huntgl
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Post by huntgl on Dec 6, 2009 8:23:26 GMT -5
It's not much of a modification I'll admit, but I hope you like the images. The new neck pickup is a Firebird type mini-humbucker (A Manticore bridge model from , and the middle pickup is a standard Gold Lace Sensor. The new black scratchplate/pickguard came from www.auroraproject.co.ukAnyway, here is the link... www.noluckyman.com/plaintext.html |
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Post by newey on Dec 6, 2009 9:05:21 GMT -5
Nice work, huntgl! +1
Are these both guitar pickups? Clearly the Lace Sensor is, but I wasn't sure about the mini-HB.
We have had much discussion/ interest in the use of guitar pickups for basses lately. Please give us your assessment of the differences from stock with your new pickups.
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huntgl
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Post by huntgl on Dec 6, 2009 9:42:00 GMT -5
Yes, they are both guitar pickups. The original pickup in the Bronco is a 6 pole strat type, just like the old Musicmasters. I went for the Lace Sensor as it seemed to offer a wider field of sensitivity. The HB is a blade type too, so the pickup area should cover the bass string spacing easily. I have read that the Firebird type mini HB's sound somewhere in between a full size HB and a single coil, but I cannot confirm this. I was trying to get a more classic McCartney type bass sound, and I'm hoping that this HB will do a good enough job; it is certainly hum-free (as is the Lace Sensor) and this is ideal for me as I will probably only use it for recording bass parts DI'ed. I intend to record some soundfiles to send to Gemini pickups, as he was also interested in how it would sound with a bass; I'll post them on here too if you think there would be some interest.
Cheers for the comments,
Gary.
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Post by dunkelfalke on Dec 6, 2009 10:15:43 GMT -5
Nice job. You also beat me to redoing a bass with guitar pickups - I am still waiting for the active electronics and the single coil mounting ring to arrive.
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Post by cynical1 on Dec 6, 2009 10:46:57 GMT -5
You guys and your "guitar pickups on a bass" thing...jeez...
Nice job. +1 for the concept and execution.
I personally have a soft spot for the old school Jazz and Precision pickups. When I get my bass redone...after the endless two guitar projects are finished...that's what I putting in. Two jazz and one Precision.
I would be concerned about the output from the bass going DI. If you mic the bass you might like the sound better.
As I recall, the Squire basses were all short scale. You might want to try the Stanley Clarke "piccolo" style with this and put the lightest strings you can find and just drop the action for chords and riffs.
Nice looking mod. Now, can we get a bass in here with some honest to God bass pickups on it? Jeez...
Happy Trails -
Cynical One
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Post by ux4484 on Dec 6, 2009 11:32:57 GMT -5
Now, can we get a bass in here with some honest to God bass pickups on it? Jeez... Well, I did a STB and put a Wilkinson Precision pup in my JP-90 early this year, but it hardly seemed worth taking a pic of as it looks completely stock. ;D On this Bronco's sound: I don't think huntgl would want to go "piccolo" if he's trying for a Hofner sound on this bass. huntgl, Nice Mod, If you're looking for a Hofner sound, Short scale is good (a Hofner scale length is only slightly more than your Bronco). You'll need to go flat wound and possibly Nylon coated. Paul preferred Rotosound Black Nylon Tru Bass strings. though clearly he used some type of harmonizer to drop the sound an octave on a few occasions (these days, the Line 6 bass POD does an excellent job of it). I used plain cheapo flats medium gaunge on my old Kingston Hofner copy back in my band days, and the sound was very similar (once I took the pup covers off that is). Now....if your going for that Ric sound.....you may have some troubles. as the lace sensor is in the position most likely able to recreate a Ric sound. Is it able to produce that low chunky quality? My benchmark for Paul's Ric sound is "Juniors Farm", if you can get close to that, you can emulate most any of his (Solo) songs. |
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huntgl
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Post by huntgl on Dec 6, 2009 11:52:07 GMT -5
The reason I've gone for the guitar pickups is really because of the string spacing. I would have loved to have put a Rickenbacker p/u in the neck position, but I think it would have been too wide in terms of the available space under the scratchplate. There is only a few millimetres of room under there now, so anything wider would probably have meant the cavity being bigger than the plate.
As far as the McCartney thing goes, I'm pretty happy with the sound so far. The 2 pickups give me 2 really different options: the Lace Sensor is actually quite growly, but the HB is big and boomy. I was hoping the standard Jazz bass wiring setup would allow me to blend the 2, but in all honesty I can't hear them blending if they are. I've tried the nylons on this bass before I put the HB on, but the low E string was too long, and Rotosound couldn't send me one that fitted; I presume it is a manufacturing issue, and that's is a shame. I will try sound rounds in the future, but they cost a pretty penny, and I have a nice Matamp to pay for this month...
Cheers for all the comments,
Gary.
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Post by dunkelfalke on Dec 6, 2009 15:16:49 GMT -5
You guys and your "guitar pickups on a bass" thing...jeez... come on, if you want a bass with a bass pickup, you might as well get a stock one. |
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