Best vintage pbass pickup replacement?

Sessionguy · #1 04-03-2012, 06:59 AM

Hi All,

I could use some opinions on what y'all think are the best "vinatge" pickup replacement for a pbass. I have a roadworn pbass on the way and I'm looking into it. I could use some personal experience testimony, though. Testify!

Fralins? Lollars? Duncans? Whatdaya think?

Thanks, in advance.

Lo-E · #2 04-03-2012, 07:08 AM

Well, it would help to know what "vintage" means to you.

I'm partial to the Fralins, myself, but I think the Fender reissues and Duncans sound pretty durn good, too.

Thumper · #3 04-03-2012, 07:30 AM

I thought I would need to change the PUPs in my RWP because it didn't come with MIA PUPs. I put Sunbeams on it and A/B'd against my CS NOS '59P (CS '57 PUPs). That MIM PUP is just fine, I won't change it until it dies.

Just food for thought, spend some time with it, put your string of choice on it and see if new PUPs are needed before you start shopping. The research is fun but frustrating, almost no one agrees in the this versus that PUP polls. Listen to Dan Atkinson's comparison's of different brands on the same bass - not much difference between PUPs as far as I could tell.

etoncrow · #4 04-03-2012, 07:34 AM

You might want to read this:

Bill Lawrence P-46 Pickup mini review (BEST P Pickup I've EVER tried)!

Sessionguy · #5 04-03-2012, 07:38 AM

Thanks, everyone! All good advice. Definitely planning on giving the stock PUP's a god run first. But it's nice to know what's out there.

Much appreciated!

Sessionguy · #6 04-03-2012, 07:39 AM

That's should be a "good" run.... :0)

RED J · #7 04-03-2012, 07:51 AM

Really like my Fender original '62 in my main P. Can't beat the archetype IMO.

gweimer · #8 04-03-2012, 07:56 AM

I used to favor the Bartolini 8S, until I dropped a Lollar in this bass.

it isn't radio - kelp on Vimeo

In the end, it's up to you, but I have to agree that there probably isn't a universe of difference between a lot of pickups.

invalidprotocol · #9 04-03-2012, 08:32 PM

Here is a sampling of a number of different pickups. I grabbed this from another recent post... OzBassForum • View topic - P-Bass Pickup - Soundcheck (UPDATED - FINAL)

I wish their was some consistency in the playing patterns between pickup changes but it's still useful.

depalm · #10 04-03-2012, 08:47 PM

For the $ I'd suggest Duncan SBP-1 and Bill Lawrence.

If you want to spend a little more than you should try Nordstrand and Lollar.

Can't go wrong with any of these choices.

lpdeluxe · #11 04-03-2012, 08:52 PM

I followed the advice of a fellow TBer and installed a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound and Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on my Classic '50s P. It not only sounds great, but it sounds great through each of the amps that I have played it through (Ampeg B100R, Hartke HA2500/2-10/1-15 Transport cabs, Mesa/Boogie Walkabout with 2-Genz-Benz 10T speakers, and a Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T). I have played it in dance halls, on flat-bed trailers in lumber store parking lots, theaters, and at outdoor private parties. In a word, it's the ONE.

I think my AV '57 sounds as good, but I've never A/B'd them, but I know the it cost twice what I paid for the Classic '50s + upgrades.

I have a QP single-coil on my '51 RI, and it's the Thump King. I'm a believer.

Sessionguy · #12 04-07-2012, 05:05 PM

Thanks again, for all your replies! Much appreciated.

I got the bass and I'm really diggin it. I've been running it stock thru a Tech 21 Bass Driver/DI into my amp and it's f*%kin' death defying!

Trying to bring out a bit more volume and tone from the G string above the 12th fret, but other than that I Love it.

Thanks again!

Deedubs · #13 04-22-2012, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

I followed the advice of a fellow TBer and installed a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound and Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on my Classic '50s P. It not only sounds great, but it sounds great through each of the amps that I have played it through (Ampeg B100R, Hartke HA2500/2-10/1-15 Transport cabs, Mesa/Boogie Walkabout with 2-Genz-Benz 10T speakers, and a Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T). I have played it in dance halls, on flat-bed trailers in lumber store parking lots, theaters, and at outdoor private parties. In a word, it's the ONE.

I think my AV '57 sounds as good, but I've never A/B'd them, but I know the it cost twice what I paid for the Classic '50s + upgrades.

I have a QP single-coil on my '51 RI, and it's the Thump King. I'm a believer.

This! I love my qp!

Marton · #14 04-22-2012, 09:43 PM

I had a Duncan SPB-1 and a Fender P-bass RI pickup in the same bass, and didn't really heard any difference. I have a Fralin in another bass, and it seems a little bit more bassy. I would suggest any of these to somebody looking for a vintage sounding pickup, I can't pick a favorite in these three pickups, but I like them much.

Andy_D · #15 04-22-2012, 10:22 PM

Put a Bill Lawrence P-46 in my Peavey Fury and Love it. I'm sure there are many good choices out there but for the money I'd say the P-46 is a tough one to beat.

Dark Horse · #16 04-22-2012, 10:24 PM

Duncan SPB-1's are the closest I've heard to my 1964 P Basses pickups.

I've tried Antiquities, Nordstrands, Lollars, DiMarzios, Fralins, EMG's, Fenders, Lawrence, etc...and the SPB-1's were the closest IMO. (with the Fender OV62's coming very close as well)

The others were nice pickups and would be great for various uses and needs though....

Marty Forrer · #17 04-22-2012, 10:36 PM

At the end of the day it's all a big marketing ploy. In a rock band situation, any pickup can sound like any other pickup with a few tweaks of the knobs or sliders on your amp. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the pickups in a Roadworn.
I've had Nords, Fralins (I have these at present), Antiquities, Barts, EMGs, Fenders and DiMarzios and the differences between them are minimal when in a live band situation, because you (and me, and everyone else) will eq the rig to suit the sound they want to hear.

bassfart · #18 04-22-2012, 10:46 PM

I love the Nordstrand NP4, and the new Aguilar split P pickup is outstanding. You won't go wrong with either of these pickups.

Gecko 5 · #19 04-22-2012, 10:49 PM

I use the Lakland/Hanson Vintage P.
LOVE it!!!!

LHbassist · #20 04-22-2012, 10:58 PM

I concur, have one of these in my '62 Fender Japan lefty P-bass. It sounds absolutely killer. Just the right amount of 'bark' when you dig in, and a nice, smooth all round frequency response. It nails the sounds of the 'p' basses we've been hearing on the radio for the last 50 years. AND it's 65 bucks, new. That's well within the reach of most bassist/tinkerers!