Ideal Pickups for Going DI

Evan J

Evan J

Sep 27, 2023
441
774
991
30
Seattle WA
#1
Some pickups advertise that they are designed to hit an amp or significant processing. But… I am looking for the opposite.

My signal chain is pretty transparent sounding: Bass > DCX Bass Preamp > Empress Bass Comp > Proto DI

I would love some recommendations for passive J and P pickups that are ideal for going DI.

Does such a thing exist?

Thanks y’all!
 
#2
Given the existence of such products as the audiophile Ethernet switch, I wouldn’t pay extra for such a product. Unless of course it is great in another way (or just generally great).
Someone with education I these matters might educate me, but I have a hard time figuring out what should make a pickup especially suited for a DI.
The first question to the manufacture could be: Which DI?
 
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#3
I guess I am looking for the inverse of this…

Lollar High Wind P Bass Pickups:

“Based on the ‘60s P-Bass® pickups, this model features more mid-range and compression with a looser low end. Additionally, the attack is smoother and softer, and you get full frequency response. Nicely compliments tube drive amps and overdrive pedals.”
 
#4
Or the inverse of this…

Aguilar DCB-4P:

“What you’ll find with the DCB-4P is that it sounds louder and fuller with a bit of high-end sparkle. This could be a great match if you were to pair it with an active preamp to give you some additional tone-shaping ability.”
 
#8
Marketing speak has precious little connection to practical reality.

If you’re looking to go minimal, with bass plugged straight into the PA, then EMG active pickups work well. But I’m not sure if that’s where you’re heading…
 
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#9
Doesn't make any much sense IMHO.

General rule is passive pickups=active DI and active pickups/onboard preamp=passive DI, but any passive DI should work, except on very low output pickups where you would have to raise the gain a lot on the connected preamp (standalone or mixer) and introduce some noise.

So use the pickups that you like, even the one you currently have in your bass, and pick the DI that you like better for those pickups. Radial JDI/J48 or Countryman 85/Type 10 are popular choices.
 
#10
Sounds like you want more of your voicing/coloration baked-in to take that burden off the pedalboard.
There's plenty of pickups like that, already out there; the marketing departments just haven't written much ad copy for amp-less users yet. (I'd get right on that if I were them.)
I could make suggestions, except my approach is different - and it would be a crapshoot, regardless. Sometimes there's just no avoiding a little trial & error.
At least the pickup swap is usually cheaper than a new preamp. (More tedious, though...) :woot:
 
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#11
Jefenator said:
Sounds like you want more of your voicing/coloration baked-in to take that burden off the pedalboard.
There's plenty of pickups like that, already out there; the marketing departments just haven't written much ad copy for amp-less users yet. (I'd get right on that if I were them.)
I could make suggestions, except my approach is different - and it would be a crapshoot, regardless. Sometimes there's just no avoiding a little trial & error.
At least the pickup swap is usually cheaper than a new preamp. (More tedious, though...) :woot:
Click to expand...
EXACTLY. Ok you confirmed my suspicions. Thanks a bunch. Trail and error it is
 
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#14
I wonder if you might be able to utilize something like the various multiple-mode pickups (Bartolini, Sire, Enfield Quad, etc.) coupled with a very versatile preamp. My Sire M5 offers just about every variation one could imagine, as does my Enfield Lionheart. Good luck!

BBB
 
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#15
It's amusing how many bass players feel it's necessary to "steer the boat" by front loading EQ/sonic controls into their signal before it hits the board. How can you possibly know what the band sounds like through the PA and out in the audience unless you're there -- without distractions of playing the music? For all the bad mouthing of live sound engineers, they are ultimately in control of the band's sound. My vote is for pickups without over- or under-winding, and to pump that signal into the board without other EQ/sonic controls and let the sound engineer sculpt the pure signal into how it best compliments the band.
 
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