Good passive P bass pickup for me

[darkstorm]

Dimarzio P, lotsa of warm tone and so on without mud.

 

[Just George]

I've had great results with Fralins and have them on my 3 P/J's. What's really nice about Fralins is that you can order them custom wound +/-.

 

[tubby.twins]

I've tried the 5-string version of the Delano PMVC FE-series pickup. It was very meaty. It had a great fundamental, very ballsy and aggressive midrange without being brash or overpowering. The treble was well defined but not crispy.

I know that some have compared these to a Music Man pickup due to the similarity of the huge pole pieces. There is definitely some aspect of that tone in there, but it is still clearly a Precision pickup underneath.

I've also been using the PC 5 HE (again, same 5-string version) and it is very hi-fi and clear without sounding at all sterile. It has a great treble response and works very well in a fretless bass. The tone is warm and clear and bright, all at the same time. It doesn't have the same meaty aggressive nature as the "FE" series but it makes up for that with a resonant, singing quality.

I'm not sure which one I would choose for a fretted 4-string P-bass. They all sound nice.

 

[BoomingBass]

Bear with me here, I'm trying to get opinions on pickups across all brands. My notes on Delano pickups are taken. How are the DiMarzio Split P pickups? Which pickup would give the "earthy" or "woody" quality I mentioned without any mud?

 

[thrashingbass]

Probably underwound Lollars or Fralins? Some people like Nordstrand's vintage P as well.

I was under the idea that the SD SPB-2 wasn't that clear because of it's overwound nature, but a poster above finds it clear enough. If I was doing Seymour Duncan, I would go either SPB-1 or SPB-3 (Quarter Pounders... I just think if you want to go QP, why don't go all the way for the Delano PMVC?) SD is relatively inexpensive (Dimarzio is just a tad more expensive), so that can be a plus if cost is a factor.

Some love the split Ps too. Never tried them myself, but was once tempted to do so. The vintage Delano I mentioned previously is "earthy," as you call it, yet not muddy at ALL.

 

[Chris Ramlar]

For your described goals, I'll join the chorus for Lindy Fralin. Vintage warmth, clarity, and gritty punch. Does it all, really. The only split-coil I like as much is the G&L MFD, which is simply monstrous. It has deeper lows and much higher output than the Fralin. I'm glad I have both.

I plan of getting a G&L MFD can I ask where did you get yours? I tried the store at the official page but they don't have it there

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I got my G&L MFD P-type pickup through Buffalo Brothers.

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The G&L is my favorite of ALL Split-P type pickups. BIG output!

 

[Lesfunk]

Lindy Fralin

 

[Blues Cat]

You can't go wrong with the Nordstrand NP4

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

You can't go wrong with the Nordstrand NP4

+1. I found the stock pickup in my MIA Standard P-Bass sounded slightly muddy and undefined, especially down low. I had it replaced with a Nordstrand NP4. IMO the NP4 has a clear low end and nails the vintage P-Bass tone.

 

[Stephen]

Bill Lawerence



Youtube sound quality never transfer great but it does give you a sense of this pup. I have one in my P Lyte Deluxe.

 

[Blues Cat]

Bill Lawerence



Youtube sound quality never transfer great but it does give you a sense of this pup. I have one in my P Lyte Deluxe.

Sounds great, great playing too.

 

[FletcherML]

I like my seymour Duncan spb3. Don't know if you're looking for anything that hot but they ate real boom and put out a lot of clean "ring".

 

[depalm]

You can't go wrong with the Nordstrand NP4

true!

 

[Chris Ramlar]

I got my G&L MFD P-type pickup through Buffalo Brothers.

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The G&L is my favorite of ALL Split-P type pickups. BIG output!

thanks a lot! how much did they cost?

 

[Nedmundo]

I plan of getting a G&L MFD can I ask where did you get yours? I tried the store at the official page but they don't have it there

I think any G&L dealer should be able to get one for you, and Buffalo Bros. would be a great option.

 

[Bassdirty]

I like my seymour Duncan spb3. Don't know if you're looking for anything that hot but they ate real boom and put out a lot of clean "ring".

+100

Just put a set in mine..and as I've said in another thread...bigger, bassier ,badder,fuller, than I ever imagined.
(I do rock/pop covers,so maybe if the ops lookin for some "vintage" tone, this aint the one.)



I love these babies.and I don't care if theres something better, or if people hate them because too many people use them nowadays...or whatev.

 

[dokazaado]

I have a bass with an SPB-2, and it's cool for what it is, but it doesn't sound quite like what dude is asking for.

I dig Fralins a lot and have them in 2 basses, but honestly the standard Lollar P pickup sounds exactly like what you're looking for.

if you wanna go cheap, SPB-1 maybe.

 

[luzceloffan]

Jason Lollar P Bass Pickup

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II

that's it ...

 

[NOLA Bass]

Fralin = the best tone ever, and then a little more.

I've changed pickups in every P I've ever owned (except for a vintage 74 that I left intact). I've used Fender, Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounds, Dimarzio and the Lindy Fralins.

The Lindy Fralins are it for me. Really nice clarity while still easy to get that warm, vintage fatness when you roll off the tone knob. My Hot Rod P had the stock Fender set, Dimarzios and Fralins in it at different times. The Fralins smoked the others. I currently have a Fralin PJ set in my modded 08 American Standard.