SD SPB-4 vs Wilde/Bill Lawrence P-46

Have you actually tried the Geezer?

I ask because everything that you seem to want out of the pickup is what the Geezer delivers, with all the wiring components and pots included.
Excellent value.

 

Be careful of judging a pick solely from online reviews, a lot of variables affect what you hear that may not produce a true representation of the pickup.
It's been my experience that a hotter pickup, what you're looking for, is going to be a bit mid forward. If you're looking for a "scooped" P pickup, not sure one exists as P's are all about mids, I would be looking at standard winds.
The Duncan SPB-1 is an excellent choice, just turn up the volume and EQ to taste

 

I have a P-46 hooked up to a varitone.

I like how expressive it seems to be; I can play very quietly with my fingers or dig in hard with a pick and it sounds good either way. Notes sustain for a very long time.

Changes to pickup height make a lot of difference with the p-46, more so than I’ve noticed with any other pickup I’ve used.

 

The only real test is to try them out. I avoid artist products because of hype and marketing and what works for so and so is usually far removed from what I like and need. It is confusing and mind numbing and everyone has an opinion one way or the other. You could just say the hell with all this and get a G&L.

 

I'd vote for the Wilde - I have one and it's excellent - very responsive to picking style and hand position . Couldn't ask for more as far as I'm concerned . ...Kelly

 

On the brighter settings it gets a really nice aggressive tone and it gets really dark on the other end. I think mine has 10 different cap values in it.

I got it from a seller on eBay named KellingSound. He makes all kinds of wiring harnesses; I’ve bought several from him and liked them all.

 

I can't comment specifically on the P46, but I have several other types of Bill Lawrence pickups (guitars), and they're wonderful. I'd expect their bass pickups to be as good.
And they're not expensive.
And Becky and Shannon are great to deal with.

If and when I built a parts-bass, I'll be getting Wilde pickups for it.

 

The SPB-1 is pretty scooped sounding, the SPB-3 is also said to be scooped and the Dimarzio split P (not the model P) is also scooped

 

I second the P46 vote. Amazing pickup. Clarity yes, deep tones yes.

 

I've had both, and I preferred the SPB-4.

Good Luck!

 

I have the Wilde.
I've not used the SPD-4. (I do have the SPD-1 & Ant II)

I used the P-46 in a fretless P-Bass that I previously had an EMG model P in for many years, but I wanted to go back to passive.
The Wilde gave me what I wanted and fit that bass very well; Balanced and clear, with the extra bit of high-end clarity I needed from the fretless. Slightly extended range without being HiFi or scooped. Plenty of output.

Getting the sound you want ultimately will come down to finding the right pickup and the right strings for that particular bass.

 

from the thread: Ultra boutique P bass pickups

 

I think the quarter pounders are "scooped" as they have extended lows and highs. You don't want the geezers or the spb-1, as they are about the mids. The Dimarzio Blades are scooped. I've never actually heard the Steve Harris pickups, but I think a lot of his sound is his strings, plucking style, and setup (low so you get the clank). I bet they accentuate more the high mids.

I have the P46s in a bass, and they are a great pickup. Extended highs, but very balanced. They don't accentuate anything. I would think you could get any sound you want out of them, because it's all there. I can't think of any pickup I've had that requires less eq, etc.

 

Don't quite know what the definition of "clang" is but you mentioned that you like the sound of the late 50s P pickups. Based on that, the SPB-1 is supposed to be made like the late 50s P Bass. $89 eBay.

A pretty big jump to go from the Fender PV '58, Duncan SPB-1 and Duncan Antiquity I to the SPB-4 which is kind of a hot wound pickup. Hot pickups usually have less high end. The Fender PV '63 might be a better transition than the SPB-4.

I know nothing about the P-46 but it does have a low henry rating which kind of means bright.

Just my advice, strings are the most critical factor in sound. Perhaps a different brand of string will give you your "clang".

Good luck!

 

'Mid scoop' is born of bedroom mentality., all lush, rich and soft....that tone will go nowhere in a band. You need mids so you can be heard. SPB-1, Dimazio or the like will be fine.

 

I never tried the P-46, but have tried many of the common aftermarket p bass pickups including the Geezer P that everyone suggests. The Geezer wasn't for me, I forget why I wasn't impressed.
I have had the SPB4 for at least 2 years now. In my opinion they are perfectly balanced in tone and perfect for any style.