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Most "P-sounding" non-P bass pickup?

Ji-Sung

Ji-Sung

Nov 21, 2023
8
8
#1
Not entirely sure how to better phrase it, but I'm building a 5-string P bass. I like the clips I've heard of the Nordstrand NP5, but it only comes in 19mm string spacing while the neck I have is built for 17.5mm spacing. The body hasn't been built yet, so I'm not really limited in terms of pickup size/shape, but I still want a similar sound. What would you all recommend?
 
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#2
Lindy Fralin now makes a 5 string P set. I have his standard-wind P's in both of my 4 string Pbasses and they're the most "P sounding" pickups I've ever used. They sound just like a P should. It says 17mm spacing, but maybe that could work?: Fralin 5-String P-Bass Pickups: Hand-Wound 5-String P-Bass Pickups
FWIW I have those Nordstrands in my PJ Sadowsky fiver. They are excellent but they're a bit more on the aggressive side. Not really an overwound type of sound, not wooly--very clear put there's some teeth in those babies. The Fralins are more traditional.
 
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#3
MOST is tough, but my favorite is the Nordstrand Bigrig.. it’s basically 2 ‘51 P pickups arranged as a dual coil (the poles of each coil are staggered so there’s a pole on both sides of the string)

It sounds absurdly fat and round and wooly. Not to sound like I’m making a sale, but it *also* lends itself really well to colorful moments and expressive playing. I really just love it, it’s a wonderful pickup.



I know some people will use a quad coil and try to use the catycorner coils to try to emulate a precision geometry- I’m sure that some of these sound great, I just feel like that focus of the approach is maybe missing the point.. I feel like a realllly fat split coil jazz at a slanted angle would sound more like a P than most things
 
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#4
Another thing to consider is that you can slant the pickup for a narrower spacing. There are some tonal implications, perhaps, but nothing that’s going to make it sound BAD

also- I’m not sure if it’s limited to certain models, but Nordstrand allows some customization of things like spacing, and it isn’t really expensive at all (I want to say it has been $20 to get a couple things 18.5mm). Certainly worth an email, they’re a nice company to work with.
 
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#5
Ji-Sung said:
What would you all recommend?
Click to expand...

Buy a P pickup that tolerates a wide range of string spacing. Including a link to a Bartolini example because their drawing shows what I am talking about (lack of pole pieces and has a blade shaped sensing area): 5-String Original P-Bass - 58S72 - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

Bartolini makes a few versions.
EMG makes at least one.
Delano probably has a few.
Probably a few more that I am not thinking of at the moment.
 
#7
ahbass2500 said:
Buy a P pickup that tolerates a wide range of string spacing. Including a link to a Bartolini example because their drawing shows what I am talking about (lack of pole pieces and has a blade shaped sensing area): 5-String Original P-Bass - 58S72 - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

Bartolini makes a few versions.
EMG makes at least one.
Delano probably has a few.
Probably a few more that I am not thinking of at the moment.
Click to expand...
That’s a good point- I think there are some P blades out there too.. there is a little bit of a total difference, all things being equal, but that’s kind of the thing about good pick up design, if what you’re looking for is a PA sound you will adjust it if construction pulls things away
 
#10
Ji-Sung said:
Not entirely sure how to better phrase it, but I'm building a 5-string P bass. I like the clips I've heard of the Nordstrand NP5, but it only comes in 19mm string spacing while the neck I have is built for 17.5mm spacing. The body hasn't been built yet, so I'm not really limited in terms of pickup size/shape, but I still want a similar sound. What would you all recommend?
Click to expand...
Bill Lawrence P-46. It was design for basses of 4, 5 and 6 strings, and sounds really cool for its price range.

www.wildepickups.com

P-46

The P-46 is a multi-pole piece design which accommodates a 4, 5, or 6 string bass. It is standard with four conductor wires for multi-sound wiring options and comes with mounting screws. Inductance: 3.8H Width 1.10" Length 2.24" Depth 0.82"
www.wildepickups.com
 
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#11
Try a Nordstrand Big Split. It has wide, fat coils like a Tetris-P, and if you put it in the usual P spot it will give a good approximation.

I’ve built a few basses with Tetris-P pickups. What a pain in the butt! I’ve sworn off of them these days. Soapbars are waaaaay easier to route for, and I don’t even like the Tetris-P tone anyway.
 
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#12
I bought a custom set of 5 string p pickups for a dual p 5 string. I was struggling with spacing as the bass is 18mm with both neck and bridge needing different spacing. . Howard ulyate built a custom spaced set. They showed up quick, very fair price and sound good. I’m sure there are other folks that would do custom spacing if you ask.

Ulyate Instruments

Building Vintage Style Pickups with a Modern Edge
www.ulyateinstruments.com

Good luck!
 
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#13
Could get a P pickup with blades like the Nordstrand Powerblade.
Could also get a humbucker with your string spacing, or blades, and then wire the coils in series. Not exactly P, but could be close enough.
 
#14
ctmullins said:
Try a Nordstrand Big Split. It has wide, fat coils like a Tetris-P, and if you put it in the usual P spot it will give a good approximation.

I’ve built a few basses with Tetris-P pickups. What a pain in the butt! I’ve sworn off of them these days. Soapbars are waaaaay easier to route for, and I don’t even like the Tetris-P tone anyway.
Click to expand...
Ivet never heard the phrase "tetris-p" before but it makes total sense
 
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#16
P pickups with 2 poles per string aren’t that sensitive with spacing, as long as the strings are inside the poles. So 19 mm pickups are mostly compatible with narrower spacing. Unless you’re bothered by the misaligned look.

As much as I love Wilde P46s, I’d avoid them for a 5-string. The A string will sound off (assuming you’d center the pickups).

Blade pickups should work, or those with dummy slugs on the A string on one of the coils. I personally dislike 5 string P pickups with the coils/halves that are not the same size, but I understand they work fine…

But at the end of the day, I think soapbars are the best bet. I also really like BigRigs, but for a different vibe than my P bass (with P46s). BigSplits would sound even more like the P bass.
 
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#18
nordsrand powerblade is a great way to go imo for this- the 5 string version has sizing for std P route (4 string) as well as 5 string (one bobbin is slightly wider to accommodate 3 strings). very very warm but not dark, a bit loud but not too compressed
 
#19
ctmullins said:
Try a Nordstrand Big Split. It has wide, fat coils like a Tetris-P, and if you put it in the usual P spot it will give a good approximation.

I’ve built a few basses with Tetris-P pickups. What a pain in the butt! I’ve sworn off of them these days. Soapbars are waaaaay easier to route for, and I don’t even like the Tetris-P tone anyway.
Click to expand...
A huge benefit with "tetris" pickups is that you can adjust the height individually for each string (on a 4 string bass at least). I don't understand how so many regular pickups can be sold with so bad string balance.
 
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#20
Makten said:
A huge benefit with "tetris" pickups is that you can adjust the height individually for each string (on a 4 string bass at least). I don't understand how so many regular pickups can be sold with so bad string balance.
Click to expand...
Maybe good for fans of tiny fretboard radii. Not me. I build at 20” radius, so no problem.
 

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