What's the best pickups

[gano]

Hey all. I have an Ibanez SR 535 5 string bass I want to change the pickups. The ones in there now sound kind of muddy. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
gano

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

Pickups are like pizza, is there really the best? Although, Artichoke Basille's in NYC was spiritually enlightening for a dude from Denver.

What are you looking for tonally, besides not muddy?

 

[gano]

Pickups are like pizza, is there really the best? Although, Artichoke Basille's in NYC was spiritually enlightening for a dude from Denver.

What are you looking for tonally, besides not muddy?

Thanks for your reply:
I am looking for something without noise that has balls. I just don’t know what will fit in.

 

[Stumbo]

Hey all. I have an Ibanez SR 535 5 string bass I want to change the pickups. The ones in there now sound kind of muddy. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
gano

What rig are you using?

 

[crankypants]

Just get a preamp pedal. Instant tone. Because I'd imagine replacement pickups for that bass are a.) hard-to-find and b.) not worth the trouble and expense of changing.

 

[Lobster11]

The "muddy" sound you're hearing could be the result of any number of things. Why are you so sure the problem is in the pickups?

 

[nilorius]

Check out Bartolini.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

Thanks for your reply:
I am looking for something without noise that has balls. I just don’t know what will fit in.

Nords big splits has no noise with big balls. Nords big singles has some noise with bigger balls.

What strings do you use?

 

[Chrisk-K]

Restring the bass with the SS Hi-Beams, and come back here again if the bass still sounds muddy.

 

[jmlee]

Speaking from experience, replacing your off-shore Bartolini MK1 pickups with the US-made Bart CBC series will be like night and day. Perfect fit and huge improvement in definition and punch.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

The "muddy" sound you're hearing could be the result of any number of things. Why are you so sure the problem is in the pickups?

I was going to suggest trying different strings first.

 

[Hevy T]

Could also be your amp!

I have a SR 750 with Nordstrom's and it sounds beautiful and punchy on some amps I have played it through. However on my GK 112 mini stack it sounds terrible

 

[FugaziBomb]

Check out Bartolini.

But his bass already sounds muddy with the pickups it's got in it

Seriously, though - it might not be your pickups. Try swapping strings for something like pro steels or hi beams and see if it still sounds muddy. It's a lot cheaper than p'ups and will have a big impact on your tone. Also, the devil might be in your eq or even the amp itself...

Try new strings first. Something nice and bright, maybe stainless steel. Then assess the situation from there.

 

[bassplayer9512]

Bartolini or Nordstrand will never get you bad tone.

Try out a set of Dunlop super bright strings also

 

[nilorius]

But his bass already sounds muddy with the pickups it's got in it

Seriously, though - it might not be your pickups. Try swapping strings for something like pro steels or hi beams and see if it still sounds muddy. It's a lot cheaper than p'ups and will have a big impact on your tone. Also, the devil might be in your eq or even the amp itself...

Try new strings first. Something nice and bright, maybe stainless steel. Then assess the situation from there.

My GWB1005 Bartolini soapbar pickup doesn't sound muddy, it sounds perfect for me.

 

[ctmullins]

I have a SR 750 with Nordstrom's

No you don’t.

@gano - first, welcome to TalkBass! Second, the suggestion of different strings is a good one. Easier and cheaper than pickups, and often just as effective.

Otherwise, measure what you have and report back. There are lots and lots of great options out there!

 

[Bassamatic]

I have had a lot of Ibbys. Pickups were never an issue. Changing the strings and your EQ will so a whole lot more than ANY pickup. Other than in the case of extremely cheap pickups, I have found the sound differences to be very minimal from one brand or model to another.

 

[Epitaph04]

How many balls would you like the pickups to have?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hey all. I have an Ibanez SR 535 5 string bass I want to change the pickups. The ones in there now sound kind of muddy. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
gano

Those pickups aren't bad. You're eq is.

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

If was me, i would start doing a good setup, brand new strings and give it a try.

If not good enough, then i would go for the preamp rather than pickups.

A good preamp can do some miracle with ordinary pickups.

On the other side, an excellent pickup can be ruined by a ordinary preamp.

See how things work?

Start from the cheaper, and then move on...