Types Of Bass Pickups

[Inisheer]

I've been playing guitar for three years or so, and have recently started craving a bass. I've never played bass, but I like the way they sound, and have been doing a lot of thinking about buying or building one. But I know nothing about bass pickups. What are the different types and what styles of music are each best for? I've searched a lot, but haven't found much info. Stores seem to sell J pickups, P pickups, and humbuckers, but they don't say what they sound like. Sorry if this is a dumb question, any help would be appreciated.

[Phil Mailloux]

It's not exactly easy describing which pickup sounds like what and suits what style of playing. All of that is totally subjective. I'd suggest to go spend an afternoon in a shop and try out a few different types of basses.

[theitalianrob]

well for a starter bassist id suggest getting a p/j combo gives you a pretty versitile tone. The musicman humbuckers are very jazzy and also work good for punk mmusic. id suggest the p/j combo tho, get an ibanez soundgear or something.

[Inisheer]

Hey, thanks for all the quick replies. I know it is somewhat subjective. But for example, heavy metal guitars usually use humbuckers, don't bass pickups favor any particular styles? I'm interested in learning slap bass if that matters at all. But basically I could use any type of pickups for my bass, it's just preference? Thanks.

[Odin]

You should check out what youre favorit bass players use..you may not sound (you should not like em anyway, but that would be the best reference point i think.

There is no right or wrong ..Steve Harris use a p-bass with flatwound strings..! Does that sound like the bass to choose for the "biggest" metal bass player in the world?

Edited August 21, 2006 by Odin

[theitalianrob]

i would deff suggest flatwound strings, the sound/feel amazing.