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

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by AMJBASS

The Fralins are good but aggressive. I find the NP4 to be incredibly balanced and pretty true to vintage. Another one that is HIGHLY underrated is the Duncan SPB-1.

I love the Fralin largely because of its gritty texture that can be aggressive if you want. IMO, this makes it extremely versatile, because you can smooth it out with flats (GHS Precision flats...yum) and/or rolling off the treble, or go for gnarly punk/metal grind. I really don't know how it compares to true vintage pickups, but IMLE it seems hotter than most Fender pickups. Regardless, I think it's fantastic. The only split-coil I like as much is G&L's MFD, but that's very high output and not vintage at all, more like a DiMarzio Model P.

[elambo]

The original pre-CBS pickups arrived and have been installed.

They definitely bring that vibe and that indescribable presence I heard in the vintage Strat pickups -- something ethereal, tough to put adjective to. It has a certain weight to it that others don't have, not the SD Antiquities, which weren't bad. Not my other basses.

It's not automatically better, unless you're aiming for period-perfect P-bass tone, in which case these nail it. The midrange is stellar. Lots of syrupy mojo. But other modern pickups still impress my for different things, they don't however, and I mean NONE of them, have that weight. Iron. It's like being plugged directly into ComEd.

Again, it's not perfect for everything, but I wanted a great 60's era P-bass and this did the trick.

[57pbass]

I love the Dimarzio pickups in my Nash Bass...

[elambo]

A follow up after a few weeks of use:

These '62 pickups are the real deal and nothing else I've played sounds quite like them. Clarity and life far beyond the Antiquities I took out. More soulful than the Bartolinis in my Laklands. The midrange is insanely good. This was a gamble because their price tag was higher than my 1st Lakland, and I didn't get to hear them in advance, but I can say now, a few weeks into it, that the gamble payed off in spades.

Thanks for all the help guys, especially those who convinced me to go vintage.

[SRCRS]

so did you get the fender original '62 reissue pickups?

[elambo]

I bought a set of original '62s, not reissue.

[miles'tone]

Any pics?

[elambo]

Not sure how long they'll continue to host this imagine but it works tonight:

[WildBill987]

I've had a Velvet Hammer in my 69 Pbass for many years, and I love it to this day. It's like the original, which I still have, but just more. Not sure if you can get that one any more.

[benthughes]

My best P-bass experience has been with Nordstrand and Fralin but I've heard raves about the Wilde-46 as well. The Nordstrands totally nail what I think a P-bass should sound like while retaining clarity and a controlled but full bottom. The Fralin was very similar but maybe a bit more "hollow" sounding ( not in a bad way) and deeper in the lows. Keep in mind, these pickups were in different basses with different electronics so YMMV but I find this observation to be, for the most part, universally true.

That being said I'm not a P-bass afficionado and I'm about to throw down some blasphemy. With the exception of intentionally unique pickups like the SD 1/4 pounders and G&L MFDs ( ooooouch!) most P-pickups sound very similar, likely due to their position ( traditionally). There are subtle differences but it's not a mind blowing , Oh my God difference in general. Tone chasers and P-Bass purists will argue , I'm sure but especially when you play live the difference is minimal.

I like Nordstrands for this reason; they're P-sounding and not overly boomy and that's what counts. In a more sensitive setting like recording the difference will be greater.

[portlandguy]

Fralin

[Laurent]

Anybody heard of Arcane pickups out of Los Angeles?
They seem to be the not new boutique pickup maker according to a friend.

Also any experience with the new Aguilar AGP-60 pickup?
Aguilar has been putting out lots of quality gear lately and I would expect them to nail this knowing their tonal preferences and dedication.

[HassBacker]

I want to improve the sound of my B string at the 5th fret as compared to the E string. With the stock pickup, it's a bit hollow sounding and depending on how I pluck it, can have some ugly overtones I'd like to minimize.
Can anyone relate their experience and recommend a replacement?

[kesh]

I vote for the ones that come with your standard MIM precision.

[pickles]

Originally Posted by HassBacker

I want to improve the sound of my B string at the 5th fret as compared to the E string. With the stock pickup, it's a bit hollow sounding and depending on how I pluck it, can have some ugly overtones I'd like to minimize.
Can anyone relate their experience and recommend a replacement?

You need different strings, not a different pickup.

[SunnBass]

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders are my favorite.

[bassistjoe93]

Curtis Novak is the man in my book. I tried the P Bass pickup he winds for the custom shop Pino bass and it was incredible. Novak can wind it anyway you want to get any tone you want. I'm currently having him make me a Hagstrom Bi-Sonic (Darkstar) pickup and a jazz bridge pickup and I'm about ready to poo my pants with excitement.

[Scott in Dallas]

Originally Posted by pickles

You need different strings, not a different pickup.

I agree. The description sounds like a bad string to me.

[HassBacker]

Thanks for the replies, but I don't know about a bad string. I use the Daddario EXL super longs and it's always sounded this way. What would the suggestion be for a different set of strings?

[SolarMan]

Delano has huge sound. Reinhard makes some amazing pups.

I've got the PMVC 4 FE/M2





If you have the chance to check out Delano - do it.