EMG GZR vs SEYMOUR DUNCAN vs DiMarzio vs (your recommendation ) for p bass in versatile cover band

Keep in mind tht the Quarter Pound and the SPB-2 are higher output pickups, which might not be a great choice for a versatile cover band. Great for heavier music, but maybe not as much for the pop stuff. I might go for something more traditional, and just boost it with a pedal for the heavier stuff.

 

The DiMarzio Model P also has high output. The pointy bass in my avatar came stock with a clone of that pickup and had a snarly, mid-forward roar through a smallish combo. I never should have swapped out that pickup, haha; it’s going back in.

@Zoobiedood knows Seymour Duncan best, and you’ve probably read a bit about the Quarter Pound P already, but I will add that while it may not be as mid-focused as a lot of P-style pickups, that doesn’t automatically mean Marcus Miller levels of scoop. I use my 4- and 5-string Ps w/QPs about 90% of the time. Thick, aggressive tone, just like the name suggests.

I have no direct experience with Geezers.

My experience is entirely with roundwound strings and mostly with a pick, so make of it what you will.

 

A regular Fender '57 or '62 P-bass pickup?

 

It's not the pickups. It is the Chromes that fade from zing to thump. Try Fender 9050L flats instead to get some growl and definition.

 

I should have added that I can understand why you would replace the stock pickup. My limited experience with the stock pickups in Squiers has been underwhelming (the rest of the build, and my particular tastes requiring particular pickups anyway, makes them otherwise worthy instruments for me). They have all had harsh highs; one P was otherwise good, but the other P and the J sounded anemic.

 

My only experience is with the QPs
And it was on a J bass
FWIW, the original pups were alright, kind of 'eh'
The QPs are awesome! The bass sounded great for all types of music and for fingers, pick or slap

I hope you find what you are looking for
Best of luck

 

Never used the Duncans. Between the Geezer and the Dimarzio, they both sound very good but the Dimarzio has a more aggressive sound with more bite. The Geezer is more of a well rounded pickup, IMO closer to the "traditional", old school P-bass sound. For what you're after I imagine either one could be made to work well, but I'd go with the Geezers.

 

GZR is good. Lollar is another favourite of mine. Very full but still cuts.

I’d buy the GZR and be done with it.

 

I put a Fender Pure vintage 63 in my recent P build. I chose it because I wanted a thumpy funkmachine, which it does quite well with LaBella LTFs. I was however pleasantly suprised with the clear and articulate highs with the tone cranked.

 

I've used the EMG GZR , the Quarter Pounds, the SPB2 and the DiMarzio DP122 pickups (I like to experiment).
I didn't like the QP's or the SPB2's (but I like the SPB1) the DP 122 is a good pickup but my fav right now is the Geezer. In my mind these are all good pickups, but you have to know how they will work with a particular bass. I have a Fender P bass with a rosewood fingerboard and I wanted just a little extra top so I used a Sadowsky P bass pickup in that bass. (I think Dimarzio makes Sadowsky pickups). I have another P bass with a maple neck and I wanted some extra punch for it so I used the Geezers. I got a little more of everything with that pickup. I also have a Yamaha Attitude II bass with stock pickups. I did a blindfold test with some bass player friends where they listened to each of the basses mentioned. They all picked the stock Yamaha pickups as the best overall. Personally I still like the Geezers. The split P bass platform is a good pickup design, you just have to find the one you like and fortunately there are a lot to choose from.

 

I always land on the EMG Geezers. Great tone & versatile IMO. I also like the fact that it's a set. (Pickup, volume & tone pot).

 

I know I’m in the minority here but I have not liked the GZR’s. I thought they sounded fine in standard tuning but sounded like a muddy mess when tuned to D Standard.

I’ve never played Quarter Pounders but I think the Model P is a great all around P pickup. High output also if that’s what you like. I’ve also played Dimarzio Split P pickups and they are extremely high output but also
kind of muddy in my opinion.

I also really like the G&L SB-1 pickup. If you don’t want a high-output pickup I would look elsewhere but I think it’s a very clear sounding pickup with plenty of bottom end and crisp highs.

 

I've got the Seymour Duncan "Steve Harris" Split-P in mine and looooove it. He likes a mid bump and so do I. Highly recommend.

 

Bartolini.

 

I have seymour Duncan SB-1 in 2 of my Precisions. Good versatility, fine tone and response. In my other P' I have Fender Original ('62) pickups. The Fenders are far and away the best Precision PUPs I've tried regardless of make or cost. These can be had for about $50 with careful shopping. Remember higher output (overwound) is usually not an indicater of better tone.