62 RI pickups or Quarter Pounders

Let It Fall · #1 01-30-2010, 09:49 PM

I need some pickups for my p bass build I was doing a 62 themed precision but hear the 62 pickups sound woody, which is not what I'm looking for. I have owned the quarter pounders before and liked them but was trying to keep this 62 theme.

Do the 62 pickups sound duller and woody?

walterw · #2 01-31-2010, 12:07 PM

what do you mean by "woody"? i take that rather vague term to mean that you can hear the character of the instrument's wood, which won't happen with a hot or dull pickup.

the 62 pickup sounds like the real thing (not dull at all), where the QPs will be louder and grindier, more of a "hard rock" p-bass.

Nedmundo · #3 01-31-2010, 02:01 PM

If you liked the punch of the Quarter Pounder, but want to stay with a vintage theme, get a Lindy Fralin. It has more punch, clarity, and grit than a typical Fender pickup, but nails a vintage vibe.

walterw · #4 01-31-2010, 02:15 PM

my fralin stock p-bass pickup is the best pickup in the whole world ever.

steve_rolfeca · #5 02-02-2010, 08:34 AM

I recently sold an American Vintage '62. The AMV62 pickups sounded very much like the '64 P-bass I had in college: a bit hollow, a little bass-shy on the low E, and with more snap on top than most people expect from a P-bass.

Just like my '64, it sound kind of nasty when I was woodshedding at home, but on the gig, the tight low end and the zing on top made it sit beautifully in the mix.

If you want something with a more even, rounded bottom end and a sweeter, more musical top, Nordstrand NP4's are great.

But my personal feeling is that "pretty" isn't the point with a P-bass.

erikmilan1987 · #6 02-02-2010, 08:42 AM

I think that your best option here are the Lindy Fralins or Norstrand P-Bass pickups if you want to get a great vintage tone like your said.

Otherwise if you order the quarter pounders you will have a hard rocking p-bass, think like Steve Harris current tone... very clacky with lots of clarity and definition for being a P-Bass.

Bardley · #7 02-02-2010, 08:46 AM

I sold my quarter pounders and put in the 62 reissues and I love them. I think they actually sound like a P-Bass when the quarter pounders did not so much.

I can't comment on the Fralin, but I would love to try one. If you are wanting a 62 sound for the 62 vibe, I would not go with the quarter pounders.

pattyløve · #8 02-09-2010, 06:53 AM

Can the 62 pickups do aggresive and grindy if youre going for that sound? Im also contemplating between the 62 and quarter pounds. Im leaning more towards the 62 due to it being more p-bass-ish (apparently). Bottom line is i want to pick the pickup that can do both aggresive and laid back P sounds adequately

bassadicct · #9 02-11-2010, 05:01 PM

Having had both in the same bass I currently have the QP in right now. However whewn I made the decision my P was my only bass. Now that I have a jazz I use that for the more aggressive stuff and don't really use the P. If any wants to trade their 62...