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Geezer Butler signature pick ups

I'm curious-exactly how were they "no match?" Can you be more specific in the comparison? Thanks

The GZR's just had way more life to them. While the 60's seemed a bit dull, the GZR's just had more overall all thump and grind. Just felt like my fingertips had electricity coming off them when I play 'em. I'm not the best at technically summing things up but that's just how I heard it. Again, the 60's are a great pickup but the EMG GZR's really spoke to me, they're everything I've always wanted in a P pickup. My 2.
 
I've got a set of the Aggie 60's P/J's in one of my basses as well and I also find them to be kinda blah. They sound alright, but they're not my favorite pickups. I keep trying to like them (I'm taking it and only it to a recording session rehearsal tonight) but I'm a little disappointed every time I play it. Otherwise it's a killer bass!

I keep meaning to install my GZR set in it, which may end up happening tomorrow depending on how tonight goes.
 
Well I guess I need to pull the trigger. My Aggie-loaded P/J just thumps, swells, blossoms, and sits perfectly. Add the J, and it tightens up and spanks and grinds like No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom album. You can get the notes to change vowel sounds by changing the attack. So expressive while sitting in a mix just right all the time. If the Geezers have more life and more thump, then I'm sold!
 
Hi,

I just want to give a big +1 to the GZR pickups

I recently fretted a 90s Yam Attitude fretless that I had lying in the attic being neglected. The standard Yam pickups sounded plasticky and thin, but with a set of the GZRs it sounds awesome!!!

The Attitude came as standard with a volume, tone and 3-way selector. I managed to squeeze another pot between the original two to accommodate the controls that came with the pickups, so I now have a V/V/T configuration and have removed the selector...at some point I'm going to get a new scratchplate for it.
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I've played it through an Ashdown After8 practice amp and the TC BH500 and the difference is HUUUGE! Massive response and the tone is excellent, from barking mid jazz tones through to full, rounded P-bass and even nice, hi-fi tones with both pickups selected. For a passive pickup set they are excellent.

I'm not a Sabbath fan but the writeup on the pups was good and I bought blind. Made an excellent choice, they're not just for Geezer fans but anyone who wants a hot, passive P-J set. Awesome!

If you put it back in you could set up that three way to do some cool stuff: series/parallel/mute comes to mind as an awesome option. Plus the bass would look "stock" ...always a plus
 
If you put it back in you could set up that three way to do some cool stuff: series/parallel/mute comes to mind as an awesome option. Plus the bass would look "stock" ...always a plus

That's a great idea, thanks!!!

I've recently acquired a G&L L-2000 and the series/parallel switch really makes a big difference when trying to get certain tones or just a boost. Hmm, will have to do some research on the wiring, will post updates if and when I get round to doing it. When I first bought the pickups I toyed with the idea of putting in a preamp and eq circuits, but just stock the passive sound is great, even through a relatively budget bass like the Attitude.
 
I'm not sure what I've done wrong but Geezers have horrible ground noise that wasn't there with the stock electronics. The IDC connector crimp didn't take, the bridge ground slid right out of the connect so I tossed that. I soldered the bridge and the pickup ground wire together and put a sleeve of shrink tubing around it... noisy as he!! The pickups sound great but until I can get this grounding issue resolved, the bass is unplayable. Anyone have suggestions... it would seem soldering the wires together would have been fine. The IDC connector must have been too big for the size of bridge ground wire that was in the bass.
 
That's a great idea, thanks!!!

I've recently acquired a G&L L-2000 and the series/parallel switch really makes a big difference when trying to get certain tones or just a boost. Hmm, will have to do some research on the wiring, will post updates if and when I get round to doing it. When I first bought the pickups I toyed with the idea of putting in a preamp and eq circuits, but just stock the passive sound is great, even through a relatively budget bass like the Attitude.

Call me frugal, but I like how re-wiring the original switch is way cheaper than having a new pickguard made!
 
I'm not sure what I've done wrong but Geezers have horrible ground noise that wasn't there with the stock electronics. The IDC connector crimp didn't take, the bridge ground slid right out of the connect so I tossed that. I soldered the bridge and the pickup ground wire together and put a sleeve of shrink tubing around it... noisy as he!! The pickups sound great but until I can get this grounding issue resolved, the bass is unplayable. Anyone have suggestions... it would seem soldering the wires together would have been fine. The IDC connector must have been too big for the size of bridge ground wire that was in the bass.
That's unusual. Mine worked fine. Sounds to me like you're not making contact with the bridge now. Can't be sure without seeing it, but that would be my first guess. You can always call or email EMG, though...they have a great CS dept.
 
I just sent an e-mail to their tech inbox. They already sent me replacement pots because the originals were scratchy but they sent me 25K pots instead of 250K pots so I didn't install them. They have been very fast and responsive though so I can't complain about that. I just tugged on the soldered connection and it is solid. I have no idea what else could be causing this unless the pots and/or wiring is somehow bad. I'm sure they'll probably just send me a whole new set of pots and wires but maybe they'll offer some tips I haven't thought of.
 
I'm not sure what I've done wrong but Geezers have horrible ground noise that wasn't there with the stock electronics. The IDC connector crimp didn't take, the bridge ground slid right out of the connect so I tossed that. I soldered the bridge and the pickup ground wire together and put a sleeve of shrink tubing around it... noisy as he!! The pickups sound great but until I can get this grounding issue resolved, the bass is unplayable. Anyone have suggestions... it would seem soldering the wires together would have been fine. The IDC connector must have been too big for the size of bridge ground wire that was in the bass.

So you wired the two pickup grounds together and put shrunk tube on them..
But are the grounded to anything?