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Originally Posted by roger winkler  Well, know you've got my curiousity up and running amok.  Should I put in the EMG's or the quarter pounders? I'm not at all familiar with the "sound" of the EMG's. But I've heard tons of praise on the QP's. Soooo.... any suggestions? Thanks  |
I have heard both the MIM P with EMG pickups live through a GK and 4X10 rig, and also played it myself for a few minutes at the same gig and my own USA P with Quarter Pounders through the same rig at the same gig.
At stage volumes they both sounded good. I preferred the Quarter Pounder myself. It was a bit thicker sounding in the lows and midrange. The EMGs sounded good too, but to me they were a little too clean with a bit more pronounced top end and less midrange. Both basses sounded like P basses though and sat in the mix well. It was a strange gig with 2 fairly loud amplified acoustic guitar players, different drummers for different songs, amplified fiddle player at times and lots of folk singers who at times did old rock covers. Pretty bizarre actually.
Both basses aquitted themselves well. Both were strung with Thomastic flatwounds.
I'd say that if you want the P bass sound with a bit more girth, or thickness, or balls, or whatever you want to call it, go with the Quarter Pounders. I've been using that setup in my P for around 15 years. (Not sure exactly when I put the Quarter Pounder in) To me it's a proven setup. It records beautifully, actually the best P sound I've been able to get recorded, even including my 62 Precision. Compared to an old P like the 62, the Quarter Pounder stands out just a little more in the mix. These things are tough to prove though without having both basses in the same studio with the same engineer. Anyhow, I prefer the Quarter Pounder and like it better than the 62 P. the late 80s P, which is the bass it's in now, and the EMG.
I haven't been able to try Nordstrands or Lolars. I hear they're fine pickups too and for many are an improvement over even the stock current USA Fenders. I know my Quarter Pounders are to me, based on all the Fenders I've tried.
One more thing--I have a student who has a stock 66 P bass. He's brought it to lessons and I've played it along with my late 80s P with the QPs through my Mesa Walkabout Scout. Both basses sound wonderful. However he uses old roundwounds and I use old Thomstic flats. There is a difference in sound but I like both and would be happy with either particularly with the Thomastic flats on them. I'm not at all into vintage nostalgia or collecting--I just want my basses to sound and play good.
I hope that's of some help. Sound is such a subjective thing and it's very difficult to come to any agreement on it.
