Pickups for a custom 6 string bass

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partime
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Pickups for a custom 6 string bass

Post by partime »

Thought I would troll for suggestions and opinions from the group. I am in the process of building (with the help of a friend) a custom six string bass. The body and neck are maple,with an ebony fret board. It is a short scale. We have all the parts with the exception of the two pickups. It originally was a version of my old fender six, with strat style pickups, but we had to change plans due to an oops, mistake. So, now we have a different body that will accommodate two pickups. I like sound options, who doesn't, so to you experienced Rick/luthiers what do you think? Thank you.
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antipodean
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Re: Pickups for a custom 6 string bass

Post by antipodean »

Lipstick-tube pickups.... they should work with a variety for string spacings and are great for short-scale basses. If you can find some NOS Chandlers they are brilliant (as used on Charvel Surfcaster guitars and basses). Seymour Duncan make a set with the correct vintage specs if you don't want the hassle of finding the Chandlers.
"I don't want to sound incredulous but I can't believe it" Rex Mossop
partime
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Re: Pickups for a custom 6 string bass

Post by partime »

Thanks Evan, I will look into all those suggestions.
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fatcat
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Re: Pickups for a custom 6 string bass

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iiipopes
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Re: Pickups for a custom 6 string bass

Post by iiipopes »

What kind of tone are you looking for? There's a big difference between, say, an EMG 45 and a Barden twin-rail Jazz, both of which have rails and would make good 6-string pickups, not to mention the MusicMan 6. Please give us the school of tone you're after, scale length, proposed positioning of the pickups, string spacing, and budget.
partime
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Re: Pickups for a custom 6 string bass

Post by partime »

Thanks Scott and Don for your ideas, we are moving forward.
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