I need some new Precision pickups

[40Hz]

I've recently installed a Klein 1962 Epic Series in my 2014 MIM PB and I couldn't be happier. Big traditional PB tone.

I've also been very happy with the Aguilar AG-4P-60. Prior to the Klein pickup mentioned above, the Aguilar was my goto choice for a PB. It's a tiny bit cleaner and more modern sounding than the Klein. Either are excellent choices IMO. YMMV.

 

[Spidey2112]

View attachment 996376 Mv Atlas, they took two seconds to solder into my existing p's place and sounds JUST as massive as my active basses now. I want them in all my basses and want to try a jazz set cause these are just amazing.

The lighter next to the foam scares me...

The Scarecrow

 

[odarellmc]

I'm not quite happy with the sound of my 2014 MIM P bass. It's all stock and feels great, looks great, but since I got it I haven't added it to the live rotation because I just can't get used to it's sound. My main bass is a Jazz and while I like it there are some songs I want to sound smoother, warmer, and rounder.

I've decided the P bass is too thin sounding, not enough low end and too trebley, almost scooped sounding.

I use fuzz (swollen pickle) 75% of the time. My band is a heavy alternative three piece so standing out in the mix is paramount to me.

I've considered having a J pickup added to make it a P/J but I want to try to solve my issue without routing a new cavity.

So far I'm looking at the EMG GZR pickup, but I've never really liked EMG or signature model anything really.

The other one I'm considering is the Fender Original 62 P pickup.

I've never played either of these or heard them playing my style, (think QOTSA) so I'm not sure how to make the most educated decision.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

P bass too thin sounding...eehhh either something wrong with the wiring or you're playing way too close to the bridge..other than that a string change should be in order....

 

[Callused Finger]

I've had a set of bartolini's in my '75 P for over 20 years. While they don't make that set anymore the SU's or S's I have in a couple other P basses do the job almost as well. I honestly believe the only difference is the bass.

 

[More or Les]

joe barden blades

 

[pappabass]

EMGs

 

[Bassman822]

I have the Bill Lawrence P46 pickup and Chromes on one of my precisions. Couldn't be happier with the range of tones! BTW- is the P46 still available as Bill Lawrence passed?

 

[mpdd]

the cheapo route would be g&l lb100 pickups from the 90s, pretty similiar to the 62, maybe a little on the bright side while practicing, but they' re perfect in the band mix

 

[Maureen M]

Dimarzio Model P.
I tune my P down to C natural and it's QOTSA all the way. Cops a great Clash sound too.
I've had Fralin, Fender Original, SPB-1 prior to the Dimarzio, and for a regular vintage tone the three I mentioned are great.
For what I'm doing now (which sounds similar to your situation) the Model P kills.

Glad you posted this - I picked up a MIM P and it has terrible pickups. I tune to drop C so I've been reading up, trying to figure out what will work for me. This one is on my short list and it's good to hear that it works well.

So thanks

 

[jallenbass]

P bass too thin sounding...eehhh either something wrong with the wiring or you're playing way too close to the bridge..other than that a string change should be in order....

And some pickups just aren't very good.

 

[SteveCS]

Nope, entirely incorrect.

A single split coil pickup is inherently mid forward unless it's dramatically overwound, and a PJ is much more scooped than a single P due to the phase cancellation between the two pickups.

Not sure where you got this idea about one half of a split coil design being "choked" by the other half either, but that's not how pickups work.

An inductor has a frequency-dependent impedance and forms an LR filter.

 

[MDBass]

An inductor has a frequency-dependent impedance and forms an LR filter.

You mean an RL filter, right?

A single split coil pickup is still mid forward unless it's overwound, and a PJ is still inherently scooped in comparison due to phase cancellation.

A J bass works the same way: the solo'd neck pickup (which can easily fool someone that it's a P bass in the mix) has more midrange information than both pickups blended 50/50.

 

[sedan_dad]

I like Nordstrom

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Bill Lawrence, DiMarzio, Lindy Fralin, Jason Lollar, Seymour Duncan SBP1, all are fine pups, tried most of them. But I have the Geezers now, and have not heard or read of anyone not liking them.

 

[StevieM]

Try to locate some of the OLDER DiMarzio P pickups. I have 2 as spares, wrapped up in my drawer, in case the one's that I installed decades ago crap out. They. Are. Awesome.

EDIT: It's THE ONLY P pickup I'll use. And, I've just about tried 'em all. They're awesome in any setting, especially rock.

 

[Corbin]

GZR.

 

[petrus61]

OP, maybe this has been mentioned, but are you saying it's thin sounding when played with a full band or just by itself, or both?

 

[Jay2U]

Pickups are a matter of personal taste. Recently I played two P-Basses, both fitted with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounds. They blew my socks right off. I'm going to install those in my Precision too. ...but that's my taste.

You could also try different strings. GHS Bass Boomers really enhance the low end. For my cheap P-Bass copy it works.

Also, sometimes pickups are too close to the strings, which specifically affects the lowest notes. A little further away sometimes helps enhancing the tone.

 

[60bass]

Geezers !!!!

 

[NortyFiner]

If you want to stand out in the mix, you want a pickup wound for mids, like the EMG GZR or Seymour Duncan SPB-4.

If you already think you sound too scooped, you do NOT want the SPB-3 Quarter Pounder; it has a strong mid scoop (a tradeoff for more low end) that could make your situation worse.