P-bass pickups low tuning.

Are you "missing" something? Do you feel you aren't satisfied with what you have, or are you just curious what else is available that might be "better" in some way? I've found the best advice around here comes when you can describe where are and where you are trying to get to. Otherwise, it can turn into a lot of people naming their favorite gear and what works for them.

Knowing what other factors you have going on might be helpful. Pick or fingers? Strings of choice? Amp/cab? Distortion of choice?

I'm not a pickup expert, so I'm not sure what all is out there. I've been using a Duncan Steve Harris pickup in my Nash P and been pretty happy with it over the DiMarzio I had. The DiMarzio was a little more boomy and mushy, though it wasn't bad (not 100% sure which model it was, which doesn't really help). However, I'm not tuned down as low as you are.

I'd suspect the GZR would be a strong choice. If it works for Sabbath It is very popular around here. I considered it when I ended up deciding on the Duncan/Harris.
EMG Pickups / GZR P / Electric Guitar Pickups, Bass Guitar Pickups, Acoustic Guitar Pickups

 

It could be a matter of pickup height or pole piece adjustment. It could be a matter of string choice, and a different brand or gauge could be the answer. It could be helped by certain pedals, and this place will encourage gear purchases you never knew you wanted. It could also be that a new pickup is the cure for what ails you.

I'm sure a few other good suggestions will roll in.

Welcome to TB

 

I'm a big fan of the EMG GZR P pickup. I be used often tuned an half step and the drop C# for some songs and always sound great. Sounds really mean with the c# plenty of lows but still good definition. I'd suggest it.

Also Nordstrand pickups have caught my ear lately and they have plenty of good options.

I would also say that strings are super important when tuning down. I've had better luck with heavier gauges.

In one band we're tuned to drop C and I was getting good results with rotosound 50-110
And more recently I've been swapping the low String for a .120 and it sounds awesome ! & stays in tune better as well

 

First be 100 % sure it is the pickup. Narrow it down with an A/B approach. Otherwise you will be spending money and still be not happy. Geezers are good if you like a more traditional tone, SD quarterpounders will give you are more scooped tone.

 

sounds like a nice string gauge set for drop c & drob b.. cool!
are they expensive?

 

Is your "E" string vibrating properly? If either the nut slot or the saddle is not properly holding the string, it can lose a ton of energy. 120 is a big string for a regular p-bass nut that hasn't been setup. That's the only thing I can think to mention that hasn't been mentioned already.

 

I don't know about the pickup in your MIJ Fender, but some Fender split-coils lack low end clarity IME, which would definitely present problems for drop tuning. I experienced this with a 2004 Am. Series P, and found that DiMarzio's Model P and a Lindy Fralin both had more low end clarity, and worked well with the E dropped to D. Nordstrand pickups generally have lots of clarity, so I suspect one of those would be a great choice. Maybe Delano too.

As other mentioned, strings are a huge part of this equation. It looks like you have a good set, but you might try DR's DDT (Drop Down Tuning) strings that are designed for this. They have hex cores for stiffness, which helps low end clarity in my experience.

DR Strings | The Handmade String - Guitar and Bass

 

Yeah I forgot to mention that. I was lucky on bass that the .120 fit the nut with no mods needed but I could see where a lot of basses would need the nut moddofied to fit a string that big right. It can make a big difference. Fortunately is an easy /cheap mod to do

 

Took a google look at the stings the OP is using and seeing they are nickel. I wonder if stainless would provide a more dediresble performance. Stainless tends to be brighter but I'm not sure how the low end would change. Might be worth a peek. Not sure if that string set is available in stainless. Anyone here familiar?

 

D'addario make quite a few awesome stainless sets. Prosteels and flexsteels come to mind first. I've never tried the pros, but the flexsteels are some of my favorite strings of all time. That being said, they felt pretty low tension and might not be appropriate at that size.

 

Just quoting this for the truth of it!

The Flexsteels have been discontinued, sadly. I say sadly because I had a set sitting around for more than a year, just put them on my MTD Kingston.. and I love them! *laughing*

 

I play an EADG bass that I drop tune to C for some songs. I know stoner/doom, which we don't do, but I do use some savage distortion and fuzz now and then, and play through an Orange TB500.

I use a G&L MFD split coil (about the same price as the others suggested in this thread). Higher output, different sound, but very solid low end.

In addition to higher gauge strings, here's another trick if you play with your fingers: I move my hand close to the bridge when I'm in drop tuning. I get a truer note that way. With a pick, on bass I tend to prefer heavier gauges, but a lighter gauge can also help if your string tension is low.

Good luck!