Author Topic: AXY4 under 5-string? (Read 188 times)

rusty_the_scoob · « **on:** July 24, 2008, 03:48:20 AM »

Is there any reason why the AXY4 or MXY4 couldn't be used with a 5-string custom bass if the strings are well under 4 at the widest point? The pole pieces are blades, right?

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2008, 12:39:21 PM »

No pole pieces, not really a blade magnet - a pretty big magnet with a relatively small number of windings on the coils. Designed so as not to have a signature sound, it has one because it sounds so different from everything else.

I seem to remember from the infamous BassPlayer 5 String Shootout (from around 2000) a comment about the Orion that the B string ran beside the bridge pickup, but with no noticeable problems.

mica · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2008, 10:05:37 AM »

True, the bar magnet is ignorant of how may strings are above it. It will hear however many you can string over the field.

I recommend a maximum string spread of 2.75 inches above a 4-string AXY or FatBoy pickup. This allows for the outside strings to vibrate a healthy amount and still not manage to get outside the magnetic field.

The 56 pickups allows 3.5 inches of string spread over the pickups. The string spread is the measurement from the outside edge of the lightest outer string to the outside edge of the heaviest outer string above where the pickup is placed.

rusty_the_scoob · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2008, 04:37:53 AM »

Very cool, Mica, thanks! I'm at just under 2 3/4 at the bridge itself so that should be perfect! Right after I take out a second mortgage.

I'm confused, Adriaan.. if it's not poles or blades, what is it? There must be some kind of magnet in the center. Are you saying it's really one big rectangle? That might explain some things about the awesome tone...

adriaan · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2008, 06:10:14 AM »

As far as I know it's a rectangular magnet. If you say blade, I'd associate that with a much narrower type like you can see sticking out of some Yamaha single coil pickups.

The AXYs and MXYs have two stacked coils, one for the signal and another for humcancelling purposes. Because the magnet is wider, the aperture of the pickup is also wider, meaning it can see a longer part of the string vibrating.

The coils also have much less windings than you would see on regular high impedance pickups, meaning there is a smaller signal, which is purer.