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Ultra boutique P bass pickups

#181
Type-55 said:
Great info on P pickups. At this point
I’m inclined to try the Aguilar’s, Lollar’s and Fender PV 63. I play flats only.
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I would not recommend the Fender PV 63 with flats because that pickup is really bassy and punchy. Flats don't have much highs for starters so they are generally better paired with a pickup that has a fair amount of highs. With flats I would go with Lollar for vintage tone.
 
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#184
I’m looking to swap out the pickup in my 2010 American Standard P that still has the stock pickup in it. I’m looking to go with a more “modern” sounding pickup, as my 2001 American Standard has a Fender Custom Shop ‘62 and the build I’m putting together is going to have a Lollar Overwound in it, both basses sporting flats. The 2010 has rounds on it. I think I have it narrowed down to:

1) David Allen CS 1088P
2) Dimarzio Model P
3) Rio Grande Vintage P

Anybody have any suggestions or advice on which way I should go? I’m open to suggestions, even if they’re not listed in those three. Thanks!
 
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#185
Laurent said:
I would not recommend the Fender PV 63 with flats because that pickup is really bassy and punchy. Flats don't have much highs for starters so they are generally better paired with a pickup that has a fair amount of highs. With flats I would go with Lollar for vintage tone.
Click to expand...

Spot on. I wound up not liking the 63’s very much for that reason. The highs and high mids were a bit too attenuated for my taste and while those pickups slam, the detail just wasn’t there. I can see how they’d be nice for recording because they do have a rich, beefy output. Even with rounds, I found myself turning my amps EQ on its head...something I wasn’t quite used to from a traditional P pickup.
 
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#186
d00dr said:
I’m looking to swap out the pickup in my 2010 American Standard P that still has the stock pickup in it. I’m looking to go with a more “modern” sounding pickup, as my 2001 American Standard has a Fender Custom Shop ‘62 and the build I’m putting together is going to have a Lollar Overwound in it, both basses sporting flats. The 2010 has rounds on it. I think I have it narrowed down to:

1) David Allen CS 1088P
2) Dimarzio Model P
3) Rio Grande Vintage P

Anybody have any suggestions or advice on which way I should go? I’m open to suggestions, even if they’re not listed in those three. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Out of your list I would go for DiMarzio Model P. I have tried the 3 pickups you list. The Model P will give you the more modern tone you're looking for but it stays well within the Precision tone family. It's an amazing pickup. I have mine mounted on a hot rod ash P and it just smokes. It's my 3rd time owning this pickup, it has actually grown on me over the years.
 
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#187
Laurent said:
Out of your list I would go for DiMarzio Model P. I have tried the 3 pickups you list. The Model P will give you the more modern tone you're looking for but it stays well within the Precision tone family. It's an amazing pickup. I have mine mounted on a hot rod ash P and it just smokes. It's my 3rd time owning this pickup, it has actually grown on me over the years.
Click to expand...

I kind of gathered that the Model P would be the best choice for a more “modern” tonal goal, based on what I’ve read. Any others out there that you would recommend that maybe even more “modern” sounding? Thanks!
 
#188
d00dr said:
I kind of gathered that the Model P would be the best choice for a more “modern” tonal goal, based on what I’ve read. Any others out there that you would recommend that maybe even more “modern” sounding? Thanks!
Click to expand...

The Lakland Neo-Punch is one that comes to mind. Nordstrand also now makes a blade design ceramic P pickup that is supposedly on the more aggressive side.
 
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#190
Zoobiedood said:
How are you defining 'modern' here? More power? Different EQ than vintage?
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I guess I would describe “modern” as brighter, grindy-er sounding. Not necessarily scooped. Like the opposite of “vintage.” I’ve got the “vintage” vibe covered already and am looking for a grindy-er, brighter tone for the P with rounds... does that even make any sense?

Please forgive my lack of proper terminology. I’m not really all that great at describing tones.:D
 
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#191
petrus61 said:
Spot on. I wound up not liking the 63’s very much for that reason. The highs and high mids were a bit too attenuated for my taste and while those pickups slam, the detail just wasn’t there. I can see how they’d be nice for recording because they do have a rich, beefy output. Even with rounds, I found myself turning my amps EQ on its head...something I wasn’t quite used to from a traditional P pickup.
Click to expand...

EXACT same reasons I fell out of love with the PV'63. It's a killer sounding pickup, but overtime I ended up getting rid of it because I use flats, am a finger style player and play close to the neck, so it was just too muddy and thuddy for me. Popped in a very affordable SD SPB-1 and got the warm, punchy and thumpy low end I was hoping for, but without the wool and mud.
 
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#198
d00dr said:
I’m looking to swap out the pickup in my 2010 American Standard P that still has the stock pickup in it. I’m looking to go with a more “modern” sounding pickup, as my 2001 American Standard has a Fender Custom Shop ‘62 and the build I’m putting together is going to have a Lollar Overwound in it, both basses sporting flats. The 2010 has rounds on it. I think I have it narrowed down to:

1) David Allen CS 1088P
2) Dimarzio Model P
3) Rio Grande Vintage P

Anybody have any suggestions or advice on which way I should go? I’m open to suggestions, even if they’re not listed in those three. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Delano has some modern P options
 
#200
Vinnie Boombatz said:
EXACT same reasons I fell out of love with the PV'63. It's a killer sounding pickup, but overtime I ended up getting rid of it because I use flats, am a finger style player and play close to the neck, so it was just too muddy and thuddy for me. Popped in a very affordable SD SPB-1 and got the warm, punchy and thumpy low end I was hoping for, but without the wool and mud.
Click to expand...

I play P with PV63 pup + TiJF344 + finger style play close to neck , but i dint face the problem you guy have. Maybe cause by the different Amp system ? Mine sound great with Hartke KB, Kilo and Messa D800 .
 
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