Best P Bass pickup of all time?

[4bassguitar]

So I have this bass that has a shot Dimarzio Model P. I like the sound, but it is giving me too many problems to make it my number one. I love the P bass "thump" and I am using flats on the bass. I want an ass kicking vintage P Bass on steroids and P90x. I'm a broke college kid and I can't break the bank with a 200 dollar pickup. I'm looking at the Fender Original P, the Bill Lawrence P46, EMG PHZ, Nordstrand P4, and the Lindy. What is the best, and more importantly the pros and cons of these pickups?

P.S. do you think I can send Dimarzio my Model P and they will exchange it?

[Rocky McDougall]

The pickup everyone uses for "Metal"

[4bassguitar]

it has a good mid range presence, but the pickup farts if i play hard, especially when I roll the tone off.

[billiam5billion]

You should consider looking into Rio Grande pickups. I have the vintage P model in my Warmoth and it's got clarity and punch for miles.

[4bassguitar]

How much do those go for?

[TC2112]

I have a Lindy Fralin in my number one right now and have had a few other P's with Fralins. For me - they are the definition of P bass thump.

[OlSkewl56]

62! although someone had some soundclips of different Pups and the Nordstrand is cool too.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Have you tried adjusting the pickup heights? What amp are you using? Maybe you're driving the input too hard and have to set the gain back.

[IronLung1986]

i'm certainly no P bass connoisseur but the pickup in my new American Special is awesome! it's the Standard Vintage Alnico Split Single-Coil pickup they use on the less expensive American models. very loud, clear, and articulate. no flab or mud, responds well to aggressive playing but still sings beautifully when you're gentle with it. i don't think that pickup is commonly available aftermarket, but anything calling itself "vintage alnico" would probably come pretty close.

[4bassguitar]

I have done everything to try and make it not to do that. i know its not the amp or pickup height. I did put 500k pots in there and that might be it. However, im using this as an excuse for a new p bass project.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by 4bassguitar

P.S. do you think I can send Dimarzio my Model P and they will exchange it?

Yes. I know people who sent back pickups and had them replaced.

Is it defective or you want something different?

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by 4bassguitar

it has a good mid range presence, but the pickup farts if i play hard, especially when I roll the tone off.

That IS the tone of a P bass. Listen to the old records. When you hit the strings hard you get that sound.

Try lowering the pickup under the bass strings a little.

Here's some vintage Motown isolated bass tracks to show that fart tone:

Motown Mix

It's like fart city!

[4bassguitar]

if thats what you mean by farts, i must refrain by saying it distorts. I have literally done everything. I have been thinking that it is the 500k pots. I also bought these pickups on craigslists ans it was kinda sketch how i got them. I would not be surprised if he knew they were defective.

[4bassguitar]

And that clip is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm really leaning towards the p46 by Wilde Pickups or the Original Fender's since that is what I want

[Ric5]

My favorite is the Seymour Duncan 1/4 pounder.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by 4bassguitar

if thats what you mean by farts, i must refrain by saying it distorts. I have literally done everything. I have been thinking that it is the 500k pots. I also bought these pickups on craigslists ans it was kinda sketch how i got them. I would not be surprised if he knew they were defective.

That's your amp. Pickups don't distort. Try turning down the gain and increase the master volume if you have one, or plug the bass into the active input and turn up the volume.

Also, as I mentioned before. Lower the pickup farther away from the strings and it will have less output. That will stop your amp from clipping. And since it happens when the tone control is all the way off, try turning down the bass on the amp. Your amp sounds slightly underpowered. What kind is it?

You might also notice that the real vintage tone has a lot of top end, as in those clips. These days people think it's all lows and no highs, but that's a misconception.

It's not the pickups. Pickups cant distort. Those are hot pickups, but they are wound exactly like a real P bass. Same wire, same number f turns. The difference is they use ceramic magnets and steel poles.

Just lower the pickup under the bass strings a little. Trust me, I've been doing this for a long time.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Smallmouth_Bass

Have you tried adjusting the pickup heights? What amp are you using? Maybe you're driving the input too hard and have to set the gain back.

+1

That's the problem. Let's see if he listens to us.

[4bassguitar]

if i send you the bass do you want to set it up? New Orleans does not have a good guitar tech

[4bassguitar]

the amps i have tried it with is an SWR workingman's 15 and 12, Ampeg 810 rig at tipitina's. every amp has the same thing.

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by Ric5

My favorite is the Seymour Duncan 1/4 pounder.