mcnach Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I recently bought a cheap Squier Jazz V DeLuxe, because of the wide string spacing and the grat reviews... I normally play a Stingray or for 5-string I go for my SUB5 and G&L L2500... but on 5-strings I only really feel totally comfortable with a wide string spacing (19-20mm)... I was looking at options and this little Squier Jazz showed up, and I picked up a used one in mint condition. And I'm falling rapidly in love with it. Except it sounds a bit "polite". It works as it is, but I think this is a keeper, so I'd like to make it punchier and generally more like the bass I want it to be. One of the possibilities is to route the bridge position to install a MM style pickup. Later on I'd put a John East Stingray preamp and I'd be in Stingray territory: the SR5 they don't allow me to buy I don't care about resale value etc, because it is a good bass that's defintely going to stay. Right, the issue is... I already have a Seymour Duncan SMB5A pickup. I really like it. But it's a bit too narrow... The picture below illustrates this, and bear in mind the pickup should really be placed a bit lower even (the magnetic pull of the J pickup underneath made it impossible for me to place it at the correct spot)... Now, in my experience, it will not have a HUGE effect because of the wide field that these polepieces create. [b]BUT[/b] there's always the chance that the effect may be a bit more noticeable than I'd like. So I wonder who makes good MM style pickups for a 5-string with a 19mm string spacing at the bridge. Nordstrand does, MM5.2. The thing is I tried a MM4.2 and I preferred the Seymour Duncan SMB4A... so I'm a little undecided. What do the good experienced people of Basschat think? Here is the picture: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Well, since you don't like the Nordstrand, but already know you like the Duncan, why not ask Duncan to make a wider one, they have a custom shop, and it's not a major job so I can't imagine it being too much more expensive. Delano's an option too, they'll do any string spacing in Alnico or Ferrite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Bartolini have bladed (covered) polepieces in their MMHB. There'd be no issue with string alignment, and if that [i]still[/i] isn't wide enough, I do believe they will manufacture wider ones, too. It'd be a better aesthetic match for the neck "J", too... Those Squier Vs are quite good, I've tried a couple, and they're pretty ok for the money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 (edited) It's going to be a Seymour Duncan after all Edited June 28, 2011 by mcnach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 That looks bang on Jose , Cream coloured pup covers would look cool IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Lookin' good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1285845' date='Jun 28 2011, 10:46 PM']That looks bang on Jose , Cream coloured pup covers would look cool IMO.[/quote] hmmm, you are absolutely right. I hate you, now I need to ask whether cream covers is a possibility and I will be very disappointed if it isn't! At least they told me that I could have a plain cover, without the "Basslines" logo, which is a great thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Dang.... cream really would look good.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 I really should move this project... I haven't even ordered that pickup yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Was wondering what happened with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I have a Bart after market wide MM5 pick up. They are replacements for Korean MTD basses which are 19mm. Let me know if you fancy it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 [quote name='owen' timestamp='1318280930' post='1400124'] I have a Bart after market wide MM5 pick up. They are replacements for Korean MTD basses which are 19mm. Let me know if you fancy it [/quote] Thank you but I have a very clear idea about the type of pickup I want, and Bartolini -althought good- are far from what I'm after. But thanks anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Here is a pic of the Bart in it's present home. [IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/peredur/33021fe0.jpg[/IMG] (Yes, it is the best strap in the world.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 That pic is a bit late by now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 nice looking bass! what is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Looks like a MTD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 It is indeed on of the early batch of Korean MTD. The early ones had better tone But to be serious, I have been through squillions of basses costing an awful lot more and I keep coming back to this. The neck is the comfiest (YMMV) I have played and it is very light indeed. That ticks a lot of boxes for me. I have a permanent search on Ebay for another. They are not "the bass of the moment" and can be picked up very cheaply indeed. I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I'd have one in a flash, if I could handle the 19mm spacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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