Need good 8-string pickups

[Blkholesun]

I'm thinking of modding my washburn p/j into an 8-string. I'm already unhappy with the pickups so I will definately need to replace them. I'm looking for a piano sound with nice, solid low end. I'm looking for passive only, and nothing too expensive please, I'm a poor college student

The bass right now is strung with heavy roundwound ghs boomers and is pretty close to a sound I like, it's just too trebly for me.

There's also a chance I may go fretless, although I doubt it at this point. I'd like to hear some soundclips if anyone has some available, but otherwise the stuff above is the main reason for this post

 

[tplyons]

Dimarzio Model P/J would give you a nice mid boosted sound. You're going to want that treble there playing an 8 string.

 

[Blkholesun]

Is there a pre-amp in passive basses? If so should I replace that as well?

 

[tplyons]

Is there a pre-amp in passive basses? If so should I replace that as well?

No, that's what makes it passive. No preamp.

The pots are probably of low quality and could be replaced, but may or may not be necessary.

 

[Blkholesun]

the tone knob is definately low quality, it doesnt always work. I'm going to bring it to a shop for this though, so I'll have them do anything else that needs done (such as a proper setup as I have gone a year without doing that).

I've also heard a lot about the seymour duncan quarter pounders, how would they compare?

 

[spudmaster34]

by 8 string you mean doubled, right?

 

[tplyons]

by 8 string you mean doubled, right?

Yes. In his other thread on the topic the OP mentions a Jeff Ament influence.

To the OP, the Duncans may be right for you. Unfortunately, with pickups it's hard to judge as you can't open em up, solder 'em in and take em back if you don't like them. One must go on others' expereiences, but I can assure you that a P will sound like a P, and a J will sound like a J for the most part. Any moderate priced pickup (the price range you're looking in) will sound similar but will have different tonal signatures. However, there's very limited experience with all of these and 8 stringers.

I for one, almost assembled a fully Warmoth 8 string Jazz using Dimarzio P/J's due to prior experience with the pickups and desire for 8 string tone. I cannot comment on the Duncans.

Lastly, for replacing the pots, have a pro do it. It's not too expensive, but you might as well do them all if you're going to do any. It's a volume/volume/tone setup, right?

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Dimarzio Model P/J would give you a nice mid scooped sound. You're going to want that treble there playing an 8 string.

The DiMarzio Model P/J set sounds mid boosted to my ear, not scooped at all

 

[tplyons]

The DiMarzio Model P/J set sounds mid boosted to my ear, not scooped at all

True, that's what I meant. Going back to edit my original post.

 

[Blkholesun]

its setup as a vol/tone...2 pots and a selector switch.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I've got an early 80's Hamer 8 string. When I bought it the electronics were fried. I put Alembics in it (the guitar/Steinberger HB sized ones). It is active but with just 2vol/1tone. I also have a Hamer US Chapparell 12 string with EMG's in it (1vol/1bal/treb/bass). For these multistring basses, I prefer the EMG's as the bright top end really makes the octave strings shine. JMO, I just don't find the Alembics sparkle enough on those octaves. Perhaps if I added some more preamp controls to dial in the right tone.