Is there a difference between the Pickups on the top of the line MMs and the SUBs?

[Blackbird]

Just wondering.

Yes, I did a search.

 

[dlloyd]

Just wondering.

Yes, I did a search.

The SUB Stingray and regular Stingray have the same pickup (alnico).
The SUB Stingray 5 has an alnico pickup without the phantom coil, whereas the regular Stingray 5 has a ceramic pickup (some early SR5s had alnico pickups I believe).
The SUB Sterling has (IIRC) the same pickup as the Stingray whereas the regular Sterling is ceramic with a phantom coil.

 

[Urwordsbreakmed]

The SUB Stingray and regular Stingray have the same pickup (alnico).
The SUB Stingray 5 has an alnico pickup without the phantom coil, whereas the regular Stingray 5 has a ceramic pickup (some early SR5s had alnico pickups I believe).
The SUB Sterling has (IIRC) the same pickup as the Stingray whereas the regular Sterling is ceramic with a phantom coil.

whats a phantomcoil?

 

[dlloyd]

whats a phantomcoil?

It cancels hum when in single coil mode. The Sterling SUB doesn't have a single coil mode so it would be a bit redundant.

 

[Urwordsbreakmed]

I know what it does. I just dont know what IT is, like i dont understand it. Like how does it do what it does? lol

 

[dlloyd]

I know what it does. I just dont know what IT is, like i dont understand it. Like how does it do what it does? lol

I'm a bit hazy on it myself. The phantom coil has no magnetic core, so while it cancels hum like a standard humbucker (i.e. an opposing 60Hz signal is created from the AC current in the phantom coil, cancelling out the hum in the single coil), no actual signal is induced in the coil from the movement of the strings. So you get a single coil but hum-cancelled signal.

 

[Urwordsbreakmed]

ok now what i dont understand i thought it made the pick one holy thing. but i was reading something and i was under the impression it only uses the magnets cloeset to the neck. Now if it uses only the mags closes to the neck does it turn the back ones off a switch to the phantom coil? or what do you understand that?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

EB uses humbucking pickups. If you look at the Sting Ray, for example, although you see what "appears" to be one pickup, it actually has 2 single coil pickups in the one plastic housing. Note, it has 8 pole pieces and not 4.

A single coil pickup will amplify the noise (hum) generated from the mains power supply. But, if you have 2 single coil pickups wired together (in reverse), they will cancel the hum. Thus the name "humbucker".

If the single coil option is selected on your Bass then normally it would hum. But the phantom is wired to the single coil to allow single coil operation BUT without the hum. The phantom coil isn't amplifying the strings. It's piggy-backing the single coil.

I think that's right

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Underneath a Sterling pickup showing phantom coil.

 

[Bluesbob]

Great picture!

You learn something new every day.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

That's why a Fender Jazz Bass will hum if the vol of one pup is turned down. Both pups are single coil. If you turn them up equally, both coils act together to form a single humbucker (even though they aren't in a one PUP plastic housing)

 

[Bluesbob]

Hate it when I don't gig on Saturday night.

Here I am, early Sunday morning, well rested and bored. So I was reading this and I saw Gav's excellent picture and explanation of the Single-Coil, Phantom-Pup position on the Sterling and I got to wondering. When the Sterling is in the S-C, P-P position, which of the coils in the Humbucker is active? And to get even more geeky, how does that relate to Single-Coil Pup placement on the early Precision and Telecaster basses. I know a lot of people on this board disdain anything other than EBMM (it is their board), but I'm just askin', not lookin' fer trouble. I'd just like to know. I'm also one of the few who admit to using this position on my Sterling. I like the S-C sound for a certain vibe.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

From memory, the Telecaster has a humbucker in the neck position. The precision has 2 single coil PUPS side by side (neck position) whick I imagine would combine to give the humbucker effect. Not too sure about your Q re the Sterling.

>>>I know a lot of people on this board disdain anything other than EBMM (it is their board)

Yeah I know. But another brand is not being promoted. It's discussion with regards to the differences in electronics and how MM Basses tick.

 

[Figjam]

Here I am, early Sunday morning, well rested and bored. So I was reading this and I saw Gav's excellent picture and explanation of the Single-Coil, Phantom-Pup position on the Sterling and I got to wondering. When the Sterling is in the S-C, P-P position, which of the coils in the Humbucker is active? And to get even more geeky, how does that relate to Single-Coil Pup placement on the early Precision and Telecaster basses. I know a lot of people on this board disdain anything other than EBMM (it is their board), but I'm just askin', not lookin' fer trouble. I'd just like to know. I'm also one of the few who admit to using this position on my Sterling. I like the S-C sound for a certain vibe.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents that even in the single coil position, it does not add ANY hint of precision like elements to my tone. It sounds more like a jazz pickup being solo'd.,

 

[dlloyd]

...I saw Gav's excellent picture and explanation...

Humbled.

 

[Bluesbob]

Sorry...

I should have been clear that I meant early Precision Pup (pre '54?) and Tele bass ('68 or thereabouts). These were in fact single coils, almost like a single J-bass Pup. And I agree that the sound of the Sterlings Pup in the S-C, Phantom-coil position is very much like a jazz.

 

[Blackbird]

Underneath a Sterling pickup showing phantom coil.

So the Stingray 5 is identical to this, except it's a fiver?

 

[word]

So the Stingray 5 is identical to this, except it's a fiver?

yup