Pick Up Options for an Epi EB-3

[bassjamm]

Hi everyone...

Just wondered what my options are for modding an Epiphone 1960's (re-issue) EB-3 bass.

It's got a Sidewinder Humbucker and a Mini Humbucker.

I'd like something a little less thunderous than the current tones if possible as they're not very defined.

Here's a link to the bass' spec should you like to have a goosey...

[url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/epiphone-1960s-eb-3-bass-guitar-alpine-white--69097"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/epiphone-1960...ne-white--69097[/url]

Thanks in advance

Jamie

[spinynorman]

Dimarzio do a drop-in replacement for the neck pickup [url="http://www.axiomatic-music.co.uk/acatalog/Gibson_Style.html"]Model 1[/url]

There's also a Bill Lawrence EB-50 which is a drop in.

These will make some difference, but maybe not enough, depending on how far you want to get from the classic Gibson EB3 vibe. Another option is the Hammon Engineering DarkStar - problem with these is they rarely come up used and there are very strong indications from people in the US who I would expect to be reliable sources that Fred Hammon can't be contacted and appears to be out of business.

If you're up for routing you could replace the bridge pickup with a guitar-sized humbucker like you find on some Les Paul basses and Thunderbirds. These come up on eBay from time to time, mostly in the US. Or EMG does the HB which is P internals in a humbucker case.

Edited February 24, 2011 by spinynorman

[bassjamm]

Thank you for that kind sir!

[SignsOfDelirium_bassist]

I think you'll find that no matter what you do that neck 'bucker will always sound thunderous and un-defined. I think it's the pup placement more than anything. That said I have played a couple of very nice SG basses, the perfect tone for me was both pups, mostly bridge with about half on the neck volume just to give it that added oompf! +1 for the darkstar idea! Only ever heard great things about those pickups, wanted one for ages!

[Fozza]

Are the EMG pickups active or passive?

[spinynorman]

[quote name='Fozza' post='1140879' date='Feb 25 2011, 09:46 AM']Are the EMG pickups active or passive?[/quote]

I've seen a couple for sale used where the seller says they're passive so I guess they are. Ones in the shops don't say specifically.

[hillbilly deluxe]

Both types are available,i think.

[bassjamm]

Thanks for the thoughts guys...I think I'm going to be better off upgrading the pots first to give me better control over what's already on offer. The standard pots are basically on/off, there's no real range on the tone or volume, just on/off!

[Darkstrike]

I got a Model One recently, and really like it, far less muddy/boomy than I expected, worst comes to worst, you could wire it in parallel which would cut output and mud.

As for the bridge pickup, are them mini-buckers by chaance the same size as Rickenbacker pickups, if so you could get a Bart Ricky pickup(p in a mini shell), Ricky Hi Gain, Toaster, TV Jones Thundertrons, and many more I'm sure.

[bassjamm]

Thanks for those suggestions...I'm not sure on the pickup dimensions but I'll look into that.

Thank you...

[dickandjill]

[quote name='bassjamm' post='1145434' date='Mar 1 2011, 09:52 AM']Thanks for those suggestions...I'm not sure on the pickup dimensions but I'll look into that.

Thank you...[/quote]

Have a look at a DiMarzio "hot" Firebird mini humbucker DP198

[url="http://www.axiomatic-music.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http:/%2fwww.axiomatic-music.co.uk%2facatalog%2fGibson_Style.html&WD=dp198&PN=Mini-humbucking_pickups_for_guitars.html%23a241#a241"]http://www.axiomatic-music.co.uk/cgi-bin/s...tml%23a241#a241[/url]