Precision '51 Pickups

[SpankyPants]

Alright, I've been GASing like hell for one of these, and considering the crappy bass I have and the lack of money, I figure that I could eventually get a 51 RI since they're pretty affordable.

I was just thinking about the pickups... I want something like the 51, but clear-sounding, with a larger freq range... maybe a little more output, too.

If you know anything about any of them, please chime in. Other considerations are:

Nordstrand '51 P
Lollar Original P-BassTMSingle Re-production Pickup
Novaks TB-V, TB-JB, TB-HC
Rio Grande Muy Grande 51 for P-Bass
Lindy Fralin '51 P-Bass® Style Replacements
Seymore Duncan SCPB-3 Quarter Pounders

From the looks of things, I like the Seymore Duncan Quarter-Pounder SCPB, but I don't know enough about the other pickups available to make a choice.

I've done some searching, but it's not easy to search for "51 Pbass" in Talkbass.

 

[Tony Gray]

I hate it when someone responds to a post and not have any useful information, and here I am probably doing it.

I had a SD Quarter pounder for a P bass (not a 51) and it was not what you say you're looking for, at least to my ears. It had the big thud, and was sort of harsh to my ears.

I do have a 51, and the pickup that comes with it sounds really good. I put flatwound strings on it, and liked it even better. But I can't leave well enough alone, so I bought a Lindy Fralin and had it overwound a little.

But it's not in the bass yet, because I decided to have the finish stripped off and refinished with nitro. And it's not done yet. So when it's all put back together I'll post some news. If you call Fralin, you actually talk to the owner, and he listens to what you want.

In my opinion, it's a lot of bass for the money. I gigged it a couple of times before I sent it off, and really enjoyed it.

 

[metalmariachi]

I tried the 1/4 lb in my '51 reissue, and also don't think it will give you the sound you want.

I'd go with the Nordstrand myself or a Vintage Vibe.

I still have the 1/4 lb, and can "loan" it to you to try out if you want.

willing to sell it or swap for something if you like it, if not just send it back.

pm me your address and I'll mail it out this week end.

MM

 

[spc]

I have 2 basses with Jason Lollar j bass single coils, and they kill...I was just cruising around for a 51 p bass reissue so I could try one of Lollar's single coil p's...

check his website out if you can.


shawn

 

[Rodent]

I've used the Nordy before, and even had one custom made for a 5-string project I put together for Chef. For my ears the Nordy is the ticket that gets me to my intended destination. YMMV

R

 

[SpankyPants]

I tried the 1/4 lb in my '51 reissue, and also don't think it will give you the sound you want.

I'd go with the Nordstrand myself or a Vintage Vibe.

I still have the 1/4 lb, and can "loan" it to you to try out if you want.

willing to sell it or swap for something if you like it, if not just send it back.

pm me your address and I'll mail it out this week end.

MM

Man, I wish I had a bass to put it in. I appreciate it, though. What didn't you like about it?


That's the problem with these high-end pickups. I've spoken with Novak, and he's willing to build it to my specs. Lollar, Fralin, and Nordy seem to be on the same plain...

Makes it so damn hard.

 

[daysleeper]

The Lollar is a great pickup. Real deep and round. However, these single coil pickups have quite a bit of noise/ hum.

 

[metalmariachi]

I was looking for a smoother, less doinky, top end than the stock pu but with nice definition and sparkle.

The 1/4 lb rolled off a little too much of the top end for me, and I like dark.

It is a killer for big fat dark overdriven sounds, but can get muddy quickly.



MM

 

[SpankyPants]

I figured the 1/4lb would be somewhat brighter.

I'm super-big on my high-mids and treble. I like clear, clean, articuate signals that have decent presence... That's what I'm looking for. The big thump, but still sparkly.