P Bass Players

[darwin-bass]

Here they are. Not sure which ones they are. Already in bass when I bought it. I need to try some super bright strings. That may help.
View attachment 3999704

Those look like regular active EMGs. If they sound dark I'd be wondering if they are wired correctly.

 

[Moe Hickey]

Another vote for Nord. Would also suggest listening to Youtube pickup shoot-outs with headphones.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

I’d go for the antiquity 2, sounds as close as one can get to a late 60’s P bass without going boutique or vintage. I’ll send you a recording of it if you want.

 

[57pbass]

Dimarzio DP122 are my favorites.. but there are so many great options available.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I have the Fender American Vintage 63 in my P right now and it might be my favorite P sound yet and it can be found cheaper than Nordstrang/Lollar/Fralin. I previously had an Antiquity I in there, but I prefer the 60's sound.

 

[Killing Floor]

With a standard P you really can't go wrong with Fralin or Lollar.

 

[Charlzm]

I have a nice medium weight alder body (from warmoth), a quartersawn maple neck (from usacg's good ol days) and a set of usa hipshot UL tuners.
Looking for that good old middle of the road P Bass sound.

What pickups would YOU install?

my possible options;

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II
or
Fralin regular wind
or
Nordstrand NP4V
or
Lollar regular wind
or
None of the above/other

interested to know your opinions.

I used a Nordstrand NP4A with alnico V magnets in my P Bass application. Angry and clear and very "P" sounding.

 

[Mike N]

The stock MIA pickup in my 95 P has been sufficient for the last 20 years.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I have a nice medium weight alder body (from warmoth), a quartersawn maple neck (from usacg's good ol days) and a set of usa hipshot UL tuners.
Looking for that good old middle of the road P Bass sound.

What pickups would YOU install?

my possible options;

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II
or
Fralin regular wind
or
Nordstrand NP4V
or
Lollar regular wind
or
None of the above/other

interested to know your opinions.

NP4A always

 

[39-Bassist]

I would install either a S.D. SPB-1 or Original 62 Fender.
Both of these are a safe, you cant go wrong option in my opinion.
And sound great.

 

[Holdsg]

my favorite for classic vintage P-bass tone is the Lollar, with Nordstrand and Fralin close behind.
my favorite for a more modern P-bass tone is a push between Nordstrand Power Blade, EMG Geezer, or G&L MFD pickup

 

[ELG60]

I'd opt for Klein Retro's or Rio Grande Vintage P's

 

[Afc70]

All those are great choices, but I love the Nordstrands these days...

 

[Corevalay]

I've had the Fralin P... awesome
I've had the Nordstrand... awesome
I have an EMG Geezer.... awesome
I have a Fender Custom Shop 62.... awesome

So, those are my recommendations!

 

[Frndmoretti]

I use EMG GZR pickups. Only the P one.

It sounds amazing. With the tone wide open it can be more aggressive and if you move the tone off a bit it's smooth as silk.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Another vote for the Fender Custom Shop '62's.

For HOT... The G&L MFD P-style.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Those look like regular active EMGs. If they sound dark I'd be wondering if they are wired correctly.

My 1st thought too was a wiring issue. Perhaps a battery or battery harness problem. Like them or not darkness is usually not the complaint with active EMGs. Even with flats. And tort.

 

[bigjames]

Out of those choices I would lean towards the Nordstrand pickups. They have great tone. Honestly everything in your list has pluses but I think the Nordstrand edge out the rest.

I love the Nordstrands on my Sadowsky PJ. Great pick ups.

 

[kevinpmajka]

I have had the SPB-1, Antiquity II, Fralin, and Arcane Experience 65..... I like them in this order:

Fralin > Arcane > Antiquity II > SPB-1

That being said, I love the Antiquity II and SPB-1.

I think you have great choices.

 

[EmaTheMirror]

Looking for that good old middle of the road P Bass sound.

I think an SPB1 agrees with the "middle of the road" request. IMO and with a relatively small experience of swapping of course.

But I can go on with a light heart, knowing it does fit that requirement indeed and with a great price tag.

EDIT: I blindly posted without reading any of the previous replies, though I was quite positive it would have been mentioned before