Original '57 Precision bass pickup with heightened A-string pole pieces

[jamerson_fan]

Hi

Can anyone who has a P-bass-pickup with heightened A-string pole pieces tell me about the advantages/disadvantages (if any)?

It seems it's not possible to just buy the pickup and that they're only available on stock American Vintage RI's ('57s)... Does anyone know how to get hold of one?

Take a look at picture 6 here to get an idea how it looks like:

New '57 P-bass with heightened A-string pole pieces


regards
Magnus

 

[Johnny Alien]

I assume the reasoning was to raise the height of the pole to match the fingerboard radius better. Rather pointless as you can just angle the pickup in a way that raises those poles. I assume that if it was a worthwhile they would still be doing it.

Of course if you want it mainly because it looks cool I can respect that. I assume somehow (like ebay) you could find a pickup like this.

 

[depalm]

Johnny is right he raised pole pieces are just to match FB radius. D string PPs are also raised.
Seymour Duncan used to make one just like that.

But as Johnny well said if you adjust the angle of PU you'll get the same effect.

 

[JTE]

The raised "A" pole was developed by Leo because of the response he was getting from the strings he had available at the time and the "D" string poles were NOT also raised. Fender dropped the raised pople for the "A" shortly after they introduced the modern P bass.

John

 

[sedan_dad]

I have a AVI 57 with the raised A.
I've had to really bring down the the pickup under the a to compensate the raised A pole piece.
Great sounding pick ups though.

 

[jamerson_fan]

Thanks for the replies.

sedan_dad:
Do you get more thumbrest-space with the pickup like that?
Also: Do you have the Swamp Ash (white) or Alder (sunburst)-version?
I've read that the swamp ash generally is lighter than the alder-version. Correct?

Magnus

 

[sedan_dad]

You have less anchoring as less of the side of the pick-up is exposed.
I have the white blonde and it is very light.
It's the lightest solid body I own.

 

[GC4]

I have the 2-tone and it is also the lightest P I own. The blonde may be lighter, but either way, the '57 AV's are light basses.

 

[Willicious]

It seems it's not possible to just buy the pickup

http://www.marshallparts.com/content/estore_details_simple.asp?product=1201

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/antiquity/bass/1104412_pickup/

. . . or just ask Carey Nordstrand to create one for you.
Won't cost you any extra.

 

[depalm]

http://www.marshallparts.com/content/estore_details_simple.asp?product=1201

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/antiquity/bass/1104412_pickup/

. . . or just ask Carey Nordstrand to create one for you.
Won't cost you any extra.

+1