Adjustable pole HiGains vs '03 4003 HiGains.

[clankchris]

I've been thinking and reading about replacing my bridge Hi-Gain with one of the '06 and newer Hi Gains, since I pretty much just use my bridge 90% of the time. I got to briefly play a 2010 Ric and remember it sounding pretty awesome. Can anyone compare the early 2000's Hi Gains to the newer adjustable ones?

I'm not unhappy with my bass but am constantly looking for more of a metallic attack(unlike most bassists), as I'm a huge fan of early Faith No More and Billy Gould's early tones - I've gotten very close with my Ric because of the maple body(and changing to ridiculous pot values). From what I've garnered, the more you unscrew the polepieces, the more attack you get whilst sacrificing some sustain. But I know this can be worked with by raising the pickup so you don't lose too much sustain. At least it seems that way with my P bass' Dimarzio with its' hexhead polepieces.

This is what my Ric sounds like now(and an example of the aggressive tone I like), going through a Darkglass B3K and my GK800RB:
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single ... i&newref=1
(That was an SM57 by itself, but I like my new Audix I5 much better - it has better clarity and low-end )

Among other reviews, this quote by cassius got my attention

(cassius987) » 07 Jul 2011 03:11 pm
"If you haven't played with the adjustable poles you don't know how awesome they are. They can radically change how the bass sounds with some tweaking... from sweet and smooth to a sound so aggressive I find it awkward and unusable (but I know others would love it).

I've played Hi-Gains from three different eras (1970s, 1990s, and present) and I think the newest ones sound the best.
Rhys Chandler (cassius987)"

[clankchris]

Nothing? What aboit the Classic Amplfication 60's and 70's bridge replacement pickups, mentioned on here by Gilmourisgod?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[iiipopes]

Having set up a friend's bass with the adjustable pole pickups, What Cassius987 says just about covers it: poles down into the pickup for smoother, sustained tone, poles up away from the pickup bobbin for more articulation, but less sustain. Remember that the strength of the magnetic field varies as the square of the distance away from the pole, so minor adjustments make a lot of difference.

[clankchris]

Thanks, iiipopes. I just had a few back and forth emails with Brad from Classic Amplification and it seems he can actually build me a pickup more suited to the sound I'm looking for. He seems really thoughtful and his pickups get a lot of positive reviews.

I mentioned having good mids but having a very percussive and metallic pickup. Can't wait to bite the bullet.