Replacing The Pickups/Strings.

[skorpx1]

So I decided that it's finally time to get rid of my current pickups and strings on my bass. The pickups are the original ones from 1989 and are starting to sound like crap. I don't really mind having to change out the strings because iv'e done it before, but I never really went out and took the pickups out and replaced them. Would it be a safe bet to go to a music store so they can replace it for like a $10 fee, or take the risk just do it myself?


I also have one more question - Has anyone got Aguilar or EMG pickups on their bass/guitar? If so, which ones sound better/which ones would be a good buy? Iv'e seen great reviews for both but I don't know which one is truly "better" out of the two.


 

[Masherbrum]

Have them rewound.

[aztec]

It'll cost ya more than ten bucks to have em installed but shouldn't be too bad. Myself I'd have it done by a pro.

Personally I like EMG PUs and havn't had any experience with the others you mentioned. For Bass I would always go active PUs over passive.

PS YO Karaya!

[Bizman]

Get them replaced for you. If something goes wrong or the new mics turn out faulty it's their problem. If you do it yourself and something turns out to be defect, they can say you broke it.

[mike8318]

It would help if we knew what bass you have,and what voice you are trying to get. There is no "best" pickup. Its whatever works for your situation. What is wrong with the pickups you have now? I'd take the bass to a qualified tech and let them do it properly. The only bass I have that is not stock is a 1973 Jazz with SD Antiquity II's. A bit more low end and mids than typical Jbass pickups.

[ozrocker]

Dimarzio makes some good ones
Humbuckers make good sounds.
All depends on what sound you want.
More Jazzy? Country? Rock?




                                                                                                                                                     Oz

[skorpx1]

It would help if we knew what bass you have,and what voice you are trying to get. There is no "best" pickup. Its whatever works for your situation. What is wrong with the pickups you have now? I'd take the bass to a qualified tech and let them do it properly. The only bass I have that is not stock is a 1973 Jazz with SD Antiquity II's. A bit more low end and mids than typical Jbass pickups.

Samick 5 string AS. I want a jazz like sound and as stated in the OP I still have the stock PU's and they aren't too great. I'm finally starting to get the hang of slap bass and if I can get a jazz sound that would be ideal.

[AAJagerX]

I'm a big EMG fan.  As soon as I buy a guitar, the first thing I do is replace the stock pickups with EMG actives.  Seymour Duncans run a close second, but in my opinion you get more range and tone out of EMGs. 

If you haven't replaced pickups before by yourself, just let the local shop do it for you.  It's not rocket science, but you don't want to mess it up.  Most shops will let you watch them do it, so you get a general idea of what to do next time.  I'd suggest getting an old, beat up guitar, and practice removing and installing the current pickups to get a feel for what to do.  It's not difficult, but the more info and practice you have going into the replacement, the better.

[Ardy123]

I Like DR-11 tite-fit with seymour duncan pickups. I also like the sound of old emg-81s... I have a late-80s/early-90s ESP eclipse with a set of them.