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Pickup Types

mickeyj4j

mickeyj4j

Dec 5, 2006
256
43
#1
When it comes to bass guitar what type of pickups are there and what are tne differences in sound.

All I know are J and P types as I have a J/P combo bass (a karina bass). To me (correct me if I am wrong)
  1. J (Jazz): seems to have a more flatt sound
  2. P (Precison): seems to have a more brighter warmer tone
I tend to use the P pickup more than the J one as I prefer that tone, on this bass anyway. For a while I borrowed a friends hollow body vintage electric Jazz bass (can't remember modle), which was nice to play on although it did have a high fiexed bridge so playing up the neck was not too easy.

I know there are other types of pickup and I don't know much about them.

One day I hope to upgrade my 4 string to a 5 string of some kind so this info will come in handy. I like a bass that has options to shape the sound to suite different songs and genres.

I would appreciate any info regarding bass pickups. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
 
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#2
P pickups are wide aperture pickups with relatively short coils, whereas J pickups are narrow aperture pickups that are rather tall. In general, a J pickup will emphasize harmonics, whereas a P pickup will emphasize the fundamental.

Pickups are classified in many different ways. Based on form factor, the most common casings are P, J, MM, and various soapbar shapes. From there, it breaks down into coil configuration, wire, magnets, pole piece configuration, etc. If you want to use a 4 string pickup for a 5 string bass, your best bet is anything with rail style pole pieces, so as to avoid pole piece alignment issues. Additionally, there is no reason to suffer with single coil hum if you are not dead set on a particular sound. Beyond that, you need to be specific about what you want from a pickup.

mickeyj4j said:
P (Precison): seems to have a more brighter warmer tone
Click to expand...

"Brighter" and "warmer" are opposites.
 
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#3
line6man said:
P pickups are wide aperture pickups with relatively short coils, whereas J pickups are narrow aperture pickups that are rather tall. In general, a J pickup will emphasize harmonics, whereas a P pickup will emphasize the fundamental.

Pickups are classified in many different ways. Based on form factor, the most common casings are P, J, MM, and various soapbar shapes. From there, it breaks down into coil configuration, wire, magnets, pole piece configuration, etc. If you want to use a 4 string pickup for a 5 string bass, your best bet is anything with rail style pole pieces, so as to avoid pole piece alignment issues. Additionally, there is no reason to suffer with single coil hum if you are not dead set on a particular sound. Beyond that, you need to be specific about what you want from a pickup.



"Brighter" and "warmer" are opposites.
Click to expand...
Ok thanks for the info I am getting to grips with the bass been playing at church for a year and a half now. I just need need to keep it up and learn stuff like slap bass and other techniques. Then I will get a nicer bass hopefully a 5 string.
 
#4
I have seen humbucker pickups, musicman make some. I saw a warwick double buck demo online, Using 2 humbucker pickups. Anyone used them what they like.Can they get sound like a J and P or do they have a sound of their own.

On another note: and partly why I posted this thread I do intend to upgrade my bass to a better one, and will probably go 5 string. Will look around the forums and may start a new post as I don't have much of a budget.
 
#5
mickeyj4j said:
I have seen humbucker pickups, musicman make some. I saw a warwick double buck demo online, Using 2 humbucker pickups. Anyone used them what they like.Can they get sound like a J and P or do they have a sound of their own.

On another note: and partly why I posted this thread I do intend to upgrade my bass to a better one, and will probably go 5 string. Will look around the forums and may start a new post as I don't have much of a budget.
Click to expand...

Delano makes a MM style pickup that is meant to sound like a J.
 
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#9
***edit** @mickeyj4j you have been a member since 2006 are you seriously asking these questions?




There are literally hundreds of threads discussing and describing in detail all of the questions you are asking, and more.
Please do read through the vast library of material already presented here on this fourum.
Your questions are welcome, but please look around a bit (use the search) there is more than 10 years worth of of information provided by very knowledgeable folks here.

Bright = sparkly full of top end and harmonics (j bass single coil types and bridge located pickups like music man )

Warm = midrange and bass heavy thick and smooth (p bass and neck located pickups due to the different harmonic nodes sensed by the pickup)

Dark = muted highs strong midrange and bass overtones. (irrespective of body position)

Muddy= undefined midrange combined with a soft boomy lowend

Soapbars are a shape and can have varying coil configurations, output levels, and tonal footprints
 
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