There's A Gun At Your Head, What's Your Choice? Part III (pup content)

[ebonalley]

So there's a gun at your head and you need to help me pick out new pups for my bass. I just picked up a medium scale, passive, Squier P/J from Japan and I'm finding the pups to be somewhat weak. I'm not looking to spend more than $150. I play finger style and am seeking a setup with better than average output, the ability to cop a traditional P tone while remaining somewhat versatile. I would like to be able to capture a rock tones such as those found in Black Sabbath, Cake and Sublime.

Here is a pic of my bass (note that the blue looks darker like a purple in normal light)



Choice 1: Dimarzio DP126 ($100)
Pro's: Solid reviews and I think I the solid balck pole pieces would look great on this bass.
Con's: Uncertain of tradtional P tone, also heard one story that a person had to route their J cavity due to pup size.



Choice 2: Bill Lawrence Wilde P/J set ($130)
Pros: Overall good reviews
Con's: Didn't fair well in one P/J shootout here on the forum

* Note: for some pups I will only be showing the P pup due to pic availability


Choice 3: EMG's ($150)
Pro's: Solid reviews, versatile, good looks
Con's: Higher priced, not thrilled about active for this bass



Choice 4: PJ set by GFS ($75)
Pro's: Very low cost, solid reviews, maybe best bang for buck
Con's: Not hum cancelling



Choice 5: Other, your thoughts
I've considered different options such as the Fender '62 with a DiMarzio J but I'm not sure that the sum will be as good as the individual parts

[musicon197]

Seymour Duncan quarter pounds. Immense sound, great versatility and should be able to get both for under $100. Good luck.

[Nev375]

Whatever pickups the guy with the gun is selling.

Otherwise, Barts or Alumitones

[Rage1331]

I don't like having a gun to my head. And carrots. You forgot the carrots.



























Listen to musicon197. QPs are the way to go.

[EagleMoon]

I had one of the P Lytes a while back and put the DiMarzios in. The J bass pickup is a bit thick, top to bottom, but it did leave me enough room to have good space between it and the strings.

[bassthumpersf]

Duncan SPB-1 and a Dimarzio Ultra Jazz in the bridge. Great PJ combo.

[basswave]

Since you on a budget I said Dimarzio.

I would go with Nordstrands

http://www.bestbassgear.com/nordstra...m#nordstrandpj

$200-239

[randysmojo]

I would try the Dimarzio Model P and Ultra Jazz myself.

[bassgod0dmw]

Of those listed, I'd go with the DiMarzio's or the Bill Lawrence.

How are the GFS not hum cancelling? It's a P pickup, which by design is a humbucker.

[ebonalley]

Thanks for the input. To the best of my knowledge the GFS J is not hum cancelling. I didn't post a pic of the J in order to keep the thread simple.

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Of those listed, I'd go with the DiMarzio's or the Bill Lawrence.

How are the GFS not hum cancelling? It's a P pickup, which by design is a humbucker.

[DBCrocky]

I choose to remove the gun from my head.

[Warfender]

Subbed

[ChrisCassisi]

Go with the Duncan Quarter Pounders for sure. My first 2 picks are Lundgren and Lollar but since you are on a budget the SD are your best option. I have 3 basses with them and they are great sounding pups.

[chadrussel1221]

made with seymour duncan quarter pounders, bridge and middle position mainly for the same sound but also for the filtering of the lows when drop tuned, hipshot bridge as well

[John Webb]

Seymour Duncan Hot stack at the bridge and a Quarter pounder.

Or just use genuine Fender stuff.

[Flabass]

I have a Dimarzio DP 122 (single P pickups) in one of my basses and delivers great p bass sounds.

[sickest beast]

I just got myself an American Standard Precision Bass and am a HUGE Sabbath fan. I've been playing Sabbath covers for years now, and this bass is by far the closest to his tone I've ever had.

If I were you, I would look for an authentic Fender Precision pickup to throw in your bass. Either the stock American Standard pickup or maybe a 62 reissue. These would be your best bet. I chose "other" on the poll.

[milo]

I think Emg has now new passive pups(not HZ).
What about Dimarzio P and J separately?

[Jefenator]

Bill Lawrence seems very much worth a try. (Haven't seen the shootout with the unfavorable mention but I've learned such things don't always pertain to what my experience will be.)

[otherclef]

SD Antiquity II.