Suggest Non-EB MM Pickups for a Build

[J Posega]

I wanna know which 4 string MM pickups people like and why you would recommend them.

I'm not married to any particular maker, my only MM experience is the stock SBMM pickup (it was OK), the Nordstrand MM4.4 (very good), and a GFS that is in an OLP5 string I never play (also just OK).

Only qualifications are:

• Standard MM shape
• Black cover
• Series/parallel switchable,
• Sounds great as a solo, passive pickup
• Costs around $150 or less

This will go in a Warmoth project with one MM sweet spot routing, wired passive volume, tone, series/parallel switch.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

For a passive bass, perhaps an AlNiCo pickup would suit better due to its more brilliant top end…although 98% of MM pickups available are indeed AlNiCo.
I have just installed the Duncan ceramic in place of a Kiesel AlNiCo pickup, and it has a more subdued top end but has more midrange and output than the AlniCo.

With that said, from what I’be read here over the years, the favorites seem to be the Nordstrand 4.2 and Duncan SMB-4A.
The Aguilar AG4M is non-switchable so it doesn’t meet your criteria.

 

[SteveCS]

I wanna know which 4 string MM pickups people like and why you would recommend them
...

My experience wtih MM pickups is the opposite of @eastcoasteddie in that I find the ceramics have extended top-end clarity, more aggressive transients and a transparent bass end compared to the thicker/warmer (and IMHO more predictable) AlNiCo.

I have ceramics in my Ray types: the SBMM Ray34 has an original EBMM 'Sterling' pickup. This originally had 3 coils but I removed the phantom and installed it in permanent parallel configuration. My EBMM SR4 has a Delano MC 4 FE which is almost indistinguishable from the Sterling pickup, again in permanent parallel mode. The response of both feels very 'linear' in that they seem to track dynamics really accurately. Sub-par dynamic control will be 'exposed' by these pickups - if you want a 'safe' option then AlNiCo might be the better choice. That said, I can't speak for any of them in a passive setup.

The MC 4 FE should be widely available for well under your $150 budget.
DELANO MC 4 FE

YMMV

 

[eastcoasteddie]

My experience wtih MM pickups is the opposite of @eastcoasteddie in that I find the ceramics have extended top-end clarity, more aggressive transients and a transparent bass end compared to the thicker/warmer (and IMHO more predictable) AlNiCo.

I have ceramics in my Ray types: the SBMM Ray34 has an original EBMM 'Sterling' pickup. This originally had 3 coils but I removed the phantom and installed it in permanent parallel configuration. My EBMM SR4 has a Delano MC 4 FE which is almost indistinguishable from the Sterling pickup, again in permanent parallel mode. The response of both feels very 'linear' in that they seem to track dynamics really accurately. Sub-par dynamic control will be 'exposed' by these pickups - if you want a 'safe' option then AlNiCo might be the better choice. That said, I can't speak for any of them in a passive setup.

The MC 4 FE should be widely available for well under your $150 budget.
DELANO MC 4 FE

YMMV

Perhaps the differences we see are isolated in these two particular pickup manufacturers.

I actually bought the cheapest MM pickup I could find on Amazon for my Ibanez TMB100. I bought this pickup for $13
https://www.amazon.com/BQLZR-Noiseless-Balance-String-Guitar/dp/B00EQ277JK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=2RPPI12MZXQQZ&keywords=Music+Man+pickup&qid=1697118110&sprefix=music+man+pickup,aps,1133&sr=8-3

It is a Ceramic. I am absolutely blown away by its tone. It is probably the most EBMM-sounding, non-EB pickup I ever heard…

The pickup has wonderful clarity and intricate nuance, and very aggressive when you dig in. I honestly thought it would be cheap$h!t…

 

[J Posega]

Thanks for the info, guys. Interesting stuff. I know the preamp is a big part of the tone in a real Ray, but I’m not exactly chasing that tone. I really like the Nordstrand in my current SBMM, so I’ll check what that one is (I think Alnico but could be wrong), and look at pickups of the same construction.

I kind of curious about a Bartolini and how they’re baked in tone might actually be kind of cool in this application. Time to hit YouTube for some soundclips.

 

[Gigas444]

have a look at Nordstrand MM4 quad coil, but like SteveCs said you can't go wrong with Delano too

 

[J Posega]

My MM4.4 is Alnico, so I'll stick with an Alnico pickup.

I know Low End Lobster has a video trying out a bunch of different electronics setups, but I'm now distracted watching some of his other videos as I scroll through to find the one I'm thinking of.

EDIT:

Here's the video. They're all active, and you can really hear that in how crisp the top-end is, but it's a cool comparison of the main contenders!

 

[J Posega]

Curious how this one would sound. Invalid Link Removed

Great price and a unique style/type.

There's also a Bartolini on Reverb. I'm caught between going with what I know (another Nordstrand) and trying something radically different.

 

[J Posega]

Updating that I bought the Bart MMC from Reverb for $75. If I don't vibe with it, other nice MMs come up at good prices all the time. I could also just swap it out for the MM4.4 in my Sub