Replacement Pickups for EMG Soapbar

[Scrappersa]

I have a Schecter Diamond series custom 4 with two soap bar pickups. I really do not like the sound of the EMGs. I'm looking to replace the one closer to the neck with something that will get me closer to sounding like a precision or the sound that Flea has on the album Californication (specifically the song Easily). I know that it's hard to find Lane Poor and Legacy pickups but is there anything else that you guys would recommend? I have a precision and I love the sound, but I just haven't fallen in love with how it feels.

On the other hand, would replacing the on board preamp drastically improve the sound to get me closer to what I'm looking for? I would be willing to change both if it gets me there.

 

[Bass Mayhem]

Check out Nordstrand. They can make pickups in a lot of different sizes. If not in stock, tell them your needs...

 

[FuzzBoxVoodoo]

The Pickup's will give you the biggest change in tone,that is where I would start first.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

SGD, Bartolini, active EMG's (since the HZs are kind of lame, in my opinion), Nordstrand, and I think Delano all make pickups that fit EMG soapbar sizes.

In this case, the pickups are the weak link.

I might suggest an EMG CS/DC + EMG P combination of pickups - quite versatile.

 

[Rano Bass]

I would start with this: Invalid Link Removed

Its a precision pup in a soapbar case.

 

[Scrappersa]

@Rano, thanks for the suggestion but most of the people on these forums have said that it really doesn't sound at all like a precision.

@Bass Mayhem, I would love to go with Norstrand because I've heard wonderful things about them, but in their descriptions, they say that their soap bar pickups are like jazz pickups on steroids. That's the exact sound I'm trying not to get.

I'm kind of scared of going with EMG just because of how bad these pickups are but I guess that's not a good way to judge it. I'm really looking for something that will get me as close to a p-bass as possible without me having to route out a hole in my Schecter to accommodate a precision pickup. Thanks for the advice so far though!

 

[Scrappersa]

Hmm. I don't really care about getting the precision sound on my bass. I'm willing to route out my bass if I have to.

What is a current pickup that is still fairly easily available, that sounds closest to the old lane poor pickups made in the late 90s?

 

[SGD Lutherie]

What is a current pickup that is still fairly easily available, that sounds closest to the old lane poor pickups made in the late 90s?

These are pretty much Lane Poor clones:

Link Removed

I've made a few changes to get slightly fuller tone and a little more output.

 

[TMacATK]

I switched from active EMGs to passive SGDs in a similar import bass and I really like them.

You should also consider cost, however. Switching to another EMG pickup would be much cheaper than buying new custom pickups in EMG cases. I can recommend the P4 in the neck position with a CS in the bridge, that was my favorite combination and you can usually find used EMGs for $50-60. The quick connect system makes them easy to install if you already have EMGs in your bass (but I'm not sure how this works with EMG HZ pickups).

I wouldn't mess with the preamp. I changed my EMG 3 band out for a Glockenklang and I really regret it... it was super pricey.

 

[Dave W]

I'm really looking for something that will get me as close to a p-bass as possible!

I don't really care about getting the precision sound on my bass.

Do you want the P sound, or not???