*Beginner modder here*
What's the difference between T-Bird pickups and "Soapbar" pickups?
or is there a difference . . .
Also worth knowing that t-bird pickups vary pretty drastically. 3 basic categories prior to all the recent remakes (for a long time there were no aftermarket ones with the metal covers - other than Chandler in the 70's - but once these were available, many builders have made various versions).
1960s - these are thin from top to bottom and have 2 screw holes and blade "polepieces". Purportedly repurposed lapsteel pickups initially but hard to know if that's true. Late 60's ones tend to be wound hotter than earlier versions. These are one of my favorite bass pickups ever. Muscular and clear (not muddy or thin as so many other Gibson bass pickups tended to be).
1976-79 - sidewinders with 3 screw holes - fairly low output. Can sound good but different character.
1987 on - back to blade polepieces and 2 screws but totally different design. Much thicker and heavier than the 60's ones and, again, sound quite different. Quite a bit darker IMO.
I prefer the first version by a wide margin - and these are what most of the current aftermarket/boutique ones are based on as well as the Epiphone Vintage Pro/60s reissues.
EDIT: I should also mention that one thing that's nice with the blade design is string alignment with polepieces/string spacing is not an issue so long as the outer strings are still within the pickup's aperture (t-birds had slightly more narrow string spacing at the bridge than Fenders but the pickups will work fine with either - it would be more difficult in reverse).
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