Music Man sound and pickups

[Kro]

Is this an actual fact that the larger pole pieces produce a stronger and more focused tone? Is it proven or just assumed? Thanks.

I think this is similar to asking if a car with bigger wheels will be faster than one with smaller wheels. Maybe, maybe not - there are too many variables involved to say with certainty.

The best that one can do is make assessments on a per-individual-pickup basis.

 

[madjazzbass]

I think this is similar to asking if a car with bigger wheels will be faster than one with smaller wheels. Maybe, maybe not - there are too many variables involved to say with certainty.

The best that one can do is make assessments on a per-individual-pickup basis.

Well, Everyone knows a car with smaller wheels is much faster , I wouldn't say it was a similar "question" but Thanks.

 

[Kro]

Well, Everyone knows a car with smaller wheels is much faster , I wouldn't say it was a similar "question" but Thanks.

My point was that you have magnet type and strength, windings, and general design all to take into consideration as well. IMO in these types of situations it's hard to answer an "all else being equal" type question.

My gut instinct is that no, pole diameter on its own probably has very little affect, until you start getting it wide enough to where the sampling area of the string widens a considerable amount... but from what I've read you'd have to have a significant increase for that to take place - like an inch.

 

[mcnach]

Is this an actual fact that the larger pole pieces produce a stronger and more focused tone? Is it proven or just assumed? Thanks.

nah... there are far too many other factors, it's not safe to assume anything about a pickup just from looking at the size of the pole pieces. I wish it were that easy.

 

[madjazzbass]

nah... there are far too many other factors, it's not safe to assume anything about a pickup just from looking at the size of the pole pieces. I wish it were that easy.

 

[Killing Floor]

There are a lot of factors, @Kro , you are spot on. But I have Fender Ps and Js and some with overwound Fralins and Lollars. And the heat that my Sabre spits out smokes them all. My Ray is maybe even a little hotter but not as versatile. But I'm also glad I have options. And I want more options because I only have 1 or 2 fewer basses than I need.

 

[Kro]

There are a lot of factors, @Kro , you are spot on. But I have Fender Ps and Js and some with overwound Fralins and Lollars. And the heat that my Sabre spits out smokes them all. My Ray is maybe even a little hotter but not as versatile. But I'm also glad I have options. And I want more options because I only have 1 or 2 fewer basses than I need.

My Ray is nowhere near as hot as my Precision. I've objectively measured them. Both with stock pickups, go figure.

 

[Killing Floor]

^^^Probably. Lots of Ray and P variations. But that's a good thing.

 

[shoulderpet]

I'm new to MM pickups but I very much liked the sound clips I've heard on YT. I bought an Alnico 5 Tesla PU (wired // = 2.6K) not realising it was staggered, and it remains to be seen if this works on my intended build of a Telecaster guitar body with a 30" bass neck. Haven't got a neck yet, so don't know if it will suit the radius or have a weak G.

Meanwhile I've been trying out the PU on my Gretsch G2220 short scale by means of inverting it and trying it in different positions above the strings. My sweet spot was unlike anything in production. I was very surprised how obvious even a couple of mm either way were to the sound. So, from 20th fret down to centre of PU the distances were:
Maruszczyk Cazpar = 166mm (maybe my favourite ever short scale sound)
My sweet spot = 157.5mm
Stingray short scale = 150 (roughly where the 36th fret would be)
Mustang/Bronco neck PU = 100mm

I was encouraged that the MM pickup sounded quite a bit better than the stock Gretsch Junior Jet PUs. I'd be tempted to replace the bridge PU on it with a MM, but it's around 197mm down from the 20th fret, not at all where I'd want to put a MM.

I'm tempted to think the 9.5mm pole pieces help with the sound quality. I was wondering if these can be obtained in Alnico 2 or 3 but I think that's doubtful so it'll be Alnico 5.

Not a Musicman and not even remotely similar to a Musicman but still relevant.
I experimented moving the pickups on my Hofner club bass and was quite surprised to find that moving the neck pickup down from its default positioning right up at the end of the neck there was quite a big space between the default position and the middle position (think where a p bass pickup is) where moving the pickup within that space made little to no discenrnable difference (someone with a really good ear might hear a difference but I could not hear much difference at all), from the middle position downwards towards the bridge made more difference and the closer to the bridge I got the more difference I could hear when moving the pickup by a few mm.

 

[GMC]

Kent Armstrong makes a great MM pick up (with no pole pieces) and his 2 band EQ is based on the EBMM preamp too. I'v used this combination in two basses (a fretted and a fretless) and they sound great. Very MM like.

 

[BassAgent]

I bought a Sterling bass today with a Kent Armstrong pickup and that actually sounds pretty decent but I want to explore some other options: if I want a little bit more Tony Levin-ish growl to it, what to look for?

 

[Rob Rogers]

Music Man sound and pickups

Just to address some of the many posts as of recent regarding Music Man sound and pickups.

I feel there are 3 main attributes that contribute to the tone of a Music Man.
1. The larger humbucking (or dual coil) style pickup
2. The ‘sweet spot’ placing of that pickup
3. The EBMM preamp

You can get the majority of the tone IMHO with pickup and placing. Some manufactures do offer models like this the Modulus Funk Unlimited bass (previously known as the Flea bass) ,ect.

On EBMM preamp and parts:

The EBMM preamp IMHO (and many others as well) feel the preamp is the icing on the cake of the “MM” tone. (Not that having the other pres are bad…this is just in reference to nailing the EBMM tone itself) and the preamps are proprietary.

In general EBMM preamps appear to have more an effect on the natural tone of the bass then say several other after marked preamps (Ex: Bartolini, Aguliar, ect)

Note: EBMM does not sell aftermarket parts (pickups and preamps) the do repair and if necessary replace original EBMM parts that where stock on instrument. Nor will they modify your original EBMM bass with anything additional (EX: The will not modify your original Stingray 4 H to a HH model).

Aftermarket parts:

Nordstrand makes a dual coil and a quad coil MM style pickups in both 4 and 5 string. These are my personal favorite since they use wire, magnets and DC resistance as the original Music Man pickups.
http://www.nordstrandpickups.com/bass-pickups/modern/

Seymour Duncan makes both alnico (Stingray) and ceramic (Sterling) replacements in both 4 and 5 Guitar Pickups, Bass Pickups, Pedals

John East makes some MM style preamps that where designed with the characteristics very similar to the original MM Stingray preamp (with and without the plates).
Onboard bass guitar preamps-jazz-music man-p bass-precision

(There are others out there as well I just wanted to tip the iceberg of the most common post your experiences)

Additional information (various)

Some of this might be common knowledge to some players, so bare with me. This sticky is to address some of the common questions that do pop up.

Standard wiring and pickups are (with some exceptions with the wiring)

EBMM Stingrays: wired in parallel and use alnico pickup(s)
EBMM Sterlings: wired in series and use ceramic pickup(s)
H=Humbucking, HH=Dual Humbucking , HS=Humbucking&Single

Music Man sound and pickups

Just to address some of the many posts as of recent regarding Music Man sound and pickups.

I feel there are 3 main attributes that contribute to the tone of a Music Man.
1. The larger humbucking (or dual coil) style pickup
2. The ‘sweet spot’ placing of that pickup
3. The EBMM preamp

You can get the majority of the tone IMHO with pickup and placing. Some manufactures do offer models like this the Modulus Funk Unlimited bass (previously known as the Flea bass) ,ect.

On EBMM preamp and parts:

The EBMM preamp IMHO (and many others as well) feel the preamp is the icing on the cake of the “MM” tone. (Not that having the other pres are bad…this is just in reference to nailing the EBMM tone itself) and the preamps are proprietary.

In general EBMM preamps appear to have more an effect on the natural tone of the bass then say several other after marked preamps (Ex: Bartolini, Aguliar, ect)

Note: EBMM does not sell aftermarket parts (pickups and preamps) the do repair and if necessary replace original EBMM parts that where stock on instrument. Nor will they modify your original EBMM bass with anything additional (EX: The will not modify your original Stingray 4 H to a HH model).

Aftermarket parts:

Nordstrand makes a dual coil and a quad coil MM style pickups in both 4 and 5 string. These are my personal favorite since they use wire, magnets and DC resistance as the original Music Man pickups.
http://www.nordstrandpickups.com/bass-pickups/modern/

Seymour Duncan makes both alnico (Stingray) and ceramic (Sterling) replacements in both 4 and 5 Guitar Pickups, Bass Pickups, Pedals

John East makes some MM style preamps that where designed with the characteristics very similar to the original MM Stingray preamp (with and without the plates).
Onboard bass guitar preamps-jazz-music man-p bass-precision

(There are others out there as well I just wanted to tip the iceberg of the most common post your experiences)

Additional information (various)

Some of this might be common knowledge to some players, so bare with me. This sticky is to address some of the common questions that do pop up.

Standard wiring and pickups are (with some exceptions with the wiring)

EBMM Stingrays: wired in parallel and use alnico pickup(s)
EBMM Sterlings: wired in series and use ceramic pickup(s)
H=Humbucking, HH=Dual Humbucking , HS=Humbucking&Single

Thanks for posting this and hopefully you will be able to guide me through a Headache.
I play in a ZZ Top tribute band. Trezz Hombres. I bought a 53 Reissue Telecaster bass and did the same DIY with the pickup, bridge, neck etc.
I had been having issues with metallic clacking sound from my aggressive playing. Also I am not getting that distorted ,overdriven sound I was hearing from the Live ZZ sound.
I have tried at least 8 different boxes etc. Sansamp ,distortion overdrive etc.
Musicman came out with the Old Smoothie bass with the Butterscotch color scheme. I finally have the sound that I was looking for . I have to change my style of playing a bit with the active pickup.
On these travels I found a Aguilar AGRO box that helped my Tele bass.
This is the question I was going to put the single action, active Aguilar pu and knobs into my Telecaster bass.
I am aware I would be really chopping up my bass, but it is the Dusty Hill look that I have tried to get as realistic as possible for our band.
Am I just going down a road that I should not even try or am I just going to give my self a Headache?
Thanks for taking the time for reading this.

I jus

 

[Rob Rogers]

big polepieces obviously will affect the sound, as will any other aspect of the pickup's design (coil size, winding, location, etc.)

electrical tape will not affect the sound of any pickup, and tells us nothing.

the main questions about MMs seem to be the usefulness of wiring them passive, or of installing fancy general purpose aftermarket preamps in place of the stock system.

i would argue no to both, as the whole idea of the bass was to design and place the pickup for maximum clarity and focus, then design a preamp specifically to provide the missing low end. the complete system results in a bass with clear attack and big bottom; removing or changing either element just compromises the design.

Thanks for posting this and hopefully you will be able to guide me through a Headache.
I play in a ZZ Top tribute band. Trezz Hombres. I bought a 53 Reissue Telecaster bass and did the same DIY with the pickup, bridge, neck etc.
I had been having issues with metallic clacking sound from my aggressive playing. Also I am not getting that distorted ,overdriven sound I was hearing from the Live ZZ sound.
I have tried at least 8 different boxes etc. Sansamp ,distortion overdrive etc.
Musicman came out with the Old Smoothie bass with the Butterscotch color scheme. I finally have the sound that I was looking for . I have to change my style of playing a bit with the active pickup.
On these travels I found a Aguilar AGRO box that helped my Tele bass.
This is the question I was going to put the single action, active Aguilar pu and knobs into my Telecaster bass.
I am aware I would be really chopping up my bass, but it is the Dusty Hill look that I have tried to get as realistic as possible for our band.
Am I just going down a road that I should not even try or am I just going to give my self a Headache?
Thanks for taking the time for reading this.

 

[TonyP-]

Thanks for posting this and hopefully you will be able to guide me through a Headache.
I play in a ZZ Top tribute band. Trezz Hombres. I bought a 53 Reissue Telecaster bass and did the same DIY with the pickup, bridge, neck etc.
I had been having issues with metallic clacking sound from my aggressive playing. Also I am not getting that distorted ,overdriven sound I was hearing from the Live ZZ sound.
I have tried at least 8 different boxes etc. Sansamp ,distortion overdrive etc.
Musicman came out with the Old Smoothie bass with the Butterscotch color scheme. I finally have the sound that I was looking for . I have to change my style of playing a bit with the active pickup.
On these travels I found a Aguilar AGRO box that helped my Tele bass.
This is the question I was going to put the single action, active Aguilar pu and knobs into my Telecaster bass.
I am aware I would be really chopping up my bass, but it is the Dusty Hill look that I have tried to get as realistic as possible for our band.
Am I just going down a road that I should not even try or am I just going to give my self a Headache?
Thanks for taking the time for reading this.

I jus

To be honest, if I was doing a gig like that I would use a PJ rather a MM pickup.
Also I don't find any drive pedal warm, at least to my ears. Maybe some do...

A PJ with the highs cut or a passive tone cap turned back about a 1/3 of the way. Possibly the microtubes by darglass with the drive turned almost all they way off gets closer to a SVT type of tone.

 

[ERIC31]

Anyone else have this Wilkinson MM pickup in their bass?(OLP MM 5er)

I like it. I’ve just got a generic eBay 3 band pre in there now but will soon have the Audere back in its place.

 

[Rob Rogers]

To be honest, if I was doing a gig like that I would use a PJ rather a MM pickup.
Also I don't find any drive pedal warm, at least to my ears. Maybe some do...

A PJ with the highs cut or a passive tone cap turned back about a 1/3 of the way. Possibly the microtubes by darglass with the drive turned almost all they way off gets closer to a SVT type of tone.

BUT, for the authentic look of ZZ Top . I love playing my 53 Reissue ,but trying to get that Sound and look. I try the Aguilar AGRO and I have a close sound, but I like the plug and play no boxes.

 

[BlueTalon]

Anyone here have experience with Q-Tuner MM pickups?

 

[Griev]

Hey folks, I'm not sure if this has been asked yet and I certainly didn't feel it merits own thread so I'll ask here.

I have a squier contemporary jazz with soap bar pickups. Is there a soap bar shape pickup that could possibly emulate a Musicman pickups tone? I recently got a stingray and fell in love with sound of it.

I know I can't duplicate that exactly but I'm not adverse to trying.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

Hey folks, I'm not sure if this has been asked yet and I certainly didn't feel it merits own thread so I'll ask here.

I have a squier contemporary jazz with soap bar pickups. Is there a soap bar shape pickup that could possibly emulate a Musicman pickups tone? I recently got a stingray and fell in love with sound of it.

I know I can't duplicate that exactly but I'm not adverse to trying.

Go to MM Website and look at what they sell. I think they have some for the Jazz bass. They didn't for my SG Bass so now I too have a Stingray..Bartolini Humbucker. Love it.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

Go to MM Website and look at what they sell. I think they have some for the Jazz bass. They didn't for my SG Bass so now I too have a Stingray..Bartolini Humbucker. Love it.

Actually, the Bartolini website.