Comparing Fender's Original to MiM Stock pickups (Sound clips incl. free!)

[NickRich]

Hi Guys,

I recently bought a used Fender Precision MiM ('07) and I'm quite enjoying it. The more I played with it, the more I wanted to improve the tone, by changing the pickups.

So I did what everyone does (or is supposed to do ), wihch is look out for information on replacements. After some googling and "tb-ing", I choose two contendents :

• Fender Original Precision Pickups (99 CAD$)
• Seymour Duncun SPB-1 Vintage Pickups (129 CAD$)

I know there are many more choices, but those two seemed to be the cheaper alternatives to what I was looking for : a vintage p-bass tone. Moreover, these are the only one easily available around here.

In the end, I chose Fender's Original Pickups because a friend of mine has Vintage Noiseless Jazz Pickups and I really dig those (very vintage IMO). Those Seymour Duncan might be "better" but I couldn't tell.

So, I ain't gonna tell you guys the pickups I bought are the best thing in the world since sliced bread : I can't because I never used any other pickups in a Precision. But, for posterity (!), I recorded my stock pickups and my Fender Original.

So, let's roll the tapes :

• Stock MIM
• Fender Original

Recording setup :

• C# tuning, volume & tone full
• GHSBoomer 115-50
• Boss Me20 by-passed, phones output to SoundBlaster line-in.
• Audacity +compression

[dannybuoy]

Nice. I've just replaced my Squier VM Precision with a Fender 2005 MIA, and shockingly, it doesn't quite have the same bark as the VM. The Fender Original has more of the sound I'm after, I might try one out! I think these are the same pickups that they used to label as '62 Re-Issues.

[NickRich]

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

Nice. I've just replaced my Squier VM Precision with a Fender 2005 MIA, and shockingly, it doesn't quite have the same bark as the VM.

Those VMs seem to be quite something for the price. I wish a nearby store would have them.

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

The Fender Original has more of the sound I'm after, I might try one out! I think these are the same pickups that they used to label as '62 Re-Issues.

From the package, it says they're stock on many RIs and on some Custom Shop too.

I'm still waiting for the new tortoise pickguard I ordered. My bet is it will improve my tone as much as those Fender Originals ...

[chiplexic]

Dang, I have always wanted to hear the Seymour SPB-1 Vintage P pickups.

[NickRich]

Just bought D'Addario Chromes flatwounds, 50-105.

Here's how they sound.

I must say I was expecting a more drastic difference : I don't thing they sound much better than those GHS Boomer.

Maybe it will take some time to adapt ...

Recording setup :

• Fender PBass MiM, with Fender's Original pickups
• C# tuning, volume & tone full
• D'Addario Chromes Flatwounds 50-105
• Boss Me20 by-passed, phones output to SoundBlaster line-in.
• Audacity +compression

[ctufankjian]

I think the Fender Originals DO sound more focused. Definitely digging them. Makes me wonder what I could do to improve a MIM P.

[NickRich]

I ended up reinstalling stock pickups and GHS Boomer on my bass.

I found out that live, Fender's Original have an indistinct, not focused tone. Especially with flats. I put back my 4 months old GHS Boomers and it was an improvement. A bigger one was when I reinstalled stock MIM pickups. Less high mids, more low mids and bass.

At my band practice last weekend, everyone including me preferred stock MIM pickups.

That's kind of curious : tried a 62 RI American P-bass last week and the tone was perfect. I know it had Fender's Original. Maybe they're more fitted for American than MIM.

And now let's put back those flats ...