Lipstick pickup replacements for Danelectro Longhorn

[Rob MacKillop 34]

I love my Danelectro Dead on 58 Longhorn. It has a neck I just LOVE playing on. But the pickups are too weak - I have to put the amp volume up much higher than with any other bass. Also, the tone and volume controls are laughable, very difficult to hear any difference no matter how much you turn them round. 

So, I need new pups and a new harness. I would even consider ditching the tone/volume controls for more regular stacked ones. Any thoughts? I tend to play clean and warm tones, not overdriven. 

Edit: I also play with Rotosound Black Tapewounds. 

 

Edited December 23, 2019 by Rob MacKillop

[Jean-Luc Pickguard 1,377]

Give Aaron Armstrong a shout. I expect he would be able to make something to fit your exact requirements.

http://www.armstrongpickups.co.uk/

[Rob MacKillop 34]

Of course, I should have thought of Aaron. No lipsticks on his site, but I could send him the casings, I suppose. I'll wait until the holiday period is over.

Cheers. 

[warwickhunt 439]

I run mine through a Tech 21 EQ/DI pedal... boosts the level and you can dial in EQ. 

[Rob MacKillop 34]

Not a pedal fan, but thanks for the suggestion. 

[Beer of the Bass 324]

They're in the guitar pickups section of the website, but Guitarfetish have hotter-output lipstick pickups with the Danelectro style mounting brackets.

[warwickhunt 439]

11 hours ago, Rob MacKillop said:

Not a pedal fan, but thanks for the suggestion. 

Think of it as an amp extension!  I put mine on top of my amp and run a patch lead from pedal to amp.

A used pedal will cost you less than new pups, with the added bonuses of a quality DI, drive feature if you want to add a bit of dirt and you can plug in any bass.  

[geoffbyrne 56]

22 hours ago, Beer of the Bass said:

They're in the guitar pickups section of the website, but Guitarfetish have hotter-output lipstick pickups with the Danelectro style mounting brackets.

This ^

G.

[therealting 938]

I once had a Strat with Curtis Novak lipsticks in it. Was incredible. May be worth seeing if Danelectro format ones are available

[Rob MacKillop 34]

Thanks, guys. The Guitarfetish Dano pups look interesting.