NPD? Custom P-bass pickup for Ibanez SR506

[Oobly]

Hey all,

I've been dissatisfied with the tone of my SR506 for a while now, eventually bought a new preamp for it (Glockenklang) and although I could get more tonal range, it still didn't sound how I wanted. So I took some time to find out what tone I DID want from it and realised I'm a P-bass man.

Problem is I couldn't find any P-bass pickups for a 6 string with tight string spacing... so I made one myself (also just really wanted to try it, since I like DIY). It ended up just a little underwound (10.3k), but I couldn't fit any more wire on the bobbins, so that's just how it is. If I do it again, I would go for a slight overwind I think, something like 11 to 12k.

I'm quite happy with the result. Just have to find a nice pickup cover for it now.

Attachments: 1. After potting, 2. Mounted to a base, 3. Installed, 4. With homemade card and electric tape cover.

And how it sounds (please forgive the horribly sloppy, messy noodling): http://soundcloud.com/oobly-1/diy-p-bass-pickup-test

 

[Oobly]

oops, only 2 attachments per post... here are the other 2.

The sound test was done with the preamp in passive mode, tone wide open and TI Jazz flats.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Nice work! Are those EMG 45 size covers? (4.5" X 1.5")

You can get them here (along with a bunch of others):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Oobly]

Thanks! They are a little smaller, 4.25"x1.34", but I think I can get this case to fit: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thanks for the link! Postage quoted on the site is a bit extreme, $50 to post some $2 parts to Finland.... I'll email them to see if we can sort something out.

 

[tomatmojotone]

OObly, please send me an email at [email protected] and I will see what we can do about the shipping cost for you.

 

[ex-tension]

You know, those Bartolini MK1 pickups are already split coil pickups.
Maybe they don't have the tone you're looking for but the pickups under those soapbar covers are similar to the one you made.
But (as far as I remember) they have around 7-8kohm DC resistance. Way underwound than what you're looking for.

 

[Stealth]

Very cool, sir. Really like the tone you got out of it.

 

[Oobly]

OObly, please send me an email at [email protected] and I will see what we can do about the shipping cost for you.

Thank you! Email sent.

You know, those Bartolini MK1 pickups are already split coil pickups.
Maybe they don't have the tone you're looking for but the pickups under those soapbar covers are similar to the one you made.
But (as far as I remember) they have around 7-8kohm DC resistance. Way underwound than what you're looking for.

Cool, didn't know the design inside the package (they are sealed units), but worked out they are underwound for the tone I wanted (7.something and 8.something). I did get a nice tone by wiring them series just for a test.

Very cool, sir. Really like the tone you got out of it.

Thank you It was a fun project and I am finally happy with how this bass sounds.