Experienced players, only: SD SPB-3 QP question

billoetjen · #1 12-31-2009, 10:46 AM

The moderators may well be justified for tossing this one out, but I'll give it a try anyway.

My SX P (Billy Sheehan Model One mod) has sported the same Dimarzio Model P that I've used in various basses since my very first Ibanez GSR200. While I love the feel and playability of this axe, I noticed that I use it less and less. I guess I got tired of the sound. Spent hours looking up P/U threads here on TB. Finally decided to try a SD, either SPB1 (classic P tone) or SPB3 (Quarter Pounder). I chose the QP because of its reported higher output, and the extended range.

I installed it last night. I know Seymour Duncan gives me a couple of weeks to send it back, so I'm not too anxious about it.

A couple of things:
The Quarter Pounder output is significantly higher than the Dimarzio P; I didn't think that could be possible with a passive pickup.
It's way more clear/articulate than either Dimarzio. That was a great surprise. Next to the SD, the Model P sounds like mud. I didn't realize how muddy it was till now.
It is significantly more trebly than the Model P. That's easily eq'd, if needed.
I really like the full bottom end that it offers. I can never have too much bass (why I also love Villex pups).

I seem to be able to get the classic tone across the whole neck if I pay close attention to my attack.

Now the questions:
1) how much vintage tone would I gain if I switched to the SPB-1?

2) how much output/flexibility would I lose if I switched to the SPB-1?

I am spoiled by the high output thing.

I'd really prefer to read responses from those experienced players who've tried these and have also been "around the block." Myself, I've been guilty at times of sticking my nose into threads and giving my opinion when, in retrospect, I had no business there. So, you guys, you know who you are. Please refer this thread to the others who have experience with these. The Quarter Pound has been around a long time, some of you geniuses must know.
Thanks in advance, as always.

TB is the greatest!

stuonbass · #2 12-31-2009, 11:08 AM

Well there's got to be some P/up guys out there willing to chime in, but in the meantime I will express my limited exp.
My Squier P is loaded with SPB-3's and I am very happy with the tone. To me it is a classic P-Bass tone. I have used DiMarzios in another P Bass and agree with you on the tone. They are no way near as warm and defined as the SD's. My friend has a SPB-1 loaded P that I have played. I would say that the tone is probably a bit fatter and smoother sounding, lacking the cleaner defined tone of the 3's. I wish I had used both p/ups in the same bass to give you a better comparison.

62bass · #3 12-31-2009, 12:26 PM

I won't claim to be a pickup expert, but I've been playing mostly P basses since 1962. My current P is a 78 and I have used the QP in it for over 10 years. It replaced a Dimarzio that was in after the original. I prefer the QP. I get a very authentic P sound that records well and sounds great live. I won't change a thing on that bass now. I use Thomastic flatwounds. Strings make a big difference.

While I haven't played every pickup out there, I much prefer the QP for a P bass than anything else. I've played a couple P basses with the PB1 model. Good sound too but I can't compare the output without mounting it in the same bass.

There's a guy named Pete Biltoft who makes custom pickups under the name Vintage Vibe Guitars. I had him wind a pickup for me based on the sound I wanted and described to him by email for a Squire SCPB bass that I picked up a year ago. He nailed the sound, had the pickup in the mail to me in two days and it didn't cost a whole lot of money. I'm more than happy with it. I could have used a SD but decided to try something different this time. You might want to consider giving him a call. He's a helpful guy and knows what he's doing. He can make a pickup as hot as you like.

billoetjen · #4 12-31-2009, 12:40 PM

62' reminded me; I forgot to mention my strings. LaBella 760FS. On all my basses now.
Thanks to those who've responded; I appreciate your thoughtful consideration.
B

savit260 · #5 01-01-2010, 10:52 AM

IMO the QP is about as far away from the classic Vintage 60's style split coil sound as you can get.

It's good at what it does, but it DOESN'T do vintage or classic P at all.(IMO)

Personaly, I'd like to try a QP with flat wounds, but with rounds it boarders on obnoxious (required IMO) My gut instinct tells me that with flats , it might be a good middle ground between rounds and flats for general use though.

If you want HOT and AGRESSIVE P w/ rounds it's a good choice. I'd prefer a Dimarzio or a G&L MFD for that applicatioin myself though.

For the "Classic" P tone, the SPB-3 doesn't do it.

Fender "Original /62ReIssue" does a good job for that. The SPB-1 is "ok" IMO, Jason Lollar is the best for that (required IMO) and is what I use personaly. The Lollar stacks up very well to my 64 Precision tone wise.

62bass · #6 01-01-2010, 11:02 AM

Not my experience at all, but I have used TI flats since they came out and I've been around a long time and know how to get a classic P bass sound out of any decent pickup. No doubt though, with roundwound strings the QP is as you describe.

Anyhow, every time this question about the QP comes up here there is the same debate and the same disagreements. There is a pro QP camp and an anti QP camp.

I think this is the last time I'll bother chiming in on these opinion threads as they are so pointless. Not just the pickup choices, but strings, flats versus rounds, body woods, GK versus whatever else, etc., etc. The best thing is go out and try different stuff and pick what you like.

jellymax · #7 01-01-2010, 04:27 PM

my story may be of some help. i had a model P in my bass for about 1 year--gut
wrenching lows! never could get the sound i wanted in terms of midrange
growl/clarity, even in ideal sounding venues.

after going over the tone chart on the SD site, i went straight to the vintage SPB-1
model---wow! just what i wanted. tried it for the first time last night, my bass
was snarling & growling at me all night long! i did not have to cut the lows
as before

my take is, with todays bass amps, having pickups with extra lows is
overkill. IMO YMMV

xray · #8 01-01-2010, 06:40 PM

Like red and white wine.

billoetjen · #9 01-01-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xray

Like red and white wine.

Meaning... both can be good?

I've also tasted some of each that were bad.

...or the QP is like red wine and the SPB-1 is like white...?

I was just messing around with that bass for about the tenth time today. This time with a BBE Optostomp between the bass and my practice amp. With a little compression, and not played too loudly, the tone gets pulled into a convincing classic P tone. I could even open up the tone control a little more. Took on a nice declarative vibe. Even gentle attack felt authoritative.

Tried it also on my bigger, more powerful and tube-fronted combo and it made its statement more persuasively.
I might stick with the QP.

xray · #10 01-02-2010, 12:33 AM

[quote=billoetjen;8470874]Meaning... both can be good?

I've also tasted some of each that were bad.

...or the QP is like red wine and the SPB-1 is like white...?
QUOTE]

Both can be good, although I prefer the SPB-3s for their brighter tone. The SPB-1's give you that extreme classic p-bass tone (if that's what you're looking for). I still have both sets as I couldn't decide at first, but now keep the SPB-3s in my P. I prefer the brighter, richer, more modern tone I get through my G-B 9.0, however, it could be totally different through a tube amp.

billoetjen · #11 01-04-2010, 08:57 AM

62Bass - I can totally understand your frustration with the endless debates and sometimes sniping over minutia. A lot of it gets to be pretty pointless. Try to remember that for every five of those posts, there's one good one that illuminates some important information for the rest of us. That may not sound like a promising ratio, but here on TB we're doing waaaaaay better than the general playing population. Your contributions were helpful to me and I'm glad that you took the time and thought to respond as you did.
BTW, I think that I'm likely to join the QP camp.

Now, I need to stop so I can open a new thread discussing the relative tonal merits of nitrocellulose vs poly finish on a headstock....

62bass · #12 01-04-2010, 02:22 PM

[QUOTE
Now, I need to stop so I can open a new thread discussing the relative tonal merits of nitrocellulose vs poly finish on a headstock....[/quote]

Please, anything but that!

I was just playing my Pete Biltoft SCPB equipped Squier It has a very QP sound to it. Probably has to do with the 1/4" polepieces and overwinding. Whatever it is causing it-it sure sounds good. Just using the tone control on the bass I can easily go from rock to a nice warm jazz sound without changing the controls on my amp. I also tried it through my SansAmp. Overkill. Not needed at all.

I did spend some time when I installed the pickup, setting the height just right for me. There is quite a variation in sound just from doing that. And keeping my own chops in shape influences the sound I get a lot.

The stock pickup on the Squier wasn't all that bad and would probably suit many younger players who are into the raw sounds.