New Member Here

[Terry Protheroe]

Leave the hole empty and win on style points

If that wins style points, this bass has that in spades! You guys will see when I post photos. The rear knob is now a toggle and as of now, I have no idea how it's all wired. I'd like two pick ups, but don't even have an amp yet....

 

[Matt Dean]

Welcome to TB...rock on!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi, I just joined, I used to play in my 20s and recently decided to pick up the bass again now that I have reached geezerdom. I have a 1971 Telecaster bass on order that has the front pickup replaced with a guitar humbucker. With original Fender pickups costing a grand or more (if you can find one) can anyone suggest a good alternative? TIA, Terry

Fender pick up sets are a couple hundred at best. Same as everyone else.

 

[Ghastly]

Welcome! I'd love to see a photo of your bass on the way.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Welcome to TB & ‘geezerdom’ or ‘curmudgeondom’ or ‘codgerdom’ or ‘boomerdom’ or or or …

The world of the grumpy old farts!

 

[ELG60]

Welcome!
"I don't have an amp yet." Famous last words.

 

[Terry Protheroe]

Fender pick up sets are a couple hundred at best. Same as everyone else.

Yeah, but it's the big wide range humbucker that's missing.
Fender Wide Range 4-string Bass Pickup 1974 Nickle | Reverb

 

[bcbassman]

Welcome to Talkbass. I would search for a '73 Tele bass pickup to get the large humbucker or substitute. In 1971 Tele basses were still using the singe coil pickup. If you are looking for a single coil Tele bass pickup I would rec. Seymour Duncan or other pickup manufacturers.
FYI: 1972 was the transition year (mid-year) for Telecaster basses to go from original Precision specs to the hum cancelling, bullet truss rod design. Jazz basses did not get bullet truss rods until mid year 1975.

 

[stringthrough]

Welcome!

. . . and keep this in mind, like Windex, a tort pickguard is the correct answer to most questions on this forum.

 

[Terry Protheroe]

Welcome to Talkbass. I would search for a '73 Tele bass pickup to get the large humbucker or substitute. In 1971 Tele basses were still using the singe coil pickup. If you are looking for a single coil Tele bass pickup I would rec. Seymour Duncan or other pickup manufacturers.
FYI: 1972 was the transition year (mid-year) for Telecaster basses to go from original Precision specs to the hum cancelling, bullet truss rod design. Jazz basses did not get bullet truss rods until mid year 1975.

Thanks, it's supposed to arrive today. I'm very excited to get it. The listing was for a '71, but we'll see what arrives......

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Welcome! I cannot wait to see what arrives for you!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Yeah, but it's the big wide range humbucker that's missing.
Fender Wide Range 4-string Bass Pickup 1974 Nickle | Reverb

WRHB-Bass
Novak makes them. 300 bucks standard

 

[Terry Protheroe]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcomes! So here's my bass! As you can see, the Precision pickups were added later and the switches are "custom" It has a badass bridge which I don't mind at all. I believe it was painted originally, which would explain the plugged holes on the back. I don't know if the number stamped in the neck plate is a date stamp, I'll do more research. This bass needs a better neck pickup!

 

[SoulReflection]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcomes! So here's my bass! As you can see, the Precision pickups were added later and the switches are "custom" It has a badass bridge which I don't mind at all. I believe it was painted originally, which would explain the plugged holes on the back. I don't know if the number stamped in the neck plate is a date stamp, I'll do more research. This bass needs a better neck pickup!

This is very interesting. I hope it plays well for you.

 

[Terry Protheroe]

Picture of bass in would be helpful.

These usually, per my recollection, if an actual ‘Telecaster’ bass, had one pickup. So your reference to a ‘front’ pickup is a bit confusing.

I’ve seen earlier with the single coil exposed pole pickup and the later models with the big chrome cover pickup reminiscent of a Gibson EB-0.

If it’s the former then Seymour Duncan and Aguilar have what you want. If it’s the latter then I got nothing.

This is a 71 Telecaster Bass
View attachment 4982687
These are different Telecaster basses
View attachment 4982688 View attachment 4982689
Actual ‘51 P-Bass
View attachment 4982802
Which type are you buying?
You referenced a P bass in a different post. These shown above are Telecaster basses and/or early P basses with a different style than the split coil P Bass most are familiar with.

This is a '71 as shown on the neck. BUT.... The doofus who added the P bass pickup did a pretty crappy job. I bought a router template to make it fit better, but it's lined up completely wrong! So I'll need to fill the cavity and paint it over. I wanted to keep it Natural, but it'll now be either Lake Placid Blue (if I can find a good match) or Black.

 

[B-Mac]

This is a '71 as shown on the neck. BUT.... The doofus who added the P bass pickup did a pretty crappy job. I bought a router template to make it fit better, but it's lined up completely wrong! So I'll need to fill the cavity and paint it over. I wanted to keep it Natural, but it'll now be either Lake Placid Blue (if I can find a good match) or Black.

I see they’re not lined up as they ‘should’ be, but how does it sound regardless? Are any of the strings louder/softer than they should be? If not, I wouldn’t bother hacking this up, especially if you’ve never done this yourself before.

Your bass, to me, looks great.

 

[Terry Protheroe]

It sounds like crap!

 

[Terry Protheroe]

PS, I have the skills and tools to do it correctly. The bass deserves it...

 

[B-Mac]

PS, I have the skills and tools to do it correctly. The bass deserves it...

Then by golly get on it then! Love to see it when it’s finished!

 

[Terry Protheroe]

It's already apart, I have all the new bits for it and will get on it this week.