ern500evo Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 Am I looking at the right pickup, are they really only £22.99?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 The Warman? Yes silly cheap. But the main variables for pickup construction are style, wire gauge, number of windings and magnet choice. That means making a good one need not be much more expensive than making an awful one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 Ordered. For that price, well worth a go for that price! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfinger Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 HB and Warman were made for one another, like Scott and the Antarctic or Richard Harris and cigarettes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisisswanbon Posted January 13, 2023 Author Share Posted January 13, 2023 (edited) I may very well go the the Warman route myself pick up wise, are they difficult to fit? took my bass out to a gig on Saturday - straight to FOH via my Two Notes Le Bass Pre with bass boosted a touch and cab sim on. Guy comes up and first words are "Muddy that, mate". I did have the tone rolled back around 3/4" to be fair, and he did say it was better after a bit of adjustment (he did ask if it was an EBMM which surprised me). After having a conversation with him, turns out he plays bass and had 3 Bongo basses. If that's what he was comparing it to then I think "a bit muddy" is more than acceptable given the price difference! Edited January 13, 2023 by thisisswanbon 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 I had to enlarge the hole in the pickguard and use some better quality foam behind the pup. Wiring is different but shouldn't be hard to get right. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 (edited) 25 minutes ago, thisisswanbon said: I may very well go the the Warman route myself pick up wise, are they difficult to fit? took my bass out to a gig on Saturday - straight to FOH via my Two Notes Le Bass Pre with bass boosted a touch and cab sim on. Guy comes up and first words are "Muddy that mate". I did have the tone rolled back around 3/4" to be fair, and he did say it was better after a bit of adjustment (he did ask if it was an EBMM which surprised me). After having a conversation with him, turns out he plays bass and had 3 Bongo basses. If that's what he was comparing it to then I think "a bit muddy" is more than acceptable given the price difference! I've used (live) my MB-5 SBK stock without any perceived 'muddiness'. I don't get the same sound I get with my Stingray (no surprises there, passive vs active) but it is not muddy. Maybe he just likes a brighter tone. Edited January 13, 2023 by mcnach 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfinger Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 The Warman pickup almost went straight in. I duplicated the original wiring rather than fitting a switch and going 3 way switchable. I had to file the cutout on the pickguqrd ever so slightly, but otherwise was very easy to install. It turned an amazing bass for the money into a brilliant sounding one at any price, although string choice will have an impact there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175596859591?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2Kavy7ytQ9W&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=oWU6BdMXQRy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY The body on this bass looks very familiar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisisswanbon Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 5 hours ago, ern500evo said: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175596859591?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2Kavy7ytQ9W&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=oWU6BdMXQRy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY The body on this bass looks very familiar! This hurts my eyes. 1 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Aieeee!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnw Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 Hi Folks. New here and about to attempt my first ever mods. Just got a Mb-4 SBK and would like to upgrade the pick ups and tuners. Has anyone used the Seymour Duncan SMB-4D? would this be the most 'sting ray' pick up? I could do with advice on wiring if it's not just a case of swapping like for like, on this or the warman pickup. Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Mnw said: Hi Folks. New here and about to attempt my first ever mods. Just got a Mb-4 SBK and would like to upgrade the pick ups and tuners. Has anyone used the Seymour Duncan SMB-4D? would this be the most 'sting ray' pick up? I could do with advice on wiring if it's not just a case of swapping like for like, on this or the warman pickup. Thanks for the help. It's a very nice pickup (I do prefer slightly the SMB-4A), but it's not trying to replicate the Stingray pickups. If you want to get as close as possible to a classic Stingray sound you'd be better off with the Nordstrand MM4.2 which sounds very much like the original in my Stingray, or the Aguilar (I forget the model) one. If you just want a great sounding pickup, the Seymour Duncan (both D and A versions) is a great option. It'll still sound unmistakeably Stingrayesque, no question about it, it's just that the Nordstrand/Aguilar ones are closer to the originals. I used to play an OLP with the SMB-4A and the Seymour Duncan preamp, as well as the Stingray. They sounded different but they were just different flavours of 'nice' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 On 13/04/2023 at 10:35, Mnw said: Hi Folks. New here and about to attempt my first ever mods. Just got a Mb-4 SBK and would like to upgrade the pick ups and tuners. Has anyone used the Seymour Duncan SMB-4D? would this be the most 'sting ray' pick up? I could do with advice on wiring if it's not just a case of swapping like for like, on this or the warman pickup. Thanks for the help. I think, from a personal view the OE pup is very good indeed, but it's sensitive to strings, in much the same way as my 2000 MM-4H was. Be worth slinging a set of new strings on the bass first before heart surgery. 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisisswanbon Posted April 14, 2023 Author Share Posted April 14, 2023 That's a good shout! Strings made a MASSIVE difference on mine, the set that was on were awful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 Warman pickup has that meaty Stingray sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnw Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 Thanks! I’ll give some new strings a go first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Bass Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 Heavily customised MB-4. Basically replaced most of the hardware 😛 First thing I did was change the strings (before I changed to flats) which made a huge difference to sound and output so would strongly recommend. Hipshot MB6 Lightweight tuners, barely any neck dive now when sitting. Brass nut Brass saddles Dressed frets Artec SE-2A Preamp with rear battery La Bella LTF-4A Flexible Flat wounds Series / parallel switch Rear mounted flush jack input (have always loved this design on Charvels and wanted to try it) Sanded the neck for a better feel (and kept going because I liked the look. Bit of pink sharpie and I ended up here :p) It now sounds and plays amazing and I have no want for a more expensive bass. I tried the Warman pickup and thought it sounded way worse than the original, which I never had a problem with tbh Need to fill the old tuner holes but haven't got round to it, will never like the look of the tiny tuners but the weight was worth it to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 Qhi all, does anyone have a link to these warman pickups? Also will they just swap straight in? I've the double humbucker Harley benton and that has the 5 way switch and is active? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 30 minutes ago, la bam said: Qhi all, does anyone have a link to these warman pickups? Also will they just swap straight in? I've the double humbucker Harley benton and that has the 5 way switch and is active? http://warmanguitars.co.uk/ I had to slightly open up the hole in the pickguard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thump Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 This thread gives me the itch all over again. Just so happens I've been looking at mm style lately (amongst others) and the Mrs has already been at me for what I'd like for Xmas. Heavy hints going her way now 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 I have to take my request back..... I tried the bass today as standard and it was fantastic!! What a great bass this is. Genuinely 5 different sounds, built in eq. Lovely. The setting inbetween neck and middle is genuinely better than my old g&l l2000 USA. I'm so impressed by this bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Bass Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 12 minutes ago, la bam said: I have to take my request back..... I tried the bass today as standard and it was fantastic!! What a great bass this is. Genuinely 5 different sounds, built in eq. Lovely. The setting inbetween neck and middle is genuinely better than my old g&l l2000 USA. I'm so impressed by this bass. Yeah I tried the warman and went back to stock! Only thing I'd definitely recommend is putting some decent strings on. Really took it to the next level. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 Gigged the MB5 again yesterday. Sounded great with the warman pup although only one song. Did have to up the gain a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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