In search for "the perfect" pickup

[The Norseman]

What is "the perfect pup" for a basswood body bassguitar? Some pups work, others don't.

Got a Spector Performer, year 2003, 3,45" wide EMG "designed" Spector soapbars.

As an instrument, the bass works GREAT! But the "EMG" HZ passive pups suck!

I've been lookin' at Bartolini and S. Duncan.

I'll even put in an active tone circuit..

 

[Hawkbone]

check out the pups made by fellow TBer SGD Lutherie. Link Removed

 

[keiththebassist]

Just change the preamp and see how much those HZ's "suck" I have them in my Dean 8 string and those things freaking chug!

 

[SGD Lutherie]

check out the pups made by fellow TBer SGD Lutherie. Link Removed

Here's some of my Neo Jazzbuckers in a basswood Ibanez.

Gentle Giant's Cogs in Cogs Bass Line - YouTube

The wide apertures work well in Basswood too. They come in the EMG 35 size, which is what's in your bass.

 

[darkstorm]

Just change the preamp and see how much those HZ's "suck" I have them in my Dean 8 string and those things freaking chug!

Excellent suggestion. Perhaps the Op just doesnt like basswoods mids accent or the crunchy voice char of emg pups. He hasnt said what kind of voice change he wants, or what kind of tone he's after.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Excellent suggestion. Perhaps the Op just doesnt like basswoods mids accent or the crunchy voice char of emg pups. He hasnt said what kind of voice change he wants, or what kind of tone he's after.

HZs aren't crunchy, they are dark sounding. Basswood is a very warm sounding wood. Combine the two and you have mud city!

 

[The Norseman]

HZs aren't crunchy, they are dark sounding. Basswood is a very warm sounding wood. Combine the two and you have mud city!

exactly, you get mud city! even though the hz ssd's have more mids than the original, it still sounds dark and "lifeless".

on my ReBop the Hz's work ok, due to the Alder body.

SO, what are the most balanced sounding pups on a basswood body? pups that will provide me with an "organic and natural sounding" instrument?

 

[SGD Lutherie]

SO, what are the most balanced sounding pups on a basswood body? pups that will provide me with an "organic and natural sounding" instrument?

Well if you are asking me, I'd say my pickups! They are designed to be clear with no mud, while still being warm and full, and they sound like the bass.