I'm still going to hold onto a PV'63 just in case my taste changes over time...
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Fender Pure Vintage 63 Precision Bass Pickups
- Thread starter drewphishesp
- Start date
I'm still going to hold onto a PV'63 just in case my taste changes over time...
I agree about the hype thing but I do like the GZR enough to hold onto it as I try others. My tastes contrast themselves in my P tone preference; I like a grindy, roundwound pick attack on one end but also dig the flatwound, mellow and woody traditional P tone from the 60's and 70's. A lot of people love/hate the SD QP but I am not sure I want to try that.
For sure. I think if I was a pick player with rounds I'd like the PV'63 better, but as a finger-style player with flats the SPB-1 just works better for that application.
Kind of sounds like the good 'ole Fender "Original" pickup would work well for that application. Sure, it's not the flavor of the month right now, but I found it to really work well with a pick and rounds with a touch or grind but still had a woody tone with a hint of that vintage tone.
That ain't a PV'63 pickup. The first dead giveaway are the plastic-coated wire. The PV's wires are waxed cloth covered.
Just wanted to say, I got a '63 Pickup installed today on my late 90's Japan PB62 and I'm absolutely loving it. I have flats on and it sounds very full, not scooped like the stock pickups. Also, All that high end clackyness that you can get from flats have been completely tamed. Very warm, punchy 3D sound, Can't wait to record with it!
My previous player P pickups sound more mute than PV63.
PV63 could sound grind if you play aggressively with wide tone open ; or you could get thick and deep warmth tone with roll off the tone knob.
For me, I found the PV 63 work well with .1uf or .068uf cap than .047uf cap.
Hopehelp
I just installed these on my HwyOne project bass replacing Model P's I had in there for a while
The Model P's were a great, full sounding, aggressive pup that I liked a lot - but I found it a little too aggressive and perhaps a little one dimensional. I would equate it to a nasty snarling beast - which based upon my avatar you think I would love - and I do - but almost too much of a good thing if you know what I mean. I had to make big adjustments to Gain settings on amps and pedals and as I am a hard hitter I was clipping a lot
So I wanted to try something a little more musical and have my tone start from a nice clean palette and use my amp and pedals to get nasty and snarling if I want to. I still wanted full and aggressive with slightly rolled off highs but more bloom than I was getting from the Model P.
So after much research I felt the PV63 would get me there. I haven't had any band time yet but solo I am really digging it and it seems to be exactly what I was looking for. I will report back once I get some band time in.
In the meantime, I recorded the change before and after - unfortunately I was sick that day and a little lazy so please listen with this disclaimer...
***I didn't properly check the Mic Gain settings on my Zoom H2N and just relied upon the Auto Adjust Input Gain to take of things - and well...it didn't do a great job on the Model P recording so lots of clipping. Again this is typical of the Model P - clipping everything!
These were recorded with the H2N approx 3 ft if front of my cab, 12" off the floor.
Model P first, then PV63 - same bass, same amp settings etc
Then my Steve Harris (SH) bass - same amp settings - for another comparison point.
The Model P's were a great, full sounding, aggressive pup that I liked a lot - but I found it a little too aggressive and perhaps a little one dimensional. I would equate it to a nasty snarling beast - which based upon my avatar you think I would love - and I do - but almost too much of a good thing if you know what I mean. I had to make big adjustments to Gain settings on amps and pedals and as I am a hard hitter I was clipping a lot
So I wanted to try something a little more musical and have my tone start from a nice clean palette and use my amp and pedals to get nasty and snarling if I want to. I still wanted full and aggressive with slightly rolled off highs but more bloom than I was getting from the Model P.
So after much research I felt the PV63 would get me there. I haven't had any band time yet but solo I am really digging it and it seems to be exactly what I was looking for. I will report back once I get some band time in.
In the meantime, I recorded the change before and after - unfortunately I was sick that day and a little lazy so please listen with this disclaimer...
***I didn't properly check the Mic Gain settings on my Zoom H2N and just relied upon the Auto Adjust Input Gain to take of things - and well...it didn't do a great job on the Model P recording so lots of clipping. Again this is typical of the Model P - clipping everything!
These were recorded with the H2N approx 3 ft if front of my cab, 12" off the floor.
Model P first, then PV63 - same bass, same amp settings etc
Then my Steve Harris (SH) bass - same amp settings - for another comparison point.
Great Comparison! The Model P Sounds really good too, almost like it's 'finished', already compressed. Would make a great Punk/Hard Rock Tone. The '63 is more my speed, but I've been thinking about putting together a parts bass just for rock, and the model P just flew onto my radar! Thanks for taking the time
So....quick update....
I've put about 6 solid hours of band practice this week with 2 different bands and so far I am really, really happy with what I am hearing. I know earlier is this thread someone complained about getting lost in the mix with these pups. I haven't found that at all. I guess different setups, amp, bands etc. but here's my experience
Reasonable volume Rock/Hard Rock band: Tone was warm, full, rich and yet punchy when digging in. Received compliments from the guitar player on tone
Loud Dense Metal Band: Added a Porkloin for some snarl. No problem cutting through. Nasty and tasty with clarity. Received compliments from the drummer on being able to hear every note clearly.
So overall just a very musical, thick but punchy pup that has excellent clarity. Exactly what I was looking for.
Only complaint would be the D & G's were a little thinner than I would typically like but I am super fussy and focused on that. I think I just need to dial them in a little better. Will report back on that
I've put about 6 solid hours of band practice this week with 2 different bands and so far I am really, really happy with what I am hearing. I know earlier is this thread someone complained about getting lost in the mix with these pups. I haven't found that at all. I guess different setups, amp, bands etc. but here's my experience
Reasonable volume Rock/Hard Rock band: Tone was warm, full, rich and yet punchy when digging in. Received compliments from the guitar player on tone
Loud Dense Metal Band: Added a Porkloin for some snarl. No problem cutting through. Nasty and tasty with clarity. Received compliments from the drummer on being able to hear every note clearly.
So overall just a very musical, thick but punchy pup that has excellent clarity. Exactly what I was looking for.
Only complaint would be the D & G's were a little thinner than I would typically like but I am super fussy and focused on that. I think I just need to dial them in a little better. Will report back on that
I also have a Player P and I do not like the stock pickups that come with it, they sound to "stringy" and I feel like they lack character in the low-mids/bass. I am looking at getting either a PV63 or SD SPB-1 for it. Did you change your pickups?
I ordered a EMG PX a couple days ago. I have a 59 P that is wonderful old school but with this bass I decided to go a little more modern. The EMG has got to be better than the pickup that came with it.
I recently replaced the stock pickups in a 1980s Tokai PB-64 with the Fender PV 63’s and it sounds absolutely killer now. The low end is round but not boomy and the top end doesn’t get brittle or crispy no matter how hard you dig at it. I use nickel wound steels on this 8.2 lb alder/rosewood plek’d beauty. This bass sounds as close to a Pre-CBS P as I’ll ever need - unless I suddenly become stupid rich.
I’ve had the opportunity to try a number of PCBS Precisions and this pickup fits the mid-60’s P vibe like a glove. One last digression - IMHO, playing at band speed on a passive P with a super stable plek’d maple neck/Brazilian rosewood board without the graphite rods must be just what heaven feels like.
Just sayin’
Both the Fender 63’s and the Klein Epic 62’s are easily my favorite P pickups. The Fender PV-63’s have a little more low end presence and the Kleins are slightly more transparent, which allows for more complex mids. I put the Kleins in a 7.75 lb 69 P bass and it absolutely sings now. It’s so transparent and allows for a ton of room to manipulate the mids with your fingers.
That’s my buck and a quarter.
IB
I’ve had the opportunity to try a number of PCBS Precisions and this pickup fits the mid-60’s P vibe like a glove. One last digression - IMHO, playing at band speed on a passive P with a super stable plek’d maple neck/Brazilian rosewood board without the graphite rods must be just what heaven feels like.
Just sayin’
Both the Fender 63’s and the Klein Epic 62’s are easily my favorite P pickups. The Fender PV-63’s have a little more low end presence and the Kleins are slightly more transparent, which allows for more complex mids. I put the Kleins in a 7.75 lb 69 P bass and it absolutely sings now. It’s so transparent and allows for a ton of room to manipulate the mids with your fingers.
That’s my buck and a quarter.
IB
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