Favorite p-bass pickup

The Di-Marzio Model P. lotsa mids.

 

I like the Seymour Duncan SPB-2 a lot. However, I'm going to try EMG's in my P soon, I'll post my thoughts when I get everything hooked up. And, like Andy Daventry says, the stock Am. Std. pickup is pretty good.

 

I've used the Bartolini 8S on a couple of basses. It turned my '64 Precision into a monster.

 

'K, I've got the EMG in now. It sounds really, really good. I got it off E-bay for cheap with no controls, so I went to the local EMG distributor, and they had pre-wired vol./tone pots in stock. Cool, huh? I had to make a battery holder, as I can't fit a 9v. battery without routing, but I found a little 12v. battery at Home Depot that fit just fine. It sounds like the Am. Std. pickup I took out, except with more highs and lows, if that makes any sense.

 

I feel no desire or need to replace my stock MIA pup, YMMV.

 

Bartolini 8S - very nice!

 

Another vote for the stock MIA pickup...

-robert

 

I have a Bartolini 8S in my bass too. Great pickup.

 

I have a SD quarter pounder and it sounds very... how can I describle this? very chunky and punchy and loud. The exact opposite of smooth and growly. I really like the tone Im getting with the lows and low mids at 12 o clock and the hi mids rolled back a little and the highs boosted a little. It sounds really cool, but It may or may not be the sound youre looking for.

It does look very cool though. It has frickin' giant poles on it!



For an example of how this sounds, check out the new blink album. (which I hate) The bass on this CD sounds very quarter pound-ish. The stereotypical tone for this pup.

 

Another vote for the Bartolini 8S.
Seymour Duncan 1/4 pounders are a good choice too.

 

DiMarzio Split-P/DP127 with dual blade polepieces (no drop-outs ).

Ceramic like their Model P/DP122. Lower mids (5/10 vs 7/10) than
the Model P. Higher bass (8/10 vs 7/10) and higher output (250mV
vs 163mV) than the DP122. The Split P has a little edge on treble -
6/10 vs 5/10.

The Split P's great for fretless' (subtle dynamics). I would think the
Model P's good for cuttin' through the mix. PollyB?

~$60 and $70 at M/F (`122 & `127, resp.)

 

Stock MIA for me.

 

SD Antiquities.

 

whoops... I forgot to mention that the Duncan Quarter Pound for P Bass pups cost about $60. just to give you an idea.

 

I'm with lo-end. I just picked up a set of SD Quarter Pounders for $60 and put them in my FrankenBass, (MIM Jazz Neck, Squire P-body). They are very hot output-wise. You can get some great tones rolling back the tone control! I am probably going to add an active EMG tone circuit shortly.

 

I've had the EMG in for a little while now, and it looks like it's staying. My Precision still sounds like a Precision, only moreso. The EMG potentiometers are very nice - smooth and quiet. Having tried the SPB-3, SPB-2, Antiquities, Am. Std. pickup, and the EMG all in the same bass, I'm really impressed with the EMG. I've heard some talk about EMG's being cold and sterile, but that doesn't apply here. This bass is warm, deep, and thumpy, plus there're a lot more highs available if you want them, and I find the sound less harsh than the SPB-3.

There's nothing "wrong" with the other choices, but so far, this is the best I've tried, at least for the sound I'm looking for.

 

Just replaced an old Dimarzio with a Fender 62 RI pickup on a 75 PBass. Sounds really smooth, much better than the D, very clear and punchy. Had a Duncan SPB-1 that was DOA brand new, sent it back. Will need some time to work out with the Fender, but it surely is a keeper!

 

am I the only one to like the EMG Select P (passive) pickup?
got them in my Fender Precision Plus (with an EMG Select J at the bridge) and my Warmoth parts P bass (with a Kent Armstrong JJ at the bridge); ceramic magnet, covered (blade) polepieces (exposed polepieces catch on my fingers and tend to rust) - cutting tone. and no battery to change.

I keep getting asked if they're active basses.