BEST P-BASS PASSIVE PICKUP?

[Backstreets]

I recently got an 80's Fender '57 Reissue with the P pickup with the raised A pole pieces. The tone is fine by me, but my fingers catch it all the time, so I was thinking about replacing it just so I can play without snagging my fingers on those pole pieces. Any recommendations for the same '57 reissue tone but without the raised pole pieces? I realize there are tons of options these days, but I was wondering if anyone else had this same experience and if so, what they swapped the original pickup out for? Thanks TB'ers!

 

[livinglow]

Fender USA 62RI (or original 62's!)... Nuff said.

 

[Hans Gruber]

I recently got an 80's Fender '57 Reissue with the P pickup with the raised A pole pieces. The tone is fine by me, but my fingers catch it all the time, so I was thinking about replacing it just so I can play without snagging my fingers on those pole pieces. Any recommendations for the same '57 reissue tone but without the raised pole pieces? I realize there are tons of options these days, but I was wondering if anyone else had this same experience and if so, what they swapped the original pickup out for? Thanks TB'ers!

I know this is an old thread, but you can shim those covers. About 10 layers of tape should do the trick.

 

[Scott in Dallas]

"BEST P-BASS PASSIVE PICKUP?"

I thought we already decided, the best P-Bass PU is....the Duncan Vintage.......no, the Fender Original '62.......no, the DiMarzio Model P.......no, the.......what was it again?

Is there a bad split pickup? If so, I've never heard it. There are different flavors, but they're all pretty sweet.

 

[Muziekschuur]

A nail underneath your existing pickup?

 

[Tim Marshall]

I've said it once and ill say it again, bill's lawrence p46 air gap is by far the best pickup ive ever used for p bass, and ive tried every thing. call becky lawrence in california shell put one on ya.

 

[alexander_gbass]

i personally would got with the emg phz

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this is a very good pickup... although i use the emg x series.. has benefits of a passive and active pup.. excellent tone..

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

What is the best car I can buy?
Should I put milk in my coffee?
Which shoes should I buy?
What is the best bass for metal?

Sorry to be sarcastic OP but your question will take you nowhere without the following: What type if sound you are shooting for, the type of music you play, the tone of famous bass players you like...
Otherwise you will get a hundred different responses of people telling you what they use or like and you will be even more confused after reading them all.

 

[Mr_Martin]

My 30 year experience:
When the Band starts to play there's not much difference between a 50 dollar and a 300 dollar pickup.

 

[tallboybass]

Y'all DO realize this is a 7 year old thread, right?

 

[Mr_Martin]

Y'all DO realize this is a 7 year old thread, right?

Yes, but a pickup is a pickup. Now, seven years ago or in 10 years.

 

[Shadi]

I drive a Ford pickup.

 

[socialleper]

I'm surprised it took someone this long to mention the EMG Geezer precision pickups. Easy installation, nice even tone that isn't too strong or lacking anywhere.
When I've played Nash basses with Lollar pickups in them I like them.
The DiMarzrio DP122 are nice and loud, good vintage vibe, but a hair dark sounding.
I have a SD Quarter Pounder in a bass and its a P pickup. It does the job but doesn't really wow me in any way.

 

[Honch]

Joe Barden P-Style pickups:

 

[bassliner50]

I like the ones I use.

 

[bass71]

Believe this if you dare but its true.
I messed up my Duncan designed vintage modified P bass PU. To tie me over I bought a stupid cheap no name PU off the Bay for 20 bucks, sounded pretty good. I then bought a Duncan SPB-I to replace the "junk" PU.
Barely any difference in tone. I still cant believe it. R we being conned?

 

[40Hz]

My 30 year experience:
When the Band starts to play there's not much difference between a 50 dollar and a 300 dollar pickup.

Pretty much.

My two current favorites for a PB (depending on what I'm doing) are the Klein 1962 Epic Series and the Wilde/Bill Lawrence P-46. New, the Klein fetches $120 and the Lawrence $55.

They're as different as night and day in their targeted tone as well as their design philosophy - so I'm not sure this is going to help you.

What do you like to hear in a PB?

 

[Zoobiedood]

Wanting to hear some peoples feedback on p-pup's. I love quarterpounders but wanted to see some other options

This really depends on the sound you are after. If you are used to Quarter Pounds, then a vintage-type pickup might sound weak and thin.

 

[yaanmengk]

I’m currently playing an American deluxe precision (2013) and I’m not digging the P pickup too much.
I’m leaning towards the fender 58 pickups but I’m not sure how differen sounding they are to my current ones just from video alone.
If I like all the 50s p-basses (vintage and reissued), is it safe to assume that getting the 58 replacement pickups will get me something close to that?

 

[PawleeP]

I personally like the DiMarzio Model P. It has a nice, warm growl and works nicely with a series/parallel switch. It's a break from tradition with ceramic magnets and adjustable polepiece, but it's my personally favorite. For the more traditional look and tone, the Fender Original '62 is very nice. Hey, how can you go wrong? The same person who wound them in '62 still does today, and the rest of the formula (flatwork, magnet wire, magnets) are also identical, plus the price is right.

I heard that the 63's were killer too. p