Preferred pickup position for aggressive tone.

[RyoCanCan]

Hey guys, not totally sure whether to post this here or the pickup section but I'll try here first.

I'm thinking of getting a new bass and have 2 options. Otherwise really same but they both have a single MM in a bit of a different position, blue having it more in a ''sweet spot'' and the black closer to the neck. (Seems to be kinda close to warwick double bucker bridge and neck positions)

I play in a pretty aggressive death thrash band and use some distortion, fingerstyle. Of course I'd prefer the black one for the whole ''metal aesthetic'' reason but is a pickup closer to the bridge better to get a punchy, nice driven sound?

I'm also thinking of replacing the SD pickup with an EMG MMHZ, single/series/parallel switch and a BQC 3 band control for optional tone sculpting. Will this optional sculpting be enough to achieve the aforementioned tone?

 

[elgranluis]

A pickup closer to the bridge is usually brighter and people often refer to it as “aggressive”. The same “aggressiveness” can be achieved with the use of a pick.

Either way, since you are adding a 3 band eq, I don’t think pickup location will matter at all. Go for the black one.

 

[nmiller]

The closer the pickup is to the bridge, it picks up less bass and proportionally more treble, but also lower overall output. "Aggressive" and "punchy" might not mean the same thing to everyone, but to me, closer to the bridge means more aggressive and less punchy.

The active EQ will allow you to compensate for the loss of bass or having too much treble, but the position of the pickup will still be a major factor in the sound of the bass.

 

[RyoCanCan]

I'll get the black one and route a bridge humbucker if needs be. Thanks for the good points!

 

[deff]

Uhm yeah, I'm going to go completely contrary on this one. If you like a jazz bass burpy tone or a stingray bumpy sound then go for a bass with a route towards the bridge. Alsmost everyone who plays heavy aggressive music uses a P pickup position or closer to the neck for a heavier sound.

Tim from 108 uses a Fender telecaster with the pickup position right up against the neck. The first song is an example of that tone with distortion. Closer to the neck is by far more aggressive.