jaywelby34 Posted September 11, 2019 Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 I am building this kit https://thefretwire.com/collections/diy-bass-guitar-kits/products/diy-electric-bass-guitar-kit-semi-hollow-body-bass-build-your-own?page=2 It is a retirement gift for a guy who works for me and is a bass player. I am wondering about pickups and what would be a good econimical replacement for the stock ones that come with (I am assuming they are trash). He tends to play ones that are "a little hot" but not too much. Any suggestions?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizman62 Posted September 11, 2019 Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 10 minutes ago, jaywelby34 said: I am assuming they are trash You won't know until you've tested them. Since you'll have to use the same shape to fit the cavities - unless you have the tools and skills needed to enlarge the cavities on a carved top - why not start with what you already have. For what I've noticed, the cheaper pickups also often are hotter than what they're resembling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaywelby34 Posted September 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 Good to know. Appreciate the advice for a total noob here. Never built a guitar before so this will be my first. I am reasonably skilled with tools, finishing, etc. My son has done 3 so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizman62 Posted September 11, 2019 Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 16 minutes ago, jaywelby34 said: the advice for a total noob From another... The fourth one is on the process and after that I'm planning to do some serious reshaping to the previous ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistermikev Posted September 11, 2019 Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 don't listen to him... he's a six stringer and they must not be trusted!!! jk. (hello Bizman) I would just add that... I've found cheapies that sounded decent and cheapies that didn't... I think it depends more on the build than anything else and for the bad ones the general issue is with loss of high freq content which isn't going to be much of an issue on bass. that said... given they are humbuckers... you can buy some nice alnico bar mags on evilbay for $3ish and that can make a surprising difference. it's sort of 'target practice while blind' but I've had decent luck doing that. A2 seems to sound good everywhere to me. Furthermore, with a hollow body and bass the more likely issue is going to be whether or not they are microphonic. bass guitars, even clean, can really howl if they are not potted and/or if you don't put some foam under them in the guitar. You may want to prepare for that. You may also consider that replacing pickups in a hollowbody is NOT fun... at least it hasn't been for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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