Another Pickup replacement question

[TenaciousB]

Hello, I'm a newbie here on the boards, so I will try not to sound ignorant the best I can.

I am wanting to change my pickup in my SUB4 bass. It is the one with active EQ. Is it possible to just wire in a new pickup, say like an Bartolini, even though it is a "passive" pickup? Or is this not a good idea. I've read that its probably better to replace the EQ and the same time as replacing the pickup. But I have also read of people not going that route. Is there a concensus to the proper way to upgrade from the MM pickups?

I have the wiring diagram for my bass, and the pickup has two wires. Does anyone know how many wires the bartolini has. I know the EMG replacements have some special wiring harness that plugs into their EQ system, so I would probably have to replace everything if I went EMG. I'd rather not do that if at all possible.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[skabassist13]

As far as I know all pickups are passive and its the EQ that makes the system active. Therefore a Bart pickup should just solder in. The bart more than likely has 2 wires, but if it has 4 it should come with a wiring diagram and it will inform you which 2 wires to solder to the original ones. If I was you, I would keep the stocker, in case you ever decide to sell it. You'll get more money out of it if its stock.

Many here feel the stocker is the best pickup for the bass, but its your bass and if you choose to mod it feel free to do so.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[oddjob]

Best pickup replacement for a Sub...









A Bongo!!!!

 

[TenaciousB]

Thanks for the info. I have been very happy with the bass itself. Its perfectly balanced and plays very well. I found that I was having a hard time cutting through with the "midrange" while playing with my band. (anything on A and D strings). This is why I thought of getting a different pickup. I had read others post about people having the same problem.

I just purchased the new MXR M-80 DI+ and I have to say this made a HUGE difference. The preset EQ on it is awesome. And my whole tone is way better. I am playing through an Ashdown MAG 300 head and Ashdown 4x10.

I just thought that the next step to improvement would be to get a "better/different" pickup like the Bart. I have a friend that has a Modulus 5 string with Bartolini's and the sound is incredible. Obviously they are different guitars, but he switched to a set of Barts and has had nothing but good things to say about them.

 

[skabassist13]

Did you try raising the pickup some?

 

[oddjob]

Did you try raising the pickup some?

+1

 

[eric B]

personally, i hate bartolini pickups for a stingray. i think they totally kill the stingray vibe because they always sound so tame to me. your stock pickup is your best bet...but if you're really into the idea of changing out the pickup you can't go wrong with carey nordstrand's alnico stingray pickups. it brought a modulus bass of mine to life and it really captures the old ray sound if on a stingray.

 

[oddjob]

personally, i hate bartolini pickups for a stingray. i think they totally kill the stingray vibe because they always sound so tame to me. your stock pickup is your best bet...but if you're really into the idea of changing out the pickup you can't go wrong with carey nordstrand's alnico stingray pickups. it brought a modulus bass of mine to life and it really captures the old ray sound if on a stingray.

Nordstrand's are nice... had an WWick that I install one on... but the stock SUBs are great and I noticed that when they are set upright (pup, neck, strings) they really cut through better than any bass in its price group. I would work the setup and and massage the amp's eq a bit and I think he might find what he is looking for.

 

[TenaciousB]

Did you try raising the pickup some?

No, I have not. You do this by backing out the three screws that hold the pickup?

How close should it measure to the strings?

 

[oddjob]

From the EB site:
A: Virtually all the adjustments to string height can be made with the truss rod. Turn clockwise to raise the finger board, counter clockwise to lower. The ideal string height for our basses is 3/32" or 2.4mm between the bottom of the string to the top of the fret on both the E and G strings at the 12th fret. The G string can be slightly lower due to the fact that it is the smallest string. This affects the bow of the neck.

The factory specifications for the pickup height is 6/32" or 0.47625mm from the top of the plastic between the pickup covers to the bottom of the G string. The angle of the pickup is set fairly level, so the larger strings are naturally a bit closer. If you haven't already adjusted the pickup or changed to a very heavy gauge string set, you shouldn't have to do any adjustments on the pickup.

On the new 2-pickup basses, the measurements are virtually the same on the bridge pickup and the neck pickup is further away, about 8/32" or 0.47625mm from the string to the pickup.

 

[todd4ta]

My quick setup specs are to set the string action (unfretted string over last fret) to 1/16" at the G-string and 3/32" at the E-string.

Then, for pickup height, I fret the string on the last fret and raise the pickup to be right about 1/16" from the top of the pickup to the bottom of the string (both on the G and E). A really good investment is a steel 12" ruler with 1/32" marks, it makes setups super quick.

I'm also a big believer in the stock Stingray/SUB pickups. I've bought several Stingrays that had other pickups (Bart and SD Basslines), and I swap in a stock Stingray pickup as soon as I can (I buy up spares when I see them on ebay).

If I don't have a stock Stingray pickup at the time, a Nordstrand MM pickup is a very close alternative. I can't stand a Bart pickup in a Stingray - it would never get picked up other than to look at it.

In addition to the other recommendations, also try this. Start with your EQ either totally rolled off at the halfway point. Then, set the volume on your bass at a high level (90-100%). Then, sparingly adjust your bass and treble to where you want it. Avoid the temptation to crank the EQ up. Ever since I shifted my mindset to use the volume knob to get all the sound out of the bass, and use the EQ controls sparingly, I'm much more happy with the tone (and the 2-band EQ makes it even easier).

 

[roballanson]

I am playing through an Ashdown MAG 300 head and Ashdown 4x10. .

Man you should have no worries cutting through anything apart from concrete with that rig.......

 

[TenaciousB]

Wow, thanks for all the info guys. I will try adjusting the pickup and string height and see if I can make a difference.

 

[lomky]

In addition to the other recommendations, also try this. Start with your EQ either totally rolled off at the halfway point. Then, set the volume on your bass at a high level (90-100%). Then, sparingly adjust your bass and treble to where you want it. Avoid the temptation to crank the EQ up. Ever since I shifted my mindset to use the volume knob to get all the sound out of the bass, and use the EQ controls sparingly, I'm much more happy with the tone (and the 2-band EQ makes it even easier).

I've noticed this is tough w/out the midpoint indents on the knobs. I've been cranking it up and my SUB sounds great w/ my setup