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Pickup recommendations for Tacoma Thunderbass 5 String?

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Kevan Campbell, May 30, 2017.

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  1. May 30, 2017 #1
    Kevan Campbell

    Kevan Campbell Bergantino Artist, Vibe9 IEM Artist Supporting Member

    Jun 15, 2008
    San Antonio, TX
    Hey y'all! I recently picked up a Tacoma Thunderchief Fretless 5 String, and unfortunately the low B string has a significantly lower output than the other four strings. My local luthier (who repaired a split in the top when I got the bass in) said that it could be due to the undersaddle pickup on these basses barely extending to the low B under the saddle AND to the tapered-core design of the Labella Tapewound Black strings currently on it.

    Would anyone out there in TB-Land be able to recommend a good undersaddle pickup that will pick up a low B? I'm planning on looking around for different ABG strings to test first but would like to have some ideas for pickup replacement should it come to that.
     
  2. May 30, 2017 #2
    guy n. cognito

    guy n. cognito Secret Agent Member

    Dec 28, 2005
    Nashville, TN
    Wouldn't it make sense to replace the strings first to see if that eliminates the problem before trying to replace the pickup???
     
  3. May 30, 2017 #3
    Mrmatt1972

    Mrmatt1972

    Jan 3, 2017
    Espanola, Ontario, Canada
    I'd be willing to bet that a k&k system would work great.
     
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  4. May 30, 2017 #4
    Kevan Campbell

    Kevan Campbell Bergantino Artist, Vibe9 IEM Artist Supporting Member

    Jun 15, 2008
    San Antonio, TX
    Yes it would, that's why I'm going to take that route first. However I'd like to have a secondary option to exercise in the event that switching from a taperwound low B to a non-tapewound low B doesn't work out.
     
  5. May 30, 2017 #5
    SpruceApple

    SpruceApple

    Feb 19, 2003
    Minneapolis, MN
    Any feedback concerns?
     
  6. May 30, 2017 #6
    walterw

    walterw Supportive Fender Commercial User

    Feb 20, 2009
    alpha-music.com
    it's gonna be more feedback-sensitive than the under-saddle, but i bet it could sound really good with the right EQ, a bit more "natural", maybe even copping a pinch of upright tone.

    to me undersaddle pickups on bass guitars sound almost too "big", with vast lows and scratchy extended highs; more like a harsh piano than an upright bass.

    that said, the OP's fix is to just get his stock pickup's voicing right, maybe with a new saddle.
     
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  7. Sep 22, 2017 #7
    matthewbrown

    matthewbrown

    Jan 7, 2003
    Harwich, MA, USA
    I opted for a K&K pickup system for my Michael Kelly Club Deluxe 5-string. Sounds far superior now, and I already liked the bass a lot. $150 well spent.
     
    Mrmatt1972 likes this.