What are these pickups?

[Rolfies]

Ok this is a Mustang style bass but I just wanted some help to identify the type of pickups this bass takes. Are the current pick ups considered EMG 35???

thank you!

 

[sikamikanico]

Spacing/alignment seems off, but the pickup is a "P" or "precision" pickup. It's made of two halves, each capturing the sound of two strings (or 3, if the bass has more strings).

EMG35 is what's called as a "soapbar" pickup - one rectangle piece , 3.5" long x 1.5" wide... It's a common shape.

 

[two fingers]

Ok this is a Mustang style bass but I just wanted some help to identify the type of pickups this bass takes. Are the current pick ups considered EMG 35???

thank you!

Those "two" pickups actually actually make up one precision bass pickup. Search Fender Precision replacement pickups and you'll have more reading to do than you can stand.

Are you wanting to change them out?

 

[Rolfies]

Those "two" pickups actually actually make up one precision bass pickup. Search Fender Precision replacement pickups and you'll have more reading to do than you can stand.

Are you wanting to change them out?

Yeah this is a sort of Frankenstein type of Mustang bass I’m getting and I want to change the pick ups.

So these pickups should work on this bass no?

Aguilar AG 4P-60

 

[Rolfies]

Spacing/alignment seems off, but the pickup is a "P" or "precision" pickup. It's made of two halves, each capturing the sound of two strings (or 3, if the bass has more strings).

EMG35 is what's called as a "soapbar" pickup - one rectangle piece , 3.5" long x 1.5" wide... It's a common shape.

thanks for clarifying that’s what I thought also but I just wasn’t sure!

 

[two fingers]

Yeah this is a sort of Frankenstein type of Mustang bass I’m getting and I want to change the pick ups.

So these pickups should work on this bass no?

Aguilar AG 4P-60

Yes!

 

[Jazz Ad]

Jackson pickups usualky are fine. They use rails of ceramic and deliver a pretty high steady gain.
Changing them is fine but you first have to know why you're doing it. What's missing in the current pickup ?

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Cool looking bass and yes those 1980's Jackson bass pickups have nothing to do in such a bass. (I remember how I hated the sound of those Jackson basses in the 80's)They should be ditched.
AG-60s are a perfect replacement

 

[sikamikanico]

Yeah this is a sort of Frankenstein type of Mustang bass I’m getting and I want to change the pick ups.

So these pickups should work on this bass no?

Aguilar AG 4P-60

Maybe. The Aguilar is a classic P pickup, with pole pieces. Looking at the picture of the bass, I see that the pickups are somewhat misaligned under the strings. This is fine for a pickup with rails (as per Jazz), but pole pieces may not align well. This may or may not cause problems.

The good news is, you should be able to just try it and see how it works. If there are problems but you like the pickup, you can probably reposition it to align well with the strings and cut a new pickguard. The one currently on the bass has many flaws anyway...

You have two alternative options that I can see. One, just keep the Jackson pickup, and try a few different sets of strings. Different strings can influence the sound more than different pickups, particularly when we compare similar pickups (and most P pickups sound similar). This is what I would do first.

And two, you could try another P pickup. Many on this forum, me included, are very enthusiastic about Wilde P46 pickup. It sounds powerful and clear, somewhat more modern than many vintage pickups, but not super modern or overwound/hot. Another advantage for your application is that it uses 5 poles per pickup half, so it works essentially as a blade/rail, which works with any string spacing or misalignment. Finally, it's one of the most affordable pickups new, and can sometimes be found for sale used (even cheaper).

 

[Rolfies]

Maybe. The Aguilar is a classic P pickup, with pole pieces. Looking at the picture of the bass, I see that the pickups are somewhat misaligned under the strings. This is fine for a pickup with rails (as per Jazz), but pole pieces may not align well. This may or may not cause problems.

The good news is, you should be able to just try it and see how it works. If there are problems but you like the pickup, you can probably reposition it to align well with the strings and cut a new pickguard. The one currently on the bass has many flaws anyway...

You have two alternative options that I can see. One, just keep the Jackson pickup, and try a few different sets of strings. Different strings can influence the sound more than different pickups, particularly when we compare similar pickups (and most P pickups sound similar). This is what I would do first.

And two, you could try another P pickup. Many on this forum, me included, are very enthusiastic about Wilde P46 pickup. It sounds powerful and clear, somewhat more modern than many vintage pickups, but not super modern or overwound/hot. Another advantage for your application is that it uses 5 poles per pickup half, so it works essentially as a blade/rail, which works with any string spacing or misalignment. Finally, it's one of the most affordable pickups new, and can sometimes be found for sale used (even cheaper).

I will receive the Bass today. The only reason I want to change the pups is because I think those are cheap lol.

The one you mentioned are from the Bill Lawrence Pickups website correct?

If it's those I'll take your word for it and get those since they are much cheaper over the Aguilar!

 

[Rolfies]

Maybe. The Aguilar is a classic P pickup, with pole pieces. Looking at the picture of the bass, I see that the pickups are somewhat misaligned under the strings. This is fine for a pickup with rails (as per Jazz), but pole pieces may not align well. This may or may not cause problems.

The good news is, you should be able to just try it and see how it works. If there are problems but you like the pickup, you can probably reposition it to align well with the strings and cut a new pickguard. The one currently on the bass has many flaws anyway...

You have two alternative options that I can see. One, just keep the Jackson pickup, and try a few different sets of strings. Different strings can influence the sound more than different pickups, particularly when we compare similar pickups (and most P pickups sound similar). This is what I would do first.

And two, you could try another P pickup. Many on this forum, me included, are very enthusiastic about Wilde P46 pickup. It sounds powerful and clear, somewhat more modern than many vintage pickups, but not super modern or overwound/hot. Another advantage for your application is that it uses 5 poles per pickup half, so it works essentially as a blade/rail, which works with any string spacing or misalignment. Finally, it's one of the most affordable pickups new, and can sometimes be found for sale used (even cheaper).

I did some research and just purchased the P-46 pups!

 

[littlebun]

I did some research and just purchased the P-46 pups!

Bill Lawrence designed pickups sounded great in a bass I used to own.

 

[40Hz]

It seems kind of silly to be ordering a replacement pickup without first seeing what you think of what you already have installed. I know it’s silly because there was a time when I’d almost immediately start swapping out pickups, bridges, tuners, etc. anytime I bought a bass. Felt I was “making it my own” that way. Wasted a lot of time and money in the process. But it kept me busy. So if it makes you happy doing as I used to do, then go for it.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Ok this is a Mustang style bass but I just wanted some help to identify the type of pickups this bass takes. Are the current pick ups considered EMG 35???

thank you!

That's a Jackson Split Coil, or Precision bass pickup.

That style of pickup is a Precision bass pickups. Also referred to as a split.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Ok this is a Mustang style bass but I just wanted some help to identify the type of pickups this bass takes. Are the current pick ups considered EMG 35???

thank you!

This is an emg 35

Emg 35 is a soapbar size.

Although, emg 35 pickups were actually made by emg. And they're "emg 35" pickups. But, it's a standard soapbar size now.

 

[OOD]

If you’re throwing those out you can ship them to me and I’ll make sure they are properly disposed of.

 

[Kelly robinson]

If you got the 'Wilde " Bill Lawrence version built now by his heirs you have done very well . The current official "Bill Lawrence " ones are made by his former partner and have less distinction . They may still be better than the Jackson's but that remains to be seen . .... The "Wilde P46 " however is a really great pickup .... Kelly

 

[sunbeast]

The Wilde P46 is a great option. As mentioned, Mustang basses have tighter string spacing than a standard precision so the polepieces of more traditional P pickups wouldn’t align on your bass. The P46 should be great, or another pickup like the Jackson that uses rail polepieces rather than individual pole magnets