Any Opinions On The Duncan SSB-4 Passive Soapbar Phase II's

[JOLLY]

I've never really seen hardly anyone talk about them. I did a search for them and it only brought up a page of threads/posts. Some of those threads didn't even have replies. They seem like a great deal considering they are right around $100 for a set.

I just wondered how they compared to the EMG HZ's.

Thanks!!

http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/passive-soapbar-set-phase-ii

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Any Opinions On The Duncan SSB-4 Passive Soapbar Phase II's

Never tried them. In Europe, those pickups are rare as rocking horse dung.

Are your EMG HZ 35 Soapbar pickups supplied with four conductor + shield output cable? If so, you could add series/single/parallel switching to your circuitry.

The obligatory question at this point is, what dissatisfies you about the current pickups? The follow-up question is how do you usually set your controls?

I was just wondering about the pickups. That's all.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Any Opinions On The Duncan SSB-4 Passive Soapbar Phase II's

Come to think of it, what dissatisfies you about the Carvin LB70 basses? The things that go into these should add up to a high quality instrument. What's not to like? On the other hand, it is possible to have too much of a good thing and simply fancy a change. All of which brings us back to the SSB-4S pickup.


"Description
Some players want great tone, but simply don’t want to hassle with batteries. ... For optimal tone control, install with our STC-2 or STC-3 preamps."

:smack:

IMHO, SD/Basslines Passive Soapbar pickups are not going to bring a colossal improvement over the EMG HZ 35 pair.


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There's absolutely nothing at all wrong with my Carvins. They're the best playing basses that I've ever played.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Any Opinions On The Duncan SSB-4 Passive Soapbar Phase II's

Exactly my point. Why are the Carvins staying in their cases?

I'm not knocking the Spector Legend. A change is as good as a rest - as the saying goes. The Spector's 3.5 x 1.5" pickup cavities open it up to a world of customising possibilities. The only limiting factors are budget and imagination.

In recent months, you have posted in this forum zone, expressing your appreciation for an all-white Spector Legend signature model with active EMG-P and -J pickups. You have also mused out loud about, maybe, getting a Squier Affinity PJ Bass and upgrading its electronics.

Why not combine the best of these notions?

EMG-35 P4 in the mid position. EMG-35J or -35TW in the bridge position. 2 x Vol (no Balance pan pot), EQ as simple or as fancy as you like.

Jus' sayin'.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Any Opinions On The Duncan SSB-4 Passive Soapbar Phase II's

I've thought about it.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Any Opinions On The Duncan SSB-4 Passive Soapbar Phase II's

I've never really seen hardly anyone talk about them. I did a search for them and it only brought up a page of threads/posts. Some of those threads didn't even have replies. They seem like a great deal considering they are right around $100 for a set.

IMO, the SD/Basslines Passive Phase II soapbar pickups are a victim of retailing strategy. "Nobody asks for them, so, we don't stock them." Conversely, nobody asks about them because they are not commonly stocked.

You might have thought that the obvious application for these pickups would be mid-priced OEM instruments. To be honest, I am struggling to recall any - not even with the manufacturer's own logo printed on the housing tops. (Perhaps, somebody like Marc Boomer can enlighten us about this?) If EMG is the first name that comes to mind for many end users, this is the OEM supplier that will receive the most orders. Your own "import" Spector Legend bass guitar is a case in point. EMG-HZ pickups = brand recognition selling point, noise-cancellation and acceptable (as opposed to outstanding) sounds.



I invariably find all models of EMG-HZ series pickups to sound kinda underwhelming. I would like to imagine that the Duncan SSB-4 soapbars sound better than the -35HZ. Unfortunately, I am unwilling to chance a Benjamin just to satisfy my curiosity when I am confident that between two and three Benjamins would ensure professional results.

Another option is Bartolini Quad Coil soapbar pickups. These would enable almost infinite versatility between noise-free P, J and 'Ray style sounds. You just have to find somewhere to fit all of the mode switches.



Ultimately, all of the above are just the opinions of one person. Nobody else is obliged to take any notice.

 

[marcboomer]

Re: Any Opinions On The Duncan SSB-4 Passive Soapbar Phase II's

I've tried them in several ultra funky Eastwoods and an Ibanez. They definitely made those fun to play basses quite giggable. They have an even frequency response and vintage output. One set is in my avatar foto!