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Is this a different animal? 5 string P-bass pup: hum cancellation properties

Ellery

Ellery

Mar 25, 2015
3,313
5,408
#1
I have gathered from my TB readings (not experience) that P bass pups cancel hum in the same way a humbucker does. I was wondering if the 5 string version works as efficiently, or does the uneven split of 3 and 2 poles render that effect nil?

[I am a metal player whose standard has always been double buck 5 strings. Before visiting TB I was ignorant of the value of P-basses. Now, my eyes have been wandering...]
 
#3
I don't think the polepieces have much to do with hum cancelling, that's more to do with the magnets and coils. Notice how the two halves are the same size even though one has 3 polepieces and the other only 2?
 
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#4
bholder said:
I don't think the polepieces have much to do with hum cancelling, that's more to do with the magnets and coils. Notice how the two halves are the same size even though one has 3 polepieces and the other only 2?
Click to expand...

I think it just has to do with the secrets of the pickup making. I've got a Squier PJ 5er that I put new pickups on. I got a NOS Fender P-bass 5 string pickup. Unlike some 5 string split pickups where both halves are the same size, this one has a considerable size difference between the two coils. Well, I could see if both coils were the same size that it would still cancel hum no matter how you arranged the poles in the coils. But this jobbie as a considerable difference in size between the two pickups and it just didn't seem right to me. I was SURE this this was going to have at least SOME single coil hum, but go figure, the thing is as quiet as a mouse. How it works I have no idea but work it does. So Fender will have to explain it.
 
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#5
Ellery said:
I have gathered from my TB readings (not experience) that P bass pups cancel hum in the same way a humbucker does. I was wondering if the 5 string version works as efficiently, or does the uneven split of 3 and 2 poles render that effect nil?

[I am a metal player whose standard has always been double buck 5 strings. Before visiting TB I was ignorant of the value of P-basses. Now, my eyes have been wandering...]
Click to expand...
I doubt it wouldn't hum cancel.

If you're worried, just get a 4-string P-bass and tune it BEAD.
 
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#6
bassbenj said:
I got a NOS Fender P-bass 5 string pickup. Unlike some 5 string split pickups where both halves are the same size, this one has a considerable size difference between the two coils... But this jobbie as a considerable difference in size between the two pickups and it just didn't seem right to me. I was SURE this this was going to have at least SOME single coil hum, but go figure, the thing is as quiet as a mouse. How it works I have no idea but work it does. So Fender will have to explain it.
Click to expand...

There might be more windings on the smaller one.
 
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#8
Korladis said:
I doubt it wouldn't hum cancel.

If you're worried, just get a 4-string P-bass and tune it BEAD.
Click to expand...
I actually used a downtuned 4 string for a long time, now that I'm using the 5 string I can use different fingering, the B string has a completely different tone at the same note, and I really dig the neck feel.
 
#10
Korladis said:
I just use the bottom four strings from a five string set. Gauges 130, 100, 80, and 60, for my BEAD tuned basses.
Click to expand...
I've done that, the 5 string is just different. It allows me different choices, playing an open e for sustain, clarity, or ease of fingering, or a fretted e on the b string for darker tone and easier fingerpicking. Also allows me room downstairs when I'm throwing in my own stuff. Yeah I can play the whole set on a four string but I have begun to like the 5 better.
 
#11
Ellery said:
I have gathered from my TB readings (not experience) that P bass pups cancel hum in the same way a humbucker does. I was wondering if the 5 string version works as efficiently, or does the uneven split of 3 and 2 poles render that effect nil?

[I am a metal player whose standard has always been double buck 5 strings. Before visiting TB I was ignorant of the value of P-basses. Now, my eyes have been wandering...]
Click to expand...

it is not the number of poles it is the number of coils that counts
 
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