The Mysterious World of Bass Pickups (Explained!) | The SBL Podcast Ep. 135

[@midas__03]

9:27 - Single coil P bass pickup 16:41 - Spilt coil P bass pickup 22:40 - '60s Jazz bass pickups 35:39 - PJ configuration 38:15 - Active PJ 42:38 - Humbuckers 47:58 - HH configuration 55:00 - Soapbars

[@christiangreene1196]

Hi… have you guys ever reviewed or considered the playing of Mick Karn?

[@josephsdsu1]

Thanks for the chapter breakdown! And if you're loking for the the series v parallel discussion, check out 23:42 and after! (I remembered the discussion, but couldn't find it; I searched and searched, and finally, at long last, found the time code. This message is for anyone searching for "series" and/or "parallel" (and let's add "pickup wiring" just to help those searching via "find"!).

[@JKeltTV]

You missed the very important Watership Down conversation at 3:01

[@doctersound9630]

Love all of the above. Myself, I currently use a 1970's TARGA JAZZ BASS that is solid Mahogany strung with D'Addario Rounds. I also Use a Rickenbacker (Loaded with Seymour Duncan pickups, Strung up with D'Addario CHROME flats) Love your content! Cheers from Canada! - Im still looking for the perfect BASS AMP any suggestions? (was using a Behringer V-amp preamp, QSC 1805HD power amp and an 810 AMPREG Cab. Currently considering a pedal preamp (Two Notes Le Bass) through a Powered Subwoofer... FOR GIRTH...yes I love it LOUD and LOW! \m/ 😎

[@tiltil9442]

@@doctersound9630 Ampeg flagship for all band applications. MarkBass for most.

[@DarrenHicklin]

I watched the whole hour and forty one minutes and I’m not even a Bass player! I absolutely loved every minute of it and regret nothing. As the father of a bass player I’m trying to learn about what I’ve actually purchased. Thanks to you guys I now know a lot more about the Ibanez with PJ pickups, Fender Squire Jazz, Epiphone hollow body Humbucker, and the newest ‘97 Samick Artist Series 5 string with EMGs. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to annoy the piss out of my daughter with my new found knowledge!!!

[@carpediemarts705]

Cooldads relate.

[@Chuck365]

You must be the coolest dad 😊

[@klaiejah]

Lol 😂

[@CoscuLeFay]

that's so cool. My parents used to call my bass a guitar all the time 🙃 (still do sometimes)

[@JakeCuley]

just want to say this is the most wholesome comment I've read. Wanting to relate to your kid on their passions/be informed and involved in their journey is really really cool.

[@MyName-nx1jj]

Been a gigging musician for 40+ years. I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on basses over the years. I've owned Sadowsky, Modulus, Elrick, Citron, MTD, Spector and virtually every bass from the major manufacturers. I'm done chasing Tone! I've settled into using only two basses: 2008 Classic Vibe P with an old '80s Schaller pickup, and a '87 Peavey Foundation. Something very special about a great passive sound; everything you need and nothing more!

[@doublebass5y]

Totally agree all modern bass pickups and basses for that much sound exactly the same. Very little difference. Just fancy wood finishes bla bla. as you been there seen it bought it sold it. Now totally content With Jazz Bass , P bass. But let the lads tell there story.

[@JGSandman38]

I just picked up a souped up CV Jazz with upgraded electronics and SD QP’s with a great set up and I enjoy it possibly more than my fancy AM Jazz Select. One of the nicest necks I’ve played and it has a really nice flame to the maple neck to boot. Looks like a custom shop neck! $300!! Can’t go wrong!

[@gbenselum]

Tone is an engineer problem. You just need to feel the instrument.

[@clemensrichter5737]

​@@gbenselumEngineers view(I am one one of them ..) : if you barely need to process anything, you chose the right mic. Or instrument.

[@clemensrichter5737]

Feeling the instrument has nothing to do with pickups but with setup.

[@billcummens3938]

I never watch 1 hour videos... I don't care if it's Adam Neely, Rick Beato, etc. I watched every second of this video. You guys had fun and we learned some great stuff. Keep up the great work

[@davidwinokur2131]

Take a flour tortilla, lay on a slice of ham and a slice of cheese, add a little mustard, roll it up and 15 seconds in the microwave.

[@yanniskalt4062]

😂😂😂

[@Bassist3098]

Almost 2 Hours of Scott and Ian talking about Bass…. love it ❤

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@PhonePole68]

Was a really good watch for sure. I kept turning my head looking for someone else until I found out the guy had the same name as I.😂

[@mikehulett6029]

Am I the only one that thinks it’s weird that they went through all the main basses made by Leo Fender except G & L?

[@jonw8694]

well....about an hour of them talking, and an hour of them noodling aimlessly in between talking.

[@ducttaperulestheworl]

I love my PJ Bass. It was some junky RCStromm budget bass but with extra work by swapping pickups, adding a humbucker J pickup, push/pull knob for series/parallel, my bass is set to play anything and sounds extra confident! I can go high contrast P-Bass punch to ambient J mud for some background hum. It's so versatile in my use case it just... works!

[@krdjis]

Omg. These guys are so good. I've watched way too many of these vids. They're like the Car Talk of bass. If they came up on my radio when I pulled into the driveway, I'd never get out of the car.

[@michaelhardie9193]

This is perfect timing. My son is looking for a new bass and we had a long conversation around different pickups and what they do sonically. We just spent 2 hours in the local bass shop testing all the different styles. I am like you Scott. There is P, J and other.😂

[@goregore6259]

That's cool of you as a father.

[@kraigompls]

The thing that I found is true is that when they comment that there's too much bass, they're talking about the frequency, not the instrument. I'm primarily a P-Bass guy and it helps me. I can hear myself without many complaints about volume. Also, earplugs help because they don't stop the bass guitar very well, so you can hear yourself better but not upset the mix.

[@hags2k]

Scott on the never ending battle in his head - I agree so much. It’s about leaning into that and enjoying the journey. Recognize that future you may be into something else. I tend to “move away” from one of my basses every few years. Put it away for a while, only to “rediscover” it a year or two later and fall back in love with the tone. That also helps with keeping the urge to buy more instruments at bay.

[@andrewade25]

I’m a guitar player who picked up a Bass in a trade and I’ve really been getting into it! You guys are great and your enjoyment of the instrument is contagious. Thanks!

[@LordEradicus]

I own several PJ basses, and each one has a different blend of the bridge and neck pickups, and as such, each bass sounds very different, despite all having the same tuning, strings and action.

[@christhehiss]

You're so right! And I was never quite satified with my EMG PJ until I lowered the P PU way down. Now the J PU adds so much more to the mix.

[@jonathanhorne6503]

I bought a Squier Bronco just so I could have fun making it a unique and fun instrument. I’d been carrying around a Gibson 60s mudbucker for 40+ years. I put a Fralin 53 P-Bass in the middle and a Lollar Thunderbird in the bridge position. Switched like a strat with a push/pull put switch that allows every pickup combination. One pot is a pickup balance control. I can have any pickup with just a little bit of a second in the mix. It real versatile. There are no original parts, Wilkinson elephant ear tuners and a badass bridge.

[@classicalthrasher]

That sounds like it's pretty special! Happy with mine, just with a single DiMarzio rails humbucker. It must look great! I know the Lollar Thunderbird pickup is amazing-have a set on a humble Epiphone Flying V bass, back when he made them with plastic covers (he did tell me years ago he stopped that particular production as it wasn't selling well enough-sound should be the same as with the metal covers.)

[@thewaldfe9763]

I totally agree with Scott: to me, most modern basses are beefed up jazz basses. Spectors however, even though the construction has nothing in common, are more like beefed up p-basses - even 5-Strings with EMG Soapbars. They don't sound exactly like a p, obviously, but they have a similar way how they sit in a mix.

[@TSE_WOODY]

I love Spectors and Ps for the same reason. I want a Stingray right now but goddamn Spectors are fantastic sounding

[@stevearcade]

Great discussion. Really enjoyed it. My two cents... I'm a pianist first, bass player second. Composer/producer. After many years of searching, I settled on the perfect (for me) workhorse for my home studio: P-Bass with flat-wounds, neck swapped with a J-Bass neck (rosewood fretboard). Best of both world; the work-horse tone of a flat-wound P, with the slimmer neck profile and ease of playability of a J. A dream to play and sounds delicious.

[@devinebass]

👍👍👍

[@BarefacedAudio]

Magnetic pickups on guitars and basses are such a magical blend of art and science! I’ve been meaning to make a video about them for ages, digging into how they really work (magnets can only be explained by QUANTUM MECHANICS!) so I’m fascinated to watch this (presumably slightly less tech nerd) deep dive… I’ll report back with any quick comments and link the Barefaced video when it’s done!

[@adam06]

I look forward to it 🤙

[@carpediemarts705]

Please. Make it needy as possible. Pickup ads don't list inductance and only resistance and people think they know what they're buying.

[@JaroKotiranta]

All I'm going to say here is that so many different, great tones are available from the wide variety of bass pick up configurations, and although some might offend Your musical sensibilities, if it sits in the mix, it's perfect.

[@jonbecker3561]

My main axe: Fender American P bass II. Passive, traditional, and simple. ;) In my church team, mostly CCM style, I can't get anything else to sound right (active 5 comes close). I've got a great jazz, but unless its gospel(ish), I just can't get it to sit right. Nice to hear I'm not crazy (at least in this instance). Selling my PJ and going straight for a Spector though... The NS-2 sounded amazing.

[@StewartBrand85]

Love that there's plenty of content featuring Ian, definitely one of my favourite guests on SBL. I like that he's so humble about not knowing the terms for parallel / series etc. when his real world ability to get sounds is mind blowing.

[@valendis]

1 hour and 42 minutes of awesomeness, I love that format!

[@devinebass]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jima2570]

Really interesting hearing the subtle differences between all of the pickup combinations. I had to laugh when Scott talked about often gravitating to the neck pickup on a gig with a Jazz bass because I find myself doing the same thing! It's the P thing fatness we all love, I reckon!

[@ajplays-gamesandmusic4568]

Played a Squire P Bass in Junior High and High School, sold it when I got married. I've spent the last 10 years buying Basses, not connecting with them, and selling them... until finally I got a 19v Active/Passive MIM Fender PJ. I love it.

[@paulhalstead2547]

Do you like the pickups in that model? Does it have active / passive toggle?

[@ajplays-gamesandmusic4568]

@@paulhalstead2547 I do like the way the stock pickups sound, and yes, you can toggle active/passive + the built-in EQ via a toggle switch.

[@SimonMeunier]

I love the level of nerdiness this is ! And the emphasis on the importance the pickup placement is really nice. This is often forgotten. Such a nice moment with you guys thanks you

[@flaxholmelis5996]

Cheers guys! Where else am I going to find a podcast of 2 people discussing bass pick-ups? Nowhere!! Not only that but the discussion is interesting, funny, engaging. Listening to this makes me feel less weird. Thank you ☺

[@jkf9167]

I love my PJ with passive pickups. I love a J too, but playing rock on a PJ can be just right. You let the P pickup dominate a bit, and then you can focus the mids by dialing in the J pickup. Playing in a rock band, the P mids can be get swallowed by guitars, and refocusing the mids with the J pickup can make the bass fit in the mix better. The last time I recorded, I plugged in my Fernandes PJ direct, and it almost immediately sounded like I wanted in the mix.

[@jackshittle]

The bassist for Massive Attack plays one of these live. I talked to Ken Smith once over the phone in the 90's and he tore my head off for asking a questions. Like really went off on me and told me to never call him again. Then my next call was to Joe Zon who couldn't have been nicer, more accommodating & stayed on the phone with me for a 1/2 hour and sounded very enthusiastic and happy - so I bought two Zon's.

[@grawman67]

That's so cool of him. I love when people in the industry like him are down to earth and friendly. Hearing this makes me want to geab one haha

[@jackshittle]

@@grawman67 Me too & Joe Zon is one of the best, friendliest bass company owners out there.

[@grawman67]

@@jackshittle Thanks for sharing this with us! I'll be keeping an eye open to see if I can grab one!

[@pokebass1]

I made it to the end, but it took about five days to do it. I really enjoyed the video. It did start tapering off around the hour mark, but the content was good. I've been complaining to every music store I go to about how the basses in there need set up. I straight up tell them its trash.

[@kingdeedee]

The only PJ I’ve really loved is the Yamaha BB, but even then I never used the P and J pickups together, always just solo’d one. Ian made a great point about needing an active preamp to make that config really shine, the Spector sounded incredible in PJ mode

[@IanMartinAllison]

Spector + EMGs + Haz pre = one of the coolest bass sounds of all time!

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@lockharthorsburgh8601]

Tried a BB434 a couple of months ago and it was "OK but nothing special"; I'm curious about the active version of the 734 and whether it can deliver somethign better. The PJ I tried in that guitar shop visit where I did like the tone was a Lakland Geezer Butler signature,w ith EMG PJs (passive). It sounded great and I liked the feel of the neck, but it was heavier than neutronium, so that was a deal-breaker.

[@kingdeedee]

@@lockharthorsburgh8601 the active BB models are REALLY nice honestly. Although I much prefer the older models with the proprietary blade pickups. They just had so much more bark to them. I had a BB425 from I believe 2009, still kicking myself for selling it, but from hearing Ian play that Spector I know exactly how I’m gonna replace it (that is if I can ever afford a Spector)

[@lockharthorsburgh8601]

@@kingdeedee Good to know; maybe I should change strategy and watch the used listings for an old BB. I've said this elsewhere but a bass that intrigues me and I want to try (don't know yet if I want to buy) is one of the Sandbergs with a split coil and a humbucker. Some of the PJs I've tried have been quite "P-dominant" and I'm wondering if a bigger bridge pickup will mean a more balanced sound?

[@iainmacdonald8099]

I don’t play bass but I still watch your guys channel because you guys are so excited about music

[@devinebass]

We appreciate you checking the channel out!

[@eldorado5319]

You nitpicking bass nerds, I love it!! Part 2 , 3 and 4 of The Mysterious World of Bass Pickups please.

[@cfibb]

Regarding the “other” category I would love to hear more about gold foil, TV Jones, and G&L pickups. I’ve a couple of MIM Fender Urges, the neck J pickups of which are rather toneless. I think that’s partly due to the pick ups location as well as the pickup itself. Planning to replace the neck Js on both instruments and am curious about pickup options.

[@Bass.sick.b1tch]

Also - how does the wood type and pickup combo affect the sound, they touched on the fretboard early on, but they’re really hard to completely divorce imo ❤

[@admarhermans1]

Great episode! Way better than most like it. There’s just one little thing: there’s a big difference between active pickups, active electronics and/or both. I mostly dislike active electronics (bass/mid/treble), because when used badly they kill your tone. I only like them on my StingRays, because they really make the sound (both 2EQ/3EQ). Leo got it right! I do love active pickups, though! I have some Fenders with active EMG’s. They’re just pickups with a buffer built into them, like a little preamp. They prevent original frequencies in the original tone being lost because of lengthy cables, lights onstage and things like that. And they’re dead quiet! My Fenders with active EMG 80’s pickups and simple ‘passive’ tone controls have been the basses I tend to / are asked to use on recordings. It just takes one 9 volt battery a year. You are fully able to get ‘vintage’ tones with them on Fender style basses. John McVie used them since the late ‘70’s on his famous P. It’s the active electronics with active or passive basses and how to use them that makes all the difference, really: so it’s about knowledge! Big deal, because there’s too many player s f*****g up their tone because of their lack of knowledge about the onboard active electronics. I tend not to use them, only on StingRays. I like great DI’s and preamps (pedals too) to do the job way better! I learned the hard way, when I was young: shitty sound with expensive basses with expensive electronics, but no knowledge... (that was a yellow Kubicky Factor in 1989! 🤣). All bassists should learn about sound and frequencies! People underestimate EMG’s (P, P/J, JJ). But, engineers, producers and FOH mixers never do. The Spector NS-2 4 string is where they really shine! I could play any gig on those basses; any style or era. I just use the onboard active electronics spraringly or not at all. About StingRays: the 2EQ isn’t ‘boost only’ on the treble side. It just hasn’t a center detent. The 3EQ is easier to use for most, but the frequencies work way different. I love both, especially live. There’s forums about this topic with all the schematics. Levin did not use a StingRay on ‘Sledge Hammer’. He used a fretless MusicMan Sabre bass (two pickup model, bridge and neck pickup are not the same as StingRay pickup!) Want to hear the StingRay do the P-thing? Listen to Queens ‘A day at the races’ and ‘Jazz’ albums. John Deacon struggled with the StingRay for a few years (he was one of its earliest users). He went back to his two Fender P’s. There’s this great book by his bass roady. 🖖

[@felipeueno]

Not only fun, but necessary video regarding different styles of basses. I've been searching for the "one instrument" to do it all, so, naturally, I own a bunch of basses and, in my humble opinion, the only way to truly know if a bass works is in a mix. Right now, my main basses are an Active Jazz bass and a Stingray Special (after almost 15 years using precisions). Also, I agree with the jazz bass problem, somewhat dissapearing in the mix and, so far, I solved the problem with a Aguilar OBP3, boosting the mids (usually 400hz, sometimes 800hz). Sounds like a fat jazz bass. Highly recommend. Cheers

[@dalehymes6004]

Sorry if you already know, a simple way to look at Series vs. Parallel are like water pipes. Series is like 2 water pipes connected end-to-end. Parallel is like adding a T and splitting into 2 (each PUP) then back into one. One wire in, one out on the ends of both configurations. With electronics, Series is additive, and Parallel is a division, which affects the overall output and frequency fill.

[@philgallagher1]

Great explanation man! I never really got it before, but this makes it much clearer... Thank you!

[@germarhoffmeister2752]

Still in deep love with my 1987 Spector NS 2 build for a Band called "Twisted Sister".

[@mysteryshrimp]

My nine year old son loves Twisted Sister.

[@soulcoal]

Mpls bassist of 40+ years. Love love love this piece. Have wanted it for years. Pickups AND string types. Series v Parallel is important. Just a bit into this. Hoping Musicman is discussed which also brings in Series v parallel And Alnico vs Ceramic. Keep it coming! TRL.

[@josephsdsu1]

For those wondering where the series v parallel bit is, you can find it at 23:42 and after! ;-)

[@krispykrunkdonut]

man i wish yall were more on the stingray train. My house fire bass is my stingray and its not close. It does take some time in to figure out where you need to set the preamp for your gig situation but once you do... never look back :)

[@dukeerickson6482]

To me, the best for recording was the Japanese Jazz bass special, in the 80's anyway. Those played so nice and sounded very even with P @ 100% and J @ 82%. I've been a PJ guy ever since. These days there's so many choices and options its hard to say what's better. I always end up grabbing the PJ - it's just my thing.

[@randyvharkin771]

What do you think about Conklin basses I have a 7 string and a5 string

[@jaidillon1790]

You guys are awesome! Gonna convince me to get a P-Bass with your shining examples of just how great they sound. Been stuck on Js for 35 years😂

[@winstonmorris3714]

Always useful to hear honest opinions on products used for extended periods of time.

[@craigmurray1017]

Waaah. What an amazing video. So many confusing concepts have been cleared up. Thank you.

[@tumbleweedtumbleweed]

The 3 band Stingray is my go to. It took me a while to figure out how to use the eq. Bottom line, don’t be shy with it. Mike Lull was such a nice guy he’s dearly missed.

[@wallylama31]

The Stingray is the goat. I just love the tone, look and feel. There are other basses, but only one Stingray

[@ОлександрРаєв]

Still matter of taste.

[@mikebrueggman6666]

Ian, if you get a Stingray with a 3-band EQ, get a Sterling 34. Those are on par with the USA models and for way less. And the modern ones have EQ that can boost and cut

[@glenj99]

Man love the videos! I have been in the Academy for the last 2 weeks, and WOW how much I neglected technique for too many years growing up, and just relied on my natural ear for music. But now combining theory and technique I have a real foundation to go to the next steps of evolving my bass playing. I love the player path set-up, playing all the tracks on each player path like I am learning a set list with a band, not skipping over anything is just so valuable & loads of fun!! Just wanted to say thank you, and I look forward to growing in the SBL Academy. Cheers!

[@LuigiClark2258]

I put this on in the background while studying for my AP World History exam, and I tried not to focus on it for too long, but you guys are just too good at your jobs. Let’s just say that most of my time was spent watching this

[@408Satellite]

Nailed it covering the differences in pickups. I have a Jazz, MusicMan and G&L L-2000. Sold off a viola and SG bass in the past because I just didn't like their tone much. The L2000 is a tribute series where I'm considering upgrading just the controls to the USA version, the volume pot on the one I have is weird. Watership Down! Totally member the movie when I was a kid being a few years older than you guys. Love it!

[@emmettchristie2399]

I almost always play a McIntyre Guitars Jazz 5 on my wedding gig. I usually leave I in the centre position, both pickups on full and use the onboard pre to change sounds. This video gave me a push to swap between pickups, I'm on my break right now, and so far I've mostly used the neck pickup, a few times I've blended in the bridge, and for a couple of songs I went back to both full. The smoothness of both on full is lovely, my ears are still getting used to the mids from just the neck, but it is so much better. Really glad I watched this video. I better get back to work!

[@scottmaher6938]

I'm curios why the G&L L2000 is not mentioned while going through the Leo designed basses. It's a popular instrument and pretty unique. I've had an '82 for almost 30 years and it is still my favorite instrument and crazy versatile. Awesome video and very interesting. Thanks

[@IanMartinAllison]

We need to up our G&L knowledge!

[@GrowlerBox]

The G&L MFD pickups are their own thing. The L1000 is my favourite bass ever (I also have an L2000). I really enjoy the SBL channel, and I’m an academy member, but I have almost started to take the “avoidance” of G&L content personally! Glad to see it’s genuine unfamiliarity and not some sort of deliberate plot 😊

[@gregorygalyan3670]

I love my G&l 2000. Everyone that sees it says it’s beautiful

[@jamesgreen5431]

So much to cover that gets ignored by all the Leo Fender fans fawning about Fender and Musicman and ignoring anything G&L. Models include: L-1000, L-2000/L-2500, SB-1, SB-2, Lynx, Climax, El Toro, Interceptor, L-5000, L-5500, L-1500. L-1505, L-2500, LB-100, all ignored. Not to mention the Musicman Sabre which is hardly ever mentioned anywhere either @@IanMartinAllison

[@lynnpalmer8133]

Love my 80’s L1000 but only complaint is the wide neck. Comparable to my stolen 65 P. Prefer a Jazz neck profile these days. Funny though, I have a hard time getting the sound I want out of passive J’s. Prefer a passive P.

[@beepboop6288]

I just bought a Squire sonic precision bass for 195 euro, all I care about is if I can hear it in the mix with no effort as I do a bunch of recording and mixing, and oh man does it work perfectly! I think I got lucky with this particular one because it feels absolutely amazing to play!

[@GreenEggsBass]

Took the frets out of a peavey milestone III, Put emg Pachyderms, and flatwounds. Tuned BEAD....epic

[@PéterLieber-c8r]

You're doing such a great job guys, but come on get Macca on for a special!

[@Hunchbackofvega]

On the subject of Watership Down, there was a post-hardcore band called Fall of Efrafa that thematically reproduced the novel as an album trilogy. And by the way, great video, a topic I also like to talk about

[@thefieldgeneral17]

I've never commented before, but I've followed loosely, until recently. Please keep going down the rabbit hole! I just got a 5-string Kala California UBass that uses an active piezo pickup by LR Baggs, and it's been really eye-opening into my journey into the bass guitar world again, and you guys are a huge part. I will be starting lessons soon, but I love these videos and learn so much about all that goes into this wonderful world of bass playing. Thank you for what you do ❤

[@DannoDemo]

I'll add the elephant in the room... G&L... specifically the L2000 and the L2500. Either loved or hated, too hot or not enough, it's a weird one and could be interesting to hear what you both think/feel about them. Cheers and thank you from the Pacific NW!

[@Eugensson]

And the Leo Fender’s "beta version" of the L2000 - the MusicMan Sabre bass.

[@kenichijono7117]

Thank you for this episode. I never understood what’s with parallel and series but now I got it. I have Yamaha BX-5 which has humbacker pick ups with a pod switch to single coil. I now know how to use them, after almost 30; years! Also I recently started to use just neck pickup in hum.

[@lesliwells5433]

WOOH,THAT LAKLAND SOUNDS NICE AND BRIGHT❤

[@M.Holland]

Owning a P, two jazz basses, a StingRay and a Dingwall. All of them are great, but depends on the context. :) Gigged the MM or the Jazz over years. Love them.

[@ericvassy2849]

I want to spend a day with you two talking and playing bass!!!

[@EggTamago7]

As a guitarist in the market for a bass, this has been extremely helpful... even if it's mostly confirmed what I think I've already figured out. Jazz pickups (especially on a 5 string), both full on, just lights a fire somewhere in my brain in a way that nothing else does.

[@ianzimmer1990]

awesome video, but you never touched on one of the most frequently asked pickup questions: Alnico vs ceramic. time for another dozen comparisons!!!!

[@Vykk_Draygo]

Magnet type probably matters far less than pickup position, number of coils, and electronics. They both create magnetic fields, and it's really where the string vibration is being captured and how it is processed after that matters. I would be willing to bet, everything else being exactly the same, with the only variable being alnico vs ceramic magnets, that it would be impossible to tell the difference between them.

[@ianzimmer1990]

@@Vykk_Draygo Its actually a widely accepted/known fact that alnico pickups are 'brighter' and ceramic ones are 'darker,' all other things being equal.* I can verify this going between some of the basses in my collection. But given the sprawling collection of these two champions, I think it's a waste to not mention (let alone test and demo). *if you don't agree with this statement, all the more reason for the guys to do a deep dive on it :)

[@peterrodriguez5961]

hello guys. just wanted to say that I loved the entire episode. especially the information about the different types of setups and pickups. but most of all you guys. your personality is the way you you were joking about foods and the kind of chemistry that is between you guys is just awesome. recently I started playing bass again after an accident that I had 22 years ago that completely erased my musicianship. I was very good in base. had an accident and music was completely erased from my consciousness until recently. You guys inspire me to Warner continue learning again.

[@chrisrogers9383]

Please do the Starfire and hollow bodies! I love my Starfire I. Also have a curiously fantastic sounding Squire Paranormal Rascal with HH pickups. Please keep up this series. Very enjoyable for bass geeks like me.

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@crimsonrimbaud]

you two guys are just so great together.

[@blmartin2215]

Brilliant! Love this . More please 🙏. A part 2 of the pickup innovators like Bill Bartolini to Mr. Nordstrand and EMG would be really cool follow up 😉

[@geraldfriend256]

Rockin a Bartolini J style as we speak

[@joaniepeters2565]

That’s exactly why I stopped gigging with jazz basses, it doesn’t cut through the mix. There’s plenty of basses out there that are nice and clear like the Jazz but will cut through the mix perfectly: sadowsky j, Warwick corvette, ect

[@darryltolbert8950]

Great show, guys! I really enjoy the in depth bass and gear talk. Would love to hear differences in amps and speaker combinations. I’ve been a fan of the channel for quite a while. Thanks for all your help.

[@polcruells]

I finally understand I love Music Man when i changed my old two-band booster eq to my ne MM sterming with 3 band eq that allows me also cut freuencies when need (and a narrower neck, too) I love it

[@seigas]

Yes, we love it!! Please do the "other" category / vintage pickup stuff!

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks guys always love the hangout. Often better when a bit of bass is played, as was done here.

[@wellsreece]

THE best and most helpful bass channel out there. Thank you for the content - v helpful

[@MaskedJackal87]

What a great combo you two make. Ian's laughing is so contagious!

[@eerbrev]

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear you guys talk about the bass tones on Hozier's latest album. There's some great bass playing on there, and the tone is killer.

[@kevinallen1761]

I've been a live performance bass player for nearly fifty years. Live, I default to single pickup, series. It has more punch that makes bass easy to hear and fits the mix. In studio, I confuse myself with options. So I now have my old 67 P-bass and my Sterling Ray 35 single pickup.

[@vince8081]

Great review, useful. That said, that mike lull sounding awesome.

[@madshamanstudios]

I'm using a PJ config and it's an absolute maze. It is not as simple as adding or subtracting J volume and P volume. Their phase relationships are wacky meaning they can cancel frequencies! That said, I found a sound with the P and J both reduced at different levels, and the tone knob rolled off just a little. With flats. And WOW. Something not too clean, not too vintage. Just expressive, beautiful. And fortunately, unique!

[@CorbenEdward]

So glad to see longform content and a great topic too! My tip is, turn your volume and tone more than a hair down during soundcheck. When you're on you can always go up if you feel you're lost in the mix. especially if you're a jazz bass player haha.

[@IanMartinAllison]

Sneaky!

[@NVM_SMH]

Don't be lazy. You've worked hard on everything else. I love hearing sometime other than the same old P-Bass. It's a great invention but there's other great instruments out there as well.

[@CharlieDvoidoffunk]

My first bass was a Hondo sting my sister bought. The action was probably 3/4 off the fret board. Played it like that for two years before I found out what a setup was.

[@mjmason75]

I had a 4 string black Hondo as well as my first bass in the late 80's. Piece of crap, but helped get me started and lead me to where I am today. I paid $80 for the bass, gig bag, cables, & tuner. LOL

[@It_is_I_Stupid]

Dudes! THANK YOU! This helped me a lot. I play a Washburn XB600 with, what I understand now a J-bass configuration and an Aria Pro II Integra 5-string fretless with a PJ configuration. I would watch more of these vids! Information is good and your vibes are great.

[@psych4003]

My absolute favorite bass pickup has to be the Gibson Mudbucker. It's classic muddy sound is so baked into rock music, but it can produce a kind of beautiful tone as well.

[@CNick75]

Plus you can play any note because they all sound the same!

[@MyName-nx1jj]

Kinda cruel but kinda true.@@CNick75

[@MyName-nx1jj]

First bass I ever had was a 1966 Epiphone Newport with a mudbucker.

[@pumpichank]

Check out the Sandberg Florence mudbucker. Passive with a push pull that gives a different tone shape.

[@findlearnmaketry5268]

My primary bass is a custom 5 string Jazz style... but my first bass was a mid-80s Charvel Jackson 4 string PJ. Loved it. The thing I like about it compared to what you showed as a PJ example is that it had 3 knobs and no pickup select switch. Master Volume, Pickup Blend, Master Tone. You could set your volume and tone, and then further adjust your sound with the pickup blend. Ranged from 100% P to 100% J with a detent at 50/50. My sweet spot was at about 80% P / 20% J.

[@liamhamilton124]

I really liked the format of this video!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@aaronvanderhorst6773]

Series is two pickups together running in to each other, so basically adding up. A split P bass pickup are two singles in series. Parallel is two pickups going to the same output so not into each other. Gives a weaker, more filtered sound like a Jazz Bass. I remember it like this: Series is watching multiple episodes after another so you’re adding to the story. Parallel is like watching multiple episodes at the same time and you will only remember key parts, thus filtering. It’s dumb but it works for me😂

[@basscoup]

Still where I've been for years - Stingray with cobalt flats and Fender PJ's with both rounds and flats

[@MatthijsKoningstein]

I can't believe how your channel has evolved over the years. It just keeps getting better and better!

[@devinebass]

Cheers for that!!

[@Thebassguy0211]

An episode about IEM would be great and super helpful !

[@jameshellard7042]

This was informative and fun. You guys make a great double act.

[@het_gele_teken]

Love the banter guys!

[@TerrenceThorn]

I've thoroughly enjoyed this exchange between two great Bass Masters and friends so I've got ONE question: If you were stranded on a desert island that had solar power with a great drummer and a few other great musicians who all realized that it was your last band and last stand, what Bass and amp would you want to have ? - Only One Rig.

[@krisjeneson5017]

As a pj player rolling off the j slightly for me is the sweet spot. Fully open I'm not keen either. I mostly play finger style

[@kingdeedee]

Which bass specifically? And why that over a Jazz? Not trying to be disrespectful, genuinely curious

[@jotun725]

I run mine with both pickups full throttle, but I can see why you like the J rolled back a bit.

[@ileutur6863]

I can't tell the difference on PJ setups. 90% and 0% volume sound the same to me, I can only hear it when its on full

[@markblackstad8705]

You just described my go to Jazz bass setting. Full on neck and bridge PUP rolled back to the "sweet spot". On my PJ it is usually P pickup only.

[@JT-si6bl]

I went to the active circuit for a while, but once I was waiting for my Viger to get a new PCB module and just wired the pups to the jack - just wow! No parametric eq, power or volume control. Sounded honest and delivered. Set the 'ball' rolling with tone. Now I seek the tone of passive but using flats and hotter pups, like buckers. That Tbird vibe! Waaaay more harmonics. But the can of worms has been truly punted here re coil-configs. Im so tempted to get some Warman pups to explore further cos they have buckers that have 4 wires = single/twin/etc. Active is gone...

[@LorenFagen]

I don't see any mention of optical pick-ups...the Lightwave basses (and guitars) have individual optical pick-ups for each string, and variable-Q tone controls. Very versatile, and with no magnets to suck energy from the strings, they have sustain like a piano. I have an old Precision and an active PJ Warwick, but the Lightwave is the one I'm out the door with...

[@carpediemarts705]

I was highly interested in buying one. There was one at the local store but there was no power cable so I couldn't try it out. Ive since read it was super gimmicky.

[@LorenFagen]

@@carpediemarts705 not sure about the "gimmicky" bit, but sometimes bright stage lighting can cause these basses to feedback suddenly, much to the surprise of soundmen, lightmen and the player;)

[@carpediemarts705]

@@LorenFagen gimmicky is just an opinion. I don't know what they sound like is my problem.

[@MATALOMUSIC]

This video is showing me why I haven't been able to find the tone I really like with my PJ, love this channel!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@ralf6300]

Great episode again. As always. Many thanks.

[@iamSmiley1]

I love watching a longform video about bass from you guys while I work from home. Thanks for the positive content, it's refreshing and really relieves so much stress in this crazy thing we call life. You guys rock.

[@josephinecaruana3847]

What ever you boys do It's amazing always enjoyable ❤ Keep up the fantastic work Always a pleasure to watch

[@kuri831]

I just pre-ordered a Ibanez Gio GSR205B after watching this. thank you

[@krisjeneson5017]

Jack Bruce Rip.. adopted Warwick thumb bass post gibbo. Let's not forget him 😢

[@danepaulstewart8464]

⭐️⭐️ This test material has proven itself - you two in this interviewing environment has already generated very deep and poignant questions and comments from viewers, that clearly triggered the same out of you. What a perfect interviewing vibe to be working in. ⭐️⭐️