Reversed P-Bass Pickups

[BimmerFan99]

Anyone know if there's any sound or tonal difference between regular P-Bass Pickups and Reverse?  I ask because I noticed the Ibanez SR300 Bass has the P-Bass pickups reversed.

[browntree]

Don't quote me on this one, but to my understanding pickups are symmetric.  So flipping a pickup upside down shoudn't change the sound.  The physics should be the same (under symmetric conditions). 

[Flatwound]

Hello,

I guess the difference would be that the pickup that is under the D&G strings would be closer to the neck, so it would sound a little deeper. Placing a pickup close to the bridge (like the one under the E&A strings) would cause it to sound a little higher.

I know it is just a 1/2 inch or so, but Jazz basses sound different from the 60's to the 70's just because the bridge p'up is closer to the bridge by about a quarter inch.

I have a reverse p-p'up in my '81 Yamaha BB400. I sounds great. Smooth over all, but not as big and boomy as a Fender P.

[BimmerFan99]

Cool, thanks for both answers.  I was hoping it was the D-G pickup that was moved toward the neck.

[Cherri]

Don't quote me on this one, but to my understanding pickups are symmetric.  So flipping a pickup upside down shoudn't change the sound.  The physics should be the same (under symmetric conditions). 

Someone told me the same thing and this guy has being around and he's well respected in the area.