• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Pickups on a 2 string

Eric Shepherd

Eric Shepherd

Mar 1, 2023
30
127
#1
Hi all this is my first post so be gentle :) Although I've done a bunch of standard guitars I've just finished my first 2 string short scale bass and am pretty cuffed with the result. It sounds good, plays well and best of all it's the lowest action I could ever have wished for..
I'm planning out the second but am after advice on pickups.. Bear in mind I am perfectly at home being up to my knees in wood shavings but electrics is something I struggle with hugely in fact my only ability with a multi meter is to check for continuity..
So to pickups, on my second I was looking at using something like those Artec or M&V Fatboy 2 pole pickups, being a 2 string they look ideal..
What I need to know is can they be stretched out to form a neck and bridge set.. I understand normally bridge and neck pickups are a different value but would that work or would it sound weird..
Secondly could the 2 pickups which I assume are humbuckers be separated into 2 single coils units again one for the neck and one for the bridge and wire it up with a 3 way switch to have a choice of neck, bridge or both..
Thanks..
 
#2
I presume you're talking about P bass pickups. They definitely can be used for that purpose, spread out, and basically as two single coils (which they are). I think I've seen 2-string basses like that, so you may be able to find some descriptions or even clips. Yeah, ideally the bridge pickup would be a little hotter, but that should be no big deal and may even have desirable effects.

You can also use guitar pickups, particularly rail pickups might work well. But they're wider, so may not look as good.

An interesting experiment might be to use a Stingray type pickup, but rotated 90 degrees, and have the coils running the length of the string (instead of across).
 
  • Like
Reactions: LowNotesFish and MYLOWFREQ
#3
Cheers.. Yep P Bass.. I was under the impression that the magnets in guitar pickups are too strong for a bass and that can reduce the amount of vibration in the string and thus affect the amount of sustain, just what I was told.. On this first build I used one I got from Stewmac, it's unbranded but sounds pretty good, it really does boom but it is a pickup for a 4 string so it makes a big hole in the body that's not needed..
I'm retired and just like making stuff and generally end up giving them away.. My first love has always been the bass and now I finally get to make some..
This is my first, it's what the guy wanted so that's what I made but I have some rather out there ideas for some solid body jobs.. It's got about 10 different species of wood in it with a carbon fiber truss rod..
Thanks for the input, very much appreciated, I'll order some up and see how it goes..
 

Attachments

  • 029x.jpg
    029x.jpg
    59.5 KB · Views: 155
  • Like
Reactions: jeffmensch, Williethump and Ewo
#5
Cheers Will, I've seen a bunch of these brands on the market so if I hear someone has used them and is happy with them it gives me some peace of mind...
One day I wouldn't mid trying those Nordstrand Power Blade ones, very expensive but might be fun.. Expensive however doesn't always make a lot of difference..
 
  • Like
Reactions: Will_White
#11
58kites said:
Morphine (band) - Wikipedia
That's Mark Sandman leader of the band Morphine.
He made a couple two string basses by putting two bass strings on guitars he had.
Played with a glass bottle slide.
They made some very good music IMO.
Unfortunately Mark is gone, had a massive heart attack on stage and died.
Click to expand...

Mark's main instrument (pictured) was made from a Premier bass. His buddy/ former roommate Chris Ballew used guitar bodies for his 2 string "basitar", and had great success singing quirky songs. (Peaches, Kitty, Lump)

I love both of their music.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HaphAsSard
#12
Eric Shepherd said:
Hi all this is my first post so be gentle :) Although I've done a bunch of standard guitars I've just finished my first 2 string short scale bass and am pretty cuffed with the result. It sounds good, plays well and best of all it's the lowest action I could ever have wished for..
I'm planning out the second but am after advice on pickups.. Bear in mind I am perfectly at home being up to my knees in wood shavings but electrics is something I struggle with hugely in fact my only ability with a multi meter is to check for continuity..
So to pickups, on my second I was looking at using something like those Artec or M&V Fatboy 2 pole pickups, being a 2 string they look ideal..
What I need to know is can they be stretched out to form a neck and bridge set.. I understand normally bridge and neck pickups are a different value but would that work or would it sound weird..
Secondly could the 2 pickups which I assume are humbuckers be separated into 2 single coils units again one for the neck and one for the bridge and wire it up with a 3 way switch to have a choice of neck, bridge or both..
Thanks..
Click to expand...
P pickups will work for one or two string bass or you can do a 18 string bass.Two strings look cool.
 
#13
Well I'm looking forward to hearing just how well my first one plays on stage.. We have a Jazz and Blues festival in a couple of weeks and the guy I built it for will be debuting it there..
It's always a great thrill for me to see stuff I build in action.. I've long since given up ideas of being a rock star but to stand back and see someone playing an instrument I made and watching the audience react gives me huge pleasure..
I can't wait to get on to my next one and just maybe I'll get around to building a lefty for myself to pluck away on..
Thanks so much again, this has helped no end..
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueTalon, Queue and Matt Liebenau
#14
otp57 said:
P pickups will work for one or two string bass or you can do a 18 string bass.Two strings look cool.
Click to expand...


Umm no to 18 strings, I think if The Ox can be voted bassist of last century using 4 or 5 strings I think that probably means 4 or 5 is good enough for anyone.. I think you'd have to have some beefy neck and shoulder muscles to hanfg that thing from..
 
#15
Eric Shepherd said:
Well I'm looking forward to hearing just how well my first one plays on stage.. We have a Jazz and Blues festival in a couple of weeks and the guy I built it for will be debuting it there..
It's always a great thrill for me to see stuff I build in action.. I've long since given up ideas of being a rock star but to stand back and see someone playing an instrument I made and watching the audience react gives me huge pleasure..
I can't wait to get on to my next one and just maybe I'll get around to building a lefty for myself to pluck away on..
Thanks so much again, this has helped no end..
Click to expand...


You should start some build threads in the Luthiers Corner. It’s a supportive bunch over there and we love unusual instruments. Just remember to include lots of pictures! :D:thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueTalon, Will_White, TFM94 and 1 other person
#16
You have the idea in your picture and in one of the pictures posted a little farther down: separate the halves of a P-pickup and mount each where you want. Add series/parallel push-pull wiring and you are in business.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C Stone
#19
Eric Shepherd said:
Umm no to 18 strings, I think if The Ox can be voted bassist of last century using 4 or 5 strings I think that probably means 4 or 5 is good enough for anyone.. I think you'd have to have some beefy neck and shoulder muscles to hanfg that thing from..
Click to expand...

Five or Six said:
So, I'm asking the "stupid " question of the day, maybe the month. Why a 2 string, what's the point?
Click to expand...

Eighteen is too many and two is not enough. Back on another thread, five basses is too many. I'm grateful people like this aren't in charge of the innovation, evolution and progression of the bass guitar.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HaphAsSard and Stylee Mousse
#20
58kites said:
Morphine (band) - Wikipedia
That's Mark Sandman leader of the band Morphine.
He made a couple two string basses by putting two bass strings on guitars he had.
Played with a glass bottle slide.
They made some very good music IMO.
Unfortunately Mark is gone, had a massive heart attack on stage and died.
Click to expand...

This song rocks. Fab bass tone however many strings, cool sax, strong drumming.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HaphAsSard and 58kites

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back