Relentless Pickup Install

Here's a little homemade video describing my particulars regarding installation of the new DiMarzio Relentless pickups.

[@iTip28]

"The Wife" is just as iconic as Eddy Van Halen's "Frankenstrat"

[@kylehonea5599]

I agree 100%!!!

[@ArrumeSuaCama]

38:48 “Im not a Luthier” Said the guy that put a gibson pickup in a precision bass then swapped and scalloped its neck

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Ha! But I couldn't build an instrument

[@ArrumeSuaCama]

@@BillySheehanOfficial man, its just unbelieveble. The great grandmaster billy sheehan on bass replied to my comment. Shocked

[@spacesloth6496]

He is just youre normal Guy next door Man and plays good bass 🤩. Do good in life b gentle and play bass 🤘😎🤘 its the centre of the universe

[@joelalexander4513]

@@BillySheehanOfficial Now that youtube has unlimited content..now you can, Billy. Oh yeahhhhhh

[@mx5534]

This guy is one of the most iconic bass players of all time, with skills and a brain that most people cant even begin to imagine, and yet he seems like the most humble dude in the world, a guy that you would just wanna hang out with in his workshop! Thank you Mr Sheehan for being an absolute LEGEND of a Human Being & of course Musician!!! 🖖✌🤟 Also, by far the most fun pickup installment video out there! 😀

[@krisgrainger5770]

What I love about Billy is how hands-on he is about working on his gear. Most people his level would just have a tech. I love he has his own workshop. I've seen him do incredible things with attaching a strap too.

[@KenCarver]

I've been an electronics tech for over 4 decades...I still cut wires leaving the original color so I know how to hook up the replacement wire. Your technique is solid.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Glad to hear! Thx Ken!

[@aquabot]

I love it when a top notch musician does his own instrument maintenance or modifications. As a guy who modifies most of his guitars himself, it means a lot. Good job, Billy.

[@brentstewart59]

This man is no hack. Just a beautiful down to earth humble man that also happens to be a master musician

[@SalemmeNatan]

Knowing that you play the same standard model that's sold in music stores just made my day and it also shows the amazing and humble man you are! I'm a drummer and I've played drums for about 21 years but you are part of the inspiration and influence for me to keep on moving forward. Unfortunately I never had a chance to see you playing live.

[@kristopherkrahl1597]

I agree wholeheartedly about him playing the same model, for a long time I've wished more musicians followed that train of thought. And...I've seen Billy play live many, many times over the past 35 years and every single time I've left feeling like I got my money's worth. Exceptional musician, but extraordinary performer!!! If you have the chance you should definitely make the effort to see him, you won't regret it!

[@DedeSP]

I need that pickup.. Very great first video 👍🏻 Looking forward for more videos

[@dcabinet]

Great video. It is very relaxing to watch this. Almost like a Bob Ross episode!

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Ha! Thx bro

[@manfredmatzdorf4728]

Hey, Billy, you are not only the best bass- player in the world, you are an experienced craftsman either…. Love it…. GREAT!!!! Greetings from northern Germany Manfred

[@Leiria65]

These improvements to the pickup's shape (radius, the smooth metal cover and recessed screws) are genius, I hope this sort of thing catches on and gets used in more pickup types

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

More different models coming soon! Thanks Sujo!

[@geekguitars]

Agreed, raduised designs have always had better ergonomics and tone. Really shocked how rare they are in today's market

[@tbd-1]

I got to live long enough to watch Billy Sheehan tutorial videos. For free. With all the garbage on the internet these days it is so nice to find little gems like this. Thank you, Billy. Been a long road since the Eat 'em and Smile tour (Madison, 12 Sept.) hasn't it. I'm about 9 minutes in and I'll pick up my old Road Bass and noodle around while you teach me something new 👍

[@stuart8663]

" Babingowood Vs Plywood".... now there's a bass review video I'm hanging out for, Billy.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Ha!!!!!~

[@Cruiseangel72]

This man is not just the greatest bass player .. He is also an innovator. And just a cool nice guy . i went out and brought two sets of the dimarzios relentless pickups. Love them!!

[@donreinholz8121]

Great video Billy. I agree with you it is better to work on your own equipment so you can set it up the way it works best for you. Looking forward to more videos.

[@roseoris297]

God bless you sir.!!l i wish i could sit and talks about bass and music for hours with you sir. You seem a lovely man.!!

[@coolairheights]

Iv had these pickups for a week now and they're absolutely fantastic, took out my old precision pickups replaced with these, relentless are so much more powerful and way less hum and noise, thank you Billy

[@acvisanu]

This is pretty awesome. It’s like watching a celebrity cooking show. You are such an iconic player but yet I feel like I’m in your workshop with you learning. Congrats on a successful vid.

[@alexben-kori6640]

Nice demo of the install! And you're now the Hank Hill of Bassists! Not bad at all.

[@KristofferGildenlow]

Normally not that interested in watching people swap pups on their instruments but you, sir, made this quite an enjoyable watch. Thank you! 😊

[@mrarturmeireles]

It's great to see one REAL player with his hands on the gear!!! Love you Billy🤘

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Right back at 'ya!

[@alfer9920]

Thanks Billy for these amazing pickups! Greetings from Costa Rica, you are the best!

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Glad you like them!

[@tomhjellemo1551]

Love hearing you talk Billy, it makes me relax and think. I wish you were my cool uncle!😄👍

[@jokoheratmo674]

Good video. When the god of bass modified his bass by himself. I’ve never seen musicians in my country doing that on KZbin

[@roentgen571]

Been a fan since the 80s, great to see you doing a channel!

[@ericbraswell4713]

Whoa... This is deep. I love seeing how other folks set up. I don't tend to play "on" the pup, but I'm bookmarking this for reference. :-)

[@Harris90]

This knowledge of his instrument is inspiring from his technique to his setup is just so finely tuned. Plus he focused on just 'playing' the thing and picked up practical skills along the way.

[@judih.8754]

Hello Billy! I'm so glad I found your video as I also strongly dislike placing my thumb on the pickup screw. I will be buying a set of these p/u's for my Yamaha. I laughed when you said you were old as you are my age and I'm not old!!! Cheers!

[@jrosner6123]

Such a smart design, and as always, great vid- always fun and informative to watch you work!

[@Kubooxooki]

Just ordered a set of these. So excited to add a bit of Sheehan wisdom/magic to my project bass. Love that tubing tip! Thank you for making your experience and knowledge available to the rest of us, Billy.

[@dirtybird556]

Genius !! These are the repair tips I use every day. Thank-you !!

[@themusicofrobertgould808]

NICE... picking up a few pointers for a special project I'm working on. I love the description and design of the relentless pickups...very ingenious! Thank you

[@alexfun4726]

I just don't get how could someone dislike this video and how Billy's channel has only 8,49k subscribers.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

I've really just begun to post any significant videos---thanks for your kind words though

[@badmonks]

I''m new to bass playing at 65 years of living on the planet. It's very cool to see how and what a legend bassist does, esp when it's like what the majority of us do or try to do...if that makes sense. I'm learning a lot by watching your vids so thank you for that.

[@marioleoa]

Bill is sharing alll his secrets. Thank you so much.

[@larryboz]

I’m a guitar player and want to say you’re very good at passing on your knowledge and really enjoyable to listen too.

[@LemmyBass]

Great to see a famous bass player like you working as a bass tech. this is the best way to develop your own sound and it is fun to understand your instrument better :)

[@christianstorm8854]

The knowledge that Billy has is insane and he is such a generous guy that he shares his experience with all. An amazing artist and an amazing person so meet and to watch performing live. 🔥🔥🔥

[@yumadapaka]

lots of new info i just learned from this video. thank you billy sheenan for your bass wisdom.

[@keenanX1]

So Kool... This takes me back to my time at MIT/BIT 30 years ago. Billy is such a thoughtful and detailed instructor in every conversation. Looking forward to more videos.

[@enricoviappiani4305]

15 years ago in Milan, you were very kind and you let me try your personal instrument. I did the epoxy thing on my bass but left the foam underneath. now it is time for a new upgrade!!

[@JLeppert]

The upright plucking on the fingerboard being transferred to the pickup is brilliant. I've met you several times. You have no clue who I am. I'm fine with that. However, every time I see you in anything I learn something. Thank you for always being willing to teach!

[@johnnyhansen5091]

Hi Billy. I am a positive "hack" just like you and I feel a big advantage in doing the things myself. I have been playing bass and guitar for half a century now, deeply inspired by you and lately built 6 basses and 5 guitars beginning with kits and one after the other transformed them into Fender instruments using genuine parts. That has learned me how every screw and bits and bobs works and has been a fantastic travel. Love your videos and your natural way and personality. Thank you and keep it up. Cheers, Johnny

[@forgottenroadz]

Truly enjoying your videos Billy - Something about growing up in Buffalo maybe..... Comforts me to know the DIY approach is as much about character, as it is necessity... You Rule !!

[@luukderuijter1332]

I love the idea that you play the exact model that anyone can buy in the store. Only problem i have is that "anyone" needs to have a few grands in their pocket

[@digitalneko7975]

Great instructional video Billy! I’ve done it to my guitar and other friends guitars many times but never for a bass guitar as I want to change out my Jackson bass pick ups to a Norstrand pick ups. Aloha! You’re an awesome bassist! Aloha!

[@johnlewis8527]

Was really cool watching you work on your bass

[@RobertCorrington]

I bought an Ibanez SRMD200 Mezzo 32” scale bass. Just like Billy said… the edges and corners of these inexpensive P pickups were sharp and hard. Every time I slapped the E string, the corners stabbed into the fleshy part of my palm, below my thumb. It hurt and drove me crazy. Eventually, I pulled out a file and rounded the edges and corners. Billy, thanks for improving design of the 50-year-old P bass pickup. I’m sure Leo Fender would approve.

[@Bassman1964]

Thank you for the Amazing installation video Billy, I just received my set of Relentless Middle’s for a P Bass build I am completing hopefully tonight, someone must have been paying attention as the surgical tubing was in the box. Looking forward to how these will sound as it’s a pretty dense Pine Body that is hand rubbed Tru Oil and seems very resonant, you have never steered me wrong 😎

[@naquibilmam1199]

You are inspiration Sir Billy.Greeting from Malaysia..

[@LeoLeentvaar]

Billy you never seize to amaze me, thanks for your candor and honesty. Even after 40 yrs on the bass myself, I actually had some lightbulb moments during this video. Thans for sharing your experience and borught with enthousiam. Thank man!! ROCK ON!!

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Thx Leo!!

[@bulkhead]

A great teacher can explain years of experience to someone who does not have it. Thank you Billy.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Thank YOU!

[@mikedipaola]

Very informative! Thank you for keeping me smiling throughout the whole video! You make it an absolute Joy to work on my gear!

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

My pleasure!

[@Puciferthegreat]

Lots of great ideas, ordered up 20m of surgical tube to have laying around. Magnetic trays are absolutely superb to keep screws in by the way, real life saver

[@jrchanning]

Fantastic instructional video Billy, learn a lot, I had to do some soldering on my SIRE bass a while ago after a wire that connected from the battery compartment to the input jack came loose, my first time soldering and it worked OK, nerve racking but gained some knowledge from it !! :)

[@jasonweinberg932]

18:30 “So I’m gonna play with it here until I get it in the hole.” Words to live by!

[@robertbobbygaryremkes2166]

Awesome instruction videos, Billy...

[@petebjerkelund5088]

"...the plywood version in the store..." 8')) - The radius curve on your pup's design is simple and ingenious, and the surgical tube trick is just what I need to adjust the pup height on my G&L SB. Right on. Thanks again for a really informative and fun channel for bass dudes!

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

So glad to hear, Pete! Glad you found it helpful. Bass on!

[@Cruiseangel72]

I enjoy watching you work on your bass's i watched the strap episode the set up with the basterd file.lol love that one. Thank you for another entertaining and informative video mr Sheehan.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Cheap basses can play and sound great too---kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYbQf4uYh9d6rKs

[@Brent-Nelson68]

Hey there Billy, a little trick my Dad taught me back in the day, is when you are putting screws back in, whether in wood or metal is to turn the screw driver backwards until you feel the screw drop into the threads of the wood or metal. In wood, if you don’t get the screw in the threads within the wood you’ll strip it just like metal. If you are swapping pickups often the screws will lose hold. Just a little trick to keep that from happening. Love your videos by the way.

[@aquabot]

That's a great tip your dad gave you. I always do that and I never get trouble putting screws back in.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Agree! Your Dad is right---I do exactly that often. Thanks!

[@supersam1914]

My pickup just arrived and I cant wait to install it . Dimarzio even sends the tubing

[@AndreaAustoni]

Everything about this is fantastic. The man, the player, the shop. Putting surgical tubing from a speargun in your bass is pretty badass. But hey, it's Billy Sheehan after all.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Ha! Thx bro--

[@chrisstenger3719]

I just setting up guitars mr bill. I generally turn it into an OCD encounter lol. Since 1982 my friends and I would salvage old parts to try just jam lol. Luv ya and bless u

[@SuperGeorge2112]

Nice one Billy , hope your well see you in Glasgow soon.

[@leftycelis8454]

Great video Billy! Thanks so much!

[@jigoujitoku7193]

I agree about doing your own repair work. It makes you scrutinize what you're doing, what's working, what isn't and what can be made better. It's a creativity all of its own that definitely improves the music as a result. I'm sure EVH would have agreed!

[@SnifferCustoms]

Very exciting to find this channel, Mr. Sheehan is great guy for sharing these! I believe he was reason I bought my first bass (very inexpensive P-bass copy) in time period of 1980's because of his tone. Memory is fuzzy, but I think I was reading Billy Sheehan article/interview in some guitar magazine (back then only way to get any information), and maybe there was some comment about playing bass in tile bathroom unplugged...and attempting to re-create this tone when plugged in. Back then I didn't have much money for equipment/bass modification, or even a place to play at any volume. But, I could take bass to bathroom, sit on edge of tub with door shut, and enjoy sound that came from my cheap bass. It's something I still do, to this day, when I need reminder of finding that pure tone in a bass. I still can't play bass or guitar any better than those days, haha, but most important lesson I learned from Mr. Sheehan was to think outside of box, and not be afraid to perform modification on bass or guitar for achievement of purely utilitarian/performance gain...and to seek a tone that I personally want...regardless of any generally accepted rules or opinion of some other people. I applied this lesson to life in general, and believe it has made me a better person, not afraid to pursue my creativity, and more successful in work. I am thankful for people like Billy Sheehan! Now, haha, it looks like my next project will be doing those bass modifications I couldn't afford to do back in 1980's...inspired once again!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Xlnt!

[@JCYoo]

Very enjoyable. Thanks, Billy!

[@munex02]

Wow, first you play the same bass configuration instrument like sold in the shop, second you have your own workshop and you can make your own modification, without let it do to any custom-shop.... I always wonder how a iconic great player, like you are, stays humble and have such a direct contact with the audience. It shows me that playing music is your vocation and you love it. No matter if it succeeds or not. That's your life and you are happy that you can live with this. Then your music is totally matching with my musical tastes.... you are one of my favourite musician all over the world and anyway one of my 2 Fav. Bass Player of all times.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Very very kind of you to say

[@raulgliderr295]

Nice job Billy ! I bought them in gold ;) now try to put in my own built bass ...

[@gergelykoranyi8554]

That was the most educational video I've ever seen. Wish I'd found it before I tortured my poor bass. Would love to see more.

[@petrekguitars]

This was very interesting. Thanks for the Video Billy. Best Regards Nik

[@BillsBassCovers]

Awesome video! Thanks Billy! I learned a lot!! 👍😎

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Glad to hear it

[@sean9983]

Thank god! Now I don’t feel so bad screwing up my wiring on my guitars and bass when I changed pick up. Amazing video very interesting hack with the tubing, I’m changing my pickups in my Ibanez bass this weekend and I’m going to be trying that. Thanks Billy!

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Let me know how it goes!

[@sean9983]

@@BillySheehanOfficial All done AND YOUR HACK WORKS AMAZING!!! Thanks Billy! I installed a Seymour Duncan SPB-4 set in my bass and am waiting a little while to install a complete set of EMG’s JH HET’s in my Les Paul in the picture seen to the left. Thanks again Billy for your advice can’t wait to see you play again live once the pandemics over love your channel.

[@quickwashtheraccoon7601]

Love it! I can’t wait to try them!

[@sculptaurus]

Great watch, love it very much!

[@trevorpeters4358]

I put a humbucker in with a dremel. Wasn't fun but the pickup was an original super distortion. That created my love for larry's pickups.. Never underestimate a dremel.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

I did the first scalloping on my old Fender P bass with a Dremel in a hotel room---always handy!

[@trevor-johnsen]

I'd love to see a demo of that Relentless neck pickup!🙏🙌

[@shakyblues2099]

Really great tutorial video. So nice to see that you still change pickups, strings etc and are genuinely interested in the workings of the bass even at the high level of musician you are. I imagine a lot of famous players just hand it over to their techs. This is totally inspiring. Thanks.

[@lovechildmusiccouk]

The Neck is amazing work of art,

[@rem9884]

Un genio tiene su propio taller !!!

[@tmiller.luthier]

This is awesome! You should do more bench videos!

[@shannonmcmackin4665]

Best thing I've seen all day. I can't wait to get my hands on these pickups. I look forward to many more fantastic videos from you...

[@dmarty3696]

Some great info here. Thanks Billy

[@chrisferrara190]

I like the Spooky/Rebel sticker on your pick guard.

[@alessiocirica2592]

Hi Billy, great video, I like to see u working on your bass! I'm looking for that pickup, need to install on my 10th anniversary "wife"...

[@bubbaluvv]

Wow the detail about the finger sliding off the pickup was 🔥...I just subbed because of that...Thank you, PS Free is 1 of my favorite bands off all time and so is their song Mr. Big( hence Mr. Big)...I appreciate that

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

We got our name from that song

[@bubbaluvv]

@@BillySheehanOfficial I found you guys a long time ago looking for the song, got 2 good things at once, Free and you guys. Thank you for the great content

[@IamRemoWilliams]

Great video billy. Thank you for sharing very kind of you to do. We greatly appreciate all the info. #ModificationPerfection

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

My Pleasure!

[@ESPecialEntertainment]

hey Billy. just wanted to pass along a little trick i learned when doing inner work on the Bass as you demonstrated in this video. removing the strings from the head is not needed. just loosen them up and then remove the bridge from the body. it saves time. I'll for sure be looking to get a set of Relentless pickups asap.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

I don't like to attach and re-attach the bridge--too much wear on those screw holes which will eventually make it loose--and the bridge to body connection is extremely important.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Let me know what you think of the new pickups

[@bennykurtmann]

Thank You for your time! Precious informations for me

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

My pleasure!

[@nikklazz]

My name is Billy. Yeah we all know who you are, legend ✌🏻

[@dchauser4]

Glad to hear they're going to come out with a J-style pick-up in this line as well. I'm going to be picking up a J-bass here soon to go with my collection of Ibanez basses, and I'd love to look at adding something like this to them. As it is, it's damned tempting to replace the P-style pick-up on my P/J Ibanez with these.

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Soon!

[@timkronyak2761]

Awesome video Billy! Been listening to you since the Talas days. So cool to get to see how you set up your pick ups and your bass. You’re a true Legend!!

[@BillySheehanOfficial]

Awesome! Thank you, Tim

[@AussieMysteries]

Great to see some tips from a real pro. Thanks Billy! You gave me some ideas for my Spector bass

[@n0nyabznss]

Billy, mad respect and props to you for doing this video. Most professional musicians never do something like this and I wish they would do it more often. Keep rocking brother!

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

From one "Hack" to another, thank you for sharing. :)

[@joseemanueel]

this reminds me I want to raise the position of the pickups on my thunderbird

[@JackBillystyleBass]

Hello this is Satoshi. Amazing video! We can know how incredible your ideas. Really interesting. Thank you so much for sharing Billy!

[@thebassmonster]

And this is why you are a straight up genuine human being. No secrets, nothing hidden, doing things yourself passing on your Knowledge. Thank you Billy, hope to see you out on the road again sometime and more videos on here. Stay well, Stay safe :)

[@enricoviappiani4305]

Done! my bass is killer now