3-pickup basses

[scrumpymike]

[url="http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/007_zpsapwoedu4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/007_zpsapwoedu4.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/007_zpsapwoedu4.jpg[/IMG][/url]

My Rascal is probably the best bass I've ever owned. The 3 pups coupled with a Strat-style 5-position switch and a push/pull volume pot give 7 instantly selectable, clearly differentiated voices (there's a tone pot too). The other 2 basses pictured with it have gone, but the Fender's a keeper.

[Bass_Guardian]

Stu Hamm Urge Bass

Edited December 23, 2016 by Bass_Guardian

[Dazed]

For total ott-ness Google an Atlansia Pegasus 6 string bass. Fitted with 3 individual pickups per string, yes 18 pickups! All switchable and even the pickups were adjustable by turning the pickup itself.

[Dood]

Derek Smalls' Burning Earth Bass by Lakland...

Well, if there's space for a couple more!!!

https://a3-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/72/f35329a4fa36c27292b953c8f6d8d47f/full.jpg

[JPJ]

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1482512916' post='3201236']
I think it is because of diminishing returns. A two pickup bass gives you a big variation over a 1 pickup. A 3 pickup doesn't add anything like as much of a difference again, so not really as significant
[/quote]

I beg to differ, I built a five string precision in the style of the Fender Stu Hamm (2xJ, 1xP) with a five way switch, and the variations are excellent. In fact the neck J + P is one of my favourites for a mud'bucker type Jack Bruce tone.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/PHammVFFFinished.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/PHammVFFFinished.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/PHammVBodyFinished.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/PHammVBodyFinished.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Edited December 24, 2016 by JPJ

[JapanAxe]

My theory as to why 3-pickup basses have never been particularly successful: The extreme pickup positions (right next to the bridge and neck) rarely sound that great; one is honky and thin, the other flubby and over-fat. If you restrict pickup placement to the zone that [i]does[/i] sound good, then that limits you to one or too pickups.

[grayn]

I had one of these, a while back:


Apart from that god awful Gibson bridge, I liked it.

[scrumpymike]

Which Gibbo model is that?

[Skybone]

Isn't it a B3 Ripper?

[neepheid]

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1482601520' post='3201801']
Which Gibbo model is that?
[/quote]

Grabber 3 '70s Tribute Bass

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Grabber-3-70s-Tribute-Bass.aspx

[MikanHannille]

[url="https://postimg.org/image/8kbhqsw4p/"][/url]

Here's my 3 pickup bass.

Edited December 24, 2016 by MikanHannille

[Rich]

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' timestamp='1482513829' post='3201244']
Stu Hamm Urge Bass
[/quote]
Ohhh yes. Gimme please 😎

[Pinball]

[attachment=234615:IMG_2677.jpg]

[Graham]

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1482516014' post='3201264']
For total ott-ness Google an Atlansia Pegasus 6 string bass. Fitted with 3 individual pickups per string, yes 18 pickups! All switchable and even the pickups were adjustable by turning the pickup itself.
[/quote]

[Img]http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rukAAOSwUuFWzPEH/s-l300.jpg" class="ipsImage" />

Blimey

Edited December 26, 2016 by Graham

[Graham]

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1482590469' post='3201654']
My theory as to why 3-pickup basses have never been particularly successful: The extreme pickup positions (right next to the bridge and neck) rarely sound that great; one is honky and thin, the other flubby and over-fat. If you restrict pickup placement to the zone that [i]does[/i] sound good, then that limits you to one or too pickups.
[/quote]

That, I think, is the rub.

It's a bit like when I switched from an active Ibanez, with a 3 band EQ and semi-parametric mid control to a passive jazz. Sure, the jazz had fewer tonal options available, but it had more [I]useable[/I] tones

[therealting]

I'd quite like a P/J with a neck woofer a la Billy Sheehan. My Attitude Special has the P thing going on, and you can mix in the neck woofer for additional EB-style low end.

[spectoremg]

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1482590469' post='3201654']
My theory as to why 3-pickup basses have never been particularly successful: The extreme pickup positions (right next to the bridge and neck) rarely sound that great; one is honky and thin, the other flubby and over-fat. If you restrict pickup placement to the zone that [i]does[/i] sound good, then that limits you to one or too pickups.
[/quote]Like one of the most successful and great sounding basses ever, the Rick?

[Count Bassy]

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' timestamp='1482513829' post='3201244']
Stu Hamm Urge Bass
[/quote]

I've got one of these (in black). It's a beautifully built bass and lovely to play, but I must say that the difference between the P pickup and a particular blend of the the two J pickups sound almost identical to my ear. Perhaps I am cloth eared, or just doing something wrong.

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited February 28, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[blue]

Tom Peterson, bass player for our Cheap Trick has a 3 pick up Hofner Club Bass.

Blue

[EliasMooseblaster]

*blows dust off ancient thread*

I did it. I put two more pickups in my old Frankenbass, and now I have a P-J-J.

 

[mike 110]

 

[EliasMooseblaster]

Nice...is that a DP120 up by the neck?

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited February 25, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[mike 110]

1 hour ago, EliasMooseblaster said:

Nice...is that a DP120 up by the neck?

Yep it certainly is ...Prime Beef !

 

1 hour ago, Jus Lukin said:

Nice! Like a slicker version of mine!

The photo disappeared in the forum re-vamp, so I'll see if I can repost it from my phone...

Lovely !