Fender '62 pickups vs. Basslines vs. DiMarzio

SMILEYSIXX · #1 06-22-2010, 02:13 PM

I'm replacing the pickups on '84 squier precision soon, but can't decide which to use.

The Fenders... well... they're Fenders. It would keep the bass more original with a vintage kinda sound, which would be cool.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...kup?sku=301602

I've played Basslines before, and I think they're pretty good pickups, but I'm not sure if they would compare to the Fenders when it comes to keeping the original Fender sound.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ups?sku=300310

The DiMarzios, I've heard a lot about, mostly good. They would have a totally different sound, which may be good, but I'm not sure if it's a sound I want.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...265&rec=cart_B

Any recommendations on which direction I should go with these? Any other pickups you think might work?

JustOpenYourMind · #2 06-22-2010, 02:27 PM

What sound are you after?

Old school?
Modern?

Fender pickups are very old school with good mids and thump,

The quarter pounders are very modern and scooped in the mids with sizzling treble and emphasized bass.

I've never played the dimarzio but I heard that they are on the modern side.

Each of the pickups you listed is very decent but they are geared towards very different sounds, you must ask yourself what you are after tonally.

SMILEYSIXX · #3 06-22-2010, 02:34 PM

I want kind of an old school vintage sound but with a heavy bass sound, but also able to bring out those bright highs.

screaminglucy · #4 06-22-2010, 04:59 PM

i'd say dimarzio's. the QP is over the top to my ears and the dimarzio will have more lows than the fender. that being said i went with the fender myself.

SMILEYSIXX · #5 06-23-2010, 10:15 AM

I've actually been leaning toward the basslines quarter pounders... which would bring out more of the vintage sound? DiMarzios or Basslines?

narud · #6 06-23-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

I'm replacing the pickups on '84 squier precision soon, but can't decide which to use.

The Fenders... well... they're Fenders. It would keep the bass more original with a vintage kinda sound, which would be cool.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...kup?sku=301602

I've played Basslines before, and I think they're pretty good pickups, but I'm not sure if they would compare to the Fenders when it comes to keeping the original Fender sound.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ups?sku=300310

The DiMarzios, I've heard a lot about, mostly good. They would have a totally different sound, which may be good, but I'm not sure if it's a sound I want.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...265&rec=cart_B

Any recommendations on which direction I should go with these? Any other pickups you think might work?

you have a black or sunburst sq?

SMILEYSIXX · #7 06-23-2010, 07:30 PM

Sunburst with a white pickguard, but I'm changing the pickguard soon.

treekiller · #8 06-23-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

I'm replacing the pickups on '84 squier precision soon, but can't decide which to use.

The Fenders... well... they're Fenders. It would keep the bass more original with a vintage kinda sound, which would be cool.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...kup?sku=301602

I've played Basslines before, and I think they're pretty good pickups, but I'm not sure if they would compare to the Fenders when it comes to keeping the original Fender sound.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ups?sku=300310

The DiMarzios, I've heard a lot about, mostly good. They would have a totally different sound, which may be good, but I'm not sure if it's a sound I want.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...265&rec=cart_B

Any recommendations on which direction I should go with these? Any other pickups you think might work?

FWIW, I just replaced the quarterpound in my MIM with a original/'62 RI p-up. I'm much happier!!! It sounds just like a p-bass should, closer to my Am. Std. P. I use the MIM "live" as it's my main stage bass and now with the pick-up swap I don't anticipate the USA P coming out of the case very often!

screaminglucy · #9 06-23-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

I've actually been leaning toward the basslines quarter pounders... which would bring out more of the vintage sound? DiMarzios or Basslines?

dimarzio, the QP is definitely NOT vintage at all

m.oreilly · #10 06-23-2010, 08:02 PM

i would say dimarzio also

JFN · #11 06-23-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

I want kind of an old school vintage sound but with a heavy bass sound, but also able to bring out those bright highs.

Bill Lawrence P-46.

darkstorm · #12 06-23-2010, 09:26 PM

The fender pups or the dimarzios are gonna be the most P pup sounding pups. The dimarzios P have been a standard upgrade to fender P basses by pros and amatuers alike since the 1970's. The seymours are good but much more modern sounding.

narud · #13 06-23-2010, 10:10 PM

well, it wont be exact since mine is a sub 9 pound black (i think different body wood than the sunbursts) sq, but ive got a soundclip i can post of my own 84 sq with the fender original 62 pickup installed.

Craig_S · #14 06-24-2010, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narud

well, it wont be exact since mine is a sub 9 pound black (i think different body wood than the sunbursts) sq, but ive got a soundclip i can post of my own 84 sq with the fender original 62 pickup installed.

Let's hear it.

eyecandy · #15 06-24-2010, 05:46 AM

I'd choose the Fenders.. nothing beats the classics

SMILEYSIXX · #16 06-24-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narud

well, it wont be exact since mine is a sub 9 pound black (i think different body wood than the sunbursts) sq, but ive got a soundclip i can post of my own 84 sq with the fender original 62 pickup installed.

If it's an SQ series, it should be the same bass as mine. I'm pretty sure they used the same wood. But regardless, let's hear it. If it sounds like I'm expecting it to, I'll probably go with the fenders.

narud · #17 06-24-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

If it's an SQ series, it should be the same bass as mine. I'm pretty sure they used the same wood. But regardless, let's hear it. If it sounds like I'm expecting it to, I'll probably go with the fenders.

from what ive read, it says they were all sen ash, but this one is so light i suspect its basswood. im thinking about putting in an spb1 eventually for a little more grind.
http://www.4shared.com/audio/Teu8Aj5...ir_p_bass.html
stock the bass is in the 8 pound range. ive got a bad ass 2 on it for a little more booty. other than that and the fender pickup, its stock.

SMILEYSIXX · #18 07-02-2010, 02:25 PM

I added a new pickguard (The white was just too plain for me), a new bridge (Still fender, but mine was rusted) and some chrome pickup and bridge covers... After hearing that, I'm really tempted to get the Fenders...

acebase62 · #19 07-02-2010, 03:07 PM

If you want a more vintage P bass tone from Seymour Duncan Basslines, try the SPB-1 (vintage) instead of the SPB-3 (QP).

Both are good, just different sounding.

The SPB-2 (hot) has more low-mid punch than the SPB-1, but less highs IMO.

SMILEYSIXX · #20 07-02-2010, 08:02 PM

For a vintage tone, I'll most likely go with fenders just to make my bass feel for original.