Show us your 3 pickup basses!

[Green Knight]

The 12th fret is a jewel of the Canadian gear scene for sure!

Thanks Green Knight. The neck pick up sounds great, and gives no mud whatsoever.
It's actually amazing the variety of tones I can get from this bass, the neck sounds quite unique when combined with the P split coil, which I favour. The sound is also unique when mixed with the jazz pup or all three together, unlike anything I've ever heard. After all the nice basses I've had over the years, this my college bass made in the basement of a guitar shop (The 12th Fret) by the teacher doing a guitar building class, inspires me as much as any.

 

[funkifiedsoul]

The 12th fret is a jewel of the Canadian gear scene for sure!

Yup, still going strong, bass was made by the owner Grant in 1983.

 

[5fingerfrenzy]

Here are 3 of my 3 pickup configurations. My MVP, Big AL, and Reflex.

 

[Doner Designs]

I had Eric's Guitar Shop do the routing for a third pickup on my Schecter Stiletto Elite 5, turned out pretty cool if I may say so.

From neck to bridge:
EMG 40P5
EMG 40DC
EMG 40CS

Control layout is V/V/V/BTC control.

View attachment 5314805
View attachment 5314806

Looks like it was made that way!

 

[dave64o]

Here are 3 of my 3 pickup configurations. My MVP, Big AL, and Reflex.

I have a Metallic Red Big Al 5SSS, but it doesn’t look anything like that. That looks like a Marty Bell metal flake finish.

 

[nonohmic]

I just put my dremel to work on this Gretsch Jr Jet and finished this monster.
Not quite sure how I feel about the looks, but the Artec Sidewinder/Mudbucker with S/P switch is VERY nice!


View attachment 5139753 View attachment 5139754

This one is wicked!

 

[5fingerfrenzy]

I have a Metallic Red Big Al 5SSS, but it doesn’t look anything like that. That looks like a Marty Bell metal flake finish.

That is correct!

 

[Bob_Ross]

View attachment 2047616

That PRS Curly is probably my favorite 3-pickup bass, followed closely by a Rickenbacker 4001 that's been modded with the Bartolini pickup that fit inside the bridge mute compartment.

I don't own (and never have) a legit 3-pickup bass, but I always think of my Lakland 55-02D as a 3-pickup instrument just because of how the two coils of that bridge soapbar get used, either independently or together:

 

[evil1603]

Just shot an updated family photo. There are a couple of triples in this lineup.

View attachment 532831

Hey Steve, apologies for referencing an ancient photo, I was wondering how you liked the true neck pickup on you G&L M2500; was it overwhelmingly bass-y, or did you have a single coil switch in there? Thank you!

 

[JimS]

Sadowsky NYC

 

[evil1603]

The dudes at the Bass Channel have been at it, lots of sound samples.

 

[DrSteve]

For those that Liked or Commented on my earlier post, my Hofner HCT Custom 3 Pickup is for sale:

For sale Hofner Contemporary 500/1 - Custom 3 Pickups (Free Shipping)

Hofner HCT Violin / Beatle Bass with 3rd pickup and upgraded pots (Case Included)

• DrSteve (+18 /0 /-0)
• Jan 3, 2025
• Updated Apr 13, 2025
• Views: 918
• Reaction score: 6
• Comments: 5
• Category: For Sale: Bass Guitars
• 3 pickup 500/1 beatle cavern contemporary cv hct höfner short violin

$1,195.00

$1,150.00

4 watching

Plays like a dream and sounds fantastic.

 

[Doner Designs]

Hey Steve, apologies for referencing an ancient photo, I was wondering how you liked the true neck pickup on you G&L M2500; was it overwhelmingly bass-y, or did you have a single coil switch in there? Thank you!

Sorry for the delay. Was not monitoring TB for a long time. That G&L triple was a favorite for sure. With all my triples including that one my favorite setting is with the two outside pickups on full. Basically like a jazz bass bit with wider spacing. The wider spread lowers the frequency of the mid scoop in a good way. I did have coil split switches on the G&L which is a useful modification that comes stock on some of the models.

 

[BlueTalon]

Sorry for the delay. Was not monitoring TB for a long time. That G&L triple was a favorite for sure. With all my triples including that one my favorite setting is with the two outside pickups on full. Basically like a jazz bass bit with wider spacing. The wider spread lowers the frequency of the mid scoop in a good way. I did have coil split switches on the G&L which is a useful modification that comes stock on some of the models.

Hey Steve, good to see you back!

 

[Jason Stock]

Here is my triple pickup Les Paul BFG

 

[RLK]

 

[ctmullins]

Ooo a double triple!!

 

[dave64o]

Here is my triple pickup Les Paul BFG
View attachment 7278376View attachment 7278377

That top is awesome!

 

[ryan morris]

Well, I started it!

Really wish I didn't try taking off the black finish, but I never loved it and always wanted a natural club. That top layer is paper thin though.

Can't stop debating wiring. Wiring it like a Grabber.. Buck and a half style is my primary idea rn.. Or VVV (no tone).. or V(neck/middle push pull)/Volume/Tone with maybe the tone as a push pull (engaged or off.. or two different cap values).

Plastic still on the new guard before I finalize the plan and cut a new hole/s.

Ideas for wiring? Just stick with the G3 wiring? Even though these are already humbucking, more interested in the series/parallel mix.

 

[ctmullins]

Ideas for wiring?

Freeway Switch, master volume, master tone.