aggressive p style pickups?

jjhardy · #1 03-13-2008, 08:40 PM

im playing a MIM fender p bass, and i like the tone i get out of it with my distortions/amp, but i can't help but wonder if an improved pickup would be worthwhile. the bass is downtuned and im interested in having a really aggressive doom sound (exg: i cant stop listening to Nostos Algos by Thrones). the seymour duncan spb-3 has seemed like a good choice by looking at it. however, i have heard from many that for heavier music that amps will make a far greater impact on tone that pickups, and that the seymour duncan would not be fully worth the money. any of you guys have some input?

also, i've thought to myself about how fun it might be putting another pickup (p or otherwise) between the original one and the bridge. how expensive would this be to have done in a shop?

mr.black · #2 03-14-2008, 01:12 PM

I'd go with Dimarzio.

unbasslichkeit · #3 03-14-2008, 01:18 PM

Contact this guy - He's a talkbasser, too, BTW:

http://www.searcystringworks.com/

Makes a very hot (11k wound) P-Bass pickup with neodymium magnets. Might be just what you need. I'm a satisfied customer.

droskobass · #4 03-14-2008, 01:28 PM

EMG's are a good alternative too.

mjolnir · #5 03-14-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhardy

im playing a MIM fender p bass, and i like the tone i get out of it with my distortions/amp, but i can't help but wonder if an improved pickup would be worthwhile. the bass is downtuned and im interested in having a really aggressive doom sound (exg: i cant stop listening to Nostos Algos by Thrones). the seymour duncan spb-3 has seemed like a good choice by looking at it. however, i have heard from many that for heavier music that amps will make a far greater impact on tone that pickups, and that the seymour duncan would not be fully worth the money. any of you guys have some input?

also, i've thought to myself about how fun it might be putting another pickup (p or otherwise) between the original one and the bridge. how expensive would this be to have done in a shop?

...I dunno, that quarter pounder SD puts out has some serious balls. I got it in my single coil p and it growls like a monster on pretty much any amp I play it through.

mr-cheese · #6 03-14-2008, 01:46 PM

I'd agree with droskobass

i have EMG's in my p-bass, and i love the tone - it fits in with EVERY style - Metal - Jazz =]

however - I would say they aren't overly aggressive

ampegfuzz · #7 03-16-2008, 04:37 PM

I think emg's and duncan's sound kinda compressed not very doom friendly. I'm in the same hunt right know but have no suggestion but to stay away from those.

fenderhutz · #8 03-16-2008, 04:53 PM

Whatever DiMarzios Ibanez used in their Blazer basses from the early 80's.

jjhardy · #9 03-17-2008, 11:24 AM

thanks for the replies guys.

and ampegfuzz, explain what you mean by compressed, as I'm not exactly sure what that describes or how it doesn't work for doom.

Lync · #10 03-17-2008, 11:27 AM

SD QP's....in your face and a decent price.

ampegfuzz · #11 03-17-2008, 05:56 PM

i think that those pups imo lack the real grit. like they lack good highs and lows, just kinda stale for that dirty overdriven tone. kinda compressed right in to this middle garbage. But thats my opinion. What you using in your rig for an amp and dist?

Lync · #12 03-17-2008, 06:55 PM

That's the tough thing with pickups. It can be a total crapshoot.

In my '78 P, the QP's just pound with growl. I have a '95 AmStd P that has SD Hots which have similar lows to the QP's with less highs and more mids-they sound fat and warm, but aren't aggressive. The hot high end leads to the QP's aggressiveness IMO.

Also, put fresh rounds on the bass and dig right in and you can get into anyone's face.

BillyB_from_LZ · #13 03-18-2008, 10:58 AM

DiMarzio Will Power Middle. I have one on my MIM P and it's a monster for clean or mean.

Lots of mids, covered pole pieces so no clicking from my big fat fingers, etc. I love that pup!!!!

RockBobby · #14 03-18-2008, 11:28 AM

I wouldn't think twice about Nordstrands. I havem in two of my basses.

http://www.nordstrandpickups.com/bas...aditional.html

.

bassn00b11 · #15 03-18-2008, 12:12 PM

I think people have problems with the QP's when they put them in Fenders and expect them to sound like Fender pups only fuller. This is not their tone. Thundering lows, piercing highs combine for a very aggresive borderline harsh sound. For me it works great. For others, not so much. They are about as far away from the stock Fender tone as you can get IMO anyway. Tamed with a nice tube amp they crush.

I have them in a Fender Jazz bass now in a P/J configuration. The P solo'd passively is very thick. I mix in the J to round out and open up the sound a bit. Originally they were in a Soundgear, but I like them better in the Jazz bass.

mr.black · #16 03-18-2008, 01:00 PM

i still say Dimarzio...
as far as the emg's go... yes they seem to sound slightly compressed in the mids, but if i had ten that i wanted all to sound EXACTLY the same regardless of woods or construction i'd go with EMG's. they seem to take over the instrument the most of any p/u as if you could string up a piece of plywood with them and it would sound just like the pbass you have w/ emg (hehe, not really this is an exageration)