Stupid Question about 4 string pickups vs. 5 string pickups

[Neveragain55]

Hi Gang,

I have a stupid question about the differences between bass pickups for 4 string basses vs. 5 string basses.

I just bought a really beautiful Peavey Grind 4 string bass that was professionally converted into a fretless and it’s beyond amazing.

I would like to upgrade to better pickups over the stock ones, and I’m torn between EMG’s and Bartolini’s. (yes, the same two pickup brands that everybody else and their mother wants/has)

The size of the existing Peavey pickups is: 1.5” x 4” which EMG doesn’t seem to make for 4 string basses.

All of their 4 string pickups are of the 3.5” x 1.5” variation (unless I didn't see them in my research) and I don’t want gaps in the pickup cut outs on the body.

EMG does make 1.5” x 4” pickups for 5 string basses and this is where my stupid question lies…….

What’s the difference (besides the obvious) between a pick up for a 4 string bass and a 5 string bass?

In other words: is there something sonically, inherently, different about the internal workings and electronics of a 5 string bass pickup that would render it useless for a 4 string bass?

Would a decent soapbar EMG pickup that falls under their "5 string bass" description - work just fine on a 4 string bass?

Obviously none of this is an issue with the Bartolini’s as they make several 1.5" x 4" four string pickups.……….

Thanks in advance......

 

[line6man]

The only difference is that there is more wire on a 5 string pickup, if the pickup is longer. This may or may not lead to differences in winding, and possibly underwinding.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

The only difference is that there is more wire on a 5 string pickup, if the pickup is longer. This may or may not lead to differences in winding, and possibly underwinding.

Yes and no. With EMG in particular, there are a wide variety of coil configurations under those shells, while still being listed as soapbars. For instance, emg makes a split-coil P pickup in their 40 shell; and if you're not hip to it, you could easily mis-purchase it. That particular pup wouldn't work very well for the OP, due to the placement of the coil split.

But as far as dual coils are concerned, yeah, nothing to worry about.

 

[Neveragain55]

Thanks guys, I'm still learning all this stuff and all of these replies help.....

 

[JustForSport]

Any EMG 40DC/CS/J, or any 40X is 1.5" x 4" and will work with 4 or 6 strings.
An EMG 40P5 is the same size/shape, but 'cause it's a split-coil, and made for a 5-string, the split is offset.
Contact EMG for info, or
check BestBassGear site for EMG sizes, magnet coverage, layout, availability, wiring , and pricing. AIO.

 

[Hungry_Man]

I’m thinking of converting my EADG Ibanez soundgear to BEAD. Would 5 string pickups be a better choice for playing in this tuning?

thanks

 

[ctmullins]

I’m thinking of converting my EADG Ibanez soundgear to BEAD. Would 5 string pickups be a better choice for playing in this tuning?

thanks

Nope.