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Geezer or SPB-4

Long time lurker 1st time poster.

So I know this has been discussed to death over & over but I'm looking pretty much at these 2 pickups to go in my p bass. Right now I have 2 p basses on Am Pro 1 with PV 63s & a parts P with SPB-1s. The Am Pro seems to be inherently dark. The PV 63 pickups were an improvement from the stock VMod that seemed anemic on the E string (something that I actually determined before I read it on the internet) and at the time was what i was going for. Now I find that I think I want a more balanced pickup that doesn't get too muddy on the low end. I say "I think I want" because I'm still in the experimental stage of finding the sounds that I prefer. I do really like the SB1's in my parts P & I'd also like a little more bite & punch than what I'm getting from them.

I play in a cover band now that does everything from classic rock to alternative to alt country so I like a versatile sound. We often use IEMs & I use a VTBass for going direct & a Genzler Magellan when using amps (I know pretty different). From what I've read in the multitude of p bass pickup threads the I've concluded that Geezers would be a good choice. One of the claims is that it can really be heard in the mix. Theay are also described as pretty balances with an upper mid thing. That is appealing to me. On the other hand Ive never read that anybody wasn't really happy with the SPB4s. & they have been described as like the spb-1 but a little more which is also appealing. I like all SD pickups I've used even the QPs but I don't think I want to go too overwound.

I'm not sure which bass I'll swap out the pickups in 1st but I'd like to bring something new in to the fold to try out. I like to nerd out on things like this. I know there are a lot of other choices out there but I'd mainly like to hear about experiences with both of these.
 
I have read that the Geezers are kind of copied after his Fender early 70s P Bass. So, the EMGs are modeled after a stock Fender 70s P.

The Duncan SPB-4 are 13 K ohm vs the SPB-1's 11 K ohm. So, the SPB-4 are about 20% hotter. Usually, a hotter pickup has stronger mids, lower high end and hot pickups usually start to loose definition.

Here on TalkBass from the years and years that I've read about P pickups. The 3 most popular P pickups are (not in any order) The Fender Original P Bass pickup. The Seymour Duncan SPB-1. The EMG Geezer's. There are many other excellent P Pickups. In fact, there too many excellent P pickup to choose from.

Although I've never heard or tried the SPB-4 or the EMG Geezers, my favorite P pickups are The Fender Originals, SPB-1, Aero Type 1 P, Fender Custom Shop P.

I might add that "strings" play a really big factor in sound and perhaps that might an easier avenue for you to explore.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for your input! I just played both basses again to compare & I think I do like the SP1 better. Today at least.

I failed to mention that I have done quite a bit of experimentation with different strings, pickup height etc. I have primarily landed on nickel round wound 45-105. I have another bass with flats that does that thing really well but what I'm going for is my gigging bass. Thanks!
 
I haven’t tried the Geezers but recently installed the SPB-4 in my 2011 American P bass. Nice upgrade vs the stock pup. I purchased the bass new in 2011 and was pleased with
the stock pup but the SPB-4 is excellent. It provides
much richer mid-tones which in turn, fatten up the bottom end and cut through the mix.
I play in the worship band at church and also play in a blues/Americana type band and the SPB-4 does it all very well.
I’m currently using DR Sunbeams.

40C9EDC7-7760-45DF-B6BA-F0A2E9F83171.jpeg
 
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Thanks for sharing your experience. I suppose the best option is to try the aforementioned pickups to see how they work in the situations I play in. Yesterday I got together with a drummer from a band I used to play in & we jammed with just drums & bass. I used my bass with the spb1s & they sounded great. But I wouldn't have minded if they were a tad hotter like the 4s are described. Right now I'm leaning towards trying the SDs 1st