I didn’t really see a thread about Pick Ups in general. If I missed it, then we can close this or add it to the other one.
I was thinking mainly for Bass pick ups, but I don’t see why we should discriminate.
What promoted this is, I have been thinking about keeping my Sterling Ray4HH for one, it is not selling, the used marked seems rather stale, unless you want to sell way below value just to make some money, or in the case the seller really doesn’t know what he has.
I ma most interested in MM or MusicMan style and drop in replacements.
But this is an open discussion of any type of pick up for any instrument, even piezo pick ups for account, Ubass, double bass and modern electric.
1 - Starting out, I have
I have an Aguilar AM-4 Alnico magnet pick up that is said to be a drop in replacement for an EBMM Stingray Classic, stating "the AM-4 has that classic Stingray sound while adding all the characteristics that Aguilar pickups are known for, excellent string-to-string balance, consistency of tone and rich harmonic content.
And I find this information to be correct, and I am very satisfied with this pick up, I didn’t even think it needed to be upgraded from the stock pick up, but it could to either give a more tru rendition (clone) of the 70’s MM 2 band pre-amp (changing out a 2 band pre-amp, that while is not a clone, it certainly is adequate IMO.
2- Also, i have been looking for 2 pick-ups on a budget. I have found a couple Chinese pickups, that fit the budget (Wilkinson) and from some Lobster Reviews are OK, not the best he has tried, but they are ok for the budget he was staying within ($500 including the bass).
3-However, I did, while still searching Reverb come across a pick that looks perfect. it is the exact price I would like it to be, considering I will be buying a set, and they are sold under the name Ken (Kent) Armstrong MM4
Not Alnico, but Ceramic, but looks like pretty good resistance (or is it output) 13k. Certainly hot enough for the bridge pick up I would thing.
Hoping these are not crap pick ups, I decided to do a little YT research and quickly fond there are some Loyalists (some in my subscribed channels) that praise his HAND WOUND, and CUSTOMS (if ordered) pick ups and many players give high praise to the man who has been building pickups for 50 years.
One of several by Johny Long and the Hobo Depot, Shada Kakka!!!1
This next one is a break from Bass.
Because of the content, I am particularly interested in what @terb has to say about these. IDK, and I hope he can shed some light if this is a good thing or bad, or neutral.
OKKK
Also on my list of pick ups to try. Yes, I have EMB and NORDSTAND and S&D and others out there, and I will state, I have not tried any of these next, I have seen them demo’s in a Ray 4 replacement parts review and battle between them, and There are good qualities about many of those, and if I wee staying on that list now, I may Choose EMG or S$D next, if I can pry myself away from Aguilar.
But, here is next up on my list. This will be more pricey for the upgrade to the Ray4HH, just cuz I have to buy a matching pair, not just two pick ups, and that may cary a surcharge as well, IDK, yet.
Herrick Pick ups. particularly this MUTANT with one row of Alnico and the other of Neodymium poles.
They have so many to chose from including one humbucker coil per string.
They have 8 way humbuckers, and with selection switches, I bet you could have some fun with some of the settings using some of these pick ups.
Not sure if I can so it, but maybe if I spoke to each builder, I would get a Mutant for the neck pick pup and a standard Mutant at the bridge.
Yes, obviously there are more questions than answers, so all input is welcome.
I do think there are some cool features on Herrick’s, but some may be overkill for what I am looking to do.
I do LOVE they way you can get the pick ups in any color you want, so like Orange Pickups, sure, DONE, and then my olive green bass has a pair of orange pick ups.
I would have way more fun with orange and black, with white and a flash of colors to really find something I liked. if it is feasible and worth it however.
Hope some others have been wanting a thread like this, otherwise, paint it communist and send me to the gulag.