Upgrading Spector Performer 5 Pickups - Questions and doubts

[heitorcunhas]

Hello all,

I'm thinking about upgrading the pickups of my Spector Performer 5 as said. I already did my research, but there is a lack of definity in everything I see. Would love to hear your thoughts and tips.

My initial plan is to add the Aguilar Dcb-g4, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm also not entirely sure if it will fit. Normally I wanna go to something that would help me with fat tones, fuzz and more. I'm going for more of a stoner rock/metal sound.

What do you think?

 

[GTHintz]

Hello all,

I'm thinking about upgrading the pickups of my Spector Performer 5 as said. I already did my research, but there is a lack of definity in everything I see. Would love to hear your thoughts and tips.

My initial plan is to add the Aguilar Dcb-g4, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm also not entirely sure if it will fit. Normally I wanna go to something that would help me with fat tones, fuzz and more. I'm going for more of a stoner rock/metal sound.

What do you think?

I typically hear emg with Spector and that tone is iconic. If it were me I’d probably do the dc 40 or Dave Ellefson setup which is two different models in the bridge and neck but I honestly don’t mind the tones I’ve heard with Aguilar in the pulse line for instance. But I even like the passive emg hz tone. Mike Kroeger who plays bass in nickelback sounds awesome with those in his spectors. I would definitely listen to some videos with both Aguilar and emg and see what you think. Your bass setup including preamp, strings, signal chain all will factor in. From what I hear from others who have tinkered with the budget spectors is that the preamp is more of a drag on the tone than the pickups. There’s a lot of great preamps out there that’ll fit up. Just throwing that out there too.

 

[heitorcunhas]

In this case my bass is passive, so pickups is the tone I think.

Thanks for your input! I'll check some videos.

 

[crazycloud]

Would love to hear your thoughts and tips.

What size are they?

 

[heitorcunhas]

I think it is standard double humbucker Performer 5

Watched some review videos and honestly, I'm gonna go with the Aguilar's, they sound more full and alive. Also, I have a lot of pedals which will sound great with a lively base sound.

 

[crazycloud]

I think it is standard double humbucker Performer 5

Soapbar pickups come in lots of different sizes. I was asking for the dimensions of the PUs on your bass because it determines which brands and models will actually fit. There is no standard size for a soapbar PU.

 

[heitorcunhas]

The Spector Performer 5 uses two EMG 40/G4-size soapbar pickups.
Nominal pickup dimensions are 101.6 × 38.1 mm, with an enclosure height of approximately 19.05 mm, reaching up to around 22.35 mm near the cable exit or connector.
The mounting screw holes are approximately 95.25 mm apart, center to center.

Aguilar DCB-G4 fits.