P-bass pickup upgrade

[EliasMooseblaster]

I'm in the middle of a refurb and could do with some advice. The bass is a Precision copy that my father and I built from a kit about 12 years ago. It's seen better days so I decided to sand off the last of the shellac and redo the French polish finish. I've also been considering upgrading the pickup.

See, it's never sounded bad, but the stock pickup does seem a little weak compared to my other basses. (Can't remember exactly what the multimeter said, but I think it was just pushing 7K - a little weak for a split-coil!) Of course, typing "precision bass pickup" into eBay throws a huge number of options at me.

I could spend around £60 or £70 having a Seymour Duncan shipped from the US. I know the SPB-2 sounds good because there's one in my Schecter, but does anyone have any opinions on the SPB-1 or -3? I could, alternatively, spend the same money on a Nordstrand NP-4, or a Fender '62 RI.

Or, I could save a lot of money and buy from one of the small British manufacturers like Wilkinson or Tonerider. Is it worth saving myself 30-odd quid by doing this, or do these US makes justify the extra expenditure?

[gary mac]

I've got the SPB 3 quarter pounders in a couple of my p bass projects. Money well spent, punchy, growly and sound damned fine in a band setting.

Not got experience with the others that you mentioned, other than Wilkinsons which have been in a few basses that have passed through my hands. Seemed adequate, and would do the job for not much cash. Probably not the best choice if you want a really obvious upgrade.

[winterfire666]

+1 for the spb3, great pickup a little more modern punchy sound than the 2 in my opinion. Cuts through a mix beautifully ans nice and hot output too.
I would love to try an sbp4 out (steve harris signature)

[Lozz196]

My version of the ones I`ve had:

Fender Original = traditional woody tones. A good thump, pleasant highs, sits nicely in the mix.

Nordstrand = the above, but a little more refined throughout, a crisper more modern take, but still nothing overbearing in either highs or lows.

Seymour Duncan SPB1 - traditional tones, but less low-mids and more lows. I had to really boost my low-mids to get the bass "in" the mix, rather than "under" it with this pickup.

Seymour Duncan SPB3 Quarter Pounder - aggressive, punchy, on it`s own sounded vaguely "metallic". Certainly had no problems with presence in the mix. A more powerful, modern sounding Precision, but still unmistakably Precision type tones.

If it were me, unless you`re after a different sound, I`d go for the one I was already happy with, as per the SPB2 quoted.

[Geek99]

I picked up a pup from a classic 50s model on eBay for £8
Don't discount used eBay items - you can get more for your buck sometimes

[Paul S]

As you will have gathered, different pickups will have different tones. I tried loads in my P-bass until I got the sound I wanted (Wizard Trad did it for me). If all that fiddling doesn't appeal I'd recommend trying to identify the sound you want to get and then post an example of that here. You will probably have a particular record in mind when you think of your 'ideal P Bass tone' so stick a link to a YouTube and see what people think!

[dougal]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1377000077' post='2181970']
Wizard Trad did it for me
[/quote]

Ditto. Although I read he's retired now. Which is a real shame, as I've loved everything he put out. Did some fantastic work making some pups for my GW which really opened up the sound. But I digress.

[Jazzjames]

Bareknuckle pickups from cornwall are really good. The p bass pickup in my japanese P bass really makes the most of the instrument.

[alstocko]

[quote name='dougal' timestamp='1377001976' post='2182003']


Ditto. Although I read he's retired now. Which is a real shame, as I've loved everything he put out. Did some fantastic work making some pups for my GW which really opened up the sound. But I digress.
[/quote]
I've got a trad in my P, incredible!

I got mine only a couple of months ago, so he wasn't retired then. It'd be a shame if he has since as I wanted to load ever P I ever get with one!

[tedmanzie]

I put the Fender vintage p-bass pickup in my MIJ precision and i'm very happy with it.
Costs £56 + post from thomann and you get the brass base plate + cloth covered wiring.
Didn't try any others out to compare.

[LukeFRC]

I like the spb-1 i even made a wee sound clip (straight into an imac so v. low tech recording) http://youtu.be/dN9CC0_K9bA?t=1m40s

[EliasMooseblaster]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1377000077' post='2181970']
If all that fiddling doesn't appeal I'd recommend trying to identify the sound you want to get and then post an example of that here. You will probably have a particular record in mind when you think of your 'ideal P Bass tone' so stick a link to a YouTube and see what people think!
[/quote]

This is a very good point! I'm still very much a fan of John Entwistle's tone circa 1970, such as here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZch2VZOF5A#t=50s - but of course that's mostly to do with a heavily overdriven tube amp. What I seek is something with plenty of low mids - anything you might describe as "woody," "growly," or "snarly" would do just nicely.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1377003381' post='2182044']
I like the spb-1 i even made a wee sound clip (straight into an imac so v. low tech recording) [url="http://youtu.be/dN9CC0_K9bA?t=1m40s"]http://youtu.be/dN9CC0_K9bA?t=1m40s[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks for that - very useful. I must admit I preferred the tone of the original Squier pickup over the Duncan! Helps to eliminate one variable. From what people are saying, the Quarter Pounder and the Fender original sound promising.

[EliasMooseblaster]

[quote name='bassmanguitars1' timestamp='1377003801' post='2182053']
Hi there. If your interested I have a Bare Knuckle Pre/ Tele pick up im selling , it's a 52 staggerd pole hand wound new with a growl to die for !!!! £75 posted from the web site, but im asking £50.00 posted. I live in Manchester if this help's. Just check out there web site, to see how good these are.
[/quote]

Thanks for the offer - just wondering, is that a split-coil or one of the '50s style single-coil pickups?

[Wilson_51_]

Hey, had 5 minutes free so i thought i would put up some sounds of a couple of the pickups you mentioned.

I have two precisions one has Fender RI 62 Pickups, Rosewood fretboard and Gotoh 201 bridge:

[url="https://soundcloud.com/simon88wilson/fender-ri-62"]https://soundcloud.c...on/fender-ri-62[/url]

the other has Seymour Duncan SPB-1 Pickups, Maple fretboard and Standard Bridge:

[url="https://soundcloud.com/simon88wilson/seymour-duncan-spb-3"]https://soundcloud.c...ur-duncan-spb-3[/url]

I Apologise for the playing, was a quick one just to see what was what! Both basses were run through my audio interface into Logic 9 with no EQ or effects added.

both played finger style with a run through with tone open and closed.


Simon

Edited August 20, 2013 by simon88wilson

[EliasMooseblaster]

[quote name='simon88wilson' timestamp='1377006559' post='2182100']
Hey, had 5 minutes free so i thought i would put up some sounds of a couple of the pickups you mentioned.

I have two precisions one has Fender RI 62 Pickups, Rosewood fretboard and Gotoh 201 bridge:

[url="https://soundcloud.com/simon88wilson/fender-ri-62"]https://soundcloud.c...on/fender-ri-62[/url]

the other has Seymour Duncan SPB-1 Pickups, Maple fretboard and Standard Bridge:

[url="https://soundcloud.com/simon88wilson/seymour-duncan-spb-3"]https://soundcloud.c...ur-duncan-spb-3[/url]

I Apologise for the playing, was a quick one just to see what was what! Both basses were run through my audio interface into Logic 9 with no EQ or effects added.

both played finger style with a run through with tone open and closed.


Simon
[/quote]

Very kind of you - thanks very much! I'm going to have to listen to these a few times, I think, as I quite like both tones. The P-bass that's going to receive this pickup is much like your second one - maple board and standard bridge - so I'm trying to imagine the Fender pickup with a slightly brighter tone. Though I can see myself being happy with either of the two!

[Conan]

I was impressed with a set of GFS overwounds - excellent price and sounded great on a Squier Affinity!

[url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html"]http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html[/url]

[Grangur]

I don't know if anyone can help with this, but from reading BC and this thread about SD SBP pickups it seems 1 is the vintage; most bassey one and the progressively get punchier or 'hotter' as the number goes up. This seems logical to me.

Then I read the Seymour Duncan web site nad they refer to the "2" as being hot.
Then I follow the links to hear demos of the pups. The player does well to play the same riff with all of the pups. Such a shame he only slaps though. It may be my hearing, but to me the tone differences can't be heard in the short length of a slapped note.

Am I right in thinking that if I want a deep, growly blues tone an SBP2 would be a good idea?
Thanks in advance.

[Paul S]

To my ears the progression is 1, 3 then 2. 1 is more vintage thump, like the older Fender and the Wizard Trad. 3 more modern, a bit like a Wizard thumper. 2 was very middy and aggressive.

[Jono Bolton]

I've got a Wizard Thumper in my P Bass and I love it, although as its been mentioned, Wizard are no longer trading.

I've tried the SPB-3 but I didn't like the sound (or the Basslines logo), it was too OTT for me.

[iceonaboy]

+100 for the SD Quarter pounders, I put one in my first P bass build and it sounds amazing!

[Grangur]

Thanks for the comments on the SDs

Edited August 20, 2013 by Grangur

[Delberthot]

£70 + postage will get you a Lollar which is IMO the best P bass pickup if you're looking for a good traditional P bass tone

I'm not, that's why I have EMGs & the BTC system

[grunge666]

Don't overlook DiMarzio's.

The DP122's are nice. I have some 80's one's in my P. Nice and growly when you dig in.

(I also have a brand new black set spare! )

[4000]

My favourite P pickups have always been DiMarzios; i say this because every time I pick up a P with DMs in it it's my new favourite P. Never heard anything else I like better.