Bass pickup query

Jetpilot

Hi, I have a Warwick Corvette 4 string (with passive pickups) and 6 string (with active pickups). The problem is that when soundchecking for a gig the 6 string output is a lot higher than the 4 string, which can be a problem when using both basses live. Can anyone recommened pickups (preferably EMG/Bartolini's) that can bring the output of the 4 string upto the output level of the 6 string.

feylya

EMG J or P pickups would suit perfectly I reckon. Depends what's in the bass already.

http://www.emgpickups.com/displayproducts.asp?section=Bass&categoryid=25]J
http://www.emgpickups.com/displayproducts.asp?section=Bass&categoryid=23]P

Somewhere to buy them for reasonably cheap Not sure about shipping though.

Doctor J

More importantly, are you happy with the tone of the 4 string pickups? If so, leave them as they are. Perhaps you should lower the height of the 6 string pickups to balance out the pair. Don't go on brand name, EMGs and Bartolinis will change the sound of your instrument drastically. I've got a set of Bartolinis on sale on ebay at the moment which I removed from my 6 string because their tone wasn't good enough. I had a custom set of pickups made by Christoph Dolf from www.bassculture.de in their place and the sound is much, much better than the Barts.

I'd go on the tone of the instrument, rather than the output when it comes to judging pickups. That's why amps have input gain knobs.

Jetpilot

The four string sounds ok, but compared to the six string it just sounds weak. I couldn't use it for recording or anything, and at gigs the bass just drops out if I use it. How much would that guy charge for a custom set of active jazz pickups do you reckon?

Doctor J

Jetpilot wrote:

The four string sounds ok, but compared to the six string it just sounds weak. I couldn't use it for recording or anything, and at gigs the bass just drops out if I use it. How much would that guy charge for a custom set of active jazz pickups do you reckon?

If the signal is that weak, there might be a loose connection or something. Check that out before you blow money on new pickups. Check with Warwick first, there could well be something wrong with the electronics of your bass. I'd take passive over active any day and I've yet to find an active bass with higher output than my passive Rickenbacker. As for Christoph, he doesn't make active pickups, passive pickups are plenty loud, they go for great fundamental tone rather than trying to fix bad tone with eq'ing. He makes pickups for http://www.hotwire-bass.de/ so the jazz pickups should be straightforward enough. Have a look at http://www.bassculture.de/4.htm

At a guess I'd say you're looking at about €200 for the set. They should be a straight drop in for what you have, provided there isn't something wrong with the electronics.

TBH though, I don't think differing level is a big deal. You should know what input gain you need for each bass to run at optimum level through your amp. Louder doesn't mean better tone.


Edit -> Actually, if you want something high output then Q Tuners might be of interest. I would have gotten a set of these except they don't make a size that would have fitted my 6 string. However, they do have a set of Jazz pickups. These pickups are very interesting indeed.

John

I think most Warwicks tend to be a bit on the quieter side. I've a Streamer Std and it's not the loudest mofo in the world but I do love the little devil.