Gibson "Mudbucker" bass pickup

[ICTGoober]

I never could figure out why it was called a Mudbucker. I installed one in my first bass back in the 70's in the bridge position and it sounded terrific played with fingers or a pick. Didn't matter whether we played rock, blues, or pop - it worked for me. Just turn the tone knob a bit, or adjust something on the old Ampeg V6-B.

It's a good design in my opinion. Why doesn't Duncan make something like them?

 

[PFDarkside]

Great question. I was watching a Billy Sheehan video where he demonstrates how he can get a P bass tone and a thuddier Gibson bass tone out of the same instrument. I figure throw a Jazz by the bridge and you’ve got a ridiculously versatile bass.

He’s got a new signature line with Dimarzio that includes the big Gibson style Humbucker.

 

[formula73]

“Mudbucker” came more from the position right at the neck of all the Gibson basses it came in more than the design. The fact that most of them were short scale with a big, thuddy fundamental played into that, as well.

Personally, I LOVE them, especially for a big, woofy od or fuzz tone, but then, I love that massive fundamental tone.

 

[ICTGoober]

You put ANY pickup that wide right next to the neck on a short scale bass - it's going to be bassy. They blamed the pickup, and it didn't deserve the name at all. The sidewinder design obviously works well. I think there are even guitar pickups with the same design, aren't there?

Anyway - I ask because a vintage Gibson or Epiphone unit will cost big bucks, and the new Asian made ones (like Artec) use a ceramic magnet instead of alnico. Probably makes it hotter and boosts the treble, I suppose.

The DiMarzio version (Model One?) isn't even close - it's just a normal size humbucker under a big cover.

 

[idsnowdog]

The nickname is probably more of a testament to the limitations of amplifiers and speakers at the time of its introduction and not the tonal properties of the pickup.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

It’s a “mudbucker” because it has no high frequency response at all. It’s wound like a buttload of wire, so it’s about 30k. Their idea was to make it sound like the pedals on a pipe organ.

Personally I like them. I had an EB-2DC and also put one in my ‘73 Rick 4001.

You can buy Asian copies that are wound like the real thing for not a lot of money.

Oddly the mudbuckers in the current Epiphone and Gibson basses are nothing like the real thing at all. They just look like it.


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[beaubrummels]

A number of very different pros got some mileage out of them.

 

[ICTGoober]

because it has no high frequency response at all.

See, that's just BS. As I said, I put one in the bridge position of my first bass. It had plenty of treble - especially with a pick. Sounded just as good as my 4001.

 

[formula73]

You put ANY pickup that wide right next to the neck on a short scale bass - it's going to be bassy.

Why is it even when I agree, it still reads like you’re correcting me lol

 

[ICTGoober]

Why is it even when I agree, it still reads like you're correcting me lol

Don't know. Sure isn't meant that way.