How many different pickup configurations do you have?

[Altitude]

I have:

• A 5-string J, 60s spacing
• A 4-string P
• A 6-string with dual humbuckers
• A 5-string with dual humbuckers in a unique sweet-spot position (see avatar)

It does occur that the combination of string count and pickup configuration checks the box. I’d be unlikely to buy an additional of any of the combinations above.

 

[twinjet]

One with a pair of humbuckers, one with a pair of single coils.

 

[burgerdj]

Three, though I’d really like to add an unadulterated P.

P/J
MM
TJ (bridge in MM territory)

 

[Baa]

3 styles
Double P (used almost exclusivly)
Double soapbar
Single MM-type

 

[Watchootognbout]

Soapbars.

Original Tune on the fretted.
Duo coil Delanos on the fretless.

 

[JRA]

Do you own multiple basses with the same pickup configuration?

several PJs.

do you try to have a variety of pickup options available?

i also have P and J.

How do you approach tone variety?

i use the tone controls wherever they exist.

 

[G On Bass]

My main 2 basses that get 90% of play time are both PJ5's. One has the J pickup right next to the P, the other is traditionally placed, though I primarily use the P and never just the J. Both are active. 1 has flats, one has stainless.

 

[Claymore]

4 of my basses share the same 2 humbucker pickup configuration and they sound completely different from one another so even with the same style of pickups, there is still a wide range of variety in tone. A lot of it has to do with active vs passive, what kind of magnets, the winding and the resonant frequency of the pickups.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

I have a Godin Shifter Classic 4 (PJ originally but now just a P) and an MIM fretless Jazz (JJ of course), so the answer is two. Used to have an Am Dlx Dimension Bass which I had to sell.

I think I've come to the determination that I like single pickup basses best, preferably passive. My Godin still needs a bit more work before I'm totally happy with it, but it mostly suits my needs for a P bass. Next I think I'd like to get something with a passive MM pickup. I've been curious about the Esh Various 4 Basic.

 

[micguy]

I have a small herd, and although I do have a couple basses with the same pickup configuration, one of them treated, and the pickups are wired kind like a standard J (but not quite) - it's got the usual mid scoop, but more low end, because of a semi-unique circuit. The other is fretless, and it's completely different circuit - most of the time, the bridge runs full range, and the neck pickups low passed, so it adds low end, but nothing else.

I intentionally don't duplicate pickup configurations - much of an instrument's sound is dictated by that, and I try to get as much diversity in my little herd as I can, without having a lot of instruments.

 

[bbh]

I have a small herd, and although I do have a couple basses with the same pickup configuration, one of them treated, and the pickups are wired kind like a standard J (but not quite) - it's got the usual mid scoop, but more low end, because of a semi-unique circuit. The other is fretless, and it's completely different circuit - most of the time, the bridge runs full range, and the neck pickups low passed, so it adds low end, but nothing else.

I intentionally don't duplicate pickup configurations - much of an instrument's sound is dictated by that, and I try to get as much diversity in my little herd as I can, without having a lot of instruments.

Can you go deeper on this non- standard circuit you mention? TIA

 

[Burwabit]

I have everything but T and Chi

 

[micguy]

Can you go deeper on this non- standard circuit you mention? TIA

It's a bit deep for Talkbass - I've tried a couple times to explain the way I design things, and was met with people that dismissed what I was saying - out of ignorance. If you're a person who designs audio circuits for a living (I do), what I do is fairly straightforward stuff, but to folks that don't do that sort of thing for a living, it's a bit over most folks' heads. You can't just take a circuit diagram and build it when you're doing the stuff I do - you need to measure the impedances of the pickups and do Spice simulations to figure out values of parts and such.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Single P
Single J
Single H
PJ
JJ
HH
HS
HP
3S
3H
3H w Piezo
Single Piezo
Acoustic pickup

13

If I add passive/active and different electronics I'll lose my Sunday.

 

[Sergius Durante]

I have a Lakland Skyline JO and I am looking to buy a second bass. I have been considering a Sandberg TT, but I wonder if it's too similar since they're both JJ configurations. Maybe I'll buy a P-style bass instead.

Do you own multiple basses with the same pickup configuration? Or do you try to have a variety of pickup options available? How do you approach tone variety?

Highly recommend J pickup and humbucker, HH, Or PJ. Learned my lesson with JJ but love that the most

 

[Jazz Ad]

I have PJ, dual soapbar, single neck/soapbar bridge, JP (not common at all), 1x single coil (laos not common).

 

[Hundred proof]

Both have humbucking dual coils, both have the ability to dim out one of the coils.

 

[Persona87]

I have:

1. Fretted J/MM
2. Fretted J
   
3. Fretted P
4. Fretless J
5. Fretted Split Coil (Nordstrand Big Splits)
6. Fretted Soapbar (though these one is on the chopping block and is currently living in the closet)

 

[TheLowDown33]

I have a decent mix. I tend to prefer multiple pickups, or at least multiple switching options. I love the fat P neck sound, but for live I've been leaning into the Musicman single H location and liking the results.

- Fretless P
- Double Humbucker 5 string (a split coil at the neck and a "sidewinder" in the bridge)
- JJ 5 string w/ flats
- MM 4 string

 

[Jack Butler]

P bass and a
Kramer pioneer that has a p/double J setup.
In reality it’s still probably more than I truly need, either one could cover everything I do.