Pickups play an integral role in crafting the distinctive sound of an electric bass guitar, so choosing one depends heavily upon your personal playing style and genre of choice.
J-pickups first made their debut in Fender’s Jazz Bass and have long been favored by slap bass musicians (such as Larry Graham from Rush or Geddy Lee from Rush). Humbuckers offer more versatility; different types include mini-humbuckers, rail humbuckers and split coil models.
J-pickups
No matter the style or genre you play, pickups are an integral component of the sound produced by your bass guitar. From gritty power rock to slap-style funk or anything in between, pickups play an integral part in shaping and distinguishing your tone from others, helping create your personal identity on stage or recordings alike. Selecting suitable pickups will also allow for easier cross-genre and style playing experiences – with expert installation being an easy and affordable option! Getting new bass pickups installed can breathe new life into an instrument while providing new options as an easy and cost-effective upgrade option!
Pickups for bass guitars typically fall into two main categories: single-coil and humbucking. While single-coil pickups deliver brighter tones, humbuckers produce thicker tones with deeper basses. Many bassists choose both types to create different tones for their style or genre preferences; split coil pickups may offer the ideal balance of high-end clarity and low-end depth.
A PJ (J-Style) bass pickup is a split-coil electromagnetic pickup designed specifically to fit into the neck and bridge cavities of traditional PJ-style basses. Engineered in partnership with Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, these pickups deliver rich tone free from unwanted noise or feedback.
The PJ bass pickup is an extremely durable and versatile bass guitar pickup designed to meet a variety of musical genres. Its output can be adjusted via an instrument control panel rotary switch. Furthermore, this high quality pickup boasts superior durability over time.
There are various models of PJ bass pickups, each offering its own distinct sound. For instance, Nordstrand Zen Blade pickups provide more “growl” than their counterparts and can serve as replacement P-Bass pairs or dual coil humbucker setups.
Piezoelectric pickups read string vibration to determine tone and volume. They’re commonly found on acoustic bass guitars, though electric basses may also use them. Piezoelectrics use sensors that detect pressure fluctuations; one sensor may be mounted nearer the higher strings than another – for optimal results you could even set this pair up as bridge-mounted pair!
Split-coil pickups
There are various kinds of bass pickups, each producing its own distinct sound. Selecting the ideal pickup depends on your genre preference and playing style – from rich, warm tones to searing leads; there is sure to be one available that meets them all!
Split-coil pickups provide an extensive range of tonal possibilities and are an excellent choice for musicians seeking a versatile sound. Producing multiple frequencies, split-coil pickups can easily transition from jazz, blues, rock music and hard rock styles – even more aggressive ones like metal and hard rock! However, for players seeking increased power humbucking pickups may be more suitable options.
Coil tapping is an additional feature that can add greater versatility to single-coil pickups, and this involves adding an additional coil wire during manufacturing to enable guitarists to tap into individual windings at points other than full coil number resulting in increased output and brighter tones.
Another option for bass guitar pickups is a dual-coil pickup, composed of two separate single coils combined into one system. This gives it a thicker and beefier sound suitable for more aggressive genres – this type of pickup is often found on electric bass guitars.
Humbucking pickups are another popular choice for bass guitars. These unique pickups use two coils connected in series to generate a low-frequency signal that cancels out any unwanted hum caused by single coil pickups, making humbuckers ideal for heavy metal, jazz and blues music as well as other genres such as funk and pop.
Many bassists opt for a combination of pickup types to achieve the optimal tone, as each type provides unique tones which complement one another. Some prefer split-coil pickups for their clarity and brightness while others enjoy the warm tones and powerful sustain of humbucking pickups. Whatever your preferences may be, finding your ideal pickup is as simple as listening and trying it yourself!
Model One
Model One basses are perfect for anyone seeking a classic, natural overdrive tone. Their low-impedance pickups allow you to play across a range of amp settings while offering impressive clarity even at high volumes. In addition, these basses respond well to subtleties in picking style and produce lush bass tones with ease – and offer exceptional clarity at higher volumes! Adjusting and changing settings couldn’t be simpler; each variation offers something unique!
Passive basses employ permanent magnets rather than batteries to modulate and amplify string vibrations, making them much more durable and versatile than active pickups on electric guitars. Furthermore, passive basses can easily withstand years of heavy playing – they even work great for many genres like gritty power rock or gleaming slap-style funk! Choosing the appropriate pickups can help shape your unique sound!
The Model One archtop bass guitar is an affordable single-pickup archtop featuring a maple neck and rosewood fretboard. Crafted from Canadian wild cherry for an authentic vintage aesthetic and feel. The 16″ radius fretboard makes this ideal for expressive lead play; lightweight with comfortable fast playing action for fast playing sessions. Furthermore, its bridge pickup – the Godin Kingpin P90 bridge pickup adds some edge while offering incredible sustain.
Although you can certainly install your bass pickups yourself, professional installation is recommended to ensure they’re correctly installed and will function as intended. A professional will know how best to deal with delicate wiring inside your instrument as well.
Installing bass pickups has the added advantage of amplifying output and volume, which is important as most bass amplifiers only offer limited gain – leaving your guitar sounding quiet and thin. Furthermore, these pickups add depth and clarity to your sound which are essential qualities for bass players.
As is the case when installing bass pickups, most models feature specific mounting points that must be met in order to adjust your pickups properly. Therefore, before making adjustments using either rulers or measuring tapes you should carefully take note of what string height your guitar has before adjusting your pickups accordingly.
Model P
If you’re searching for an excellent Precision-style bass pickup to give it that extra kick, the Model P might just be what you need. Equipped with powerful ceramic magnets for producing an engaging tone perfect for hard rock styles like hard blues or punk rock, its versatile sound also fits other genres including funk and blues music. Plus, unlike other bass pickups on the market today, its vacuum wax potted design helps prevent unwanted squealing at higher gain levels!
Its hum-cancelling design ensures your tone remains clear and punchy even as you increase volume, while its generous headroom means there is no loss in clarity or definition when pressing strings with pick or fingers.
The Model P is not only made from high-quality construction but is also highly affordable, making it the ideal option for bassists looking to upgrade their instrument without spending too much money. Furthermore, its low profile design fits most standard Precision basses while custom basses may need minor modifications for optimal fitment.
The Model P is a dual-bladed pickup with easily adjustable string spacing. It is sensitive to fingerstyle and pick playing techniques, making it suitable for both acoustic and electric basses. Furthermore, its responsive pressure sensing means you can experience an extraordinary dynamic range during performance.
When it comes to selecting a bass pickup, its sound should always come first. Brand names and technical specs may help, but without knowing how each model sounds it becomes meaningless. That is why listening to samples of each type before making your decision can give a better indication of their sound in relation to your guitar style as well as amp performance. Finally, reading reviews by other users to gauge how well they have utilized their pickup in real-world applications is also crucial.