Fretless bass pickups

[Erlend_G]

Hey guys!

I just got a fretless bass for birthday present, an Ibanez RD-500 fretless. It has a really nice maple neck with rosewood fingerboard (gonna epoxy coat it), a basswood body with a maple top (though i've always been against basswood, now i feel that im starting to like it's airy, open, transparent sound).

The only problem is the pickups, i have one MM sized humbucker that can be split, and a j-style. They are very high output, and seems to mud the lower frequences alot. Also, i can't get the thick, middy growl that made the musicman style humbucker famous...... so i want a thick growly humbucker and a velvety, uprigthy smooth jazz pickup.

Do you know any duncan's that can do this for me? Or can i try a bartolini or similar?

Thanks,
-Erlend

 

[celticafro]

Re: Fretless bass pickups

Well, the SMB or SMBa MM-style pickups will do the job nicely. You'd probably want to go with the SMBa, since it's got a slightly warmer tone due to the Alnico magnets (as opposed to the ceramic in the SMB).

As for the Jazz pickup, yeah, Duncan makes some decent ones that'll get you through in a pinch. If you were even THINKING about picking up Bartolinis, you can go straight for the Antiquity Jive Jazz bass pups. Or if that's a little out of your league, pricewize, you can check out the Basslines versions, of which there are a few more options.

Alternately, Bartolini's ought to do you alright, as well. I have never A/B'd the pups side-by-side, so I have no reference for comparison.

Search around the main site, man. Best of luck, and happy playing.

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Fretless bass pickups

Thanks Celticafro, i'll consider some of those.
So to say all pickups here in norway are out of my league pricewise, even the cheapest duncan bass pickup here costs around 200$, and the antiquities are about $400.



Well well, what im trying to is buying some from USA or england..... i'll see what i can do.

Cheers,
-Erlend

 

[Docrock]

Re: Fretless bass pickups

YO! Hes back!................... :dance:

 

[celticafro]

Re: Fretless bass pickups

Well well, what im trying to is buying some from USA or england..... i'll see what i can do.

Gad, that stinks that the Seymours are so pricey over there. Also remember that this forum has a buy/sell/trade section, where you might be able to negotiate directly with some of the other cats on this forum. Should be able to hook yourself up with a sweet deal.

That is, if you're willing to risk it. A lot of the folks here a totally cool, really. But you never know who's lurking around here.

Best of luck.