr 23, 2012.

  1. Apr 23, 2012 #1
    Southpaw5

    Southpaw5

    Jul 18, 2009
    Boston
    Anyone ever replaced the bridge pickup wit a MM style humbucker?

    thanks to SB2 being unsearchable I'm coming up short on answers.

    I'd like to add an active pre and Music man control plate and electronics but keep the split pickup passive or at least have the option.

    Thoughts?

    thanks
     
  2. Apr 23, 2012 #2
    StuartV

    StuartV Finally figuring out what I really like Supporting Member

    Jul 27, 2006
    Manassas, VA
    I have not seen an SB2 modded that way. But, I have an MPG Level 5 that has P/MM pickups. They are Nordstrand Sig Series. And it has an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp. It sounds killer every which way I slice it. Though I normally just solo one pickup or the other.

    Also, I have an SB2 and I love the way that thing sounds, too! It is actually currently my number 1 player. Oh, and I have an SR5, too, which I also really like.

    All that said, my biggest concern, if I were thinking of doing what you are talking about, would be that the SB2 would lose the sound it has stock. I'd guess you can do it and make it sound good, but the SB2 sound is a bit unique and I would hate to lose it. If I did do what you're talking about, I think I would probably at least want to do it so that I had a Passive option to let me play the SB2 P-style pickup as is, to try and have the original sound as close as possible. Maybe even passive with the ability to dial in some MM pickup, too.

    I bought the parts to do the Tone Mod to my SB2 - something much simpler than you propose - and I have not done it yet because I'm so afraid it will change the sound (even with the added Tone knob turned all the way up).
     
  3. Apr 23, 2012 #3
    Martin89

    Martin89

    Nov 8, 2010
    Glendale, AZ
    Unofficial Endorser: Ibanez, D'Addario, Zoom
    I think the reason people own G&L's are for the pickups that are in them already.

    It seems like a lot of work for something you may not be happy with. You may be better off with a franken bass project, if you can pick up an sb-2 tribute(same american pickups) cheap enough I would consider it, I own one but even for a non-US model, it is an amazing bass and I don't think I would change it at all like that. I do have a d-tuner for it and thought about the tone mod but as said above, it is just an awesome and simple bass. Probably best left that way.
     
  4. Apr 24, 2012 #4
    snyderz

    snyderz

    Aug 20, 2000
    AZ mountains
    I realize it is your bass, and you can do with it as you please, but I'll chime in and say leave it alone. I like the idea of building a cheap Frankenbass for your needs, but if you alter that sweet SB-2, there will be one less sweet SB-2 out there.
     
  5. Apr 24, 2012 #5
    Southpaw5

    Southpaw5

    Jul 18, 2009
    Boston
    You're all making me feel bad :bawl:

    I do actually love the sound as is, and will probably just leave it alone. Just curious if anyone had done it, since i like to tinker I'll Franken-Ray something else. ;)
     
  6. Apr 24, 2012 #6
    craigb

    craigb G&L churnmeister Supporting Member

    Jan 27, 2000
    Spring, TX (Houston metro)
    Here's a BABP thread that talks about some modified SB-1/SB-2s: BadAssBassPlayers.com • View topic - SB-2 BABP or SB-3 ?

    Although all the pics are no longer there they talk about using a second bridge single coil, an El Toro pickup and an MFD HB in the bridge position.

    I haven't done a bridge pickup mod on an SB-1/2 yet - I've just added a DiMarzio HB neck pickup to a Trib SB2.