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New Precision Pickups - Advice Please


Supernaut

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I have a Squier 40th Anniversary Precision and am planning to swap the pickups out. 
 

I have recently joined a new rock band and need a bit more 'umph'. I swapped from flats to rounds but feel something is still lacking. 
 

I am after a pickup with a bit more growl and less 'vintage' sounding. Something a little more modern. 
 

The shortlist has it stands:

 

Tonerider P

EMG Geezer Butler P

Dimarzio Model P

Fender CS '62

 

Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance. 

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I think for growl the Dimarzio or Geezer. I love the CS62 (and the Tonerider is very similar to it) but they seem to be more low-mid and vintage focused, whereas from what I’ve read the Geezer has an upper mid growliness to it. 

 

Plus with your user name surely it has to be a Geezer!

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3 hours ago, Supernaut said:

Does anyone have experience with the Seymour Duncan SPB-2? 

If that's another name for the alnico quarter Pounder, that's what I use. Very high output, very attacky with a pick and pianoey with fingers.

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@Supernaut  I’m surprised you want to change them, I play a 40th Anniversary P-Bass and it’s the best sounding bass I’ve played.  I have La Bella Deep Talkin’ Flats on mine and everybody comments on how great she sounds.  I wouldn’t change mine, they’re staying 😁👍🏻

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I've been through a few P pups trying to find one that sits well in the mix with my band (70s/80s rock) and I'm very much liking the Seymour Duncan Steve Harris set - https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/steve-harris-p-bass

 

Originally developed in our Custom Shop for Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris, this medium output P bass pickup is special for many reasons. Working closely with Steve we crafted a P-bass pickup with a low-mid boost that adds punch and body while maintaining a crisp and clear high-end attack. This design uses hand-ground Alnico 5 rod magnets and a special vintage-hot custom wind of 13k Ohms to achieve its uniquely aggressive bite.

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7 hours ago, Supernaut said:

Does anyone have experience with the Seymour Duncan SPB-2? 

 

Yes, it's not great. Too dark. Also, avoid the SPB-3 is you want a realistic Precision tone. The SPB-1 has always been my go-to Precision pickup. It sounds wonderful and I can't imagine anything bettering it. Unfortunately, it's a bit pricey and I don't doubt there are cheaper options that sound just as good.

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I asked virtually the same question for the same bass a few weeks ago. I resisted the urge to buy and just put new strings on and tweaked my amp and IEM EQ and that did the trick. If I was using cabs on stage though, that might be a different story. I was leaning towards the DM P or GZR. Good luck with your search and let us know your experience if you do change them.

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32 minutes ago, sPiKi said:

I asked virtually the same question for the same bass a few weeks ago. I resisted the urge to buy and just put new strings on and tweaked my amp and IEM EQ and that did the trick. If I was using cabs on stage though, that might be a different story. I was leaning towards the DM P or GZR. Good luck with your search and let us know your experience if you do change them.


The band is very much amps/cabs on stage so no IEMs. 
 

I think it's a great sounding bass but I'm looking for some more mid range punch. It excels at the low end, cut treble, woody sort of sound which is great for blues and funk but it always lacks a little bite IMO. 
 

IMG_4621.thumb.jpeg.e27a2641d9d195a10b8660a640342fd8.jpeg

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£€$?...

The Tonerider (Alnico) is great, but Smooth 'n Vintage Got one in my Ibby P

Entwistle's... I've the PBX on JBX (Ceramic) in my Aria Jazz.

Same Price Point but different Bang For Buck...

Modern Magnets, and Loads-a-Go...

Entwistle PBXN (Neo-Marshmallow) @ £35

 

...or you can pay a lot more...

Edited by PaulThePlug
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1 hour ago, Supernaut said:

. . . . I think it's a great sounding bass but I'm looking for some more mid range punch. It excels at the low end, cut treble, woody sort of sound which is great for blues and funk but it always lacks a little bite IMO. 
 

 

The bass is fine for other genres, so why change it so it isn't fine any more?

 

IMO you want a bass that sounds good in all genres, so keep it as it is and add the facility to sound good in this band. Get a preamp pedal.

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I like the geezer, very clear defined sound

10 hours ago, Supernaut said:


Yeah... this video helped immensely. Leaning toward the Dimarzio now. 
 

 

From that video I prefer the dimarzio - sounds a bit fuller, but still ballsy. I always liked the geezer, but it does seem a bit thinner, more mid. I have an old kramer with pat pending dimarzio P that feels similar to the DP-122, different circuit though. Thanks for posting that! They sound *really* different.

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