Please recommend a P pickup

[aproud1]

No shortage of great P Pickups out there. Most mentioned here are solid performers and will likely work great for you. I really liked the EMG Geezer but love the Mojotone 70's P pickup. More clarity than the EMG and play better with flats for me. I plan on trying their 60's P in a parts bass in work.

All that said if you want more in the Mids the EMG Geezer definitely has that.

 

[AndyPanda]

I've got a few expensive P pickups --- but the bass with the Duncan SPB-1 is the one seems to get used the most. It just sounds right and fits in the mix perfectly. It isn't really hot -- it's just right.

 

[leonard]

I've used Geezer, Lollar and SPB-1. All similar and great. Geezer has the most high mids and SPB-1 the least. Lollar has balanced but lush lows. Which one is the best for you might depend on your bass, touch, strings and amp.

 

[bolophonic]

OP, have you experimented with different strings yet?

 

[_godspeed_]

I have both Fender Pure Vintage '57 and '63 in my basses. '63 is very balanced with more prominent mids. '58 is more scooped, hot and has massive bottom. If you're playing with pick, I'd say Geezers are your best best. If you play fingers - Fenders or SPB-1.

 

[Lo-E]

I'd drop in a Seymour Duncan SPB-1 or Fender Original '62. You wont go wrong. ....Set her up, add good strings. MMMMmmmmmmm!

Both are excellent choices. I'm also a big fan of a standard Lindy Fralin. A bit more costly than those, but an outstanding p'up.

 

[Stefan Verbeeck]

Wilkinson.
Someone posted comparison clips elsewhere on tb forum. Turned out they sound the same as a seymourduncan, but at half the price.
(Harley Benton PB-50 Vintage | Page 2 | TalkBass.com

 

[Dradder]

Agree about your choices in that shootout video.

 

[jg42]

OP, have you experimented with different strings yet?

yup, including very bright SS.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

I've tried just about every P bass pickup and I must say that the Seymour Duncan Steve Harris SPB4 is my favorite. It actually sounds similar to the EMG Geezer pickup but is a little hotter and fatter sounding.
My second favorite is the Bartolini CPB classic series. It's pretty bright for a P pickup and has this nice hifi character that makes it stand out.

 

[friendlybass]

I like the dimarzio model P. Only P for me!

 

[jg42]

in this video - 1977 P Bass.
This is the tone that I'm looking for. or at least somewhere close.

 

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

I have a Seymour SPB4 Harris pickup & a Lace Manowar P in another bass. I like them both but for what you are describing the Lace would be better. I need to try an SPB1 one of these days.

 

[Laurent]

Lollar P would be on the top of my list for what you want. The harmonic richness of this pickup and the airy highs are the best I have tested in a vintage vibe. The Fralin will be more aggressive and the SD SBP-1 more one dimensional. It's a good budget option.

 

[Killens84]

Don't forget about Lindy Fralin. I love the one in my P bass.

 

[KyleSerlington]

i really like that Dominger pup in the first video there, i've never heard of them before but it sounded great! that video also really confirmed that i need to get rid of my Dimarzio Model P from one of my basses. i love the bass itself but i could never get a sound that i loved out of it, i'm thinkin about replacing it with a SD SPB-4. that one Aguilar pickup sounds great too, the vintage one, i really like how it sounded with that 2nd bass when played with a pic. i didn't care for the hot aguilar though.

also, i have a bass with the duncan spb-1 and i love how it sounds, and i also have another bass with a dimarzio area p, which for some reason is a pickup that doesn't get promoted too much but it is a very good pickup. both of those are great for vintage tones

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Give Link Removed a look.

I have both P and J sets in my basses and I LOVE them. Clear and round.

 

[Joybass]

I say: SD SPB-1. I would not go near any of these high-output overwound overexcited pickups.

 

[Phe]

Well, damn, I'm pleased I just bought a used set of SD SPB-1! I wasn't sure what to get, but somebody had written a handy comparison / description chart of every SPB available. And then the next day somebody was selling a set for 30 euros. I also got a new Switchcraft jack and I'm probably going to buy CTS 250k pots (audio taper! Don't shoot! I know nothing, Jon Snow!)

So, nothing real to add to this thread, just wanted to air my good mood!

 

[AndyPanda]

Wilkinson.
Someone posted comparison clips elsewhere on tb forum. Turned out they sound the same as a seymourduncan, but at half the price.
(Harley Benton PB-50 Vintage | Page 2 | TalkBass.com

I believe that comparison is against a SPB-2 which is hotter, overwound pickup.

The SPB-1 is the one that people are recommending in this thread and is not hot, it is a vintage sounding pickup.