Pick-up upgrade PJ Fender

[Basso Elettrico]

What PICKUPS TO UPGRADE?

Have a Fender PJ (Fender Precision Bass Special MIM) that I love playing - neck feels good, sounds good; everything feels good.

However I feel I could do better pickups wise (especially because the J on the bridge is lower volume compared to the P on the neck), and mostly because I’m looking to spice things up.

I have no experience with replacement pickups and wonder what are some of the recommendations out there:

EMG? Aguilar? Seymour Duncan? Other?​

Something with more “bite” or “growl” would be pretty much what I think would make me happy.​

Been intrigued by reviews on the EMG GZR but have no experience...

Thanks in advance!

 

[grouse789]

The Emg geezers ppl like for what you describe as well as the aguilars. I would add Nordstrand to that list.
You should try lowering your P pickup from the strings and Raise the J

 

[Basso Elettrico]

The Emg geezers ppl like for what you describe as well as the aguilars. I would add Nordstrand to that list.
You should try lowering your P pickup from the strings and Raise the J

Thanks. Any one of the aforementioned (Nordstrand included) that have any special characteristics that would put it ahead of its counterparts?

 

[grouse789]

That can only be determined by your ear. They are all great voices. One would fill your need better than the other.
YouTube is your friend
I think these Nordstrand DC pickups sound insane. A lot of grrrrrrrrr

 

[Basso Elettrico]

That can only be determined by your ear. They are all great voices. One would fill your need better than the other.
YouTube is your friend
I think these Nordstrand DC pickups sound insane. A lot of grrrrrrrrr

Watched plenty of videos. I was hoping to get opinions of players with hands on experience with such pickups

 

[Basso Elettrico]

At the moment I’m between the EMG GZR or one of AERO...

 

[ctmullins]

I recommend either the Wilde P-46 and J-45, or the DELANO PMVC 4 FE/M2 and DELANO JMVC 4 FE/M2.

 

[simongpaez]

My vote for GZR’s I have them in 3 basses. Sound so good

 

[Basso Elettrico]

I recommend either the Wilde P-46 and J-45, or the DELANO PMVC 4 FE/M2 and DELANO JMVC 4 FE/M2.

I never heard of either brand What are their sound characteristics?

 

[ctmullins]

I never heard of either brand What are their sound characteristics?

The Wildes are a modern take on vintage tone - slightly more of everything, with loads of clarity.

The Delanos bring some MusicMan-style sizzle to the P and J shapes.

 

[Killing Floor]

Fralin stock. Or if you need it a little hotter, Fralin +5% overwound. But stock is still going to flat smoke what you have.

 

[Basso Elettrico]

The Wildes are a modern take on vintage tone - slightly more of everything, with loads of clarity.

The Delanos bring some MusicMan-style sizzle to the P and J shapes.

So if I’m looking cor something with more “growl”, more “bite”, “aggressive”, almost as if I’m distorting it would you say Delano? Where do you even find them?

 

[ctmullins]

So if I’m looking cor something with more “growl”, more “bite”, “aggressive”, almost as if I’m distorting it would you say Delano? Where do you even find them?

Yes, the Delanos are amazing for hot and grindy rock tones.

As far as where to get them, that would depend on where in the world you live. Your username suggests you may be Italian or in Italy, yet your English is awfully good. Perhaps you could fill in your location in your TalkBass profile?

 

[Basso Elettrico]

Yes, the Delanos are amazing for hot and grindy rock tones.

As far as where to get them, that would depend on where in the world you live. Your username suggests you may be Italian or in Italy, yet your English is awfully good. Perhaps you could fill in your location in your TalkBass profile?

LOL!!! It’s more like I’m n the US and my English ain’t that great I am in FL

 

[ctmullins]

Cool! My favorite US-based retailer is bestbassgear.com. Browse through their site for these and other options. It’s like a candy store for bassists!

 

[Basso Elettrico]

Cool! My favorite US-based retailer is bestbassgear.com. Browse through their site for these and other options. It’s like a candy store for bassists!

Awesome will do! Thanks

 

[Basso Elettrico]

My vote for GZR’s I have them in 3 basses. Sound so good

All 3 of them Fender? What tone were you specifically looking for?

 

[simongpaez]

Yes , all of them Fender, 2 P (one ash, one alder) one PJ
I tried them firts on the ash and love the growl and the tone control can change the tone a lot, then went witn the alder and the color is different but the essence is the sams, last I did the PJ.
All of them amazing, really recommend them

 

[Cloven Hoof]

I just installed a Fralin set on my p/j fender yesterday. I went with standard winding. The stock j-pickup at the bridge was weak imo. The Fralin set is really good. I wasn't wanting a distorted or overwound tone.

 

[Lesfunk]