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2008 Am Std P/U's

nashman

nashman

Feb 11, 2011
559
137
#1
Hi Folks.

I own a 2008 4-string Fender American Standard Precision. I'm considering replacing the stock pups with EMG Geezers. A few questions / request for input please ...

What are the stock pups? Have they changed in later year models? Are they considered relatively good - or not so great?

The stock pups sound OK - no major concerns, however I'm wondering if replacing with Geezers would be worth the investment. What differences could I expect - sound, output etc.? Leave well enough alone or swap'em out? Thanks in advance!
 
#2
Around '08 (later '07 actually), when Fender returned the name to American 'Standards' they switched from the 56003/4 set of P pups to the 61276/7 set ... these were used up until the 2012 switch to CS pups ... pup sound is subjective, and also depends on everything else in the signal chain, strings, etc ... some seem to be happy with the stock pups you have, and others on this board have been rather adament about finding them less than desireable ... Geezers seem to be one of the pups that a number of players have gone to, I believe JimmyM was one of the leaders in that charge ... ;)
 
#3
tjh said:
Around '08 (later '07 actually), when Fender returned the name to American 'Standards' they switched from the 56003/4 set of P pups to the 61276/7 set ... these were used up until the 2012 switch to CS pups ... pup sound is subjective, and also depends on everything else in the signal chain, strings, etc ... some seem to be happy with the stock pups you have, and others on this board have been rather adament about finding them less than desireable ... Geezers seem to be one of the pups that a number of players have gone to, I believe JimmyM was one of the leaders in that charge ... ;)
Click to expand...

Are those the same part numbers the Classic series P's
use? I remember reading that the MIM Classics were using these early on...was this ever the case?

Also OP, you might consider the newer (stock on 2012+ American Std's) CS pickups or the "Original" (formerly 62RI) set. Both are great and would also be a considerable upgrade from the 2008 pups, IMO.
 
#4
petrus61 said:
Are those the same part numbers the Classic series P's
use? I remember reading that the MIM Classics were using these early on...was this ever the case?
....
Click to expand...

... the 50's Classic Series P used the 56003/4 set, at least for the first several years, I do not know if they still are though, I haven't opened one for quite a few years now ...
 
#5
I tried a couple of sets of Am Std P pickups a few years ago.

They didn't suck, but I didn't want them in my bass. Just nothing very good/inspiring about them imo.

I don't know anything about their evolution/changes over the years, but the two sets I had were of the same ilk.
 
#7
I am quite surprised to hear that some people don't like the stock pickups. I have two 2008 USA Standard P basses.
One with LaBella Flats that sounds amazing both live and recorded. I have tried several other pickups in it, Bill Lawrence, Fralin, Seymore Duncan 2 and 3, Di Marzio, etc. but always went back to the original.
The other has rounds and also sounded quite good, but the pickup went microphonic. I left it for a while, as it added a little bit of distortion that sounded kinda cool, but then it died. I replaced it with the Fralin I had on the shelf. Personally, I don't hear much, if any difference in the sound between the stock pup and the Fralin which is so highly touted.

To me, that means that the stock pups are not bad at all. I don't know what the rest of you are finding, or what you are looking for.
 
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#8
Thanks for the responses so far! It would seem that responses are "polarized" ... yes those pickups aren't great - and no there is nothing wrong with them. Still looking for feedback on what the differences would be/whether or not it's worth the investment - perhaps from members who have previously done this upgrade.
 
#9
I purchased an 08 Am Std Precision back in 2008 and played it with the stock pickups for about 6 years. I then replaced the stock pickups with the Fender 62 custom and kept those installed up until I sold the bass a few months back. I found the stock pickup lacked strong mids and highs, particularly when I used rounds. With flats the stock pickup didn't sound too bad. I was hoping that the 62 would have more mid presence, it did but only slightly. If I had kept the bass I was looking at trying the Geezers or Quarter Pounders for a more aggressive sound.
 
#10
Thanks to all. I ordered an EMG GZR-P today. I found a retailer (in Canada) with a reasonable price (although they are on back order) I wonder if their price has not been updated with current $US $CDN exchange rate because they were about $30 cheaper than their main competitor.
 
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#11
nashman said:
Thanks to all. I ordered an EMG GZR-P today. I found a retailer (in Canada) with a reasonable price (although they are on back order) I wonder if their price has not been updated with current $US $CDN exchange rate because they were about $30 cheaper than their main competitor.
Click to expand...
Hey, don't question it :D

I did the same mod to my 2009 AmStd, which has the same pickup as yours. As tjh told you, I hated that stock pickup! Worst pickup I ever used. But you will LOVE the Geezer! It's a clone of the stock pickup in Bobby Vega's 1960 Precision.
 
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#12
Great - and thanks JimmyM! Appreciate the anti-buyer's remorse comments :laugh:. It is a bit of a shot in the dark since I really don't know what the final result/differences will be - but based on everything I've heard, it's a good mod to do. Should be interesting at a minimum!
 
#13
Are there any recommended string sets that complement this bass/the new Geezer? On now is a set of DR nickel Lowriders. I have some EXL165 D'Addario XL NICKEL ROUNDs available - plus two sets of flats I could cycle in ... EB Group 3 flats and GHS Precision flats.
 
#14
nashman said:
Great - and thanks JimmyM! Appreciate the anti-buyer's remorse comments :laugh:. It is a bit of a shot in the dark since I really don't know what the final result/differences will be - but based on everything I've heard, it's a good mod to do. Should be interesting at a minimum!
Click to expand...
Stronger and better mid content, thicker overall sound, not nearly as scoopy.
 

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