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Bass pickup?

I have been asked to build a cigar box bass for a friend and need to know if i can use a singlecoil pickup with a tone and volume pot. Or do i need a special pickup for a bass? This will only be my fifth build and only the second with a magnetic pickup so im not really sure what to use.

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on April 2, 2011 at 12:57am

go on ebay and buy a bass pup... that way you get the heavy winding and proper string spacing... less than $ 25 ought to do it...

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Permalink Reply by Ben on April 2, 2011 at 8:42am

....Or try winding your own Lo-Fi one from Radio Shack parts for a couple of bucks. Button magnets, their red magnetic coil wire, some of that ridiculously tough plastic electronics are packaged in, a little super glue, some hook-up wire, and a jack. You're good to go! Not the highest output but a nice, warm, mag sound you can be proud of.

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on April 2, 2011 at 9:17am

Bass pickups have somewhat bigger magnets, more windings, and a wider string spacing. For where you're at with building, I would second Wichita Sam and go with an eBay bass pup.

You can make a working pickup with Radio Shack materials, but it won't be very loud. If you want to go that route, I suggesting getting 42 gauge wire. There's a guy on eBay who sells just enough wire to make 1 or 2 pickups, which is good if you're just getting your feet wet. Then you'll need to make some kind of winder.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on April 2, 2011 at 10:03am

True, true. But if you're just starting out, and go with RS stuff, you've got pickup winders built onto the ends of your arms. Yes, it will be lower output, but a little boost from another source will sort that out.

...or you could just buy one like you said...

Skeesix said:

Bass pickups have somewhat bigger magnets, more windings, and a wider string spacing. For where you're at with building, I would second Wichita Sam and go with an eBay bass pup.

You can make a working pickup with Radio Shack materials, but it won't be very loud. If you want to go that route, I suggesting getting 42 gauge wire. There's a guy on eBay who sells just enough wire to make 1 or 2 pickups, which is good if you're just getting your feet wet. Then you'll need to make some kind of winder.

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Permalink Reply by Kenny on April 2, 2011 at 4:22pm

Thanks guys. I solved my dilema in a manner consistent with W. Sams suggestion. I just bought a whole bass guitar off craigslist, cheap. I will keep the other options in mind for the next one though. I do want to try winding my own pickups eventually. But for now im still learning to build them.