Best P-bass pickups? Money and age are no issue.

[kazuhank]

Originally Posted by elambo

No recommendations for vintage pickups? Is that because they're not up to snuff, or because you haven't tried them?

I love them, but they may not be getting recommended because of the large variety. Depending on wear and aging, they can all sound so unique.

I'd echo what many have said on the modern vintage p/us not quite nailing things. I thought my SD Antiquity was okay, but not great enough to swap them out in all of my Ps.

I'd take the suggestions to try a few out and see what you like (especially since money isn't an issue).

[jschwalls]

http://www.dallenpickups.com/product_p/csp%201088.htm

Had a $5k custom bass made and I wanted to best sounding P bass pickup I could get..

tried 8-9 different ones.. and settled on a Norstrand, THEN I heard these in a bass at The Nashville Amp show and was blown away... best purchase I have made in many,many years.

[elambo]

I've seen the Allen pickups mentioned several times, always positively.

[Twocan]

The white DiMarzio's in my 1979 Kramer DMZ5000 are just awesome - thinking about sticking some in my 83 Fender P.

[shrimpflea]

Remember that all those "vintage" tones you love from all those classic recordings weren't recorded with vintage pickups...at least not at the time....those were new pickups then....I've heard plenty of old pickups that don't sound so good now.

[Nightvision]

David Allen P pickup.
Best pickup i've tried with the DiMarzio Model P.

[cellkirk74]

Originally Posted by seang15

SD Antiquity.

That, without the II.

[gigslut]

Here's a comparison of 14 P-bass pickups. Based on this I chose the Nordstrand NP4 for my latest project.

http://www.ozbassforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3672

[elambo]

Originally Posted by gigslut

Here's a comparison of 14 P-bass pickups. Based on this I chose the Nordstrand NP4 for my latest project.

http://www.ozbassforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3672

That's very helpful, thanks!

There are several very good options but I hear things in the Fender Vintage - things I like - that I don't get from any others. I also favor the Aero, Bartolini and Nordstrand. In this field I like the SD Antiquity (the pickup currently in this bass) but don't love it. I prefer the above four pickups.

In this comparison, is the "Fender Vintage" a true pre-CBS pickup or is it a reissue that just happens to be called "Vintage?" I don't know Fender's current pickups very well.

[parsons]

Originally Posted by eddododo

A big 'boooooo' to any SD suggestions

Duncan makes a P for almost everyone. I guess you're the other side of almost.

I like the SPB-2 followed by the Spb-1 then the spb-3.

[elambo]

I found and bought an original Fender pickup. As mentioned earlier, I probably wouldn't be satisfied until this '63 bass has a period-correct pickup.

Now I'll sound like James Jamerson, right?

[darkstorm]

Its of course a personal pref thing with none really the best. But Id vote for EMG and Delano as top aftermarket P pups. And the closed top BC Rich ones like on the neck thru and NJ series as fave stock P pups.

[Modern Growl]

a bit late to the show, but there is no "best".

there is no magic sauce that makes one pickup better then all others.

do you want bottom end emphasis?
midrange emphasis?
scooped sound?
warm and fat sounding?
tight, punchy and cutting?

see... no best - sorry mate.

[hibachiduck]

Hanson. They own Lakland and make their pickups. I have a P/J set of their NeoPunch pickups which have neodymium magnets, but if you want a more traditional tone they definitely have that too. Your choice on percentage overwound and underwound. Listen to the various clips of Lakland P's and if you like it, there you go.

[elambo]

See my post just above: I went with the old pickups.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by hibachiduck

Hanson. They own Lakland and make their pickups.

Lakland was bought? I'd heard rumors that they were shopping around but didn't realize it had actually happened.

I have two Laklands. Has anything changed with the products or the company since the sale?

[hibachiduck]

Originally Posted by elambo

Lakland was bought? I'd heard rumors that they were shopping around but didn't realize it had actually happened.

I have two Laklands. Has anything changed with the products or the company since the sale?

Yep. Since 2010. I can't tell you much about what's changed with the acquisition as I've only been lucky enough to play other people's Laklands. I want one so friggen bad though. The 44-64 Custom cries out my name.

[cfsporn]

Whatever pickup is in my Squier Mike Dirnt. Growly and aggressive as a 'Ray. Probably not a lot of people will agree with me, but I like a lot of top and midrange, and could care less about big boomy lows.

[Bassamatic]

I have tried 6-8 different pups in my '08 MIA P with La Bella flats, and I always go back to the original Frallns were disappointing as well as the Bill Lawrence - just boring. The Duncan 2 and 3 were too "out there" I really like the DiMarzio Model P, but they are too growly for the 50's-60's Classic Rock I use that bass for. I did put a set in my MIM P with rounds for 70's rock though. The Alumas and Di Marzio 127 were very strident and annoying. I have the Bart 8S in another bass, but they are just not the 'P' sound. The Peavey Fury Pups are pretty good. There is a brand called Cream T I heard at NAMM that I want to try, but they are not easy to get. The MIA fenders are just right IMO. Fender knows what they are doing.

[NKBassman]

Originally Posted by Nightvision

David Allen P pickup.
Best pickup i've tried with the DiMarzio Model P.

Still liking my Dimarzios these days, but those D Allen pickups sound great!