Humbuckers for Jazz Bass

[LamarqueGuitars]

Hello

My name is Antoine Lamarque and I build guitars, basses and pickups in Scotland.

I've designed what I believe to be the first 'proper' humbucker for Jazz Bass. I call them 'Short-Range Humbuckers'

They are currently for sale on my website (LamarqueGuitars.com) and were reviewed by Bass the world on YouTube. The video got 18k views but this hasn't translated into the level of sales I was hoping for.

I suspect that I need to get my name 'out there' in order for people to have the confidence to buy something that's so different to everything else that's on the market. Therefore I'm willing to give away free sets to people who have some sort of social media presence and enjoying posting content about gear.

Would anyone be interested? I'm limited to how many I can give away but so please only get in touch if you think you'd be able to try them out fairly soon and share them with your followers etc if you like them or give constructive feedback if you don't

Thanks

Antoine

 

[manchego_eggo]

hey Antoine, I saw the basstheworld demo and these pickups sounded great!

Maybe check out the folx at faf bass tone, they have an active YouTube channel where they post demos that are well received here.

good luck with your business endeavors and keep up the good and creative work!

Edit - I see Marusczcyk posts a lot of pickup demos using UK/EU builders and they are a popular custom shop, so they may be a good biz to partner with too

 

[Malak the Mad]

First off, Happy New Year and welcome to TalkBass!

Interesting design and I like what I hear on the Bass The World video!

The first question that comes to my mind is the dual-level pole pieces. Is there a technical reason or is it purely aesthetic? Mind you, I'm no engineer, nor an expert on electronics. I'm just a former art student who now works in healthcare. Either way, I just think it looks cool and interesting.

As much as I would love to get a discounted set, I'm much more of a tinkerer than a player AND I have a very limited social media presence. There are others on TalkBass who are much more adept at both and would be much more deserving of the opportunity.

Best of luck for the new year! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more on these cool looking and functional sounding pickups!

 

[Mr Horse]

Hell, I'll give them a workout. Just went through two single coil sets on my old Bacchus jazz bass and ended up putting humbucking bartolinis into her.

 

[Vendetagainst]

They sound great! I may have to get one at some point!

 

[kodiakblair]

and I build guitars, basses and pickups in Scotland.

Hi Antoine

Surprised you haven't broached this on the UK bass forum Basschat, or the French forum OnlyBass, not to forget the busy German forum Bassic.de.

Members here are predominately Americans who, as one would expect, tend to stick with US products. I can't help but think you'd get a more useful response from folk closer to home.

BTW

I recognise the surname, were you doing bodies and necks a few years back ?

 

[LamarqueGuitars]

Hi Antoine

Surprised you haven't broached this on the UK bass forum Basschat, or the French forum OnlyBass, not to forget the busy German forum Bassic.de.

Members here are predominately Americans who, as one would expect, tend to stick with US products. I can't help but think you'd get a more useful response from folk closer to home.

BTW

I recognise the surname, were you doing bodies and necks a few years back ?

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a look into those forums. Totally understand that US folks may stick to US products so I'm including free worldwide shipping to make it easier for people in the States to try these out.

I've only been making bodies and necks for my own builds so I'm probably not the person you're thinking of. Not many Lamarques out there so would be a huge coincidence

Antoine

 

[sikamikanico]

I have no idea how this works, but I’d imagine it would take weeks or even months to see a sales jump. But yeah, get the word out. Perhaps @LowEndLobster would give them a spin?

I’d also recommend getting a US partner/distributor. Could help with establishing a market presence, but also ease concerns about risk and hassle of buying internationally these days…

On the product: from the demo, it’s pretty cool. I like the unique look, and the name is clever. I personally find the sound a little dark, but it would probably appeal to the “vintage” and “quirky” market segment, probably also the rockers, and maybe even the jazz crowd too. As a casual observer of the J-bass sphere, tho, it seems like a big part of the appeal is the bright single coil tone, and I don’t think that’s your market for these.* And when you seek reviewers, it would also help to encourage direct comparisons to other noise-cancelling J pickups (split coils, stacks), to get a sense how they compare. And make sure you get some demos with rounds and flats.

Finally, I would recommend you offer them in other shapes (eg soapbars), even if it’s the same design under the hood. Perhaps other string spacing too, eg for close to the neck or narrow spaced basses. This way, you can cater to a broader audience.

*how do these work split (ie, single coil mode)? If folks can coil-split them, it might help them feel at ease to have a single coil option available, even if it’s not a traditional jazz bass sound.

 

[kodiakblair]

Not many Lamarques out there so would be a huge coincidence

No at our end of the country

Fella I'm thinking of has a very similar name, pretty sure there was some connection to an early version of East Durham Guitars.

Main thing is it's no you and I'm waffling so I'll just extend ma best wishes you drum up sales and toddle on my way

 

[LamarqueGuitars]

I have no idea how this works, but I’d imagine it would take weeks or even months to see a sales jump. But yeah, get the word out. Perhaps @LowEndLobster would give them a spin?

I’d also recommend getting a US partner/distributor. Could help with establishing a market presence, but also ease concerns about risk and hassle of buying internationally these days…

On the product: from the demo, it’s pretty cool. I like the unique look, and the name is clever. I personally find the sound a little dark, but it would probably appeal to the “vintage” and “quirky” market segment, probably also the rockers, and maybe even the jazz crowd too. As a casual observer of the J-bass sphere, tho, it seems like a big part of the appeal is the bright single coil tone, and I don’t think that’s your market for these.* And when you seek reviewers, it would also help to encourage direct comparisons to other noise-cancelling J pickups (split coils, stacks), to get a sense how they compare. And make sure you get some demos with rounds and flats.

Finally, I would recommend you offer them in other shapes (eg soapbars), even if it’s the same design under the hood. Perhaps other string spacing too, eg for close to the neck or narrow spaced basses. This way, you can cater to a broader audience.

*how do these work split (ie, single coil mode)? If folks can coil-split them, it might help them feel at ease to have a single coil option available, even if it’s not a traditional jazz bass sound.

Thanks for the reply. They sounded fairly dark in the demo because they didn't fit 500k pots which helps keep humbuckers brighter. This probably happened because I asked them to release the video ASAP and they might not have had time to change the pots.

It's not possible to do these in other shapes and still fit standard jazz bass pickup covers. If they don't fit the covers they won't fit the body cavities.

Appreciate your perspective

Thanks

Antoine

 

[micguy]

Hi there. I'm a Physicist, and spent my career designing pro audio equipment - I'm saying that, because I think about things like pickups (and their construction) all the time, and honestly, I've wondered why noone did this before - I have pondered making myself some pickups with this structure. For those wondering about the staggered height thing, the whole point of this architecture is that one coil senses the string movement much more than the other - that way, they will sound much more like single coils than pickups where the string is sensed at two points - they cancel high mid/low treble content a LOT, stealing articulation.

There are inline hum cancellers that also sound like single coils, but where the coils are split, there is always a magnetic valley (aka dead zone) - the strings next to it are likely to be lacking level, and if you bend a note.....it can disappear. Your design won't do that. But..here's an opportunity for you - the real place where that magnetic valley is a huge problem is on 5 string basses - as the string spacing is variable, and the coil transition does not happen in the middle (there's a string there), you don't know where the transition should take place, so buying those pickups and having them work well is hit or miss. In addition, 5 string split coil hum cancelling pickups have uneven coils (one covers 2 strings the other 3), so they don't completely hum cancel - they are quieter than single coils, but they aren't truly silent. Your design fixes/avoids those issues.

You're small enough that you're flexible - you're not yet forced into making what sells a lot, limiting choices. I advise you to consider making different models - in my case, 5 string versions. Yes, you will have to make them in different spacings to satisfy everyone, and you will need to make them in soapbar shells, but there is a market there where your pickups would be a big help. If you go this route, sign me up for a pair of 17.5 mm P2's - I don't need you to provide them for free, I'll happily pay you for them.

 

[dune]

I've designed what I believe to be the first 'proper' humbucker for Jazz Bass.

From your site: "the first true humbucker ever designed specifically for Fender Jazz Bass style instruments."

What you're getting at may in fact be true, but as written, not so much.

Gregor pretty much opens the review with: "This is simply not true."
Having the host of your first review open by basically calling "BS" on the very claim you're leading with can't be good for marketing. While I understand where you're coming from in your desire to make such a comprehensive and powerful claim, it's indefensible without further explanation. I think you need just a bit of additional verbiage to make it accurate, qualifying "proper" and/or "true" with something like "first non-stacked humbucker" or "first side by side humbucker". Assuming that one or both of these statements is in fact accurate, but I would bet that they both are.

As I'm sure you're well-aware, invited or not, the internet thrives on refutation, like some of this response even.
However, I think your claim could be made largely irrefutable with another few words, and assuming no one else has done something similar already.

I don't know if this would be of any help to you or not, but I've read quite a few, and this is the best book on sales and marketing I've ever read.
Same Game, New Rules

The fact that you've already gotten a review from Gregor is very impressive and I think you're on the right track getting them into the hands of other influencers. The Low End Lobster recommendation above is a good one as was the suggestion to get in with some boutique builders. Wishing you the best.

 

[mikecd1]

To the end of showing the two coils sitting uniquely side by side it would (IMO) benefit by having a cover showing the other set of poles and (to me) it wouldn't even matter if one set of poles was raised or not, but staggering the raise poles might add further "uniqueness" to the design maybe even with some amount of radius to the A and D string poles. Those comments purely from a visual standpoint. I did enjoy the demo, but agree with others that I'm not sure if the demo does a disservice by questioning the design at the outset. I'd prefer to see the demo with something other than a Harley Benton tho and no offense the HB. Seeing and hearing a distinction between say DiMarzio's design for hum cancelling jazz pups which has been around quite some time and yours lies in the side by side vs up and down coils as stated on your site. Seeing and hearing the difference in those two designs side by side would be of benefit to make a point of difference and show what your pickups add in the focus. Having USA distribution even if you're willing to pay shipping and customs could very well make a difference to those in the market to buy along with a better demo / varied demos. Brian at Fat Bass Tone is a great guy and might be a good ally to get your product out there. Wishing you all the best for 2026 and with your pickup and instrument builds!

 

[LamarqueGuitars]

From your site: "the first true humbucker ever designed specifically for Fender Jazz Bass style instruments."

What you're getting at may in fact be true, but as written, not so much.

Gregor pretty much opens the review with: "This is simply not true."
Having the host of your first review open by basically calling "BS" on the very claim you're leading with can't be good for marketing. While I understand where you're coming from in your desire to make such a comprehensive and powerful claim, it's indefensible without further explanation. I think you need just a bit of additional verbiage to make it accurate, qualifying "proper" and/or "true" with something like "first non-stacked humbucker" or "first side by side humbucker". Assuming that one or both of these statements is in fact accurate, but I would bet that they both are.

As I'm sure you're well-aware, invited or not, the internet thrives on refutation, like some of this response even.
However, I think your claim could be made largely irrefutable with another few words, and assuming no one else has done something similar already.

I don't know if this would be of any help to you or not, but I've read quite a few, and this is the best book on sales and marketing I've ever read.
Same Game, New Rules

The fact that you've already gotten a review from Gregor is very impressive and I think you're on the right track getting them into the hands of other influencers. The Low End Lobster recommendation above is a good one as was the suggestion to get in with some boutique builders. Wishing you the best.

On my product description I go into great detail that it is the first humbucker for jazz bass with 2 parallel coils similar to a gibson PAF or Gretsch Filtertron. I also include a highly detailed diagram with every single component in the form or an exploded-view diagram. If this isn't enough for people then I don't know what it. Gregor is a very nice guy but is 100% wrong. It's as simple as that. If someone shows me a jazz bass pickup with the same design/construction then I'll remove the claim immediately.

This is a product for people who know what a humbucker is.

 

[LamarqueGuitars]

First off, Happy New Year and welcome to TalkBass!

Interesting design and I like what I hear on the Bass The World video!

The first question that comes to my mind is the dual-level pole pieces. Is there a technical reason or is it purely aesthetic? Mind you, I'm no engineer, nor an expert on electronics. I'm just a former art student who now works in healthcare. Either way, I just think it looks cool and interesting.

As much as I would love to get a discounted set, I'm much more of a tinkerer than a player AND I have a very limited social media presence. There are others on TalkBass who are much more adept at both and would be much more deserving of the opportunity.

Best of luck for the new year! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more on these cool looking and functional sounding pickups!

Duel level pole pieces are a nod to the PAF humbucker design so yes there was an aesthetic element to that decision. They look really cluttered with both rows of magents visible

Good question

Thanks

 

[LamarqueGuitars]

Thank you so much for this. Would you mind if I used some of this for my website/future content? I was aware of most of what you said but didn't know how to articulate it as concisely as this. If you'd like to place an order please email me [email protected] and I'll make you whatever you want. I have the ability to make a 5 string version no problem.

Thanks again

Antoine

Hi there. I'm a Physicist, and spent my career designing pro audio equipment - I'm saying that, because I think about things like pickups (and their construction) all the time, and honestly, I've wondered why noone did this before - I have pondered making myself some pickups with this structure. For those wondering about the staggered height thing, the whole point of this architecture is that one coil senses the string movement much more than the other - that way, they will sound much more like single coils than pickups where the string is sensed at two points - they cancel high mid/low treble content a LOT, stealing articulation.

There are inline hum cancellers that also sound like single coils, but where the coils are split, there is always a magnetic valley (aka dead zone) - the strings next to it are likely to be lacking level, and if you bend a note.....it can disappear. Your design won't do that. But..here's an opportunity for you - the real place where that magnetic valley is a huge problem is on 5 string basses - as the string spacing is variable, and the coil transition does not happen in the middle (there's a string there), you don't know where the transition should take place, so buying those pickups and having them work well is hit or miss. In addition, 5 string split coil hum cancelling pickups have uneven coils (one covers 2 strings the other 3), so they don't completely hum cancel - they are quieter than single coils, but they aren't truly silent. Your design fixes/avoids those issues.

You're small enough that you're flexible - you're not yet forced into making what sells a lot, limiting choices. I advise you to consider making different models - in my case, 5 string versions. Yes, you will have to make them in different spacings to satisfy everyone, and you will need to make them in soapbar shells, but there is a market there where your pickups would be a big help. If you go this route, sign me up for a pair of 17.5 mm P2's - I don't need you to provide them for free, I'll happily pay you for them.

I'll reach out to Brian.

I feel that the reviewer could have treated me with a tad more respect but it's his channel and he can do what he wants. I sent 2 sets so would have loved him to show 1 uncovered to the camera so people wouldn't be confused in the comments section (thinking they were stacked singlecoils). I guess I should have made some requests before booking the video. Lesson learnt.

To the end of showing the two coils sitting uniquely side by side it would (IMO) benefit by having a cover showing the other set of poles and (to me) it wouldn't even matter if one set of poles was raised or not, but staggering the raise poles might add further "uniqueness" to the design maybe even with some amount of radius to the A and D string poles. Those comments purely from a visual standpoint. I did enjoy the demo, but agree with others that I'm not sure if the demo does a disservice by questioning the design at the outset. I'd prefer to see the demo with something other than a Harley Benton tho and no offense the HB. Seeing and hearing a distinction between say DiMarzio's design for hum cancelling jazz pups which has been around quite some time and yours lies in the side by side vs up and down coils as stated on your site. Seeing and hearing the difference in those two designs side by side would be of benefit to make a point of difference and show what your pickups add in the focus. Having USA distribution even if you're willing to pay shipping and customs could very well make a difference to those in the market to buy along with a better demo / varied demos. Brian at Fat Bass Tone is a great guy and might be a good ally to get your product out there. Wishing you all the best for 2026 and with your pickup and instrument builds!

 

[TonyP-]

PM coming in...

 

[sikamikanico]

Thanks for the reply. They sounded fairly dark in the demo because they didn't fit 500k pots which helps keep humbuckers brighter. This probably happened because I asked them to release the video ASAP and they might not have had time to change the pots.

It's not possible to do these in other shapes and still fit standard jazz bass pickup covers. If they don't fit the covers they won't fit the body cavities.

Appreciate your perspective

Thanks

Antoine

Good point. I think more demos with different pots etc will help show how these work under broader conditions.

Regarding shapes, I just meant about fitting the same J coils inside larger pickup covers/enclosures, such as standard soapbar sizes (Bart BC, EMG 35). Same for offering 5 string versions that Micguy suggested, including Bart P2 and EMG 40 sizes. They should fit I think, and would greatly expand your market IMO.

And frankly, this would then allow you to take the basic architecture of this pickup and try it with wider apertures - if they indeed sound more like single coils than other dual coil humbuckers, they may be a useful addition to the market.

On my product description I go into great detail that it is the first humbucker for jazz bass with 2 parallel coils similar to a gibson PAF or Gretsch Filtertron. I also include a highly detailed diagram with every single component in the form or an exploded-view diagram. If this isn't enough for people then I don't know what it. Gregor is a very nice guy but is 100% wrong. It's as simple as that. If someone shows me a jazz bass pickup with the same design/construction then I'll remove the claim immediately.

This is a product for people who know what a humbucker is.

I don’t want to tell you how to do your business, but I’d advise a less standoffish tone, and consider the feedback you’re getting. The word “humbucker” is far more ambiguous than you seem to recognize, particularly in the bass world where many hum-cancelling designs are popular. They all buck hum, and are technically humbuckers. You have enough cool stuff going on with the design that you can market yourself uniquely without exaggerated claims or offending anyone.

But to answer your question, Jazz humbuckers with two parallel coils indeed exist - Joe Barden, and Reverend make them. Probably others.

 

[micguy]

Thank you so much for this. Would you mind if I used some of this for my website/future content? I was aware of most of what you said but didn't know how to articulate it as concisely as this. If you'd like to place an order please email me [email protected] and I'll make you whatever you want. I have the ability to make a 5 string version no problem.

Thanks again

Antoine

Feel free to use whatever verbiage you want.

 

[LamarqueGuitars]

Good point. I think more demos with different pots etc will help show how these work under broader conditions.

Regarding shapes, I just meant about fitting the same J coils inside larger pickup covers/enclosures, such as standard soapbar sizes (Bart BC, EMG 35). Same for offering 5 string versions that Micguy suggested, including Bart P2 and EMG 40 sizes. They should fit I think, and would greatly expand your market IMO.

And frankly, this would then allow you to take the basic architecture of this pickup and try it with wider apertures - if they indeed sound more like single coils than other dual coil humbuckers, they may be a useful addition to the market.


I don’t want to tell you how to do your business, but I’d advise a less standoffish tone, and consider the feedback you’re getting. The word “humbucker” is far more ambiguous than you seem to recognize, particularly in the bass world where many hum-cancelling designs are popular. They all buck hum, and are technically humbuckers. You have enough cool stuff going on with the design that you can market yourself uniquely without exaggerated claims or offending anyone.

But to answer your question, Jazz humbuckers with two parallel coils indeed exist - Joe Barden, and Reverend make them. Probably others