leroybasslines Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Hello everyone. I fairly recently got a Squire VM Jaguar bass and I'm enjoying playing it. However, I have the urge to tinker with it and make it my own. I already have a lovely Lakland jazz style 5 string with a J-Retro installed, so the jazz pup in the Jag is pretty redundant; I just want P style tones from it with a real vintage vibe to offer me a contrast to the more hi-fi, clean sound the Lakland gives me. So, I'm thinking of taking out the stock 'Duncan Designed' pups and installing something fruity in the P position. I'll leave the J position empty as a handy storage place for loose change and biros. I also don't like the stacked tone/volume knobs that come stock, so I'll be changing them for good old fashioned separate volume and tone knob. I've got my eye on the [url="https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=bass&sub=vintage&pickup=58_split_coil&series=p_bass"]Bare Knuckle Ps[/url], but I've never tried them, only heard rave reviews from guitar playing mates who've modded their guitars using BK stuff. Anyone got any experience of them? For example, how do the '58s sound against the '65s? And they're not cheap! If anyone has any recommendations for a vintage sounding P pup that has a bit of a twist and character, fire away! Or, indeed, if you're thinking of selling something along those lines... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 a double stacked J with series/parallel switching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 (edited) The pickups installed in the Squier Classic Vibe series are reputed to be the same as Toneriders and I've read of a few BCers who've swapped out the Duncan Designed pups for Toneriders when looking for a more vintage sound. They're also roughly a third the price of the Bare Knuckle option but I've no idea how they compare. [url="http://www.tonerider.com/en/pages/product/21"]http://www.tonerider...ages/product/21[/url] Edited September 27, 2014 by HowieBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 One Man's vintage tone is another's dull thud, but for me Fender Original '62 reissue pup nails the tone I have in my head. Next best was a Wizard Trad, then a Seymour Duncan SPB-1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroybasslines Posted September 27, 2014 Author Share Posted September 27, 2014 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1411843045' post='2563278'] ...I've read of a few BCers who've swapped out the Duncan Designed pups for Toneriders when looking for a more vintage sound. They're also roughly a third the price of the Bare Knuckle option but I've no idea how they compare. [url="http://www.tonerider.com/en/pages/product/21"]http://www.tonerider...ages/product/21[/url] [/quote] I've also heard some good things about Toneriders. I'm just wondering if they're much different to the Duncan Designed though...I'm quite liking the idea of putting something a bit special and different into a Squire Jag... [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1411844357' post='2563292'] One Man's vintage tone is another's dull thud, but for me Fender Original '62 reissue pup nails the tone I have in my head. Next best was a Wizard Trad, then a Seymour Duncan SPB-1. [/quote] Exactly! How are we supposed to know what we want unless we can get a guy around with a load of pups willing to change them over while we try each one on our own bass?! I guess one just has to read up, discuss like we are here and then take the plunge. I've thought about the Fender Original '62. It kind of makes sense...but again, I think I want something a bit different but vintage in character. Aguilar AG-4P-60 anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Steve Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Huge fan of the Kent Armstrong Vintage P. I recently A/B'd against my old Precisions and there is actually more depth and clarity from the KA. Not very expensive either. I would just caution that the design has the magnets proud of the cover so you have less to hook your thumb onto if that's your style. Bit of a bu99er that but they're great pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1411844357' post='2563292'] One Man's vintage tone is another's dull thud, but for me Fender Original '62 reissue pup nails the tone I have in my head. [/quote] My faves for vintage as well Paul. On their own they`re quite uninspiring I find, but in the mix they really sit well, bundles of characterful vintageness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I'm gonna try the Aguilar AG 4P60, for me it nails that vintage tone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 The EMG Geezer Butler signature passive P pickups are getting rave reviews over on Talkbass. Pretty true to the mid sixties lively/throaty pups by all accounts. I've had a Fralin and Fender Original which are both really great but if I still owned a 4 string P bass I'd be gunning for the EMG GZR right now myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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