Who makes the best pickups for bass?

[madbass6]

I just bought a bass guitar that has EMG active pickups on it which i am going to remove as i do not like active pickups...I was thinking of replacing them with Seymour Duncan passive pickups but a bass player friend of mine said EMGs are better...open for discussion and if anyone can recommend a brand that works for them, thats great too...the bass is a 2016 remake of the Hamer B4M...tx

That's a matter of taste and/or styles you're into !

 

[ERIC31]

 

[Strung_Low]

Ok so you need to tell us what style of music you play, what sound youre going for, etc.. otherwise youre just going to get jokes... is this a real question? Check out bestbassgear and find the size pickups you have and see what fits.. then youtube to hear them

 

[soulman969]

Best is totally subjective.

If you have a PBass or Jazz Bass type and are looking to upgrade without spending a fortune I'd suggest the Bill Lawrence/Wilde P46 or a J45 set or the P/J set. Great quality, incredible clarity and punch, and all very fairly priced. Best I've ever played.

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[two fingers]

I just bought a bass guitar that has EMG active pickups on it which i am going to remove as i do not like active pickups...I was thinking of replacing them with Seymour Duncan passive pickups but a bass player friend of mine said EMGs are better...open for discussion and if anyone can recommend a brand that works for them, thats great too...the bass is a 2016 remake of the Hamer B4M...tx

My friends here are just being goofballs because it's a vague question.

We'v got a few things to figure out here. First off, what are the dimensions of your pickups? They almost look like standard guitar humbucker size to me.

The next thing we need to know is your tone goals. Let's start by finding out what you DON'T like about your current pickups. Are they too bright? Too hot? What would you like for your next pickups to do that these don't?

Forgive my guys here. They're just giving you a hard time because there's no one perfect answer to your question. There's no "best pickup" for everyone. There's only YOUR favorite or my favorite.

But hang in there. Once you give us a little more information we'll be able to help.

 

[nilorius]

There is no answer, but i like Bartolini

 

[cnltb]

Who makes the best pickups for bass?
These three builders make my favourites :
Bassculture <Bassculture.de - Startseite>
Delano <Link Removed>
Haeussel<https://www.haeussel.com/index.php?id=30>

Lefay<Invalid Link Removed> are very good too, but I on't think they'd do much custom stuff.

 

[Nev375]

It used to be Lane Poors, then I think it was the old clear Q-tuners.
...Bartolinis had their day.
...Also Nordstrand.
...Can't forget the darkstars.

I have no idea what is in fashion this year.

 

[sikamikanico]

According to the prices I've seen, the ladies that Leo Fender employed in the 50s and 60s...

On a more serious note, I'd start by measuring current pickups, and seeing what else might fit. Then try to get info on how these alternatives might sound. Then you decide what makes sense for you to try... As two fingers said, be clear what you want in the new pickup. If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there...

 

[Mister Boh]

G&L makes the best bass pickups in the *known universe:

Pickup - L-series - four string

*yes, that's a Dune reference!

Know then, that the EMGs are pretty good in my opinion, but I can understand actives aren't everyone's cup of tea.

 

[gregmon79]

I just bought a bass guitar that has EMG active pickups on it which i am going to remove as i do not like active pickups...I was thinking of replacing them with Seymour Duncan passive pickups but a bass player friend of mine said EMGs are better...open for discussion and if anyone can recommend a brand that works for them, thats great too...the bass is a 2016 remake of the Hamer B4M...tx

don't let this exp shy you away from the EMG GZR's. They plain rule.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

The best bass pickups are the next set that you buy. Then the set after that, and the set after that, and the set after that...

 

[maxschrek]

I'm assuming your bass looks like this?

If so, I'd recommend Bill Lawrence EB50 pickups as a good passive replacement that will fit the routes. They're not terribly expensive and they sound more or less like a grittier pbass pup. They come in creme, black or zebra and they look like this:

 

[G On Bass]

For one of my basses, the best are Nordstrand, For the other, the best are Wilkins. Bass #3 the best are Ulyates. On another bass, the worst I ever played were EMG actives. There are soooo many good pickup options out there now and soooo many reviews on TB that you should be able to get an idea of what works for what genre and what doesn't. There is no 'best'.

 

[pglaser01]

Oooh.....there's a way to derail this thread seriously.....wonder if anyone else picked up on it too....

 

[Helix]

Chevy

 

[stringthrough]

G&L makes the best bass pickups in the *known universe:

Pickup - L-series - four string

View attachment 3019456

*yes, that's a Dune reference!

There is no best pickup but that sure is a darn good one!

 

[Ric5]

Chevy

View attachment 3019669

NOW THAT IS CLEVER AND FUNNY!!!

 

[Slevage]

Nordstrand

 

[AdamR]

EMG's in almost all of my basses.