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Help me choose a P pickup for a custom built bass

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Out_of_Toon

May 13, 2008
221
2
Big Fat Bass Land
#1
Ok, so I kinda have GAS for a P bass but am not really into new Fenders and let's just say I wouldn't/couldn't get me a used P that's more than 30 years old so I opted to get it custom-built.

What I'm trying to achieve with it is to get both that funk/pop/disco 70's tone and was thinking about the bass having a maple board for that extra 'zing' when played with a pick or slapped, and also an ash body to make it a bit more 'Fendery'.

Now, after seeing mixed reviews about the EMG P pickup, and learning about several types of Duncan made P pups, I'm a little confused because I don't trust reviews that much and I think that it would be best to actually hear first-hand experiences and some recommendations about which players to listen to in order to get to know how do respective pups actually sound like.

And yes, EMGs and Duncans are my only option (I could also get Bartolinis but that could be a looong wait).

Thanks
 
#3
Have you heard DiMarzzio's model P?
I have it in one of my P's, and it's great... and it's 70's P bass!
The "colour" of tone is the same as on Fender pickup (stock one for that bass), but have more "mass" and edge... also, have a same old BITE when you push it hard, as true Fender should have.

I've tried QP Duncan's, and some EMG's, and they were great... but diferent in tone colour (comparing to Fender)...
I just wanted some EDGE, and a 500kOmh pots (DiMarzzio recommends), and I got it + some "low grease" mass...

U must hear these before decision... maybe it's not for you, but it could be THE THING you're looking for!
 
#6
Thanks everyone :)[

Jazz Ad said:
If we have the same tone in mind (Bootsy/Rick James style), EMG would be a bad choice.
I'd recommend a Rio Grande Muy Grande or Delano PMVC. SInce you're stuck with Duncan, I'd go with the SPB-2.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's about the tone I'm looking for. Delano could be an option and they sound great (I had then custom built for an 8 string) but then i guess if this PVMC pup is a stock model then it wouldn't cost that much?

Caksi said:
Have you heard DiMarzzio's model P?
I have it in one of my P's, and it's great... and it's 70's P bass!
The "colour" of tone is the same as on Fender pickup (stock one for that bass), but have more "mass" and edge... also, have a same old BITE when you push it hard, as true Fender should have.

I've tried QP Duncan's, and some EMG's, and they were great... but diferent in tone colour (comparing to Fender)...
I just wanted some EDGE, and a 500kOmh pots (DiMarzzio recommends), and I got it + some "low grease" mass...

U must hear these before decision... maybe it's not for you, but it could be THE THING you're looking for!
Click to expand...

Could you recommend some players that use them so I could listen to it?

AlembicPlayer said:
may I ask why these are the only option?
Click to expand...

By all means.

Serbia is a place of wonder where credit cards and PayPal don't work + import taxes are 48% of the original merchandise value. There's no eBay, no Musician's Friend, you can't send money by Western Union or any other such service...I could go on for days.
Any pickup could be ordered (in theory), but you do the math...and the waiting period lasts for ages.
Di Marzio doesn't ship here.
So the only pickups available in stores are EMGs and Duncans because they're imported officialy, so, if they're good enough for what I want to do I'd rather get them than having to pay loads of $$$ and wait.
Mike Shevlin said:
Lindy Fralin are used by Lakland and many others & they are spectacular...
http://www.fralinpickups.com/bass.asp#pbass
Click to expand...
Lakland, eh? Should be nice, I'll check it out see if they are willing to do business.

EDIT: So it seems I could get those.
One more option...damn I hate choosing :D
 

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