New pickups for my bass

[RW James]

I have a cheap p-bass clone that I bought for recording purposes. Lately I've been asked to play bass out a lot, so I thought I needed a better sound. I considered buying a new bass, but, other than the sound, I like my bass.

So instead I bought a set of Seymour Duncan Basslines SPB-3 quarter-pound P Bass Pickups from Music123 (they had a 15% off sale). The sound over the stock pickups is remarkable. They really make my cheap bass sound good. If any of you are in a similar position (part-time bass and not willing to make a huge investment) I would definitely recommend this route.

My (small) problem: The instructions said to set the pickups 1/8" below the string when pushed down at the highest fret. I couldn't quite get there. I'm between 3/16" and 1/4" on some strings. The problem is the pickup cavity is too deep.

It still sounds good, but I wonder if it would sound even better if I had the pickups higher.

I'm thinking of getting longer screws - then putting some thick foam under the pickups to push them up. Does that sound about right?

Any other ideas? Or is it really even necessary?

Bass players: How close to the strings are your pickups?

 

[Imp]

Re: New pickups for my bass

mine are 5mm from the underside of the string for the neck pickup, and 4mm for the bridge

if you like the sound and get the volume you want, don't change anything

 

[uOpt]

Re: New pickups for my bass

Pickup height needs to be optimal - for your taste. You might like them lower.

Myself, I would put a solid piece of wood under it and screw on the pickup hard. Definitely changes the sound.