Precision Pickups

[BabyBoyShafe]

I just purchased a MIM 50s Precision bass and im looking to upgrade the pickups. I want something warm and punchy with plenty of bass. I've read a bunch of reviews and disscussions about replacement precision pickups and im thinking about the Fender 62 pickups or the Basslines SPB-2s. If anyone has any other suggestions I would appreciate them as well. Im also curious if anyone knows what pickups come stock in the 50s precision bass too if anyone knows. Please help a fellow Precision bass enthusiast.

 

[jumbodbassman]

fender 62 pups are great. can't go wrong with them...

Curtis Novak makes a great overwound p bass pup.... for some added thump

 

[bolophonic]

The Fender 62's are awesome.

 

[SMILEYSIXX]

The basslines are amazing! Definitely not what you want if you're looking for a warm vintage sound, but plenty of bass with crisp, clear high end too. Not a single complaint with them.

 

[spaz21387]

nordstrand np4

 

[B String]

nordstrand np4

+1

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I have a totally stock 2006 Classic 50's and love it. No one on TB or the Fender forum can give a definitive answer as to what this pickup actually is. I've searched high and low and still don't know. I don't want to pull it unless it goes dead and am actually happy with the tone, just would like to know.

Most recent opinion is that it is an American standard, which I don't think it is. It is close, if not the '62 reissue. If this one dies, I'll probably go with one of those in mine.

These deliver a classic p bass tone and unless you just want a change, dig it.

Lot a folks go with the Seymour 1/4 pounder or their antiquity series. Then you've got the Fralin/Lollar/Nordstrand/Rio Grande (Vintage or Muy Grande-my fav-a boutique 1/4 lb er or...

 

[Floridabwoy]

My numbers list as american pups. There is a thread in the electronics forum.

 

[Nedmundo]

The basslines are amazing! Definitely not what you want if you're looking for a warm vintage sound, but plenty of bass with crisp, clear high end too. Not a single complaint with them.

That might be true of some Basslines, but the SPB-2 is punchy, warm and fat, with slightly reduced treble relative to a stock wind vintage type pickup. I think it might be exactly what the OP wants, but I prefer Lindy Fralin for serious gritty punch with a vintage vibe.

 

[Rocky McD]

To know what pickups are in your bass, look up the part numbers on Fender.com and then search all Fender basses to find a matching number. That is a tremendous amont of work and will tell you nothing.
Rocky

 

[darkstorm]

Id pick the basslines between those two and also concider dimarzio model P. Another great pup for that warm/dark punchy voice.

 

[acebase62]

SPB-1 would sound more vintage than the SPB-2.

Both sound good, but I prefer the SPB-1; I find it more versatile.

 

[JustOpenYourMind]

Plenty of samples to make up your mind there:

ATKINSON BASSES - LIBRARY

 

[mastathump]

Don't forget the DiMarzio Model P pickups as well!

 

[georgestrings]

SPB-1 would sound more vintage than the SPB-2.

Both sound good, but I prefer the SPB-1; I find it more versatile.

Yeah, I really like the SPB-1, also - I installed one as an upgrade to the original in my '76 P, and IMO it was an improvement over an already good sounding pup...


- georgestrings

 

[etinsley]

Curtis Novak makes a great overwound p bass pup.... for some added thump

Curtis makes a very nice vintage wind pickup, too. I have one in a relic Precision and it has the tone.

Also, it's interesting to read his take on overwinds and how he believes you should think of pickups in terms of "input" and not "output".

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[BabyBoyShafe]

Thanks for all the suggestions. My head is spinning now with all these options

 

[tonymcbony]

Not so sure about the NP4 recommendations.
I've got them in my P-Bass and although they hit the vintage vibe, lots of bass isn't their strong point. I think their strong point is their wonderful midrange.

 

[ShirazBop]

I have a MIA Std P that I first had 1/4 pounders in and then replaced with a set of SBP-2's and have loved them.... However, I recently did a Franken-P build that I put a set of Bill Lawrence P-46's and am converting that bass to those....

 

[BabyBoyShafe]

Thanks for all the suggestions but I ended up going with some Rio Grande vintage pickups. They sound killer, lots of bass and very punchy with some sweet highs. I'm really happy with them. I dont understand why more people dont use them......