Trying to figure out what pickups are in my 83' P Bass.

[pickups]

Thinking of swapping out the current pickups in my 83' P Bass, but I've never seen P Bass pickups with these large magnets before. I've seen other P Bass pups from 83 and they don't look like these. Any help in identifying these pups is appreciated. I attached 2 pics of normal size p bass pups and the old larger magnets pups in my 83' p bass. Thanks!

 

[B String]

Call Nordstrand electronics in California. They have a number of P Bass options from classic to modern, or custom specs. Very helpful, knowledgeable, (friendly) people who can give you advice. I'm sure there are a number of pickup companies who are great. I've always been very happy with the Nordstrand gear. I'd marry my Starlifter preamp pedal if my wife would let me.

 

[LoveThatBass]

The larger magnets look like Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders (SPB-3’s)

 

[poochiecheeks]

The larger magnets look like Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders (SPB-3’s)

+1 you can see the "basslines" logo almost completely worn off on the treble half

 

[pickups]

Call Nordstrand electronics in California. They have a number of P Bass options from classic to modern, or custom specs. Very helpful, knowledgeable, (friendly) people who can give you advice. I'm sure there are a number of pickup companies who are great. I've always been very happy with the Nordstrand gear. I'd marry my Starlifter preamp pedal if my wife would let me.

Yeah. I've always been interested in the starlifter pedal. May look for one in the classified soon. I'll send them a pic of the large magnet pickups to see if they can identify them. More out of curioustiy. I almost wonder if these are Suhr pickups. They made large magnet pole piece pickups in the old Fender basses. Thanks

 

[pickups]

The larger magnets look like Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders (SPB-3’s)

I google the SPB-3s and they do appear to be the same pups. Can't really see the logo anymore but I think you are right. Thanks!

 

[Obese Chess]

Yep, another vote for the SPB-3.

 

[newfuture]

If they're the quarter pounders, I would keep them in there unless they're not doing it for you. I dig them

 

[pickups]

If they're the quarter pounders, I would keep them in there unless they're not doing it for you. I dig them

I do like them but you know how "we" are sometimes. Gotta see if the grass is greener ...

 

[LoveThatBass]

I do like them but you know how "we" are sometimes. Gotta see if the grass is greener ...

Grass is always greener until you get there LOL
I am bad about that also!

 

[pickups]

Grass is always greener until you get there LOL
I am bad about that also!

True! Even if I do swap I'll be sure to hold on to these for when I want to switch back.

 

[Wood and Wire]

I do like them but you know how "we" are sometimes. Gotta see if the grass is greener ...

So, given that they've been identified as Quarter Pounders (which as far as I'm aware were intended to solve the problem of the P-bass getting lost competing against multiple rock guitarists, and early active basses - basically offering a beefed up "Precision on Steroids" ), have you identified what it is about them that you'd want to change?

I guess the polar opposite would be a 50's voiced, under-wound pickup.

Or, if you were trying to revert back to a more classic 60's sound, that the SPB-3 was intended to supersede, I guess a Fender Custom Shop '62, a standard wind Fralin / Lollar, or EMG Geezer Butler would get you there.

 

[pickups]

So, given that they've been identified as Quarter Pounders (which as far as I'm aware were intended to solve the problem of the P-bass getting lost competing against multiple rock guitarists, and early active basses - basically offering a beefed up "Precision on Steroids" ), have you identified what it is about them that you'd want to change?

I guess the polar opposite would be a 50's voiced, under-wound pickup.

Or, if you were trying to revert back to a more classic 60's sound, that the SPB-3 was intended to supersede, I guess a Fender Custom Shop '62, a standard wind Fralin / Lollar, or EMG Geezer Butler would get you there.

I think my main issue with these Quarter Pounders is to my ears only a couple string types work well with the pups on my particular bass. I find most strings have a bit of a warble/chorus effect with these pups. I find the Roto 66's seem to work well and the GHS Boomers stainless fixed the issue. Could be a number of reason why some strings work better than others and maybe adjusting pickup height would fix this issue. I'm looking at the EMG Geezer pups and the Avedissian pickups to replace. I may go right back to these in the end but you never know until you try I guess.

 

[LoveThatBass]

I think my main issue with these Quarter Pounders is to my ears only a couple string types work well with the pups on my particular bass. I find most strings have a bit of a warble/chorus effect with these pups. I find the Roto 66's seem to work well and the GHS Boomers stainless fixed the issue. Could be a number of reason why some strings work better than others and maybe adjusting pickup height would fix this issue. I'm looking at the EMG Geezer pups and the Avedissian pickups to replace. I may go right back to these in the end but you never know until you try I guess.

Warble/chorus effect is due to the pickup being too close to the strings pulling them out of intonation. This can happen with high content steel strings and high output pickup. Lowering the pickup should stop this from continuing to occur. I am not fond of SPB-3
‘s as to get them to sound more articulate I tried lowering them all the way down but in the end gave up on them and first tried Custom Shop 62’s. Good pickups but eventually moved to Fender 63’s for a bit more low end but still sounding clear.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

I do like them but you know how "we" are sometimes. Gotta see if the grass is greener ...

 

[B String]

I google the SPB-3s and they do appear to be the same pups. Can't really see the logo anymore but I think you are right. Thanks!

I have a 60 P and a 74 P. I didn't like the Quarter's in either bass. Kind of a Bully in the mix. Your mileage may vary.

 

[B String]

Warble/chorus effect is due to the pickup being too close to the strings pulling them out of intonation. This can happen with high content steel strings and high output pickup. Lowering the pickup should stop this from continuing to occur. I am not fond of SPB-3
‘s as to get them to sound more articulate I tried lowering them all the way down but in the end gave up on them and first tried Custom Shop 62’s. Good pickups but eventually moved to Fender 63’s for a bit more low end but still sounding clear.

View attachment 6977710

Been there, done that. LOL

 

[pickups]

Warble/chorus effect is due to the pickup being too close to the strings pulling them out of intonation. This can happen with high content steel strings and high output pickup. Lowering the pickup should stop this from continuing to occur. I am not fond of SPB-3
‘s as to get them to sound more articulate I tried lowering them all the way down but in the end gave up on them and first tried Custom Shop 62’s. Good pickups but eventually moved to Fender 63’s for a bit more low end but still sounding clear.

Never looked at the 63's before. I'll definitely do some research on those. Thanks!

 

[pickups]

So, given that they've been identified as Quarter Pounders (which as far as I'm aware were intended to solve the problem of the P-bass getting lost competing against multiple rock guitarists, and early active basses - basically offering a beefed up "Precision on Steroids" ), have you identified what it is about them that you'd want to change?

I guess the polar opposite would be a 50's voiced, under-wound pickup.

Or, if you were trying to revert back to a more classic 60's sound, that the SPB-3 was intended to supersede, I guess a Fender Custom Shop '62, a standard wind Fralin / Lollar, or EMG Geezer Butler would get you there.

Maybe Fender makes a 58 reissue pickup that may work in my 83 p. 1983 is when Fender issued the first 58 reissue p bass so I'm sure the pickups are out there.

 

[Engle]

Thinking of swapping out the current pickups in my 83' P Bass, but I've never seen P Bass pickups with these large magnets before. I've seen other P Bass pups from 83 and they don't look like these. Any help in identifying these pups is appreciated. I attached 2 pics of normal size p bass pups and the old larger magnets pups in my 83' p bass. Thanks!

They're either SD Quarter Pounders or Fender Japan from a Jazz Bass Special.