Need help chosing pickups.... :S

[Pynkie]

hello, i am currently part searching for construction of my own "j bass" like bass...

i have chosen my wood for body and neck already... however, i am interested in what you guys think would be the best pickups for it.... i AM looking for ACTIVE pickups as i will be attempting to build an active bass...

PLEASE help me... and if you can direct me to some audio samples as well that would be fantastic!! much much love and thanks in advance...

 

[Anomalous Bass]

If you go active you dont necessarily need active pickups. You can have active pickups, onboard pre amp, or both. Just letting you know so you arent searching and just focusing on pickups that are advertised as active if you want an active setup.

 

[Pynkie]

If you go active you dont necessarily need active pickups. You can have active pickups, onboard pre amp, or both. Just letting you know so you arent searching and just focusing on pickups that are advertised as active if you want an active setup.

thanks for the heads up... im VEEEEEEEEEERY new at this sort of thing... and what would be your pickups/pre-amp combo of choice for this style of thing???

 

[Anomalous Bass]

I dont really believe there is such a thing as the best pickups. Its pretty much a complete preference issue. If you have specific charecteristics in sound your looking for im sure someone here could help you out. Even better would be trying the electronics/pickups forum.

 

[ThudThudThud]

My Jazz has a Walnut body (chosen by a younger, stronger me), maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. I have passive Seymour Duncan Hot Stack Jazz pickups in there. It's sounds just like me. What do you sound like?

Sorry, but there are too many variables. I'd suggest the SD website (no, I don't work for them) as they have a tone guide. Many other manufacturers have similar.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

Unlike many on this forum, I am a big fan of EMG pickups. I like the way they sound, look, and install.

They are mostly active pickups (meaning each pickup has its own discrete pre-amp), and they have a number of active preamps that go with them. From an installation perspective, EMGs are wonderful because they have these solderless quick-connect cables. All of their pickups and preamps work together and can be installed without soldering.

They are probably best known for their humbucker soapbar pickups, but they also make J and P (and PJ) configurations as well.

Their active Invalid Link Removed set will give you a pretty traditional J sound and look. They have other models that are more modern in tone and appearance, though.

But Anomalous is right. There is no "best" pickup. Each maker has their strengths and weaknesses, so it's really a matter of picking one that works best for you. It's easier said than done, however, because you pretty much have to commit to a pickup and buy one before you can try it.

 

[Pynkie]

thanks for your feedback guys!

and im not asking what the "BEST" pickups are... just asking what you guys feel are the best ... in your opinion... or a good preamp to go with passive pickups... just to start investigating/researching....

i have SD basslines - "quarter pounders" on my current bass and i love them... but i want an active bass now, so im just looking for sugestions... and yes i will try the other forums... THANKS!

 

[Anomalous Bass]

Youll get a ton of different opinions on what pickups people like best. You probably wont be much better off then you are now by asking what others like. Just search around, i assure you this has been covered a million times.

 

[Syco_bass]

Take the time to listen to a lot of different sound bites and pick the ones that sound the best to you. SD, SDG, Tesla and many more have sound bites on their websites that you can listen to.

I personally do not like "active" setups. I am an "Alnico" Passive pickups with passive tone circuit and tube amp kind of guy. But that's me. If you run direct out a lot and don't have an option to send a balanced signal from your amp, then I would recommend an "Outboard" preamp/DI. (SVT, Sansam, Sadowsky, Aguilar, etc) But then again, that's my preferrence. You'll have to do the leg work and decide for yourself what the "Best" pickups/setup is for you.

Good luck.