Description
Built to Phase I soapbar dimensions, the ASB-5B is Seymour Duncan’s answer for 5-string bassists who want the snap of an active pickup without losing the organic character passive pickups are known for. This is the bridge unit, designed to sit right next to its ASB-5N neck counterpart for a matched, balanced pair — though it works just as well on its own.
What sets the ASB series apart is the internal active preamp doing the heavy lifting. You get more output and presence on tap than a passive soapbar could ever deliver, but Duncan tuned the voicing so it never crosses into that sterile, overly hi-fi territory. Bass, mids, and treble come through even and honest, which makes this pickup equally happy under a pick, fingers, or a slap attack.
The split-blade coil construction is the real workhorse here — it keeps every string sitting at consistent volume and tone, no weak B-string or hot D-string to fight against. Because it’s a direct-fit replacement for a traditional Bartolini P2, swapping it into an existing soapbar-routed bass is straightforward.
- Active Phase I soapbar pickup for 5-string bass, bridge position
- Direct replacement for Bartolini P2 dimensions
- Internal split-blade design for tight string-to-string balance
- Battery life around 1,000 continuous hours per set
- Mounting and wiring hardware included
Want more control over your tone shaping? Plenty of players pair the ASB series with Duncan’s STC-2 or STC-3 Tone Circuit preamps for dialed-in EQ.
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