I need the BIGGEST pickup EVER.

[bolophonic]

OP, I am getting ready to have someone make me some custom sized pickup covers for a salvage project. I am going to have my friend 3D print them. I will be putting regular G&L pickups inside them.

 

[bolophonic]

View attachment 3219668
It's all about quantity over quality...

I like that A LOT.

 

[honeyiscool]

True. But pretty close. That would only leave 1/16” on either side. I could live with that (and have, in another life). Maybe @DanAdams could too?

I thought about this, and I think I'd go with custom after all.

Sentell Pickups electric guitar pickups

This guy's a bit of a mad scientist and I think he has the kind of thing that would really work. The thing is, it's such a big route that it actually gives the pickup manufacturer a lot to work with, they can put anything in it, so you can get exactly the sound you want. You just need someone willing to indulge in your crazy ideas.

 

[Artman]

A trim ring cut from pickguard plastic. Just a big old flat piece of pg cut just large enough to cover the hole, then cut out the shape of your preferred pickup.

 

[Zoobiedood]

A trim ring cut from pickguard plastic. Just a big old flat piece of pg cut just large enough to cover the hole, then cut out the shape of your preferred pickup.

This is actually the first thing I thought of. Then you can use whatever you want.

 

[ctmullins]

I thought about this, and I think I'd go with custom after all.

Sentell Pickups electric guitar pickups

This guy's a bit of a mad scientist and I think he has the kind of thing that would really work. The thing is, it's such a big route that it actually gives the pickup manufacturer a lot to work with, they can put anything in it, so you can get exactly the sound you want. You just need someone willing to indulge in your crazy ideas.

So true! I bought one of his UnMudbuckers recently, and it sounds great. I bet he could easily make one with an oversized cover for you.

 

[Pilgrim]

I'm also afraid I could never get a good color match with a separate new piece of Ash. Japanese Ash is quite different.

My rule is if you can't match, go for contrast. A light wood ring or one in a color that complements the bass would be very attractive. There's no reason you can't introduce another color.

 

[tpaul]

The big one you thought looked expensive was an Ovation. Their version of the mudbucker.

I could see putting a big old Rickenbacker horseshoe magnet in there.

 

[avvie]

This is a 1985 Yamaha BB300.

It had two P sets.

It's now a five-string 2H with a custom pg.

 

[watt]

dan,

my suggest? curtis novak ‘bisonic’ maybe?

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he can do different string spacing too.

hipshot makes a really good (I think) ric bridge:

Rickenbacker® Replacement Bridge

just puttin it out there...



on bass, watt




mike watt's hoot page

I bought a really nice bass (83 Ibanez Musician) that was unfortunately owned by a demented madman.
The original pickups had been removed and a hack job happened to fit other things poorly.

my overall area I need to cover is 4" by 2 1/8"
The biggest pickups I can remember are the Ibanez ATK (too small)
Ibanez P4 (too small, that is what was there originally)
Dizmarzio DP120 (too small)
Thunderbird with ring (too close for comfort as the ring would fall within the hole, and it's not quite 4" long, but perhaps my top option now.
Peavey T40 with rings maybe??? I'm just not a t40 fan, I tried.

Any other ideas aside from adding a pickguard? That would look real dopey on a Musician.
Pickups with bezels / rings are welcome
It is a 4 string bass

 

[funkinbottom]

Pickups with bezels / rings are welcome

A trim ring cut from pickguard plastic. Just a big old flat piece of pg cut just large enough to cover the hole, then cut out the shape of your preferred pickup.

This is a sensible solution. I have had to do the same. I have also taken the option of cutting plugs, gluing them in place and re-routing for pu's of choice. Then refinish in a solid color. I suppose you could also use a transparent finish as well, but the repair would be more visible.

A couple examples.....


Just struck me........ What if you were to rout a 1/4 deep channel from heal of neck to end of bass and glue in a nice piece of wood similar to whats there already. Then a trans finish would still look great. You could even laminate a five piece plug to match.

EDIT: In looking at the picture again, the long 1/4" rout would actually need to be as wide as the PU rout, which would probably no be ascetically pleasing to the eye.

 

[groooooove]

a wooden mount/ramp cut to size with your pickup of choice is the best answer.

if its done well it will look really nice, too.

 

[reddog]

Did someone already state the obvious... Bondo?

 

[Rib 13]

View attachment 3219668
It's all about quantity over quality...

Bootsy is waaaaay ahead of you

 

[wildman2]

Route a lg rectangle get the art school to 3d print a pickup tray to put lots of pickups be it musicman jazz precision etc 5 or 6 way switch and push pull pots.Then you can make the pu's parallel series or all at once or select which ones you want..And two output jacks ric-o-sound style.When done with the pickup choices have a lid/cover made with a thumb rest built in..Best of every world.P's ,J's, MM's ,Duncans Soapbars and or whatever else you'd want.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

Some are bigger than others...

View attachment 3219658

This.

The Magnum pickup is most likely the biggest around.


Moonshine

 

[PDGood]

Another vote for Bisonic/Darkstar.

 

[herndonbassist]

I think Derek Smalls has the answer for you.

 

[DangYankee]

If i remember correctly, G&L MFD pickups are slightly bigger than even MM pickups. They also happen to sound much better.

 

[DangYankee]

Bootsy is waaaaay ahead of you

View attachment 3219944
View attachment 3219945

5 pickups, 6 switches, and 7 knobs... Im confused.

Was thinking Vol, vol, vol, vol, vol, tone... then what?

Just looked up more info. It also has 5 separate output jacks and a XLR jack out! Bootsy is a madman!
Bet he can even see 'round corners.