Ultra boutique P bass pickups

[Laklandfan]

The Novak pb-v must be pretty good, I’m not seeing hardly any used listings in the classifieds. From reading the thread it’s got me the most interested, followed by the Arcane 57, without raised pole pieces. But the Pb90 and 65L might also be contenders.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

The Novak pb-v must be pretty good, I’m not seeing hardly any used listings in the classifieds. From reading the thread it’s got me the most interested, followed by the Arcane 57, without raised pole pieces. But the Pb90 and 65L might also be contenders.

Yeah, I've heard nothing, but rave reviews for the PB-V.
A couple of people in this thread started with the PB-CC then switched to the PB-90 only to find their perfect match with the PB-V.
I like the PB-90 as its a bit more aggressive (than the PB-V) in the mids.
However, I had the V-Mod in my AmPro and was a bit mid-starved......ha ha ha

 

[tomich]

The PB-V is very well-made vintage sounding pickup. It is in the same range (and price!) as the SPB-1, although hand made.

Whether this pickup suits your needs depends on whether you would think the range of something like the strength and dynamic of that vintage level is what you are looking for. By itself it sounds nice, but when you put it into a mix is where it really shines.

 

[Laklandfan]

Yeah, I've heard nothing, but rave reviews for the PB-V.
A couple of people in this thread started with the PB-CC then switched to the PB-90 only to find their perfect match with the PB-V.
I like the PB-90 as its a bit more aggressive (than the PB-V) in the mids.
However, I had the V-Mod in my AmPro and was a bit mid-starved......ha ha ha

I’m curious where they are aggressive, some mid frequencies, to me, make basses sound nasally/honky. I’d be into it if they added extra presence or punch down lower.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Lakland Fan - here is how Curtis Novak describes their 4 types of post 57 P-Bass type pickups:

• PB-V
  • Vintage correct Precision Bass pickups with a nice mid bite
• PB-90
  • P-90 bar magnets give nice organic growl and overdrive than a standard P-Bass pickup
• PB-CC
  • P-90 style bar magnet give nice organic growl and overdrives
  • The fatter coil gives a fuller/wider tone without a mid peak like the PB-90
• PB-Fat
  • The fatter coil produces a wider tone band, higher fidelity, less mids and more body than a standard P Bass pickup

I was looking for something a bit like some of the early 70's grey-bottom pickups (i.e. a bit more aggressive) which is why I went with the PB-90.
Tone is so subjective that you really best off picking one and trying it out.
Curtis (Novak) will definitely work with you if the pickup you try out is (ultimately) not to your liking.

 

[tomich]

Let me know if anybody from the US is coming to Europe and can bring over a PB-90!

 

[Laklandfan]

Lakland Fan - here is how Curtis Novak describes their 4 types of post 57 P-Bass type pickups:

• PB-V
  • Vintage correct Precision Bass pickups with a nice mid bite
• PB-90
  • P-90 bar magnets give nice organic growl and overdrive than a standard P-Bass pickup
• PB-CC
  • P-90 style bar magnet give nice organic growl and overdrives
  • The fatter coil gives a fuller/wider tone without a mid peak like the PB-90
• PB-Fat
  • The fatter coil produces a wider tone band, higher fidelity, less mids and more body than a standard P Bass pickup

I was looking for something a bit like some of the early 70's grey-bottom pickups (i.e. a bit more aggressive) which is why I went with the PB-90.
Tone is so subject that you really best off picking one and trying it out.
Curtis (Novak) will definitely work with you if the pickup you try out is (ultimately) not to your liking.

Considering the reputation, they are probably all excellent. If I had enough money I’d order both and try both. Do you feel like they are night and day different or more just different shades?

 

[joker820]

Considering the reputation, they are probably all excellent. If I had enough money I’d order both and try both. Do you feel like they are night and day different or more just different shades?

@NKBassman did a great comparison thread. Curtis Novak Precision Pickups Review (PB-90 and PB-CC)

 

[Type-55]

Lollar or Novak PB-V any thoughts?

 

[NKBassman]

@NKBassman did a great comparison thread. Curtis Novak Precision Pickups Review (PB-90 and PB-CC)

I ended up settling on the PB-V and really liked it. Then I sold it for something else.

 

[ErikP.Bass]

I ended up settling on the PB-V and really liked it. Then I sold it for something else.

You can’t do that then leave us in the dark on the something else...

 

[NKBassman]

You can’t do that then leave us in the dark on the something else...

Hahaha it was so long ago I can't remember where I went after the Novak! I think it was Nordstrand Power Blade, and then to the current Nordy NP4a. I have a Duncan Steve Harris SPB-4 on deck.

 

[Laklandfan]

Lollar or Novak PB-V any thoughts?

I’m very interested in this comparison.

 

[Laklandfan]

Hahaha it was so long ago I can't remember where I went after the Novak! I think it was Nordstrand Power Blade, and then to the current Nordy NP4a. I have a Duncan Steve Harris SPB-4 on deck.

Dang, I’d trade my np4a for the pb-v.

 

[NKBassman]

Dang, I’d trade my np4a for the pb-v.

I might want to go back in that direction too. Especially now that I put TI flats on that bass. Need to try the SPB4 first though.

 

[franklindayala]

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Considering the reputation, they are probably all excellent. If I had enough money I’d order both and try both. Do you feel like they are night and day different or more just different shades?

I don’t believe they are not and day different, but the PB-90 definitely has more pronounced mids. If I played with a pick more often I might have favored the PB-V. However, because I play finger style the PB-90 allows for a slightly more aggressive tone if I want it. One other trade-off is that I’m sure the PB-V does a better job of copping the Motown vibe when you the tone knob back. Get I installed an Obsidianwire solderless harness with treble bleed circuit. Now I can try different pickups whenever I want without soldering. I know everyone says soldering is easy, but I just didn’t want to bother with it. I’m interested to see what pickup you settle on.

 

[Laklandfan]

I don’t believe they are not and day different, but the PB-90 definitely has more pronounced mids. If I played with a pick more often I might have favored the PB-V. However, because I play finger style the PB-90 allows for a slightly more aggressive tone if I want it. One other trade-off is that I’m sure the PB-V does a better job of copping the Motown vibe when you the tone knob back. Get I installed an Obsidianwire solderless harness with treble bleed circuit. Now I can try different pickups whenever I want without soldering. I know everyone says soldering is easy, but I just didn’t want to bother with it. I’m interested to see what pickup you settle on.

I think I’m going to go with the PB-V. For that Motown thing, but I also do think recordings of the -CC are really nice. Maybe for a different bass. I’m looking to see if anyone has a Used PB-V that they are flipping.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Just thought I’d check in regarding the Novak PB-90’s. My rig is a Quilter BB800 with Quilter 1x12 (sealed) cabinet. My bass is a 2017 American Professional P-Bass with Dunlop stainless steel flat wounds. The AmPro had the stock V-Mods which I replaced with the Novak P-90’s. In hindsight it was a bit like going from a family sedan to an early 70’s muscle car. I initially loved the P-90’s as they provide in spades what the V-Mods lack. However, the honeymoon then wore off. I realized I had to rethink my my EQ settings on the BB800. I slightly bumped the Depth knob and slightly rolled back the Contour knob. Having done that I’ve now found my sweet spot. If I roll the P-Bass tone knob back, then I get nice old school Motown albeit we a bit more articulation. If I bring the tone knob back up, then I can get as aggressive as I want based on the overall volume I’m playing a. If you’re have a slightly darker sounding rig (or use flats), then I’d recommend the PB-90. If you have a brighter rig or play primarily with round wounds, then the PB-V or PB-CC is probably a better fit.

 

[Laurent]

I’m very interested in this comparison.

I owned the Novak PB-V for a moment some years ago and I was not particularly impressed by this pickup. Nothing wrong or nothing that I disliked about it but I much preferred the Lollar regular wound. I still own that pickup and still enjoy it, I no longer own the Novak if this means anything. I remember the Novak sounding like a middle of the road P vintage pickup.

I am interested with any comments regarding the Arcane 65L. I own an Arcane Experience 65 and that's my favorite P pickup. The Lollar is a close second. They are currently in different basses.