• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Help me find 6 string pups!!

#5
I'm pretty sure... I'll recheck my dimensions but that's what my ruler told me last night. Then again I was punchy from no sleep so who knows. The spacing is fairly narrow, compared to my Warwick it feels expansive and free but it's not certainly 19 mm spacing. Do they not make 6 string pups like that? Perhaps that's why I can't hear the A or D strings very wel..... Oh well, I'll check again, thanks a lot guys!!
 
#6
Who looks stupid in this house?? THIS GUY!!!! Well, as you gentlemen so illustriously pointed out that string spacing would be awfully narrow so... they're 4.5 inches long and about 3/4 of an inch wide. Guess I was punchier than I thought, or just plain stupid. Both are plausible explanations. Thanks for settin me straight guys.
 
#7
I should be more specific... I need something to kind of darken up the tone a bit as it's pretty bright. I checked the Bartolini website but it doesn't mention single coil 6 string pups yet bestbassgear.com sells them, but lists the incorrect dimensions for these pups. So I'm at a loss. Would the Bart single coils plus NTMB pre give me a more bottom heavy tone?
 
#9
Yeah, I feared as much. Well that's no option hahaha, I'm not going to bother going custom, it's not worth that. Someone has to make pups which are 4.5 inches long, it can't be that unusual can it? Actually EMG makes a set which is 4.5 inches long, but I'm not sure how wide they are. Is a shade under 3/4 of an inch standard?
 
#10
Once you get out of the world of 4 string P and J pups, there aren't too many standards for sizes.
EMG and Bartolini do soapbars which fit each others routes. The ones you list aren't one of those sizes Beyond that, it can be tough going. There are mfrs who use their own pickups for which there is no easy aftermarket replacement - Peavey for one.
You might just have to order the closest fit you can get and do some more routing work. Bartolini do a narrow X5 soapbar which looks like it'll be the closest fit - just over .75" wide, just about 4.7" long
You're probably still looking at at least $130 for a set.
 
#11
Yeah, I figured the pups would cost me at least that much, I'll pay it I don't mind honestly but I wanted to avoid routing and all that it entails since it's expensive to have someone do and the bass is so cheap. But the stock pups are just simply unacceptable so I gotta do something. I'll email EMG and Bartolini and see what they both say, thanks David for your help I appreciate it.
 
#12
One more question David if you have the time. I'm looking into the EMG's with their active circuit and I'm curious if you know whether the "brilliance" EMG's are noted can be dialed out for a more massive bottom end. I know you had EMG's in your old Thumb so I figured you'd know. I just don't want to be stuck with a bass that is always continually bright since I use Hi Beams which are already bright and haven't really found any other string I like as well save the Fat Beams. Thanks again.
 
#14
Ralphdaddy said:
One more question David if you have the time. I'm looking into the EMG's with their active circuit and I'm curious if you know whether the "brilliance" EMG's are noted can be dialed out for a more massive bottom end.
Click to expand...
It can be. As to how much natural 'brilliance' is there depends on the woods in the bass. In the thumb, it gave it a nice bit of top end sparkle. In a bright jazz bass, they've sounded unbearably bright to me on occassion.
 
#16
Thanks David, again I appreciate your experience and advice. I'm afraid the EMG's would just be too bright in this particular bass. I thought about Carey Nordstrand but wasn't sure if he would consider doing something like this, or that he even made six string pups although I guess I should have known since I think I've seen six strings made by him. I'll look into it, thanks Stevious.
 
#18
BTW, I have had pickup routing done in the past, and if you shop around, I think you should be able to get it done for around $100. If you really like the feel of the bass, then this might be worth it. If not, you could sell it and look for a used Yamaha or something.
 
#19
Yeah I know it'll cost me $100, I was gonna have it done to a P-bass I was gonna buy a few months back and add a J at the bridge but it didn't sound like a good plan to me. Thanks for the heads up though, I appreciate it. Not sure if it's worth it to me with this bass, this bass will prolly go back actually as it's got two massive gouges on the upper horn so maybe the next one will be a little better.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back