Pickups for a P-Bass

Ironderby · #1 08-15-2011, 05:43 PM

Hi, i play a Precision Bass (Squier Matt Freeman) Very nice and im looking to replace pickups, never bought pickups, just used stock ones...which are best for metal (mainly 80's metallica, maiden, twisted sister, motley crue) with a pick/fingers. Punchy Sound with good bass.

Any more information you need, just ask. Thanks

"Q" · #2 08-15-2011, 06:49 PM

What makes you think there's a best pickup for metal?

hachi kid · #3 08-15-2011, 06:51 PM

at least he got the right bass for metal...

Tommorichards · #4 08-15-2011, 07:54 PM

bam

But seriously,IME, most people tend to go for seymour duncans in precisions.

Marton · #5 08-15-2011, 07:58 PM

Why exactly do you want to replace the pickups ?

IPA · #6 08-15-2011, 08:02 PM

Look to the amp first, the pickup is of less importance.

genericusername · #7 08-15-2011, 08:05 PM

A quick note: The bass in metal can vary so much in tone and style there's no point in asking for a 'best for metal', because it simple does not exist (at the moment in any case).
However, as a partial answer to your question, I think Steve Harris uses Seymour Duncan SPB-1s. I can't help you with Twisted Sister or Motley Crue, But again, Metallica had some pretty varied bass tones (Cliff's, Jason's, and Rob's).

Do you really NEED to upgrade the pickup? In many cases you'd be better off upgrading you amp or buying an effect, but sometimes (if you hate the tone of your bass, but love the feel) it is worth it.

EDIT: I checked the Seymour Duncan website, and it says that Steve Harris uses SPB-3 Quarter Pound pickups, not the SPB-1s. Sorry, my bad!

Hopkins · #8 08-15-2011, 08:12 PM

This

Rio Grande Electric Guitar Pickups - Product Detail Page

Ironderby · #9 08-16-2011, 04:44 AM

WOah, no need to hate, im just asking. I have an Ashdown 300w Evo 2. I dont need a better amp, and it can't hurt to upgrade the pickups.

ErikW · #10 08-16-2011, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPA

Look to the amp first, the pickup is of less importance.

^+1

Quarter Pounder is a very hot pickup. IMO takes away the charcter of the bass.

Lobster11 · #11 08-16-2011, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironderby

WOah, no need to hate, im just asking. I have an Ashdown 300w Evo 2. I dont need a better amp, and it can't hurt to upgrade the pickups.

Don't take it personally. It's just that there are just so many threads here at TB that start with the question, "What is the best <fill in the blank>?" and the answer is always the same: There is no single "best" anything. The question should be how to get from the sound you currently have to the sound that you want, in which case the answer might not necessarily be your pickups.

By the way, I'm not sure I agree that it "can't hurt" to replace the pickups. You could spend a lot of money and time doing so and then wind up with a sound you like less than the one you started with. That would "hurt," wouldn't it?

LAPetrarca · #12 08-16-2011, 10:38 AM

A couple of interesting thread going on........one regarding Mighty Mite necks and now a pickup thread. How timely!

I recently picked up an Squier Affinity P-Bass for next to nothing with a twisted neck and the pickup seems "loose". Haven't gotten to into looking at that yet but I'm planning on replacing the neck and possibly the pickup. It'll be interesting to see what other say!

SGD Lutherie · #13 08-16-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikW

^+1

Quarter Pounder is a very hot pickup. IMO takes away the charcter of the bass.

That shows that the statement that "the pickup is of less importance" is not true! A P sounds like a P, and not a J, because of the pickup.

The deal with P basses is that most people want them to sound like a P bass. So most P bass replacement pickups have a vintage tone.

But there are others that have a more modern tone, just not as many.

grendle · #14 08-16-2011, 10:39 PM

Its all part of the soup. Just depends if you want tomato, chicken noodle, Italian wedding, or clam chowder.

grendle · #15 08-16-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironderby

WOah, no need to hate, im just asking. I have an Ashdown 300w Evo 2. I dont need a better amp, and it can't hurt to upgrade the pickups.

Think you answered it right there. Great sounding amp. But not a first choice for traditional " metal tones". Most are using ampeg, GK, or Hartke. Not saying it wont work, just not a traditional first pic.

odin70 · #16 08-17-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genericusername

EDIT: I checked the Seymour Duncan website, and it says that Steve Harris uses SPB-3 Quarter Pound pickups, not the SPB-1s. Sorry, my bad!

His signature bass has the SPB -1 But of course...you wont ever see Harris use one of those.

odin70 · #17 08-17-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironderby

(mainly 80's metallica, maiden, twisted sister, motley crue)

I really don see what these bassists have in common tonewise.. Is this a bit like asking for a pickup that would give me the sound of James Jamerson and John Patitucci?

Anyways..Good luck with your chase for the right pup.

ariff · #18 08-17-2011, 10:39 AM

I have a SX P bass I modded and replaced the pickups in for playing in our punk rock band. Not metal but it is loud. I used the SD quarter pounders and it is a hot bright pickup. Works perfect for me. It is just about as loud as my MM Stingray. I have to have the active\passive switch on my head set to active when using the qurater pounders. Hope this helps.