Which Ibanez model has MM pickups?
Or are they the Ibanez-made large pole-piece pickups that aren’t actual MM pickups, like the SRX300?
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Musicman stingray - pick up replacement
- Thread starter ilansgroove
- Start date
Or are they the Ibanez-made large pole-piece pickups that aren’t actual MM pickups, like the SRX300?
Thanks @eastcoasteddie ! This is an actual sized Music Man pickup. I've measured it and it can take a SD, MM, Nordy, or most any other Music Man replacement pickup. I'm leaning towards the Nordy or SD but I don't live anywhere I can hear them. Living on an island and all...
Ibanez mm pup size and shape are different than mm pup.The extent screws ear already different than yours.
I did get the SUB 4 but sent it back. Didn't like the size of the neck or the hot signal from the pickup. Otherwise it was a very nice bass.
It looks like an EMG 35 sized pickup / route to me?
I would recommend something like a Bartolini M3 shaped M34CBC classic.
Thanks @HalfManHalfBass ! I'm looking into that one. I did notice my pickup has two screws while most MM pickups have 3-- 1 on one side and 2 on the other....
I had that particular model of pickup I suggested in what looks to be the same place yours (the sweet spot) and it gave me more of a Musicman sound than I was expecting! Funnily enough it was fitted to an Ibanez bass (a semi acoustic) and I was totally surprised at the resulting Stingray-like tone. Especially considering it was wired in series and with totally passive electrics...
I usually find the 'original' Bartolini tone to sound too dark, but these 'classic' voiced models have a better high end.
Good luck!
Please pardon my dumb question -- Can I use this pickup EMG 35-- as a passive pickup? The Ibanez only has volume and tone. BTW the Ibanez is pretty punchy with its stock pickup but I wanted closer to MM. Thanks.I had that particular model of pickup I suggested in what looks to be the same place yours (the sweet spot) and it gave me more of a Musicman sound than I was expecting! Funnily enough it was fitted to an Ibanez bass (a semi acoustic) and I was totally surprised at the resulting Stingray-like tone. Especially considering it was wired in series and with totally passive electrics...
I usually find the 'original' Bartolini tone to sound too dark, but these 'classic' voiced models have a better high end.
Good luck!
No worries, there's no such thing as a dumb question!
I have to admit I'm not an expert on EMG pickups because they are famous for being rather clean / neutral / hi-fi sounding and I generally prefer something with a bit more personality / with a baked in 'flavour'.
Most EMG pickups are active and require a battery. However, they do also make passive pickups which themselves do not require a power source but are then usually mated to active tone circuitry -which again WILL require a power source.
If the below link works for you in the US, the EMG 35 set available from Thomann in Europe pictures the EMG 35 pickup along with an active tone circuit and battery etc.
https://www.thomann.de/it/emg_35dc_ebasstonabnehmer.htm
The EMG 35 size / dimensions have become an industry standard and many other companies produce something that will fit a body with that routing.
In my opinion, if you are looking at preserving / enhancing a Musicman type of sound with your next replacement pickup, EMG would not be my first choice and might be a bit generic / bland. Part of the Musicman sound is quite a heavy mid presence and I doubt EMGs would give you that. I hope any of this helps!
Peace,
Rob.
Hey Rob! Thanks a lot! After reading all your information, I'm somewhat inclined to leave the bass as is. It does sound great with the existing pickup but I thought I could do better. I know i could but I didn't pay much for the bass and it's just a plunk at home bass. Thanks for the lesson in MM pickups!No worries, there's no such thing as a dumb question!
I have to admit I'm not an expert on EMG pickups because they are famous for being rather clean / neutral / hi-fi sounding and I generally prefer something with a bit more personality / with a baked in 'flavour'.
Most EMG pickups are active and require a battery. However, they do also make passive pickups which themselves do not require a power source but are then usually mated to active tone circuitry -which again WILL require a power source.
If the below link works for you in the US, the EMG 35 set available from Thomann in Europe pictures the EMG 35 pickup along with an active tone circuit and battery etc.
https://www.thomann.de/it/emg_35dc_ebasstonabnehmer.htm
The EMG 35 size / dimensions have become an industry standard and many other companies produce something that will fit a body with that routing.
In my opinion, if you are looking at preserving / enhancing a Musicman type of sound with your next replacement pickup, EMG would not be my first choice and might be a bit generic / bland. Part of the Musicman sound is quite a heavy mid presence and I doubt EMGs would give you that. I hope any of this helps!
Peace,
Rob.
Will
Sometimes there really isn't any need to replace what's already there -just as a matter of course, and I'm sure many people 'upgrade' their bass's hardware just out of habit and not need.Hey Rob! Thanks a lot! After reading all your information, I'm somewhat inclined to leave the bass as is. It does sound great with the existing pickup but I thought I could do better. I know i could but I didn't pay much for the bass and it's just a plunk at home bass. Thanks for the lesson in MM pickups!
Will
Heheh! You're very welcome for the 'lesson'!
Edit - haha didn't realize this was a 5 year old thread that was bumped.
Timely thread for me also as I have 2 Rays and I definitely prefer the pickups in my HH model which are all flat pole and more even vs the staggered poles in my HH.
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