Advice on Bass Woods/Pickups/etc.

[AnnunakiMassacr]

Ok, as well as building as building up my home studio and equiping my guitars with BKPs, I'm looking to build a Warmoth Bass so I can record my own Basslines on songs, and I have no idea where to start. As it will be home recording, I'll probably use a POD Bass rather than wasting money on an amp haha.

I just hoped somebody could help me regarding what Woods are best, as well as a set of Bass BKPs to equip it with?

I will probably use it for a range of styles so Versatility is a must. I'm not going to be doing any crazy slap techniques on it, just simple things. I'm after making a 5 string, btw.

Cheers in advance,

[WezV]

i dont think you can go wrong with the fender standard  of alder body and maple neck.  i personally like the p-bass pickup

might be worth going P/J for a bit more versatility - but rather than an extra pickup i might be tempted by an active EQ

[AnnunakiMassacr]

Well the Alder/Maple combo would make it a cheap and simple option lol. I was looking at woods like Wenge/Walnut/etc. Why do you think the Alder/Maple combo would work well?

Also regarding the pickups, I'm completely clueless when it comes to choosing, so I would have no idea which model to pick out of the options they have within J and P models. Any advice?

Cheers

[WezV]

Why do you think the Alder/Maple combo would work well?

the sheer number of recorded bass tracks out there using a fender style bass.  Its just very versatile


if you have specific tones in mind then its worth looking at other woods and considering how they can shape the specific sound you are after.

but you want maximum versatility rather than specific tones.    it may pay to go for something a bit middle of the road

not sure which BKP P-bass pickup i have - its a split coil one from before they had official model names.

[AnnunakiMassacr]

Why do you think the Alder/Maple combo would work well?

the sheer number of recorded bass tracks out there using a fender style bass.  Its just very versatile


if you have specific tones in mind then its worth looking at other woods and considering how they can shape the specific sound you are after.

but you want maximum versatility rather than specific tones.    it may pay to go for something a bit middle of the road

not sure which BKP P-bass pickup i have - its a split coil one from before they had official model names.

I think I'll go for the Alder/Maple combo then since I'll be playing everything from Metal to Instrumental Hard Rock :).

What would you recommend for the fretboard, btw?

[Lucifuge]

I don't know if BK make any pickups for 5-string basses - you could try a 4-string tuned down to B for that low end, though I'm not sure how well a vintage P or J pickup would cope with such a low tuning. A "proper" 5-string also often has a longer scale length which helps with definition on the bottom string.

If you're building a Warmoth, you need to look at string spacing relative to pickup polepiece spacing, there are a few different bridge options available and it would probably be a good idea to get pickups that match. Many bass pickups from manufacturers like EMG and Bartolini use blade type polepieces so they will work with a variety of different string spacings.

[AnnunakiMassacr]

I don't know if BK make any pickups for 5-string basses - you could try a 4-string tuned down to B for that low end, though I'm not sure how well a vintage P or J pickup would cope with such a low tuning. A "proper" 5-string also often has a longer scale length which helps with definition on the bottom string.

If you're building a Warmoth, you need to look at string spacing relative to pickup polepiece spacing, there are a few different bridge options available and it would probably be a good idea to get pickups that match. Many bass pickups from manufacturers like EMG and Bartolini use blade type polepieces so they will work with a variety of different string spacings.

Thanks for that advice. I just wanted that B String so when playing an A-C-D chord progression on guitar, I can play the C and D on the B string of the bass guitar rather than having to use the the 8th fret of the E string if you get me? Just to give it a bit more depth. I'm just worried with a $ string, I might end up missing the G string.

I'll have a look at different brands of pickups though.

What do you yourself recommend for wood choices?