Looking for 80s sound

[Hendricks97]

I just picked up a Cort headless bass and its got that great 80s look with an ok sound. What pickups would you recommend in a PJ set to really get that 80s sound? Its currently passive and Im not sure if I can fit a battery in the compartment as is if I go active

 

[lz4005]

I just picked up a Cort headless bass and its got that great 80s look with an ok sound. What pickups would you recommend in a PJ set to really get that 80s sound? Its currently passive and Im not sure if I can fit a battery in the compartment as is if I go active

"80's" isn't a sound.

Can you give some specific examples of songs or players you want to sound similar to?

 

[Mr Wiggles]

80's bass tone = Boss chorus IMO

 

[spaceatl]

Cort headless...Go EMG would be my vote.

 

[Hendricks97]

I was thinking that classic Steinberger sound as in Geddys Grace Under Pressure or the Police synchronicity type stuff. I looked at the EMGs, but I didn't know If the new ones still have that same sound

 

[spaceatl]

They basically do...They still make the HB...If you want the sound, HB is the pickup they designed for Steinberger...But it is basically a P pickup in the humbucker cover....I just installed some 40P5s in my ESP 5 string and the tone is much like my 87 XM-2TT...just not quite as hot as the HB is...I think if you went with a P and a J it would be close...

 

[Scotland66]

I am looking at buying an '17 Steinberger XT-2 with 80's style EMG's installed. I haven't heard it yet but what do you think about paying $500 for this Mint condition 4 string bass?

 

[A9X]

Are the EMGs active or passive?

 

[Scotland66]

I am not sure. The bass doesn't look to have a switch added. How would I find out?

 

[Scotland66]

The owner says their active with a 9 volt battery. He's also added metal mounting rings.

 

[A9X]

The pickups are $200 and they'll make it sound much closer to the XL2 than the original Selects. Dunno what an unmodded bass sells for, but it seems a bit high. There is a dedicated Spirit thread; might be worth asking there.
I asked because stock it's worth nothing like $500.

 

[Scotland66]

I appreciate the information. I'll check out the Spirit thread. Cheers!

 

[grouse789]

I think the steins used the EMG 81’s
Or what they used became the 81’s
Go for that and a HaZLab pre amp or pre amp copy. Stein Berger in a box sound

 

[A9X]

I think the steins used the EMG 81’s

Nope. They used the Invalid Link Removed which is a P bass pickup in a humbucker sized housing. Still available new.

Go for that and a HaZLab pre amp or pre amp copy.

Nice, but not necessary. Looking at the old serial number list most, like mine, didn't have the HAZ preamp. Still sounds like a Steinberger.

 

[grouse789]

Nope. They used the Invalid Link Removed which is a P bass pickup in a humbucker sized housing. Still available new.

Nice, but not necessary. Looking at the old serial number list most, like mine, didn't have the HAZ preamp. Still sounds like a Steinberger.

You are correct sir!!!EMG Pickups
The EMG SS
Split P in a guitar hum bucket case.
Was there ever an 81?
I thought I read that somewhere

 

[A9X]

I knew I was correct; I've owned an XL2 for 35y.

Was there ever an 81?

Not as far as I'm aware, but lots of guitar pickups work fine in basses. For example in the NS Stick tuned BEADGCFBb uses 4 EMG FT (front Tele) pickups.

 

[grouse789]

I knew I was correct; I've owned an XL2 for 35y.

Not as far as I'm aware, but lots of guitar pickups work fine in basses. For example in the NS Stick tuned BEADGCFBb uses 4 EMG FT (front Tele) pickups.

So a few questions.
1. Are the SS pickups reverse P?
2. Are your pickups In-Phase?
I’m reading the earlier (L series and early XL’s)SS pickups were out of phase. The later HB’s were in phase.

 

[GrapeBass]

I just picked up a Cort headless bass and its got that great 80s look with an ok sound. What pickups would you recommend in a PJ set to really get that 80s sound? Its currently passive and Im not sure if I can fit a battery in the compartment as is if I go active

Cort headless...Go EMG would be my vote.

Active EMGs and Rotosound Rounds on that headless would be a good start.

 

[A9X]

So a few questions.
1. Are the SS pickups reverse P?
2. Are your pickups In-Phase?
I’m reading the earlier (L series and early XL’s)SS pickups were out of phase. The later HB’s were in phase.

1: No, 2: Y.

Active EMGs and Rotosound Rounds on that headless would be a good start.

Rotos go from sounding good to dead fast. Smith or Status.

 

[GrapeBass]

1: No, 2: Y.

Rotos go from sounding good to dead fast. Smith or Status.

We changed 'em quite frequently, in the eighties. ;-)