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Mike Inez Fishman Pickups
- Thread starter BUCKSHOT
- Start date
According to their specs page https://www.fishman.com/portfolio/fluence-mike-inez-legacy-series-pickups/ they're P style split coils under the covers.
Yup. Though that's only the neck pickup, it says the bridge pickup in the sets is a standard soapbar (also humbucker).
Cheers MIz Fluence Fans...
Let me help with some information after more than a glance at the MIz Signature 4 string SET.
The set contains:
(1) MIz Signature NECK position pickup. This is a REVERSE SPLIT P COIL like a Spector/Streamer NOT a Fender.
This pickup has TWO voices:
MIz Aggressive Tone & Round Phat P Tone
(1) Legacy BRIDGE position pickup. This is a DUAL COIL that can be split to SINGLE COIL operation. This pickup has THREE voices.
(A) Standard/"Round" Tone
(B) Top End Boost @ 7KHz + Flat Mids
(C) Top End Boost @ 7KHz + Cut Mids
In a "no extra switches" installation you chose any TWO of the THREE voices to compliment the MIz NECK pickup with the Push/Pull volume pot. The Legacy BRIDGE pickup also allows for selecting SINGLE COIL operation with a mini toggle switch using the TWO selected voices.
The Legacy BRIDGE pickup also allows you to choose during installation (NOT selectable) which one of the two coils is selected when going from DUAL COIL to SINGLE COIL operation. You can have the TOP or BOTTOM coil location for your SINGLE COIL placement (i.e. nearer to the neck or nearer to the bridge).
The system does NOT benefit from an 18v operation, but can work with an 18v system if already installed. The Universal 9v Battery Pack provides optimum performance for the system.
For 5 string players...
The MIz Signature NECK pickup does have a LONG and a SHORT coil side to the split P design, not a blade.
WARNING: The MIz Signature 4 string NECK pickup will NOT work with a NARROW 5 string spacing, with the standard 4 string split coil design!
A single Legacy OR MIz Signature NECK pickup will work with other active 9v pickups using 25K pots.
When you really get into the wiring schematics is not hard at all to get where you want to go. It just takes a few minutes to grasp everything that is available inside the EMG35 or EMG40 size housings.
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Wow! Thanks so much for the info, Phatbottombass1! It was really helpful!!! Cleared up a lot of stuff! Answered all my questions! Thanks again!
Had mine installed with the mid selector switch into control cavity. Played it for a few minutes on each position, preferred flat mids and closed it up. I can't foresee any scenario that I would want to change that. They are in a Schecter Stiletto C4, after having multiple combinations of EMG pickups with the BQS controls, the Inez Fluence are much more appealing to my ears. I never played a Streamer, and sold an NS2A with active EMG's long ago so no direct comparison, however I do notice much less of a compressed feel to the old Spector/Kramer. Very articulate and precise.
The bass and treble of the Fluence controls are very sensitive, and have a huge range. It's taking some time to find my preferred settings (studio only) That said, I like this bass better now than any configuration of EMG pickups that have been through it. There is a clarity never heard from this instrument.
The bass and treble of the Fluence controls are very sensitive, and have a huge range. It's taking some time to find my preferred settings (studio only) That said, I like this bass better now than any configuration of EMG pickups that have been through it. There is a clarity never heard from this instrument.
Just another follow up note...
The SETS come with a (4) control + (1) mini three position switch BECAUSE if you have a LEGACY set (not MIz) then you can use ALL three voices and use the Push/Pull volume pot to control having both pickups in DUAL COIL mode and then having both pickups in SINGLE COIL mode.
You are best to obtain a two position On-On switch for the MIz Signature set BRIDGE pickup. I am using a latching switch from TESI Switches (guitar kill switch) on the rear cavity cover to select the DUAL COIL or SINGLE COIL operation. (I don't really like small switches.)
I am also installing the Universal 9v Battery Pack on the rear cavity cover.
Finally, if you need the preamp/2 band EQ on a stacked pot. It is available from Fishman, but is NOT available in a retail box set. So, you can do this with a three hole Bass, but it's going to be another $79-$100 when it's all said and done.
The SETS come with a (4) control + (1) mini three position switch BECAUSE if you have a LEGACY set (not MIz) then you can use ALL three voices and use the Push/Pull volume pot to control having both pickups in DUAL COIL mode and then having both pickups in SINGLE COIL mode.
You are best to obtain a two position On-On switch for the MIz Signature set BRIDGE pickup. I am using a latching switch from TESI Switches (guitar kill switch) on the rear cavity cover to select the DUAL COIL or SINGLE COIL operation. (I don't really like small switches.)
I am also installing the Universal 9v Battery Pack on the rear cavity cover.
Finally, if you need the preamp/2 band EQ on a stacked pot. It is available from Fishman, but is NOT available in a retail box set. So, you can do this with a three hole Bass, but it's going to be another $79-$100 when it's all said and done.
How did you connect the switch to the coil split pin? The connector that came with my set doesn't have a cable for that pin (only voice 2 and v2 MC off). I'm guessing I need some sort of pin/terminal that slots into the connector, and solder the wire to it, but not sure what to get (first time doing this).
Sorry, not much help on that exactly. I would email Fishman or TESI for help on that as I didn't do the installation.
How are you enjoying the Inez pickup? I've been wanting to try one out or at least hear a good demo.
In the end I managed to remove a wire from the cables of the pickups I was replacing and it fit the fishman connector. Otherwise you need a 'female dupont crimp connector' and attach it to a wire. Decided to wire it all myself after I took it to a tech who said it was outside his comfort zone. First time doing soldering, so it's all messy in the cavity but it sounds great (though it needs a fresh set of strings and a proper setup)!!
I wanted it wired differently than the standard configurations that came with the set. I also found the diagram with the push/pull for coil split confusing as it had no connection to the coil split pin in the diagram! Anyways, after a lot of thought I mashed up a wiring diagram by merging the diagrams that came with the pickups with the ones from the standard fluence SB1 set. I'm attaching it in case anyone else wants it wired this way.
Also, in case someone else has this question: on the back of the MIz pup there is an '8K Imp' pin and a 'V1 Lim Off' pin. I've emailed Fishman asking what these do. The '8K Imp' pin puts the pup in 8K impedence mode so it doesn't overpower the bridge pickup, and apparently the 'V1 Lim Off' pin is used for testing purposes and is designed for internal use only (so just ignore it).
Configuration:
3-way switch: MIz Voice 2 & SB1 Voice 1 | MIz Voice 1 & SB1 Voice 2 (mid cut) | MIz Voice 1 & SB1 Voice 2 (mid flat)
Vol switch: pull for coil split
Might do some sound samples after getting it set up.
Attachments
Hey everyone, I'm relatively new here. Hello.
I just finished building myself a 6 string. Had a Warwick Thumb 6 bolt on years ago. Had sold it.. have regretted it ever since.
Anyway, this time around I wanted to do a narrow spaced 6. So I started with a 5 string DIY kit. Found the narrowest individual saddles I could find. Then ground the sides down to get them even tighter together.
Then.... I finally got the Mike Inez Fluence 5 set. Being in Canada, and a wonderful 2020 Covid year. It took me 7 months to get them.
Everything turned out great. As you can see I installed 2 switches. One on each pick up. That way I can have the Inez neck pickup or the Fluence bridge pickup in any combination of voice. I also changed which coil is active for the bridge pickup when split to single coil. ( went with the bridge side ) Comes from Fishman set to neck side.
I guess I could have added a 3rd switch to be able to select between coils. Future project LOL.
I borrowed from the above diagram and then added the second swich.
Someone had commented that you couldn't use the 4 string pickup set on a narrow spaced 5 string bass. When I read that I was worried that the same might apply trying to use the 5 string set on a narrow 6.
I can happily say that all 6 strings ring out nice and clear on the mike Inez neck pickup.
One thing I do have to change is on the blend knob. Being that this is left handed. I have to reverse the pickups going into the blend knob. Right now if I roll it towards the bridge it activates the neck pickup and if I roll it forward to the neck, it activates the bridge pick up. Didn't catch that until I had everything put together and was playing with it.
ButI have to say.. the Mike Inez set sounds awesome !!!!!!
I just finished building myself a 6 string. Had a Warwick Thumb 6 bolt on years ago. Had sold it.. have regretted it ever since.
Anyway, this time around I wanted to do a narrow spaced 6. So I started with a 5 string DIY kit. Found the narrowest individual saddles I could find. Then ground the sides down to get them even tighter together.
Then.... I finally got the Mike Inez Fluence 5 set. Being in Canada, and a wonderful 2020 Covid year. It took me 7 months to get them.
Everything turned out great. As you can see I installed 2 switches. One on each pick up. That way I can have the Inez neck pickup or the Fluence bridge pickup in any combination of voice. I also changed which coil is active for the bridge pickup when split to single coil. ( went with the bridge side ) Comes from Fishman set to neck side.
I guess I could have added a 3rd switch to be able to select between coils. Future project LOL.
I borrowed from the above diagram and then added the second swich.
Someone had commented that you couldn't use the 4 string pickup set on a narrow spaced 5 string bass. When I read that I was worried that the same might apply trying to use the 5 string set on a narrow 6.
I can happily say that all 6 strings ring out nice and clear on the mike Inez neck pickup.
One thing I do have to change is on the blend knob. Being that this is left handed. I have to reverse the pickups going into the blend knob. Right now if I roll it towards the bridge it activates the neck pickup and if I roll it forward to the neck, it activates the bridge pick up. Didn't catch that until I had everything put together and was playing with it.
ButI have to say.. the Mike Inez set sounds awesome !!!!!!
Attachments
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How do you describe sound.....
The Mike Inez tone is there just plugging straight into an amp. Not the full on Alice tone. That requires tweaking the amp and adding a bit of drive. But the pickups have the fundamentals.
The most notable thing I find is more a Fishman Fluence thing than Mike's tone. The Fluence pickups have a really clear full range sound. Very balanced from string to string.
I did have to roll the treble back on the amp a bit compared to my passive P-basses. The Fishmans were really zingy on the top end. Again how do you describe sound... it wasn't too much treble or highs as much as they had a sizzle or zing that needed to be pulled back a little.
The Mike Inez tone is there just plugging straight into an amp. Not the full on Alice tone. That requires tweaking the amp and adding a bit of drive. But the pickups have the fundamentals.
The most notable thing I find is more a Fishman Fluence thing than Mike's tone. The Fluence pickups have a really clear full range sound. Very balanced from string to string.
I did have to roll the treble back on the amp a bit compared to my passive P-basses. The Fishmans were really zingy on the top end. Again how do you describe sound... it wasn't too much treble or highs as much as they had a sizzle or zing that needed to be pulled back a little.
I've recorded some sound clips, all picked as I feel it highlights the differences in the neck pickup voices better.
0:00 Neck - Mike Inez Alternate Voice
0:15 Neck - Mike Inez Main Voice
0:30 Bridge - Passive Voice
0:43 Bridge - Active Voice (Mid Flat)
0:58 Bridge - Active 'HiFi' Voice (Mid Scoop)
1:14 Bridge - Passive Voice Single Coil
1:28 Bridge - Active Voice Single Coil
1:43 Bridge - HiFi Voice Single Coil
2:00 Both - Alternate/Passive
2:15 Both - Main/Active
2:28 Both - Main/HiFi
2:45 Both - Alternate/Passive Single Coil
2:58 Both - Main/Active Single Coil
3:12 Both - Main/HiFi Single Coil
3:30 Bass Boost 100%
3:45 Bass Cut 100%
4:00 Treble Boost 100%
4:14 Treble Cut 100%
4:28 B&T Boost 100%
4:44 B&T Cut 100%
Nicely done.
2:58 and 3:12 are the closest to the Alice sound. To my ears anyway.
But you can get pretty much anything you want from them.
2:58 and 3:12 are the closest to the Alice sound. To my ears anyway.
But you can get pretty much anything you want from them.
Finally got the bass I built specifically for the Mike Inez pickup done last night. Well, I still have to file the bridge saddles, but close enough!
So far I really like it. I have mine positioned right between the treble coil of a P bass and the Neck coil of a MM.
Such a quiet set up, not a hum or buzz even with the preamp maxed.
So far I really like it. I have mine positioned right between the treble coil of a P bass and the Neck coil of a MM.
Such a quiet set up, not a hum or buzz even with the preamp maxed.
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