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Squier 5 string Pbass pu recommendation

milesdavisblue

milesdavisblue

May 4, 2007
223
249
Washington State
#1
I would like to replace pickups in an Squier 5 string precision. Please give me recommendations for direct replacements. I would like something similar to EMG geezers but not finding 5 string Geezers. I would like to stay with passive but might be willing to go active. any advice?
 
#4
I put American Standard P5 pickups in the VMP5 I had . I had to file a little off one side of the pickguard to make one side fit but it is pretty much a direct replacement . Others in the thread for the Vintage Modified P Bass 5 had no problems like mine . The Fender pickups didn't make a real big difference in the tone , the originals sounded pretty good to me too . I sold mine but here is a pic with the Fender pickups . Some people had good luck with Nordstrands too .
Here is a link to the pickups Link Removed
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#5
Hands down choice and I've tried a bunch-The Wilde P-46. Finally got my hands on a bass with these already installed , a parts build pj with the Wildes and a Warmoth Unlined Maple Fretless neck and can't put it down.

Bill Lawrence's ingenious design uses 5 pole pieces on each half of the split p and 9 equal spaced pole pieces on the jazz pickup . This allows the same models to be used on 4, 5 and narrow spaced 6 strings .

Mine is passive and played back to back with my ESP Fretless pj with active EMGs I detected nothing lacking in output at the same amp settings . Would love to hear these with John East pre , but passive=perfect.

I can't stop playing or talking with buddys about how much I love these . The hype is not hype and the price is right .
 
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#6
It's a little problematic in that some builders are using P-style pickups where the 2 shells are the same size, and then some like this bass use a '3+2' shape. And the aftermarket pickup builders are choosing sides, so not everybody makes both styles.

Nordstrand makes this style, and I recently ran across this from the Seymour Custom Shop, and it's interesting they will wind them to several different outputs, from QuarterPounder to Antiquity:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

. . . . and Seymour offers companion 5-string J's, should that be a consideration for later additions.
 
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#7
TN WOODMAN said:
Hands down choice and I've tried a bunch-The Wilde P-46. Finally got my hands on a bass with these already installed , a parts build pj with the Wildes and a Warmoth Unlined Maple Fretless neck and can't put it down.

Bill Lawrence's ingenious design uses 5 pole pieces on each half of the split p and 9 equal spaced pole pieces on the jazz pickup . This allows the same models to be used on 4, 5 and narrow spaced 6 strings .

Mine is passive and played back to back with my ESP Fretless pj with active EMGs I detected nothing lacking in output at the same amp settings . Would love to hear these with. John East pre but passive=perfect.

I can't stop playing or talking with buddys about how much I love these . The hype is not hype and the price is right .
Click to expand...

Sonically it would work, but would OP then have to consider making new screw holes and adding a custom pickguard? While I'm sure it accomadtes a 5 string P, it doesn't exactly seem like a direct drop in.
 
#8
Blues Bass 2 said:
I put American Standard P5 pickups in the VMP5 I had . I had to file a little off one side of the pickguard to make one side fit but it is pretty much a direct replacement . Others in the thread for the Vintage Modified P Bass 5 had no problems like mine . The Fender pickups didn't make a real big difference in the tone , the originals sounded pretty good to me too . I sold mine but here is a pic with the Fender pickups . Some people had good luck with Nordstrands too .
Here is a link to the pickups Link RemovedView attachment 2818319
Click to expand...

I added the same pickup to two VM P5's and it was hassle free. They can also be had here:
Invalid Link Removed
 
#12
I'm actually keeping the original pickup / capacitor that came with my Squier VMP5, as I love the tone coming from it now. Mine has 500k pots, and while the tone pot doesn't work, I will replace the pot but re-use the current capacitor. I may put in a multi-cap switch to change it up, but will re-use the original cap as one of the choices.

I had replaced the wiring harness with a high quality 250k pot / .047mf cap harness, but it was too dark with the stock pickup in my VMP5, so I put the original harness back in.
 
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#13
DevinWard369 said:
I would get the M&V atlas 5 string p's.
I love mine in my 4. And alllll of my basses are active and these passive p's sit right with them in volume and clarity.
View attachment 2818437 View attachment 2818438
Click to expand...

I've literally just been wondering today if they madea P pickup with stingray-style Xboxhuge polepieces. No idea why, I've never really dug a P enough to keep it.
 
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#15
I have used both Nordstrand NP5F and Seymour Duncan SPB-3 on my Squier Fender VM P5. Both kick-ass pickups and awesome upgrades!!!
The Nordstrand is a high quality classic P pickup. Its the one I'm currently using and recording my band's new album.
The SPB-3 is a more modern approach, high output, bass and tremble boosted and mid scooped. You can still get the more classic P bass sound if you boost the mids and cut some bass + tremble from your amp. I'd love to have a 2nd P so I could install the SPB-3 on it.
 
#18
PikeoftheLake said:
I really like my aguilar 5p-60 pickups in my Lakland.

Careful of the Bill Lawrence. The pole pieces might overlap on your A string and make it impossible to get an even sound.
Click to expand...
I'm currently modifying my American Standard Jazz V to drop one of these in. Your running the aguilar PJ setup? Or is it just the 60's P? I dunno if I want the HC Jazz bridge or the 60's Jazz bridge.
 

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