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Post subject: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 2:48 pm
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Is it possible to put a Split-Coil pickup into my CV p bass? I love the way it looks but I'm not satisfied with the tone......


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 5:16 am
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Yes, it would require routing of the pick up cavity, likely the control cavity, and possibly some more woodwork. Also, you'd need to change the pots. It's not a job for the inexperienced by any stretch. Something like a Dirnt pickguard would suit well after the work.

HOWEVER, I have to ask are you sure it's the fact that it's a single coil and not the fact that Squier basses don't use the higher end pick ups? Have you considered something like a Seymour Duncan single coil, or even one someone pulled out of a CIJ Fender RI? Like a sting or a 51RI?

Also, just so you know. I believe either Seymour Duncan, or possibly another manufacturer makes what is called a "stacked coil". Which is where you replace the single coil and route a little more room in the control cavity. Then you run a second coil to the cavity. This creates a humbucker effect without the second coil being an actual pick up under the strings.

I hate hearing about people who buy these Squier basses and blame the single coil. As if a Squier split coil sounds good. Honestly? Instead of sinking all this work and money into a low end bass. Why not simply sell it and buy something higher quality? Like a Classic Series 50's Precision. It'll give you the classic "vibe", and also the classic tone and playability you are likely chasing.

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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:45 pm
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Well I have an American P-bass that I love. It is the single coil because the sound is not what I want. Squires pickups are fine I like them. The reason i want to put money into this, is because it looks sweet as and the neck plays like butter it feels perfect to me. I'd rather you didn't tell me that what I'm doing is stupid because it's cheap. I'm here because people on this forum don't say things that are rude. You on the other hand are rude. I appreciate your opinion and trying to help, but not for judging me. If it weren't for people like Brother Dave and Oxfan, who have helped me since I started I wouldn't be where I am today.


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:52 am
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Well I'm sorry if you took offense to my post. However, there are many basses that can give you that "sweet looking bass" look that you think is great WITH the pick up option you are looking for without spending anywhere near as much time, money or hassle that you are going to be putting into this bass.

It's not like Fender doesn't actually make a split coil that comes with the look of the early Precisions. Two infact, in addition to a Squier. I'm just trying to point out that by buying one of those and refinishing it you could have saved yourself a lot of trouble. I'm sorry if you feel that's rude, but it's an honest assessment of what you are undertaking. Sometimes the truth hurts. You asked a question, and while I may have made a few assumptions, I also gave you plenty of straight honest answers and options.

Good luck with the bass. A mod like this is usually pretty labor intensive, but also very informative. If you really want to help people out the way these other posters are helping you. It might be cool to document it and post pics in a "build thread". That way others know what a project like this entails.

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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:47 am
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I would but I have awful motor skills lol


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:10 am
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Firstly, the single coil Squier Classic Vintage 50's P-Bass has what I consider GREAT tone for a Squier. Hot and yet full range. I was more impressed with this instrument's tone than the other recent passive Squiers I've tried.

Secondly you don't have to do any routing to replace a genuine Fender single coil first generation P-Bass pickup with a split coil version that looks exactly like the single coil. The pickup dimensions are exactly the same. It is a matter of screws and solder connections only. However Asian instrument pickup dimensions are frequently different from the genuine Fender dimensions. Ordinarly there is no routing required so long as the pickup is the same dimensions as the USA Fender.

Lindy Fralin ($140) and Curtis Novak ($130) both make them. I have the Fralin version. It sounds much more like a second generation P-Bass pickup. Do NOT overwind these! They sound boomy enough in stock wind. In fact custom underwinding by like 2 percent to 3% might be a good idea for a wider tonal palate.

Links to both these custom pickup shops are on my website. Go to the link in my forum signature below. Then click on the red link for REPLACEMENT/UPGRADE BASS PARTS and then scroll down to the PICKUPS section.

Others may be making these as well now but those are the two I know about. I thought Rio Grande was making one, but if they were then they are no longer listed on their site.

There are some other options in the same size and shape as well such as the 8 pole ones that sound a lot like a Jazz. However if NOISE (hum & RFI) is an issue then the best fix is the Novak or Fralin split coil version of the 51 P-Bass pickup. While doing the pickup swap I'd also do shielding, swap the tone cap and pots and double check the bridge ground wire. The pots and cap in Squier's passive instruments are better than some other Asian makes but still inferior to CTS pots and a decent tone cap. Which tone cap to use depends on the tone you seek.


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:10 am
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Thank you, brother Dave I might just take your advice.


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:00 am
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Should I get the quarter pounder or the Stack?


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:04 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Firstly, the single coil Squier Classic Vintage 50's P-Bass has what I consider GREAT tone for a Squier. Hot and yet full range. I was more impressed with this instrument's tone than the other recent passive Squiers I've tried.


Is that supposed to be a ringing endorsement, or a put down? Great tone for a Squier isn't saying much of anything.

Quote:

Secondly you don't have to do any routing to replace a genuine Fender single coil first generation P-Bass pickup with a split coil version that looks exactly like the single coil. The pickup dimensions are exactly the same. It is a matter of screws and solder connections only. However Asian instrument pickup dimensions are frequently different from the genuine Fender dimensions. Ordinarly there is no routing required so long as the pickup is the same dimensions as the USA Fender.



Which is what I believe I said in reference to the "stacked" coil. That there "may" be some needed. That was what I considered the best option. However, the original question was "can I put a split coil in my single coil bass". To which the only correct answer is, "Yes, with routing".

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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 11:38 am
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Look, diss me all you want but leave Brother Dave alone.


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 12:27 pm
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aceysboy wrote:
Look, diss me all you want but leave Brother Dave alone.



I'm not trying to diss anyone. Just trying to be clear. Even if you go with the stacked coil which seems to be the consensus of all involved as you best option myself included. Putting in a high quality pick up and keeping the cheap pots and jack seems circumspect at best. If you go with the upgraded pots and cap be aware that CTS pots are larger then Asian pots. They "may" require routing of your control cavity. I'm not trying to give you or Dave a hard time. I've just been down this road with a parts split coil and a harness upgrade. I just don't want to see anyone get the wrong impression that this will be a breeze and everything will drop into place. It might. It might not. Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst, imo.

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2014 Fender Super Bassman and Bassman 100T/410 Neo


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:36 pm
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I'm just surprised to hear anyone say that a pickup in a Squier has great or whatever sound. That tells me they must be doing something right over at Skwire or however you spell it. Used to be I would laugh at a Squier guitar. I even bought a Skyur Strat and reliced it and sold it in like 31 seconds - it looked great but sounded like (french accent) -- Poo Poo...... So I guess pretty soon American will be junk and Skwier will rule? Yes? Maybe? They ARE putting out all kinds of cool looking ( looking ain't playing) axes. Things change fast these days. Just give me my old P bass or Jazz and I'll go away. Okay I know that may make someone happy but I'm just kidding.


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 12:58 pm
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I can tell you first hand that the Squire Classic Vibe basses all sound great compared to any Fender bass, USA or import!
Even though these basses are from China, they play and sound like much more expensive basses. So, yes, they are doing something right over at Squire.

IMHO you don't have to change pickups in any of the Classic Vibe basses.


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:55 pm
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TheKingofPain wrote:
brotherdave wrote:
Firstly, the single coil Squier Classic Vintage 50's P-Bass has what I consider GREAT tone for a Squier. Hot and yet full range. I was more impressed with this instrument's tone than the other recent passive Squiers I've tried.


Is that supposed to be a ringing endorsement, or a put down? Great tone for a Squier isn't saying much of anything.

Quote:

Secondly you don't have to do any routing to replace a genuine Fender single coil first generation P-Bass pickup with a split coil version that looks exactly like the single coil. The pickup dimensions are exactly the same. It is a matter of screws and solder connections only. However Asian instrument pickup dimensions are frequently different from the genuine Fender dimensions. Ordinarly there is no routing required so long as the pickup is the same dimensions as the USA Fender.



Which is what I believe I said in reference to the "stacked" coil. That there "may" be some needed. That was what I considered the best option. However, the original question was "can I put a split coil in my single coil bass". To which the only correct answer is, "Yes, with routing".


Actually I put a Lindy Fralin Split Coil 51 pickup in my Fender Japan 51 Reissue with no routing required whatsoever. It looks exactly like the single coil, but has two different bobbins assembled into a one piece pickup of the same dimensions as the original single coil Fender pickup. No routine required. When "Fenderizing" some Chinese 51 P-Bass knockoffs with a decent pickup of original Fender dimensions you'll have to expand the pickup cavity a tad as the Chinese pickups are smaller.


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Post subject: Re: Split Coil into single coil???????
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:13 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
TheKingofPain wrote:
brotherdave wrote:
Firstly, the single coil Squier Classic Vintage 50's P-Bass has what I consider GREAT tone for a Squier. Hot and yet full range. I was more impressed with this instrument's tone than the other recent passive Squiers I've tried.


Is that supposed to be a ringing endorsement, or a put down? Great tone for a Squier isn't saying much of anything.

Quote:

Secondly you don't have to do any routing to replace a genuine Fender single coil first generation P-Bass pickup with a split coil version that looks exactly like the single coil. The pickup dimensions are exactly the same. It is a matter of screws and solder connections only. However Asian instrument pickup dimensions are frequently different from the genuine Fender dimensions. Ordinarly there is no routing required so long as the pickup is the same dimensions as the USA Fender.



Which is what I believe I said in reference to the "stacked" coil. That there "may" be some needed. That was what I considered the best option. However, the original question was "can I put a split coil in my single coil bass". To which the only correct answer is, "Yes, with routing".


Actually I put a Lindy Fralin Split Coil 51 pickup in my Fender Japan 51 Reissue with no routing required whatsoever. It looks exactly like the single coil, but has two different bobbins assembled into a one piece pickup of the same dimensions as the original single coil Fender pickup. No routine required. When "Fenderizing" some Chinese 51 P-Bass knockoffs with a decent pickup of original Fender dimensions you'll have to expand the pickup cavity a tad as the Chinese pickups are smaller.



I'm just saying that I've had the problem with a CIJ split coil and I know that others have aswell. Glad yours turned out okay. Just trying to make sure he's aware that while it may drop in, it may not. I've no experience with Chinese knock offs so I can't speak to them. Also, as I mentioned, a pot upgrade "might" also require a little shaving of the control cavity. To say that your bass went well, means that ALL basses will is...well..

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