MIA Precision Stock Pups vs. SD SPB-3

freaksho · #1 12-17-2006, 01:44 PM

just got a good deal on a new MIA Precision. it sounds really great with the stock pups but i have a line a cheap set of new SD 1/4 pounders ($50). i wonder if it's a significant improvement and worth the effort?

i see many discussions about replacing MIM & Hwy 1 stock pups with QP's, but i haven't seen any comparisons with the stock MIA's. anyone done this?

62bass · #2 12-18-2006, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freaksho

just got a good deal on a new MIA Precision. it sounds really great with the stock pups but i have a line a cheap set of new SD 1/4 pounders ($50). i wonder if it's a significant improvement and worth the effort?

i see many discussions about replacing MIM & Hwy 1 stock pups with QP's, but i haven't seen any comparisons with the stock MIA's. anyone done this?

If it sounds great already, why pay all that money to change? I replaced the stock pickup in my circa 1978 P with the Quarter Pounder. I considered it an improvement, for both live and recorded and I'm very happy. Others would consider me an idiot for changing it. It's largely a matter of personal taste. If you do change it will sound a bit different. You may or may not think it's better.

I've tried some of the new MIA Fender Ps and think they sound quite good, taking into consideration the stock roundwound strings, which sound horrible in my opinion. If I got one, the first thing I'd do is replace the strings with Thomastic flatwounds and do a careful set up and that would be a very good sound for me and I probably wouldn't change the pickups. But that's my personal taste in P bass tone.

On the other hand, since you're getting the Quarter Pounders cheap, you can always give it a try. If you don't like them you should be able to unload them for what you paid.

Relic · #3 12-18-2006, 05:14 AM

The sound will be different - hotter, with a slight bit more range of frequency and more aggressive. Cant say that it's an "improvement" as it all depends on what you're looking for but yeah they'll change the sound a bit.
If it were me, I'd go for it, I love the quarter pounders. If it doesnt work out you can always dump the SD's on Ebay or something.

Nedmundo · #4 12-18-2006, 11:16 AM

The QP's tone will be very different, with much more output and no midrange "hump" like a traditional P-bass. The QP is more full range, with more highs and deeper, clearer lows. It's not a vintage tone, but unmistakably a P-bass tone. I really like the QP, but the stock pickup sits in a mix quite well, and IMO sounds excellent with D'Addario Chromes, so you may want to try those or something similar. I didn't like the stocker's low output, and I've ended up with a Lindy Fralin, which is outstanding. For me it's the best of all worlds -- the soul and texture of a vintage pickup with enough output, punch, and cut for hard rock.

freaksho · #5 12-18-2006, 12:07 PM

cool. thanks, all.

i just bought 'em so we'll see. i just got the P this weekend and i'm really loving the aggressive growl. so it's not that i'm dissatisfied with the stocks - i'm just really curious about the QP's. like you all said, i can just put them back if i don't like it.

one last thing: since the QP's are so hot and have a different tonal balance, would anything else need to be changed? (i.e. pots or tone cap values)

62bass · #6 12-18-2006, 01:33 PM

You shouldn't have to change anything else. It'll sound fine with the stock pots and capacitors.

The Quarterpounder is hotter, yes, but it's not that hot. You'll notice a bit more output, but it's not going to melt your instrument cord or anything like that.

freaksho · #7 12-18-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

You shouldn't have to change anything else. It'll sound fine with the stock pots and capacitors.

The Quarterpounder is hotter, yes, but it's not that hot. You'll notice a bit more output, but it's not going to melt your instrument cord or anything like that.

that's funny, but will it melt my face is the question? it f'in better!

the only reason i asked is because the SD site mentions something about a recommended tone circuit but i haven't look into what this is yet.

thanks.

62bass · #8 12-18-2006, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freaksho

that's funny, but will it melt my face is the question? it f'in better!

the only reason i asked is because the SD site mentions something about a recommended tone circuit but i haven't look into what this is yet.

thanks.

I may be wrong but it's probably just a passive circuit that would normally be wired in for a PJ setup. Take a look and let us know.

There are a lot of people who claim that the Quarter Pounders have this huge output that's so hot it will overdrive preamps, either onboard or in your amp and that they sound so aggresive that all you can play is heavy metal. It's not true at all. They are a bit hotter than stock Fender pickups, sound slightly more aggressive or up front with a bit brighter top and bigger bottom.

I use the P model in my old Fender and I don't play metal or any screamingly harsh music. It works great for R and B, blues, pop rock, oldies, etc. and gives my bass a slightly more forward sound while still sounding like a P. After I installed it I added a Raven Labs onboard pream. It works great with that and doesn't overdrive it. It's a very versatile pickup.

Relic · #9 12-18-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

I use the P model in my old Fender and I don't play metal or any screamingly harsh music. It works great for R and B, blues, pop rock, oldies, etc. and gives my bass a slightly more forward sound while still sounding like a P. After I installed it I added a Raven Labs onboard pream. It works great with that and doesn't overdrive it. It's a very versatile pickup.

I couldn't agree with you more. The added range in sound ='s increased versatility. These can still be mellow and bottomy if you choose but you also have a more aggresive sound there if you want it.

freaksho · #10 12-19-2006, 04:31 PM

well, i looked all over the SD site and couldn't figure what the hell they meant. but on their p bass wiring schematic it looks like all the stock values are fine, so i'm not gonna sweat it.

i can't wait to try this thing out!

thanks, all.

depalm · #11 12-20-2006, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

I really like the QP, but the stock pickup sits in a mix quite well, and IMO sounds excellent with D'Addario Chromes, so you may want to try those or something similar..

Definitely. I use a Quarter Pound on my 77 P-bass since 1985 and love it but the stock PU on my 78 with chromes is really awesome. I know it's not for everyone but sounds quite good in my opinion.