No matter if you play hard rock or smooth funk, bass pickups have an enormous effect on the sound of your instrument. Finding those best suited to your genre and style will take your playing to new heights.
This set features Alnico magnets for an excellent sound and four-conductor wiring for improved sensitivity. Furthermore, a logo cover provides extra protection from accidental dings or scratches to your bass.
1. Seymour Duncan SMB4A
Recreate the classic 1970s Music Man sound with this 4-string Music Man Stingray replacement pickup. Equipped with oversized alnico 5 rod magnets and unique coil windings to extend both bass and treble ends of the frequency spectrum for rich, full tone with more detail than ceramic-magnet counterparts, it makes this pickup ideal for blues, funk, classic rock, southern rock, jamming and hard rock music styles.
Hand built in Santa Barbara, CA, this Music Man Alnico V pickup features Forbon flatwork and 4-conductor lead wire with vacuum wax potting to prevent any squeal-free performance. A drop-in replacement for 4-knob Music Man Stingray basses as well as most OLP models; please check dimensions against instrument before purchase to be certain. For even greater customization this bass guitar pickup can also be combined with its matching Seymour Duncan MM-1 preamp for an all new setup!
Sweetwater Sales Engineers know gear inside and out and are passionate about finding you what you need. From studio ownership, engineering work, touring experience and performing on tours they’re here to make sure that you get exactly the sound you’re after without overpaying for features you won’t use.
The SMB-4A single-coil humbucker pickup can be set up for series, parallel, or split mode using your instrument’s 3-way blade switch for three distinct tonal settings via split, series and parallel switches. Designed specifically to fit Ernie Ball 4-string Music Man Stingray models manufactured between 1976 and now paired with its respective Tone Circuits (STC-3M3) it offers the sound of an original 1970s Stingray.
2. EMG Geezer Butler PHZ
The EMG Geezer Butler PHZ bass guitar pickup puts you on the fast track to ’70s-era Black Sabbath tone. Featuring Alnico V magnets for maximum fat bass tone and its split-coil design that won’t sabotage your playing with noise or hum, making this bass pickup suitable for high stakes situations while giving plenty of output and punch for blues or hard rock genres alike.
This classic bass pickup is ideal for jazz bass or any style that demands an audible and distinct tone, such as slap artists such as Larry Graham from Rage Against the Machine to Metallica bassists. Unlike magnetic or split-coil pickups, which respond magnetically, J type pickups respond more sustainably and responsively to your pick or finger attack – making this choice both affordable and sustainable!
DiMarzio Will Power DP145 bass pickup was originally created to meet Billy Sheehan’s specific requirements in Mr. Big bassist Billy Sheehan, but has become popular with musicians of all genres who seek an exceptional low-end definition bass sound. Designed specifically for four, five, or six string basses – and easy installation without soldering required! – this pickup offers another viable choice.
If you prefer classic single-coil sound, the Model P bass pickup may be perfect. Used by funk bassists, reggae musicians, jazz bassists and punk metal guitarists alike for its strong attack and harmonic richness; its large pole pieces ensure strong harmonics for strong attacks. Furthermore, its bright and twangy tone are often popular choices for punk metal styles like punk/metal/etc that call for bright to twangy sounds; making this an incredibly versatile pickup that works with most basses!
3. Seymour Duncan SMB-4DS
The Seymour Duncan SMB-4DS bass guitar pickup is designed for bassists seeking deep tones and clarity in jazz or other genres of music that demand it. Featuring a split-coil design to eliminate 60Hz hum, its heavy formvar 42 gauge wire and Alnico V magnets contribute to its superior tone quality; in addition, its two-band EQ allows users to adjust Treble and Bass frequencies independently. Finally, all necessary hardware and wiring are provided so it can easily be installed into their bass guitar pickup!
Seymour Duncan’s Vintage Hot MM bass pickup captures all of the classic sounds of 70’s MM basses, from warm lows and clear highs to thick and clear tones that span various genres from funk, rock and blues. Equipped with powerful Alnico V magnets that produce thick but clear tones as well as vintage cloth push-back hookup cable for quick setup, this pickup provides players with a versatile tone perfect for playing any genre imaginable.
Humbucker bass pickups differ from their single-coil counterparts in that they provide more clarity and can cut through a mix, making them suitable for bassists who play multiple styles like jazz, blues and metal. Lace Sensor Aluma P-Bass Set features an exclusive aluminium construction to decrease magnetic resistance while increasing output resulting in powerful tone.
This bass guitar pickup is specifically tailored for use on 3-coil alnico magnet Music Man Stingray or Sterling basses with three coil alnico magnets, offering three tonal settings accessed through its 3-way blade switch: series, parallel, and split. Featuring classic black-coated covers for an authentic look while its single conductor output cable makes installation an easy process.
If you need a versatile bass pickup that can tackle all genres of music, look no further than the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II single-coil bass pickup. Equipped with powerful alnico V magnets that create smooth yet warm tones ideal for funk, jazz and blues playing styles; plus its vintage-style push-back cloth-braided hookup wire gives a timeless aesthetic.
4. DiMarzio Model P
The Model P bass guitar pickup is a two-piece design with a hum-cancelling mechanism to add new life and excitement to any Fender Precision or Jazz Bass. This pickup cuts through without compromising bottom end power, boasts gutsy midrange growl when pushed hard, and boasts tight midrange punch with bright, clear attack. When coupled with a bridge position DiMarzio Model J pickup for bridge position it offers even greater tonal possibilities!
There are three primary kinds of bass (and electric guitar) pickups: single coil, split coil and double-coil (also known as humbuckers). Each type offers different sonic characteristics and excels at suiting different styles of music.
Single-coil pickups produce a bright, twangy sound ideal for funk and reggae; humbuckers tend to produce warmer and more saturated sound suitable for blues, rock and metal music genres. Both pickup types are commonly found on modern basses.
Split-coil pickups feature one coil in the neck position and another coil in the bridge position, providing greater control of your bass’ tone by balancing its two halves of pickups to achieve your ideal sound. Tonal characteristics may range from sharp and aggressive to smooth and thick depending on how the EQ settings are configured;
Piezo-electric pickups utilise a thin crystal layer installed under string saddles to convert pressure changes caused by vibrations into an electrical signal, typically found on acoustic-electric guitars and occasionally sounding flat without additional equalization settings – however they do faithfully reproduce the airiness and zing of acoustic strings!
Optical pickups are another esoteric innovation, using light to convert string vibrations into an amplifiable signal. While they’re usually found on acoustic-electric guitars, more electric basses are being designed with optical pickups too – often touted for their extended frequency response, flat response, and noiseless signal.
The Lace Sensor Aluma P-Bass Set utilizes groundbreaking Lace Sensor technology to produce an incredible, dynamic bass tone unachievable with conventional bass pickups. It includes a passive current-driven pickup that generates over twice the sonic output of standard pickups; with its massive sound and effortless installation process, it makes this set the perfect upgrade for any bassist looking to expand their tone further.