Talk me out of buying an SPB3! (yes, another P Pickup thread)

TheRockinRoadie · #1 09-25-2009, 10:46 AM

Hi there,

I have a 2003 MiM Fender P-bass, and im looking to upgrade the pickup to a Seymour Duncan Quarterpound! I play Blues and Punk, but mainly Classic Rock.

Im pretty sure this is the pickup i want, but is there anything bad about it that i should know first?

Or does anyone have a better suggestion?

Cheers
-Lorry

CrackBass · #2 09-25-2009, 02:08 PM

I would go for the spb-2 personally. Between the spb-2 and the spb-3 I dug the 2 a lot more.

Craig_S · #3 09-25-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrackBass

I would go for the spb-2 personally. Between the spb-2 and the spb-3 I dug the 2 a lot more.

+1

62bass · #4 09-25-2009, 04:26 PM

I have the SPB 3 in my 78 P bass. I've had it in there for at least 10 years. I love it and wouldn't think of changing it. I like it better than a Dimarzio and the original pickup.

TheRockinRoadie · #5 09-26-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrackBass

I would go for the spb-2 personally. Between the spb-2 and the spb-3 I dug the 2 a lot more.

I did consider the 2, but i think i'll settle on the 3. If i get another p-bass in the future, i'll be sure to check out the SPB2 though, then that bass can be mainly for blues

McSpunckle · #6 09-26-2009, 04:44 AM

I've always found those things to be pretty harsh, personally.

My suggestion is basically anything other than an SPB-3.

mongo2 · #7 09-26-2009, 05:02 AM

I've used the Quarter Pounder and at first found it a bit aggressive but I lowered the pickup a bit and that tamed it.

62bass · #8 09-26-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongo2

I've used the Quarter Pounder and at first found it a bit aggressive but I lowered the pickup a bit and that tamed it.

You're right. Pickup height is important. More so with hotter pickups. It doesn't take long to set it up for optimum sound.

seedokebass · #9 07-10-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrackBass

I would go for the spb-2 personally. Between the spb-2 and the spb-3 I dug the 2 a lot more.

I had an SPB-3 in my old SR810 that sounded pretty good, but the bass was kind of a clunker :/

What do you like better about the SPB-2?

Nikoubis · #10 07-10-2010, 10:43 AM

I think I said here again recently. To my ears, the SPB-3 sound is best described as "too much". It's as if the pickup tries too hard to make a difference in tone and output and ends up sounding very over-the-top for a P pickup.

I would go with the SPB-2 for a more modern P pickup or the SPB-1 for a more vintage one. Both are awesome.

i_got_a_mohawk · #11 07-10-2010, 10:51 AM

It'd be pretty good for punk, but might be a tad too edgy with blues and classic rock. I forsee you making much use of your tone control if you didnt before!

62bass · #12 07-10-2010, 02:05 PM

A lot of what's been said about the Quarter Pounder is false data. I'd swear some of the guys posting this stuff are on drugs. I've got recordings I've done with my old P with the SPB3 and it's anything but harsh-actually pretty sweet sounding. Also definitely not scooped. It's got lots of mids.

Sure you could use it for punk it wouldn't be my first choice for that. The SPB3 is a nice hot P pickup with warmth, a bit more aggressive than many others but easily controlled. You have to know how to set the pickup height as with any other pickup. Strings make a difference too. So does string height, right hand technique (if you bash it the way I see many young guys play it sounds very aggressive) and pick or fingerstyle. I've been playing P basses since 1962. I made my living playing bass.It's my favourite pickup. I've tried a lot of others.

That's not to mean it will suit everyone. Pick the pickup that you like the sound of and don't put much faith in what others say something sounds like.

As an aside, I used to disregard any bass or amp that Bass Player highly recommended. Their idea of good sound is completely different from mine and a lot of other long time professional players.

seedokebass · #13 07-13-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

A lot of what's been said about the Quarter Pounder is false data. I'd swear some of the guys posting this stuff are on drugs. I've got recordings I've done with my old P with the SPB3 and it's anything but harsh-actually pretty sweet sounding. Also definitely not scooped. It's got lots of mids.

Sure you could use it for punk it wouldn't be my first choice for that. The SPB3 is a nice hot P pickup with warmth, a bit more aggressive than many others but easily controlled. You have to know how to set the pickup height as with any other pickup. Strings make a difference too. So does string height, right hand technique (if you bash it the way I see many young guys play it sounds very aggressive) and pick or fingerstyle. I've been playing P basses since 1962. I made my living playing bass.It's my favourite pickup. I've tried a lot of others.

I agree that it can be aggressive, and what goes in, must come out.