Poll: How do you blend your pickups?

[Rumbledore]

Both full on, then subtract a little bridge away

[Vintage Rickenbacker 4001]

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I use a Vita Mix to blend with.

 

[rufus.K]

On my jazz... constantly adjusting song by song... in a good way, and only if I want.

On my Tobias, they're usually equal.

On my P/J, mostly P..... J to suit, maybe 80% P

 

[NOLA bass55]

Both on full with my active Js.

 

[bigtone23]

Pretty much two settings here, too. Equal blend or all neck. I might experiment with some subtle blends just off center, but it tends to just fall back on my 2 go-to settings.

 

[RockinJohnny]

I have a Fender Jazz and a MIM Fender Precision/Jazz. I like to use a combination of both, with about 100% neck and 90 to 95% bridge for most songs. If I want a little more bite in the tone, I'll reverse those settings. I like to roll a little of the highs off with the tone control to minimize fret buzz. This is how I usually did it until I learned about wiring the pickups in series. Most basses come from the factory with the pickups wired in parallel. I got a technician to rewire the circuit and install a push/pull switch on the volume control for the neck pickup that allows me to switch from parallel to series. The series configuration boosts the overall output of the pickups and produces a growl that I like. So, I have the option to use both settings, depending on the sound I want. Note: when the pickups are in series, you can't change the percentage of volume between the pickups. It's full on both.

 

[MannyTheSaint]

Definitely depends on the room and the bass-amp combination; the first place I EQ is the bass knobs. If there is such a thing as an average room, I guess with a Rick through an SVT Pro3 I blend 55% bridge, 45% neck. (The SVT has more low end punch than I usually need)

 

[bassadvisor]

20/80, 50/50 or 80/20 depending on the needs.

 

[Lava]

Sadowsky Jazz Bass. For regular finger style, center detente on blend knob between the two pickups. For slap style, I blend just a touch to favor the neck pickup, I can't remember what bassist mentioned in an interview that he used that setting and it changed my slap tone immensely.

 

[higain617]

Bridge on full or both on full. I do mess with the tone a bit.

 

[Richard Miller]

My main bass, a Jazz, equal neck and bridge, using tone control and changeing finger position to vary tone.

 

[7615]

I try and use basses with only 1 pick up as two pick ups is so much to think about. P bass has that problem solved. Its easier to adjust ones attack based on the bass.

When the eagle flies with the dove...

 

[Ian Lewis]

Pick-ups equal, full vol, EQ flat, to give the (DI) engineer plenty to work with. I adjust my on-stage sound on the amp.

 

[GreyEagle]

Just curious... If you play a bass with 2 pickups, how do you typically blend them, and why (that is, what is your tonal goal)?

I really go by the song(s). That means changing quickly & simply. I find switching/blending pups a nice quick way to adjust sound live. I have no allegiance/prefs; it goes according to the song. Rarely use all neck unless I want an "Oldies/R&B" sound, which is great too! Bridge is for edgy rockers & chords (although I'll blend a little neck if it's a quieter song). I see no right or wrong; just a choice.

 

[rokipeer]

On my handmade tele-style PJ bass only neck/P most of time. Sometimes just checking occasionally why do I have the J pup installed...
In some songs I can use P+J series switch for tighter sound.

 

[MegaSwing]

I adjust until it's bass with a capital B!

I understand this.

 

[picker1974]

My main bass lately is my Ibanez Ergodyne EDB 600. I have the pickup blend straight up 50/50. The bass and mid also in the middle and the treble all the way back. It just sounds better this way for the Christian music. For metal I have the bass, mid and treble in the middle with just the bridge pick up.

 

[tgasper33]

I keep mine equal and the tone is always all the way to the treble side. Essentially I didon use the knobs on the guitar. I make adjustments on the amp. If I ever build a custom bass it won't have any knobs, just a kill switch.

 

[biguglyman]

My one Carvin five I crank both j-type pups. Cancels any noise and gives me max output. I adjust tone at the amp. The other has a jazz at the neck and a humbucker at the bridge. Adjust for the song from a both full on starting position.

 

[India_Sierra]

All bridge, all the time unless I'm slapping.