• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New drop-in pickup suggestions for EB3 bridge pickups.

#21
Back in the late 70s I had an EB-2 that I put a Bart P pickup in the neck position and their quad coil pickup in the bridge position. It sounded great. Deep and full, but also very clear. I don't know if Bartolini still makes that quad coil pickup, but it was a direct, drop-in replacement.

I'm working on an EB-3 which is going to have two Dark Stars.
 
#22
RadioRob said:
I got the Seymour Duncan Rickenbacker neck pickup for the bridge.
I find it sounds best to me wired in single coil away from the bridge.
I also have the Model One pickup on a toggle with a single coil option. The single coil is the one away from the neck.
The Ric pickup has way more bottom than the stock and could be used by itself I suppose. But together it sounds way better.
I used the springs that were on the stock pickup and had to bend in the tabs a bit. But as you can see it fit in perfect.

View attachment 2199433
2013-11-06 21.05.03 by radiorobert, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Sweet!, I just bought a new EB 3 and dont like the sound of the bridge pickup either and Ive been eying up my spare Rickenbacker neck pickup and noticing that the size is almost a perfect match. I think Im gonna have to do this. Thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ctmullins
#25
I’m building one that will have a Model One and a pair of D-Activator X. :cool: Kind of an upscale Mike Watt look.

B331DA6A-D7D1-436B-801D-1321AE7B3BC9.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: ProgressiveDoom
#26
@Ledjackjones I didnt bother waiting for a trim ring and just went for it. I did it and Im not too excited and Im not too dissapointed. I think the Rick pup does add a different tone as expected, a small improvement over the mini humbucker. Since I rarely if at all utilize the bridge pup this was nothing more than an aesthetic change.
IMG_2413.JPG
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ih8law
#28
Ledjackjones said:
Has anyone tried the wilkinson firebird-style mini humbuckers?
Click to expand...
Hold on!, this has potential!. I may have reported my initial thoughts too soon (like an hour after I did the swap) for like ten minutes.....maybe?. Now that Ive had time to play with the blending, Im finding the Rick pickup adds a nice color of brightness to the highs where the original pup sounded more reminiscent of a hollow tin can. I can play some serious lows and get a crisp clean tone without sacrificing bottom end. This might be cool after all:cool:
 
Last edited:
#29
ProgressiveDoom said:
Hold on!, this has potential!. I may have reported my initial thoughts too soon (like an hour after I did the swap) for like ten minutes.....maybe?. Now that Ive had time to play with the blending, Im finding the Rick pickup adds a nice color of brightness to the highs where the original pup sounded more reminiscent of a hollow tin can. I can play some serious lows and get a crisp clean tone without sacrificing bottom end. This might be cool after all:cool:
Click to expand...

Nice! is there any way you can send an audio of both pickups on?
Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: ProgressiveDoom
#35
I had an inexpensive mini-humbucker added to my Epiphone EB-3, and while it was an improvement, the sound was quite different from the DiMarzio Model One (which I installed myself). I decided to try a Bartolini Rickenbacker neck pickup in its place, and am happy to report that it is a huge improvement. The Bartolini is an excellent match for the DiMarzio in output and tone. It is slightly longer than the mini-humbucker, so I didn't replace it myself, as the body had to be routed for it, the mounting brackets shortened, and the holes in the brackets redrilled. However, the result is worth it. The bass was nice before, but now it sounds superb!
20190822_135549.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 68Tele-Bass and Nebula24
#36
Ledjackjones said:
Has anyone tried the wilkinson firebird-style mini humbuckers?
Click to expand...
Sure, I bought an EB3 that had a cheap plastic covered bridge pick up - not sure what brand but awful. I also had a wilkinson Italia Rimini bass and the sound was good on that. The wilkinson mini humbuckers on it looked the same size so I bought one and it easily fitted to the EB3. It sounds good. I can't say how it compares to the original gibson EB3 bridge PU, but it sounds good and the volume matches pretty well to the Gibson bridge mudbucker.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Iristone and 68Tele-Bass
#38
EB-2D.jpg
Squirrel361 said:
I know it’s an old thread but I just bought an EB3 and want to replace the bridge pickup. I’ve looked at the Duncan’s but has anybody used a TV Jones Thunder Mag?
Click to expand...

I wonder if Bartolini still makes a drop in pickup. I used one in my old EB-2D that I wish I had never sold.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Iristone

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back