MM pickup advice

[Inflames626]

Hi guys,
I'm thinking about picking up one of these Fernandes 5 string HH Stingray types. I've never experimented with a Stingray before and I'm curious to see how this would sound with SD Stingray pickups in it or some EMG MM HZs (I've pretty much decided on passive). Then again, it doesn't look like EMG makes an MM HZ 5 string version.

http://www.fernandesguitars.com/tremor/132-tremor-5-x.html

What concerns me is the dog ears on each side of the stock pickup housing. The Duncan versions look covered in their 5 string versions.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/bass-pickups/music-man/4string/smb4a_5a_alnico/

Will the Duncans fit?

I don't care much for all the active electronics and preamp. Aside from a passive tone knob and a series/split/parallel switch for each pickup, that will probably be all I want. I'm really just wanting to see if I like the tone that the MM coil geometry produces.

Thanks.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: MM pickup advice

IMO, the Duncan/Basslines replacement pickup will only fit after some additional wood has been routed away to accept the pickup housing. (A genuine Ernie Ball MusicMan five string pickup would also require this.)

With all due respect to Fernandes, a bass guitar that happens to have Stingray style pickups is not guaranteed to sound like an actual Stingray. For your budget, a Sterling by Musicman RAY 5 might be a wiser choice. Failing that, the Sterling SUB 5 is extremely playable and good value for money, even before a pickup and EQ upgrade.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

Thanks.

It seems difficult to find 5 string models with two MM pickups. I hate not having something in the neck--if I don't like it I can just roll it down.

Here's a demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P59YIgN0n3Y

About the only other bass line I've seen take the HH 5 string approach are some discontinued Schecters.

http://www.schecterguitars.com/vault/listing/damien-elite-5-detail

I'd have no problem pulling the trigger on a real Stingray 5 HH or Sterling if I knew that's what I wanted, but there aren't any to try around here, and I'm not sure if I'd prefer ceramic or Alnico humbuckers. Also, as I like to dial my tone in on the amp and not the bass, I'm not sure I'd use all the controls on a real Stingray (having piezos would be nice, though).

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: MM pickup advice

ok While I don't have any experience with the Duncan pickups or the Emg's or the Fernandes
I did have a Carvin five string with their version of the MM big huge double coil humbucking pickup

it was AWESOME!!!!
a tone that I cannot seem to find beyond that guitar

http://www.carvinguitars.com/group/bass_pickups

they have two versions
wide and not as wide

Narrow spacing 5 string bass humbucker with large Alnico-5 pole pieces. 2.63" spacing between center of outside string poles. Dimensions: 4.6" long x 1.9" wide.

Wide spacing 5 string bass humbucker with large Alnico-5 pole pieces. 2.9" spacing between center of outside string poles. Dimensions: 4.6" long x 1.9" wide.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

Thanks, forgot about Carvin.

Bartolini seems to have some too, as well as Nordstrand.

http://nordstrandpickups.com/products/mm5-2/

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

An equally valid approach might be going with the newer MM style.

I'm not big on the colors on this or signature models in general but it's an option.

http://www.fernandesguitars.com/signature-tremor/872-tony-campos-tremor-5-deluxe.html

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: MM pickup advice

If you're getting a new bass, anything is a valid approach. But I suggest getting a bass with pickups you don't have to change immediately.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

Also here.

http://www.cortguitars.com/en/product/c5h

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: MM pickup advice

It should come as little surprise to you to learn that Cort made the discontinued Schecter mentioned in post #3.

Regarding the magnet materials. The Cort(ek) website FAQ page explains that "Mighty Mite" pickups feature Alnico 5 magnets whereas "Powersound" ones feature the ferrite ceramic bar type.

1. [h=3][/h]

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

I imagine Cort makes just about everything that is imported.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: MM pickup advice

Not so.

Of course, if you were to set up a guitar identity parade, certain Cort, Ibanez, LTD, Schecter and Squier instruments would display conspicuous similarities.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

Here's another candidate. If you have any opinions on Aguilar, Funkfingers, I'd be interested.

http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_pickups_AGM.htm

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: MM pickup advice

If you have any opinions on Aguilar, Funkfingers, I'd be interested.

Never had an opportunity to try them.

I was briefly tempted to order their Super Double pickups for my Ibanez SRX500 but went with EMG35s instead.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

Are they generally considered a good company?

Only drawback is it seems this model doesn't have the wiring options I'd like to try, and it's only available as an Alnico.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: MM pickup advice

IMO, the Duncan/Basslines replacement pickup will only fit after some additional wood has been routed away to accept the pickup housing. (A genuine Ernie Ball MusicMan five string pickup would also require this.)

With all due respect to Fernandes, a bass guitar that happens to have Stingray style pickups is not guaranteed to sound like an actual Stingray. For your budget, a Sterling by Musicman RAY 5 might be a wiser choice. Failing that, the Sterling SUB 5 is extremely playable and good value for money, even before a pickup and EQ upgrade.

Don't even need a pickup upgrade. Necks are really comfortable. Pickups sound good for how I play (YRMV). Finish is very nice for the price point. Only problem I'm had were with strapbuttons and that was solved with a couple eye hooks.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: MM pickup advice

I'd have no problem pulling the trigger on a real Stingray 5 HH or Sterling if I knew that's what I wanted, but there aren't any to try around here, and I'm not sure if I'd prefer ceramic or Alnico humbuckers. Also, as I like to dial my tone in on the amp and not the bass, I'm not sure I'd use all the controls on a real Stingray (having piezos would be nice, though).

I like to use the controls as boosts when I need them. Set your amp for your tone, but if you need a bit of a treble boost to rock "For Whom the Bell Tolls" roll it up. After the intro, click it back to flat.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

Much obliged, Johnny.

I had no idea there was such variation in MM designs.

I hate not having one with 5 strings since the tone is so fat, and anything with just one humbucker is rather limiting.

I'd like at least series/split/parallel wiring options for each one.

Also, having something similar to a Stingray (with a pickguard) makes me less skittish about drilling for adding mini switches.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: MM pickup advice

Much obliged, Johnny.

I had no idea there was such variation in MM designs.

I hate not having one with 5 strings since the tone is so fat, and anything with just one humbucker is rather limiting.

I'd like at least series/split/parallel wiring options for each one.

Also, having something similar to a Stingray (with a pickguard) makes me less skittish about drilling for adding mini switches.

On guitar I like to have switching options, but for bass I find I'd just mess with them too much.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: MM pickup advice

I agree. That said, parallel seems a lot more useful in bass than with guitar. It thins out that thick, sometimes muddy sound of a 5 string bass in series. Almost like going from a P to a J.

I think I'll end up going with a Schecter Damien Elite 5. It has the newer MM style rounded edges (not the big loops) and you can find them pretty cheap used--$400-500. They're also stock with EMG HZs, which I like, so if I don't like one I can try another.

http://www.pulseonline.com/schecter54.htm

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: MM pickup advice

I agree. That said, parallel seems a lot more useful in bass than with guitar. It thins out that thick, sometimes muddy sound of a 5 string bass in series. Almost like going from a P to a J.

I think I'll end up going with a Schecter Damien Elite 5. It has the newer MM style rounded edges (not the big loops) and you can find them pretty cheap used--$400-500. They're also stock with EMG HZs, which I like, so if I don't like one I can try another.

http://www.pulseonline.com/schecter54.htm

I don't know if you could do much worse than a Schecter Session. 3 band EQ, active EMG's, and straight forward/ no frills.