Ultra boutique P bass pickups

[Bass4ThePublic]

63 is on its way back to me! Should be here Friday.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Out for delivery, woohoo! I’ll post some sound recordings with flats and rounds later today as well as distorted tones.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Well, it’s here! Tom Brantley did a great job on these. They sound nice and even, yet very big. I’m no “tone expert” but I’ve played enough P pickups to tell a difference. While they are big and even sounding, they are pretty tight in the low mids department which adds a nice throaty snap. Think the Aguilar 4P-60, but with a tad more “throatiness” to it. Here is a vid of me noodling around with them installed. Strings are LaBella 760fl.

 

[Don Vitos]

hi guys. It's a pleasure to read and follow this thread.
what experiences do you have with antiquity and antiquity II (2)? what differences are there?

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

hi guys. It's a pleasure to read and follow this thread.
what experiences do you have with antiquity and antiquity II (2)? what differences are there?

Antiquity 2 is probably up there in my top 3 aftermarket precision pickups. I don’t really know how it compares to the Antiquity 1. The Antiquity 2 is a great late 60’s sounding pickup, can sound warm and thumpy if you want. I also like how it can sound quite aggressive if you dig in a little.

 

[punchdrunk]

Punchy and mid focussed is what the Duncan SPB-4 is all about. It’s clear sounding with a great sounding midrange that sits perfectly in a mix.

Amjbass, I am interested to know your thoughts regarding the Harris vs the Novak. You have previously advocated for Novak, but now seem to be firmly in the SHarris camp.

 

[punchdrunk]

Alright, based on the body of this thread I just ordered the Novak V to try. I’ll let the group know my impressions once I install it.
Also, I have a Fralin Standard wind that I’d be willing to swap with any interested parties. I’d love to weight that one against some Lollars, or even an SPB1/4.

 

[NKBassman]

Alright, based on the body of this thread I just ordered the Novak V to try. I’ll let the group know my impressions once I install it.
Also, I have a Fralin Standard wind that I’d be willing to swap with any interested parties. I’d love to weight that one against some Lollars, or even an SPB1/4.

I liked the Novak PBV when I had it. It's one of those ones that I tried and flipped, but would gladly try again some day.

 

[punchdrunk]

I liked the Novak PBV when I had it. It's one of those ones that I tried and flipped, but would gladly try again some day.

Right on. I’m alway interested in the experience of working professionals. As a matter of fact, a quip you made regarding this one in another thread helped me in my decision. Thanks!

 

[NKBassman]

Right on. I’m alway interested in the experience of working professionals. As a matter of fact, a quip you made regarding this one in another thread helped me in my decision. Thanks!

I wish I could admit to being a working professional bass player, but my day job is something else entirely.

 

[punchdrunk]

I wish I could admit to being a working professional bass player, but my day job is something else entirely.

Haha. You and me both.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Just bought a mint AVRI 57 Precision. It had the stock pickups with the raised A string pole pieces. After playing around a few days I can see why Leo eventually ditched it. Not terrible, but not the best in terms of string to string balance (both E and A are pretty boomy). Replaced it with a SPB-1 and MAN what difference. It’s now my dream bass (as I’ll never afford an actual 57 P). I’ve had Fralin, Klein, Novak and other “boutique” P-Bass pickups and the SPB-1 is every bit as good as any of them. Here’s a few pictures.

 

[KK Jale]

Great looking bass!

 

[punchdrunk]

Very nice!

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Great looking bass!

Thanks

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Very nice!

Thanks

 

[StevieMac]

Just bought a mint AVRI 57 Precision. It had the stock pickups with the raised A string pole pieces. After playing around a few days I can see why Leo eventually ditched it. Not terrible, but not the best in terms of string to string balance (both E and A are pretty boomy). Replaced it with a SPB-1 and MAN what difference. It’s now my dream bass (as I’ll never afford an actual 57 P). I’ve had Fralin, Klein, Novak and other “boutique” P-Bass pickups and the SPB-1 is every bit as good as any of them. Here’s a few pictures.
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You have to keep in mind that amplification was a lot different back then. That pole piece was raised precisely to help make the strings sound more balanced.

Oh, and super nice bass, congrats!

 

[TheCouchBassist]

You have to keep in mind that amplification was a lot different back then. That pole piece was raised precisely to help make the strings sound more balanced.

Oh, and super nice bass, congrats!

Good point

 

[Ringhammer]

I notice some of the boutique pickup companies offer a “P-90” version of P-bass pickups. What is that. I’m guessing it’s a crossover to a Gibson P-90 pickup sound, of which I know nothing about. Not even sure my guess is correct, lol!

 

[5StringBlues]

hi guys. It's a pleasure to read and follow this thread.
what experiences do you have with antiquity and antiquity II (2)? what differences are there?

The Antiquity I is a naturally dark pickup. A friend of mine played my Antiquity equipped bass and remarked that it was like the tone knob was rolled back a third ,tho it was wide open. I've not had hands on with an Antiquity 2.


The Antiquity I is wound like a '57 P, the 2 is like a '62.


I personally like a bit of "air" on top of my tone so I went with a Fralin in another P , which is also wound like a '62. I'd imagine the Antiquity 2 to be like the Fralin: Fairly even across the spectrum.


The Antiquity 1 has a strong low mid bump which seems to poke out over the highs. Duncan website describes it as "wooly".