Single coil vs split coil for my first bass

[RoderickF]

RoderickF, one thing folks haven't mentioned - and I'm sure you're aware having played guitar for so long - that aside from pickup combos, try out a few basses to get a feel for the neck. Forgive me if I missed whether you've tried any out yet. You may or may not like how a 'Precision' style neck feels/plays. My two cents. As for the pickup situation, honestly I don't know that you can go wrong with either, but make sure it sounds AND feels good.

I've already played on a friend's precision bass and I loved the neck ! Thanks for help GreatScott

 

[tribbledaniel]

I think I'm gonna buy the PB-50 with the Wilkinson single coil. I know it would be safer to pick a split coil bass but I feel something good about this bass.
Whatever bass I choose, I'll post my recording in the forum !

Are those available to ship in Canada??

 

[bassbenj]

I've already played on a friend's precision bass and I loved the neck ! Thanks for help GreatScott

Good for you! A p-bass neck is my favorite neck too! We seem to be in the minority, however. Lots of cats hate a p-neck so much they mod their P-basses to put a Jazz neck on it. Jazz neck not my favorite neck shape.

 

[StuartV]

Sorry Dan, but the people you talked to just didn't understand what you said before.

Feel like this yet?

 

[RoderickF]

Are those available to ship in Canada??

Yes ! But outside of the EU, you're gonna pay some taxes

Here it is :

Shipping costs and delivery time to Canada

delivery time : 5 – 10 working days
Shipping Cost Calculator Flatrate : You always pay 50€ shipping fee.

 

[Mvilmany]

In my opinion, if you play hard rock or metal, the split coil is the way to go. No question about it.

 

[RoderickF]

In my opinion, if you play hard rock or metal, the split coil is the way to go. No question about it.

I know, split coil is the reasonable option but I love the look of vintage precision basses. It's reason vs passion...
I have to say that I would be curious to hear how a P single coil sounds when playing metal.

The point is that the PB-50 pup is a Wilkinson single-coil and I've heard eulogistic words about the brand...

 

[Mvilmany]

I have to say that I would be curious to hear how a P single coil sounds when playing metal

When you've got heavy guitars, and a thick kick drum, the lower midrange punch of the split will carry your bass sound through. The single will sound thinner. It will probably be more of a challenge to EQ the single coil sound to make it cut through the mix. But it can be done.

But yes, a P Bass with a single coil does look really cool.

 

[Dan Bass]

Good for you! A p-bass neck is my favorite neck too! We seem to be in the minority, however. Lots of cats hate a p-neck so much they mod their P-basses to put a Jazz neck on it. Jazz neck not my favorite neck shape.

I jammed 4-string Basses for 32years andgot really used to the thin Ibanez SR necks. Then I got my first 5-string Bass and now I love a bigger thicker neck, it feels great. I got the ESP LTD F415FM Bass, its neck-thru, 35" scale, 17mm string spacing and it has 2- active EMG 40DC double humbuckers with active EMG 3-band EQ and I love it. I just can't stand a thin little neck anymore.

 

[RoderickF]

When you've got heavy guitars, and a thick kick drum, the lower midrange punch of the split will carry your bass sound through. The single will sound thinner. It will probably be more of a challenge to EQ the single coil sound to make it cut through the mix. But it can be done.

But yes, a P Bass with a single coil does look really cool.

Is lower midrange about 250hz/500hz ? Am i wrong ?

 

[Charlzm]

Hi everyone ! I've been playing the guitar for 12 years and it's time for me to buy my first bass guitar (better late than never !). I'm looking for an affordable instrument and this one caught my attention :
The Harley Benton PB-50
I've always been attracted to vintage precision basses (especially the Fender Sting signature) but I don't know if a single coil pickup would suit my musical tastes well.

I mainly play metal (Megadeth, Iron maiden, Metallica) and rock (The Police, Led zeppelin, Franz Ferdinand, Dire straits, RHCP) but I also like jamming along Jazz, Funk or G-funk songs.

If I was only a metal player, I'd get a split coil bass.
If I was a rock, jazz & funk player, I'd probably get a single coil bass.

But which one should I get ? Which one would be the better choice in my situation ?

Thanks !

Why not get a bass with switchable single coils? Best of both worlds.

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"..Inside the Hellraiser Extreme-4 are both single and dual-coil EMG 35TW pickups, each with its own output. The single-coil mode is a new version of the J pickup built in the CS (ceramic and steel). The dual-coil mode is the popular CS dual-coil consisting of two coils opposite one another creating a pickup similar to model 35CS. A push/pull volume pot allows you to change from the clarity of a single-coil to the fatness of a dual-coil..."

 

[Dan Bass]

Is lower midrange about 250hz/500hz ? Am i wrong ?

250hz is low 500hz is about mid way.
A lot of active Basses with 3-band EQ's have a mid frequency select knob that goes from 200hz to 1.5khz thats plenty of mid range to choose from. You select the frequency you want then you turn the mid boost/cut knob that goes from like let's say +/- 12db where ever you want till you find the amount of mid range you like.

 

[RoderickF]

Why not get a bass with switchable single coils? Best of both worlds.

Invalid Link Removed

"..Inside the Hellraiser Extreme-4 are both single and dual-coil EMG 35TW pickups, each with its own output. The single-coil mode is a new version of the J pickup built in the CS (ceramic and steel). The dual-coil mode is the popular CS dual-coil consisting of two coils opposite one another creating a pickup similar to model 35CS. A push/pull volume pot allows you to change from the clarity of a single-coil to the fatness of a dual-coil..."

Because it's way too expensive !

 

[Charlzm]

Because it's way too expensive !

Just used as an example.

 

[RoderickF]

250hz is low 500hz is about mid way.
A lot of active Basses with 3-band EQ's have a mid frequency select knob that goes from 200hz to 1.5khz thats plenty of mid range to choose from. You select the frequency you want then you turn the mid boost/cut knob that goes from like let's say +/- 12db where ever you want till you find the amount of mid range you like.

Thanks Dan ! It's clear now

 

[RoderickF]

Just used as an example.

I know Charizm but my budget is really limited and I didn't find any bass with switchable single coil for +/- 150 bucks.
But thanks, this would be a solution

 

[tribbledaniel]

Yes ! But outside of the EU, you're gonna pay some taxes

Here it is :

Shipping costs and delivery time to Canada

delivery time : 5 – 10 working days
Shipping Cost Calculator Flatrate : You always pay 50€ shipping fee.

Thank you!!

 

[honestjohnny]

Get the PB50. It looks the way you want and if you don't like the single coil sound, there are any number of manufacturers, price points, and wiring schemes for single coil sized humbuckers.

Edit: Quick search shows

Squire Classic Vibe Precision: $399.99 USD
Rondomusic:Nada, zip, zilch
Thoman UK: HB PB50 $130 USD

 

[interp]

I had a Fender Sting signature P bass for a while. Very nice bass but the single coil in it needed more output. I would go with a split coil to start, and maybe switch out the stock pickup for something a little hotter.

 

[RoderickF]

Get the PB50. It looks the way you want and if you don't like the single coil sound, there are any number of manufacturers, price points, and wiring schemes for single coil sized humbuckers.

I agree with you. Any example of great single coil humbuckers ? I can't find any !