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Which Pickup?

J

jayk

Sep 13, 2009
27
0
#1
Hi
I have a squier bronco bass and i want to fit a new pickup for when i go to the studio to record with my band. I want something that gives it abit more punch more like a jazz bass or a stingray. I know that just fitting a new pick up wont make my bass sound like these basses. Aswell people say not to put money into cheap basses but i really love the feel of it. I am torn between these 2 pups at the moment which one would be better for me??

Seymour Duncan SMB5D: Invalid Link Removed
Seymour Duncan SPB-3 : Invalid Link Removed

Also i am open to any suggestions!

Hope someone can help!

Jake
 
#7
Bass-Adrenaline said:
It wont be worth it, trust me.
Click to expand...

+1. Unless you have a detailed plan to make that instrument sound awesome (which, given your budgetary constraints, ain't happening) I wouldn't bother with the pickup switch. It won't be enough, and I personally wouldn't bring a newly-modded instrument into the studio (particularly if I did the mod myself) without thoroughly testing it out.

Here's a suggestion: look up the local music stores in your town and see if any allow you to rent instruments. Go out and play all the ones they have available, and choose whichever sounds the best for your music - and make sure it doesn't have any noise or grounding issues. This way you know the sound you're going to get; if you do a pickup swap, you won't know if it was worth the money and time until it's actually done.
 
#8
What's wrong with the way yours sounds?

I've recorded with many basses - cheap and otherwise - Fender and others... All but a Carvin with flats. The Carvin has 20 year old Ground Wounds. Ironically, by the time we were finished, I could barely tell the difference between each one!

Cheapest was a mid 60s Teisco Del Rey, followed by the '64 Hag I (both are long gone). Included in these few sessions were also a '62 Hofner, and several Fenders - Mustangs, Ps, Js, and a Coronado, Guild Starfire, Gibson EB3, and others...

I could hear the hollow-bodies from the solid bodies. That's about it. That's one reason I sold so many basses in the last few years. Only I know which one I used where, and only because I took notes!

I'm not saying everyone's experiences will be this way, but it was certainly an eye-opener for me!

My advice is "run what you brung," and enjoy it! By the time you've finished mixing, it'll be fine! The Bronco (if it's the one I'm thinking of) has a split coil pup for humbucking reasons. That should sound just fine. There's more control over sound in the studio than live. So any short-comings are 99% correctable. And I say this from experience - I've corrected some of the worst sounding guitars and basses you've never heard!!

As long as your bass intonates and tunes correctly, and makes a sound you like on stage or in rehearsal, your bass will work just fine.

See? Now you've just save a few buck too! :bassist:
 
#9
How good are your soldering skills? Get a new pickup. When you upgrade your bass then just take the pickup out of there and into the new one. Sure there's other variables that might not make that a great idea but.... Good luck!
 
#10
I have to agree with Tifftunes. And then some. Many of the bands you adore (insert any band name here)spend big bucks to sound retro - to sound like their favorite bands from long ago. when you research the s**t that those classic songs were played through, what you have access to is already way better.

For THIS session, don't mess with your axe. Spend the time practicing.
 

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