Best P/J Pickups for Peavey Bass

[DrGregC]

Back playing bass after many years. I play a 4-string Peavey Foundation S (active). I love this bass, especially the neck. I want/need to replace the P & J pickups. The active circuitry is in the pickups. In the control access panel there is just the 2 volume pots and the single tone control. 9V battery.

Which brand and model P/J pickup replacement set do the experts recommend? I prefer full deep tone with clarity but not brightness. Seymour Duncan, EMG, DiMarzio, Aguilar, Bartolini? Active/passive? Thanks!

 

[Clark Dark]

EMG and Seymour Duncan make actives that would seamlessly fit what you need as replacements. Not aware of Dimarzio, Aguilar, or Bartolini having actives in their inventories.

 

[DrGregC]

EMG and Seymour Duncan make actives that would seamlessly fit what you need as replacements. Not aware of Dimarzio, Aguilar, or Bartolini having actives in their inventories.

Great response. Thanks. Could I convert to passive parts? I am an old-school thumper so I don't need the gain that active provides.

 

[Zoobiedood]

You can convert to passives, but you will have to change the pots at least.

 

[Clark Dark]

Converting to passive is no big deal. Realize most active pickups use lower ohm pots like 25K or 50K while passives use 250K or 500K pots. To mod from active to passive in that bass you described in your OP is as simple as putting the correct values together.

Happy Holidays!

 

[DrGregC]

Converting to passive is no big deal. Realize most active pickups use lower ohm pots like 25K or 50K while passives use 250K or 500K pots. To mod from active to passive in that bass you described in your OP is as simple as putting the correct values together.

Happy Holidays!

Although I've never done this before, I grew-up in a TV-Radio repair store and can solder, replace, and repair just about anything electronic. Do the pickup sets come with the correct pots or are they a separate purchase? Do the manufacturers provide clear instructions? How difficult a project is this?

 

[Isotonic]

Although I've never done this before, I grew-up in a TV-Radio repair store and can solder, replace, and repair just about anything electronic. Do the pickup sets come with the correct pots or are they a separate purchase? Do the manufacturers provide clear instructions? How difficult a project is this?

Very easy. Get you three 250k pots. There are very good ones and some special ones, but if you get CTS pots you will be getting a standard of excellence and good value. Cost is about $5 a Pot, but some vendors bundle them for better value. I like Angela Instruments, but there are many other sources.

You will need one .o5uf capacitor. Type is of little importance from my experience. I like ceramic caps because they are small and last forever.

Then a little wire. I have heard that there are optimal gauges, but really 22g stranded wire will be fine. Wiring diagrams are all over the internet. Just find a clear one and follow it for PJ or J and you will be all set.

 

[hbabels]

There are also quality prewired setups available on eBay if you prefer. It's easy to conver to passive if your so inclined.
Sounds like that would be more the tone you're after.

I've had the best luck with EMG GZR p/j
Aguilar 4p60/ p/j
& Seymour Duncan Hot P Pass / Hot Jazz stack

All very well balanced between 2 pickups & great tones available. You'd have to do some listening to see what's the best fit for you but I don't think you can go wrong with any of those options.

Also the GZRs are super easy to install they come with all pots needed and no soldering needed.

 

[Clark Dark]

Although I've never done this before, I grew-up in a TV-Radio repair store and can solder, replace, and repair just about anything electronic. Do the pickup sets come with the correct pots or are they a separate purchase? Do the manufacturers provide clear instructions? How difficult a project is this?

EMG supplies the pots when you buy their actives, I have experience with EMG actives I cannot vouch that Seymour Duncan supplies pots with their actives because I have 2 sets of their old school active P sets with the mini toggles on them and upon calling them and questioning a tech he wasn't able to give me a definitive answer on what value pot to use with them and I'm not sure they sell them (pots) without buying a pickup package. If I remember correctly the value was 100K instead of the 25K and 50K usually proffered when using active pickups and even onboard pre amps

Happy Holidays

 

[DrGregC]

EMG supplies the pots when you buy their actives, I have experience with EMG actives I cannot vouch that Seymour Duncan supplies pots with their actives because I have 2 sets of their old school active P sets with the mini toggles on them and upon calling them and questioning a tech he wasn't able to give me a definitive answer on what value pot to use with them and I'm not sure they sell them (pots) without buying a pickup package. If I remember correctly the value was 100K instead of the 25K and 50K usually proffered when using active pickups and even onboard pre amps

Happy Holidays

I like what I read about the Aguilar set, but they are the most expensive and do not come with any hardware. I need to learn more about the EMG and S-D sets. Is YouTube a good way to audition these pickups?

 

[DrGregC]

Thanks so much to hbabels and Clark Dark for their recommendations.

I am looking for a big, deep, clear round-sound from the P pickup, and good tone and balance from the Jazz pickup. I am more vintage than modern in my tastes. I don't slap and I don't solo. Does anyone else have any specific recommendations? Thanks!

 

[Clark Dark]

Thanks so much to hbabels and Clark Dark for their recommendations.

I am looking for a big, deep, clear round-sound from the P pickup, and good tone and balance from the Jazz pickup. I am more vintage than modern in my tastes. I don't slap and I don't solo. Does anyone else have any specific recommendations? Thanks!

 

[Zoobiedood]

The SPB-1 and either the Hot Jazz Stack (noiseless) or Hot Jazz (not noiseless) are a good match output-wise. That's the hard thing with P/J setups- getting the pickups to match.

 

[hbabels]

Thanks so much to hbabels and Clark Dark for their recommendations.

I am looking for a big, deep, clear round-sound from the P pickup, and good tone and balance from the Jazz pickup. I am more vintage than modern in my tastes. I don't slap and I don't solo. Does anyone else have any specific recommendations? Thanks!

I would say all three I mentioned lean to the vintage side of things with the GZRs being more on the aggressive growly mids side & the Aguilar's being more round with punch balanced mids and clear, smooth highs that aren't harsh.

The Seymour Duncan's somwhere in between that maybe you could say.

Based on your description I think the Aguilars might be the best fit. I think there are some good sound demos on agulairs website or YouTube page.

 

[JW56789]

I'd suggest these:

Invalid Link Removed

Alnico magnets, side-by-side humbucking pickup for the J, and EMG paid particular attention not to let the P pickup overwhelm the J in this set, a common occurrence with PJ setups. Includes all the pots, etc., and uses EMG's plug-and-play connectors.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

The Nordstrand power blade P and big J blade have a great thick low end and mids, and are polite in the highs. I think they would give you what you're looking for. They definitely focus on the fundamental. I haven't used Bartolinis, but they also come to mind when I think of pickups that don't have aggressive brightness. I bet either of them would sell you a harness if you wanted, but I wouldn't be afraid to just buy the parts and build it yourself if you know how to solder.

 

[rashrader]

The EMG GZR PJ setup is fantastic and is an easy install (no soldering required). I'm very happy with mine.

 

[Thundar]

Back playing bass after many years. I play a 4-string Peavey Foundation S (active). I love this bass, especially the neck. I want/need to replace the P & J pickups. The active circuitry is in the pickups. In the control access panel there is just the 2 volume pots and the single tone control. 9V battery.

Which brand and model P/J pickup replacement set do the experts recommend? I prefer full deep tone with clarity but not brightness. Seymour Duncan, EMG, DiMarzio, Aguilar, Bartolini? Active/passive? Thanks!

Funny you should mention this...Back in 1989, I used to have the same Foundation S Active that you have, and I friggin loved that bass! I ended up trading it, and then years later bought another one that'd had the Peavey actives replaced with a set of EMG actives, and guess what...it sounded almost identical to how I remember the original Peavey pickups sounded.
SO if youre wanting a different sound, I would recommend a different brand...OR I can highly recommend the passive EMG Geezers. Otherwise, the world is your oyster here and you could go with Nordys or Aguilars, and I also love Delanos as well...all great choices!

 

[Commreman]

I've tried many P/J sets with very limited success. The one that has finally done it for me is the EMG GZR set. Mine are wired active with a blend and an EMG BT circuit. The only P/J system that even comes close is the reverse EMG P/J set with a HAZLAB circuit in a Spector.

 

[Pep]

I've played all of the major and boutique brands of pickups and the ones I like the best are made by Kiesel/Carvin. Their split P-Bass pickup is second to none. Great tone and output. Their Jass pickups are as good as any out there. You ought to give them a try. I have them in nearly all of my basses.