SR5: 2-coil to 3-coil issues?

[eadg57]

I've got an older StingRay5 equipped with a 2-coil, alnico pickup. Love the bottom and growl, but the hum in series and single-coil modes are more than I can take.

What compatibility issues (preamp, tone circuit, coil switch, etc.) do I face if replacing the pickup with a 3-coil pickup? What are the chances that the tone I dig is due to the existing pickup?

Suggestions? Experiences?

[Aragorn35016]

Im not sure but I seem to remember the cavity not being as deep on an early SR5 that I had (pre phantom coil) as it is on the later and current incarnations. Again this was a couple of years back so maybe someone else will chime in. I don't think the newer pickup with the phantom coil will fit.

John

[phatduckk]

if youre gonna try an aftermarket pickup your best bet would be to contact their support team or check out their forum.

you might also consider taking it to a tech to see if they can identify and sort out the hum

[oldbluebassman]

Apart from the physical differences between the older 2-coil pick-up and the 3-coil, the pre-amps are totally different animals.

The 3-coil pick-up uses a form of balanced input pre-amp in single coil and series modes to allow it to cancel out any noise or hum.

It is possible to add some switchery to do this with the old 2-coil pre-amp however you have to make a minor mod to the pick-up and there will be significant level changes between the three settings something that the stock EBMM pre-amp irons-out in the circuitry.

I know I've been there, done it and now I'm on my way back.