Something like a P pickup but different?

[Dbassmon]

What about a reverse P pickup? I've never tried one, but it totally makes sense.

Reversing the position of the dual coil Pbass configuration makes an extremely big difference in the sound of a precision style bass pickup. Several manufacturers have done this, including Spector, which is part of their signature sound. Its and idea worth considering. It makes the Pbass less polite in very good and usable way.

 

[BlueTalon]

Im planing a new build that is essentially a fretless pbass with a different aesthetic. But I don't love the look of the classic split black plastic pickup, or that of any other black plastic box slapped on the middle of a bass and would like something that looks different but sounds kind of the same. I'd love something that looks like a goldfoil, or a Rick toastertop or a thunderbird pu would also look cool... I like shiny metal.

I'm not a tone purist, all pbasses sound good to me and a lot other basses can sound close enough. I just want a smallish metal box that delivers some phat punch without hum. What should I be checking out?

DiMarzio's Billy Sheehan Relentless pickup?


I see several people have beat me to the punch on this one. It's what I get for posting without reading the thread first.

 

[devnulljp]

I like shiny metal.

You like the Rick horseshoe and shiny metal?

Put a pickup cover on it

 

[2thAche]

What's the pickup in some Rays that can switch poles to be P, reverse P, giant humbucker, 2 singles?? That's what I'd do.

 

[MingusBass]

Get a Serek B90 or Novak BiSonic and put ‘em in the sweet spot and you’ll be golden.

 

[mdogs]

I don't know how P Bass sounding it would be, but maybe a Curtis Novak H22 gold foil?

H22 Goldfoil

View attachment 5434428

I have one of these and I can tell you that it sounds spectacular.

A couple of things about it, the mids are huge, your call on whether that is good or bad. I have it installed on a Sire D5 right now that had TI Jazz flats on it, those 2 cannot exist in the same world. Second, the pickup has no height adjustment, Curtis sells a spacer to put underneath if needed. Third, the pickup sits flush on the top, it needs no routing beneath it. This is kind of nice, on the D5, it sits over the route for the original pickup so it looks like it belongs. Fourth, it isn't the cheapest pickup, $195.

I don't use the bass much, but this is totally about the Sire bass, it just isn't the best bass. I have plans to take the goldfoil off the Sire and buy another goldfoil and convert one of my J's to two of the goldfoils, I think it would make a killer setup. And, it is a relatively easy job since no routing is require.

 

[H K]

Im planing a new build that is essentially a fretless pbass with a different aesthetic. But I don't love the look of the classic split black plastic pickup, or that of any other black plastic box slapped on the middle of a bass and would like something that looks different but sounds kind of the same. I'd love something that looks like a goldfoil, or a Rick toastertop or a thunderbird pu would also look cool... I like shiny metal.

I'm not a tone purist, all pbasses sound good to me and a lot other basses can sound close enough. I just want a smallish metal box that delivers some phat punch without hum. What should I be checking out?

Fidelitron?

 

[nonohmic]

I ran out of time during my long-winded comment, but I meant to add “talk to Nordstrand, they’re super responsive and helpful, and they know more than me”

sooooo I’d go with their opinion! I’ve never found myself in a position where I felt like they were placating me to make a sale

Thinking out loud, I have often found myself wanting to take the big rig and install it at an angle, such that both pole pieces were directly under the string. I’ll have to jot that down somewhere and remember it for a build

Word. I think i'll go ahead. Can report back!

Worst case scenario I run it in series, second worse I install another dual coil.

 

[nonohmic]

View attachment 5434920

I have one of these and I can tell you that it sounds spectacular.

A couple of things about it, the mids are huge, your call on whether that is good or bad. I have it installed on a Sire D5 right now that had TI Jazz flats on it, those 2 cannot exist in the same world. Second, the pickup has no height adjustment, Curtis sells a spacer to put underneath if needed. Third, the pickup sits flush on the top, it needs no routing beneath it. This is kind of nice, on the D5, it sits over the route for the original pickup so it looks like it belongs. Fourth, it isn't the cheapest pickup, $195.

I don't use the bass much, but this is totally about the Sire bass, it just isn't the best bass. I have plans to take the goldfoil off the Sire and buy another goldfoil and convert one of my J's to two of the goldfoils, I think it would make a killer setup. And, it is a relatively easy job since no routing is require.

Far too cool looking.

 

[dusterdan70]

What about a reverse P pickup? I've never tried one, but it totally makes sense.

It does make sense.....even Leo himself is posthumously quoted with saying he should've done it this way in the first place but by the time that realization was had, the precision was already well-established and accepted for it's tone. Funny how that sort of thing works out huh!

 

[mdogs]

The OP didn't actually state that they want a "hum-cancelling" pickup. They said "I just want a smallish metal box that delivers some phat punch without hum." My H22 does not hum. I think it's still a contender!

Exactly, I get no hum whatsoever from mine.

Far too cool looking.

Too cool? Whoever heard of such a thing? Seriously.

 

[mauerkraut_]

Shop – Curtis Novak Classic Pickups
Bass Pickups - Serek Basses
Turner Pickups | Unique Pickups For Bass Guitar

Novak has some interesting variations, Darkstar, TBird (which can be top mounted), Serek has some great options as well. I’d also check out Turner pickups they have multi coils which can be routed in P and reverse P, as well as their Gordo pickup. If you email Turner you might be able to get a custom shiny metal version.

of course if you want to stay in the P bass pickup route I’d recommend Delano PMVC or the Dimarzio Relentless if want the chromed out look.

 

[JFlo]

I have an Avedissian P-bird in the P position on a bass that sounds very good. Darker than a P, closer to a T-bird to my ears
I bet it would sound great in a fretless.

 

[gtirard]

I don't see these pickups very often, but on paper I find them interesting - Sims Super-Quad pickups allow for different coil-configurations with one single pickup:

• Green: SPLIT COIL [Old school Precision Bass]
• Red: 2 x SINGLE COIL [Mid 70’s Jazz Bass]
• Blue: PARALLEL HUMBUCKER [StingRay]

 

[Gervais Cote]

EMG Les Claypool? It's still a P shape, but oh so shiny...

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Wow ! What a nice kit and so easy to retrofit !

 

[Gervais Cote]

I don't see these pickup very often, but on paper I find them interested - Sims Super-Quad pickups allow for multiple coil-configurations with one single pickup:

• Green: SPLIT COIL [Old school Precision Bass]
• Red: 2 x SINGLE COIL [Mid 70’s Jazz Bass]
• Blue: PARALLEL HUMBUCKER [StingRay]

Just amazing all the products available nowadays !

 

[gtirard]

Just amazing all the products available nowadays !

Yes I agree. Also, I wonder how can all these companies can be profitable when soooo many options exist for what I imagine is a super tiny market. If you take the example of these bass pickups I've never seen i real life, and only seen once or twice on Talkbass - this amazing encyclopedia for bass guitars - how many pickups have they sold, and how can that pay back for the giant R&D effort they had to make?

 

[Gervais Cote]

Yes I agree. Also, I wonder how can all these companies can be profitable when soooo many options exist for what I imagine is a super tiny market. If you take the example of these bass pickups I've never seen i real life, and only seen once or twice on Talkbass - this amazing encyclopedia for bass guitars - how many pickups have they sold, and how can that pay back for the giant R&D effort they had to make?

Quite honestly I don’t know about bass guitars but my local music store (in a small town) sells around 1000 guitars of any kind within a period of 12 months. Isn’t it insane ?
I would guess bass sales should be around 200 per year.
In a large city like Montreal, they probably sell 3 times more instruments very easily so it’s a huge market.
If I was to build some basses and get only 2% of the North American market, I wouldn’t complain.

 

[melloncollie]

Shop – Curtis Novak Classic Pickups
Bass Pickups - Serek Basses
Turner Pickups | Unique Pickups For Bass Guitar

Novak has some interesting variations, Darkstar, TBird (which can be top mounted), Serek has some great options as well. I’d also check out Turner pickups they have multi coils which can be routed in P and reverse P, as well as their Gordo pickup. If you email Turner you might be able to get a custom shiny metal version.

of course if you want to stay in the P bass pickup route I’d recommend Delano PMVC or the Dimarzio Relentless if want the chromed out look.

I really wanna try out the solo gordo pickup. Some of the sound samples contain some of the best bass tone I’ve ever heard.

 

[Groove Doctor]

It does make sense.....even Leo himself is posthumously quoted with saying he should've done it this way in the first place but by the time that realization was had, the precision was already well-established and accepted for it's tone. Funny how that sort of thing works out huh!

I hadn’t heard that before.

PS. My 4 week old son is called Leo.