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My choice of Pbass PU's - Good?

paulygonemad

paulygonemad

Dec 24, 2009
358
3
Seattle, WA. U.S.A
#1
I am about to upgrade my MIM Fender Pbass. Badass will be the bridge, I am contemplating which pickup.

After much research and listening to clips and such (thank all those on this site that posted such required info), I have decided on these pickups. Well, it does not have to be THESE from Amazon, but this brand.

http://www.amazon.com/DiMarzio-Model-Replacement-Pickup-Fender/dp/B0002GLBUK

My buddy is doing the upgrade and would really like for me to choose an Alnico based pu. From all the clips I have heard, including the Fralin, I really dig the sound of the DiMarzio. I play with my fingers and am a big fan of Entwistle, if that helps. I really don't want any scoop, quite the opposite.

Am I on the right track here? Very open to suggestions/comments. My P and I are very close and I would hate to put crap in it.
 
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#5
Fralins are very good pups. A little 'edgy' for me, meaning they have a lot of upper mids and highs. If you want your sound to cut very well in the mix, they're a good choice, and with a good cap like the orange drop, you can roll them back and still have a very nice tone.

I am curious as to why you decided Fralin over the DiMarzio. Was it just Alnico vs. Ceramic? Don't let magnet snobbery influence your decision - quality tones come from a GREAT variety of different pickups, using a GREAT variety of construction approaches. Many people prefer the tone of DiMarzio pickups over very boutique pups costing 2x as much or more.

FWIW, my fave P pickup at the moment is the Nordstrand NP4. Can't say enough good things about it. For sound clips (recorded by my humble self):
Soloed:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/75392288f55e9615/

In a mix:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/7546532386ee6af2/

The are with an MIJ Squier P with DR Sunbeams. First is wide open, second is with 50-60% tone rolloff.
 
#8
I put the DP127 in a Washburn a few years ago and I was generally pleased with the results.

If I were going to shop pickups right now I would mostly look at Delano and Norstrand. All of their pickups that I've tried have been outstanding. Fralins have an excellent reputation but I have no personal experience with them.
 
#9
hmm those Norstrands sound great.
The Alnico vs Ceramic issue has to do with my playing style. A hot ceramic may not work for me because sometimes I like to attack fairly hard and those would distort out on me. I am still very sold on those Dimarzo's, they do sound very good. The guy doing the upgrade for me has been with me for a long time, so I tend to listen to him heh. He also likes the hot ceramics, just not for me. If that makes any sense.
Thanks for the responses, I am still debating.
 
#11
Sweet! Glad I could be of assistance. I think Nord pickups are top tier - you can move laterally, but you can't do "better" than what they have to offer. I also think their NJ4 jazz pups are my favorite so far that I've heard. AND, Cary Nordstrand is a very standup guy, who is happy to discuss what you want from a pup and get creative when you want to.

People say it often, but you really can't go wrong with Nords.

Let us know how it goes, Pauly!
 

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