GFS MM Pro Plus - no preamp?

[silver.burst]

has anyone here swapped in a GFS MM style pickup without a preamp? I'm thinking of routing a p-bass I have for one but I'm trying to keep it a cheap mod (ie. no preamp). My concern is that the GFS MM Pro Plus is only wound to 8.35K and wouldn't have much power running passive.

Would the Wilkinson MM i've seen on ebay be a better choice? its supposedly wound to 13K.
Or maybe even the Ceramic GFS MM instead of the Alnico? would that make that much of a difference in output? I know ceramics tend to be a bit hotter in general.

thanks

 

[silver.burst]

anybody?

 

[mangle]

If you try, let me know... I want to do almost the same (GFS Musicman, no preamp!)

 

[Stealth]

If you have four leads coming out of the pickup, try to wire the coils in series rather than parallel. That way, you should get a lot more output out of the pickup with much higher mids.

If that doesn't work (and it's already in series), try adjusting the pickup closer to the strings to see if you can get more volume that way.

 

[mcnach]

I have the GFS MM alnico pickup on my 4-string OLP MM2 (stingray style, but passive).

I think it's a pretty sweet sounding pickup, and regarding output it may not be ultra hot, but it's not quiet. I have a Warwick Corvette $$, and when I disconnect the preamp on the Warwick the volume difference with the OLP is not something very noticeable at all.

So... don't worry. The output is plenty. I prefer it with both coils in parallel, but in series is pretty cool too.

 

[fretlessman71]

I have the GFS MM alnico pickup on my 4-string OLP MM2 (stingray style, but passive).

I think it's a pretty sweet sounding pickup, and regarding output it may not be ultra hot, but it's not quiet. I have a Warwick Corvette $$, and when I disconnect the preamp on the Warwick the volume difference with the OLP is not something very noticeable at all.

So... don't worry. The output is plenty. I prefer it with both coils in parallel, but in series is pretty cool too.

ZOMBIE THREAD ALERT! Don't be scared now.

mcnach, please explain the difference you get in sound between series and parallel; I just got an MM2 and am considering upgrading to the GFS pickup and installing a Series/Parallel switch.

(Or anyone who wants to chime in really. )

 

[mmbongo]

ZOMBIE THREAD ALERT! Don't be scared now.

mcnach, please explain the difference you get in sound between series and parallel; I just got an MM2 and am considering upgrading to the GFS pickup and installing a Series/Parallel switch.

(Or anyone who wants to chime in really. )

Series = more output, more mids, less highs.
Parallel= less output, brighter, scooped (essentially a Stingray)

 

[fretlessman71]

Series = more output, more mids, less highs.
Parallel= less output, brighter, scooped (essentially a Stingray)

And, in turn, "series" = essentially a P bass?

 

[mmbongo]

And, in turn, "series" = essentially a P bass?

mmmm....kinda. Simple answer is yes. But a P and MM pickup are two totally different things and neither really sounds like the other.

 

[fretlessman71]

Well, "Series" = P bass, but P bass ≠ MM. I get it.

 

[mcnach]

Series = more output, more mids, less highs.
Parallel= less output, brighter, scooped (essentially a Stingray)

what he said.

series sounds louder and "fatter" with more prominent mids, and parallel is clearer sounding...

 

[mcnach]

And, in turn, "series" = essentially a P bass?

I wouldn't say that.
The MM pickup will sound bigger than a P pickup if it were at the Precision position (I had an old Tanglewood Warrior like that) and if in the usual Stingray position it would sound nothing like a Precision.

Just like a P type pickup at the Stingray position does not sound like a P, or a Stingray... (but it's a very cool variation on the Stingray, try if if you get the chance).