• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Single Pickup Bass : Bridge or Neck Pickup?

IAmTheAntipop

IAmTheAntipop

Guest
Jun 10, 2014
59
2
29
#1
Hello TB!

I'm going to build a fretless bass but since this is my first build I don't want to spend too much on it so I will only buy one pickup. What are the differences between neck and bridge pickup, regardless of their position?
I heard neck pickups sound louder but that's pretty much all I know...

Thanks! :bassist:
 
#2
There are only two things that you can generalize.

1. Some pickups have different spacings for neck and bridge, to account for differences between bridge width and nut width. This is usually true of Jazz bass pickups.

2. Often, the bridge pickup will be overwound to compensate for the fact that there is less string movement by the bridge than by the neck.
 
#6
In order to maximize "Mwah," balancing fundamental with articulation, I suggest the pickup be mounted proportionally in the same position as the D-G segment of a P-pickup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JiJ
#7
IAmTheAntipop said:
So just to make sure, if I place a bridge pickup on the neck position(example) it will sound louder?
Click to expand...

If you are comparing a neck pickup that came in a set with the bridge pickup you are using, then there is a good chance it will be.

As a side note, I said that bridge pickups can be overwound to balance output levels, but sometimes they are not overwound, but still have a higher output, because of differences in size. Jazz bass pickups, for example, often have the same number of winds, but the bridge pickup will have more wire, because the coil is wider.

In any case, it sounds like you are trying to choose a pickup based on broad generalizations, rather than looking into specific pickups. You should be more concerned with whether a pickup will sound good than whether it came from a set as a neck or bridge pickup.
 
#8
line6man said:
If you are comparing a neck pickup that came in a set with the bridge pickup you are using, then there is a good chance it will be.

As a side note, I said that bridge pickups can be overwound to balance output levels, but sometimes they are not overwound, but still have a higher output, because of differences in size. Jazz bass pickups, for example, often have the same number of winds, but the bridge pickup will have more wire, because the coil is wider.

In any case, it sounds like you are trying to choose a pickup based on broad generalizations, rather than looking into specific pickups. You should be more concerned with whether a pickup will sound good than whether it came from a set as a neck or bridge pickup.
Click to expand...

Actually, I've already chosen the pickup i'll put in my bass, Bartolini MK5, but since they usually come in pair, I don't know if I should choose the bridge pickup or the neck pickup. And by the way, as anyone ever tried Bartolini's MK5?
 
  • Like
Reactions: TJH3113
#9
iiipopes said:
In order to maximize "Mwah," balancing fundamental with articulation, I suggest the pickup be mounted proportionally in the same position as the D-G segment of a P-pickup.
Click to expand...

Hummm...All I understood is that in order to get that ''mwah'' sound(which I definitely look for) I must place my pickup the same place I would put a P-bass pickup..? (sorry for my poor understanding of english haha but you lost me at ''D-G segment'' :bag:)
 
#10
IAmTheAntipop said:
Hummm...All I understood is that in order to get that ''mwah'' sound(which I definitely look for) I must place my pickup the same place I would put a P-bass pickup..? (sorry for my poor understanding of english haha but you lost me at ''D-G segment'' :bag:)
Click to expand...
The part of a Precision Bass pickup that is under the D and G strings is closer to the bridge than the part of a Precision Bass pickup that is under the E and A strings. That is the place I meant.
 
#11
Too many factors in choosing.

If you play fast or add triplets or ghost notes, closer to the bridge will help. The notes will have some clarity.

Too close to the bridge and you'll sound twangy.

If you play Motown, Blues, Hip Hop, R&B, or any old school music, closer to the neck will be a better option.

If it were me, I would put it in the middle (the sweet spot) slightly favoring the bridge like a music man stingray.
I would also get a 3 position toggle switch and wire it as
single coil neck/series/single coil bridge. More options to get a different tone.

EiJT4DF.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: joselorellano
#14
orangejulius3 said:
Too many factors in choosing.

If you play fast or add triplets or ghost notes, closer to the bridge will help. The notes will have some clarity.

Too close to the bridge and you'll sound twangy.

If you play Motown, Blues, Hip Hop, R&B, or any old school music, closer to the neck will be a better option.

If it were me, I would put it in the middle (the sweet spot) slightly favoring the bridge like a music man stingray.
I would also get a 3 position toggle switch and wire it as
single coil neck/series/single coil bridge. More options to get a different tone.

EiJT4DF.png
Click to expand...

Good one- what I thought, also (or maybe a MM style 3-coil pickup for more versatility)
Better for the mids, should be good position for fretless.
 
#16
Yeah, done that...
some measure from the nut (front or back?), others from the bridge (front of plate, G saddle, E saddle?),
center between halves, center of AE half...
edge of cover (which one?) to any one of the above ref points...
Ha-
 
#17
OK, here you go:
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/pickup-placement-measurements.140523/#post-3392871
Read on down in this thread:
"MIM 50's Precision: 11" to the EA pole pieces, 12 1/4" to the DG pole pieces"
So, if you use a soapbar pickup, mount the pickup so the center of the pickup at that same spot: 12 1/4 inches from the twelfth fret on a 34-inch scale.

From my 38+ years experience of playing bass, this is a good compromise for all of the considerations of the different genres of music and what it takes to play them, as set forth in an earlier post.

As far as which model of Bart, I would choose one with a little brightness to it, because you can cut treble, but really can't add it, but you can add bass at the eq.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back