Spb1 in particular comes to mind to when describing a woody p bass tone. Tho not the deepest sounding I've tried. Still, at $45 or so frequently in the classifieds, it's a cheap and easy option worth trying.
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Recommend me a replacement P pick up
- Thread starter J.Wolf
- Start date
- Apr 29, 2003
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- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I use CN210 cabs right now, and they're not super deep sounding, so perhaps some of that extra depth would be lost on me anyways. That said, I tend to think of "deep" as a combination of actual low end extension, with a dip in the lower mids, allowing those more delicate lower voicings to come through.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
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- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Thats the Steve Harris Duncan P?
Without knowing anything about it other than being familiar with Maiden, wouldnt that be a decidedly more "rock" pickup? Im looking for something a little more svelte in the upper mids and highs (airy/woody).
Without knowing anything about it other than being familiar with Maiden, wouldnt that be a decidedly more "rock" pickup? Im looking for something a little more svelte in the upper mids and highs (airy/woody).
Zoobiedood
Commercial User
- Sep 1, 2015
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- Writer/Ambassador/Artist/Resident Bass Expert for Seymour Duncan
Well, it looks like it points to the SPB-1, but if you haven't checked, take a look at the bottom of the current pickup to see what it is.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I'll have to take it out and check it. Pat just said "it sounds like it has the Seymour Duncan", so I have no idea which model. But it sounds (to me) like it has a fairly "rock" voicing.
And they are excellent! I just received another set (I already have more than a few P46s and J45s) last Saturday and these babies are getting installed the day after Thanksgiving!
I generally fall back on any of the following pickups for a PB replacement:
Aguilar AG-4P-60
Wilde P-46
Klein 1962 Epic
David Allen P 1080
They're all good. Which I went with depended on the bass. I prefer my PBs to sound very classic '60s. Or with the same basic tone but a little fuller.
Aguilar AG-4P-60
Wilde P-46
Klein 1962 Epic
David Allen P 1080
They're all good. Which I went with depended on the bass. I prefer my PBs to sound very classic '60s. Or with the same basic tone but a little fuller.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
For the tone the OP is describing... Fralin 5% overwound is super beefy down low and low mid, with a Woolier top end. Nordstrand Power Blades sit in that ballpark too
I'm watching this thread, I'm building a Warmoth (custom to me) since I can't afford Custom Shop prices.
Bill Lawrence P46 @ $64, you can't go wrong. Even if you don't like the sound (and that is highly unlikely in my book) you won't have any trouble selling them because there are plenty of people who'd rather not wait the three or four weeks it can take to get them (like my last order that I received just last Saturday).
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Gonna be a tough call. There's so many different P pickups out there, it's crazy. And a whole bunch of em are really good. Just slightly different shades of good. I'm gonna do a swap in my '76 P soon, as well as my new (to me) Gamma. Both very different kinds of P basses. The '76 Fender is heavier than any P I've ever owned and is a maple fretboard. Not sure if that's what's contributing to its zingy, grindy, mid forward tone, but I'm still debating on which way to go with it. Gotta live with the Gamma awhile before deciding, but I'm pretty darn certain that EMG Hz has gotta go!
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Just got this email from Stew at Nordstrand and it sounds like it might just be the ticket for what my bass needs. I am a big fan of the NP4 but was afraid it might not have quite enough oomph/balls to satisfy this situation. I have high hopes this nails it!
"I think you’d dig the NP4a. It uses the same rotated poles as the NP5, Big Single and Fat Stack. In most of our designs this has the effect of pulling more information from the vibrating string, but in the case of P designs it also adds impact and holds note integrity for a farther throw from the speaker. It’s a pretty wicked little design."
"I think you’d dig the NP4a. It uses the same rotated poles as the NP5, Big Single and Fat Stack. In most of our designs this has the effect of pulling more information from the vibrating string, but in the case of P designs it also adds impact and holds note integrity for a farther throw from the speaker. It’s a pretty wicked little design."
I am a recent convert to the (AlNico V) NP-4a pickup. I have one in my precision and one in my P/J (paired with a Big Split). After reading what you are going for, I would be surprised if you don't like it.
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- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
nice! I'm looking forward to trying it! And I'm ALWAYS happy to support Carey and Co.
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They are an awesome crew! Since my pickups were going into Dingwall basses, the poles had to be spaced a bit wider so it was custom work and the price was about the same as a stock pickup (I was pleasantly surprised at this). Adrian performed the actual fabrication for me.
- Mar 8, 2011
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
I love Lindy Fralin pickups. It wasn't until after I discovered them that I found out they're local to me!
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Just got back from a nice trip into tone heaven with my NP-4a/Big Split equipped Super J > Shaw B-150 > MAS Flex 110. The solo'd P with the Glockenklang pre set flat is a religious experience. Clear, woody, cutting, punchy, gorgeous precision tone. If you could hear and feel the combination, you'd be throwing your money at Carey & his fine crew of tone-crafters. 
I just put a Fender Pure Vintage '63 pickup in my Classic 50's Precision and love this pickup. Others I've tried are the stock pickup, Fender Original '62 and the EMG GZR. The Pure Vintage '63 was the clear winner for me. Balls, thump, tight low end but not wooly or muddy with a warm, woody top end. Classic Pbass sound with a hint of growl, but very classic and versatile.
