Split coil/single coil bass pickups

[Mikhail]

I'm building a bass inspired by Carl Radle's modified Telecaster Bass from the late`60's which has a split coil P-Bass pickup where the original single coil pickup would be mounted, and a single coil a couple of inches closer to the bridge. At this point I'm figuring on a single volume and tone control operating both pickups simultaneously, as my cyber-friend Dan Howard has done on his bass (I can post a picture if anyone would like). My question is this: How matched are the outputs of the SD pickups I'd be using for this bass, or maybe better phrased, can I get vintage tone pickups that would be of similar output? Would the whole issue be resolved by using one concentric volume knob and a common tone? What are the advantages/disadvantages of concentric knobs for both volume and tone? Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

 

[Mikhail]

Re: Split coil/single coil bass pickups

Anyone?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Split coil/single coil bass pickups

Welcome to the forum.

The spilt coil P type pickup is of greater output than the original single coil bass pickup. Shifting the original single coil PU to the "Jazz bridge" position will further exagerate the output difference.

Thus, to achieve an output level balance, you would need to pair up a vintage style P with a Hot or Quarter Pound single coil '51 P type.

Er, the single volume and tone control idea provides no way to blend the sounds of the two pickups. Either, Radle's modified bass was wired with individual volume pots and no tone or the two pickups were wired in series. The only other posibility would be volume and bridge PU blend controls like a very early Fender Broadcaster guitar.