Ultra boutique P bass pickups

[Snaxster]

Curtis Novak, David Allen Pickups, Van Zandt, Klein Pickups, Bullock Guitar Pickups, Bare Knuckle, Arcane Inc.

Anyone with experience with these boutique pickup makers? They are obviously less well known than Fralin, Lollar, Nordstrand but that does not mean their products are less interesting...

Laurent, here is a new one by The Pickup Wizard, review just posted:

Mini-review: The Pickup Wizard custom, hand wound, split coil Precision bass pickup

 

[T. Brookins]

M&V!!! They're not terribly pricey but sound balanced and awesome!

 

[sheltjo6]

Just to add to the knowledge base I recorded a comparison between the SPB-1 and Arcane 65. It's just direct into my computer. The SPB-1 was recorded a while back and I don't remember where I had the tone control so I did my best to be sure that the Arcane sounded the same in the high end so as not to mislead anyone. I also equalized the volume as best i could. The 1st half of the clip is the Duncan and the 2nd half the Arcane.

Thanks for sharing this sound clip.
Both pickups sound similar, but with a good set a head phones you can hear the tonal differences.
The SDP-1 sounds brighter and more raw in the mids whereas the Arcane sounds a bit more refined in the mids.
Either pickup sounds good, but if I had to choose between one or the other, I would choose the Arcane.
It's tone is a little thicker than the SD.

 

[Pbassmanca]

Hey Snaxter, that was a detailed and great review of the klein 59' p pickup and 62 J. I've been debating between the 59' and 62' P pickups for a rosewood/alder P bass that I have. Right now its wearing the fender Original pbass pickup, which I like, but I'm looking for something more dark and woody along the lines of Chuck Rainey's tone. ( He was playing likely a 1960 ish precision bass on most of his studio work with Labella flats) In your opinion, do you think the 59' is suitable for that tonal profile? I know I'm providing a very general set of parameters but I really want something that brings out the woody midrange bark. Thanks!

Brian

Laurent, voici mon commentaire d'un pickup « 1959 Precision » de Klein Pickups:-

Review: Klein Pickups hand wound Precision/Jazz (P/J) bass pickups pair​

Soon I will post a review of a P/J pair of Flying Mojo pickups, which are even more "ultra boutique" than Klein.

 

[Snaxster]

Hey Snaxter, that was a detailed and great review of the klein 59' p pickup and 62 J. I've been debating between the 59' and 62' P pickups for a rosewood/alder P bass that I have. Right now its wearing the fender Original pbass pickup, which I like, but I'm looking for something more dark and woody along the lines of Chuck Rainey's tone. ( He was playing likely a 1960 ish precision bass on most of his studio work with Labella flats) In your opinion, do you think the 59' is suitable for that tonal profile? I know I'm providing a very general set of parameters but I really want something that brings out the woody midrange bark. Thanks!

Brian

Hello Brian. Thanks about my review. I just reread it, but I saw nothing suggesting "woody midrange bark" in the Klein Epic 1959 P bass pickup. Recently I am playing that same pickup in a different bass (the third bass so far, and where it will stay), and I can confirm that it does not have that characteristic. Also, I have yet to play the Klein Epic 1962 P bass pickup, so I can't comment on it. There's no accounting for taste or terminology, though; so you may want to try both in your bass, just in case. I can't speak highly enough of Klein's 1959 P pickup.

Try Curtis Novak PB-V, Lollar split coil P bass, and Seymour Duncan Antiquity P bass pickups. Each is quite different, but one might get you the midrange you seek. Good luck!

 

[40Hz]

Hey Snaxter, that was a detailed and great review of the klein 59' p pickup and 62 J. I've been debating between the 59' and 62' P pickups for a rosewood/alder P bass that I have. Right now its wearing the fender Original pbass pickup, which I like, but I'm looking for something more dark and woody along the lines of Chuck Rainey's tone. ( He was playing likely a 1960 ish precision bass on most of his studio work with Labella flats) In your opinion, do you think the 59' is suitable for that tonal profile? I know I'm providing a very general set of parameters but I really want something that brings out the woody midrange bark. Thanks!

Brian

I've got the Klein Epic '62 in a 2015 MIM and it sounds really nice. I go back to that era. And while (accurate) personal memories of specific tones are dicey at best, I think this pickup definitely has that era's bass sound wound into it. I've got a set of LaBella Copper White Nylons on it, and this bass with this pickup gets it right.

 

[Pbassmanca]

Well guys, I just popped on the Klein 62's. They'll be going In my early 90's Mexican Pbass (Rosewood/alder) with 250 K pots and .1 uf ceramic cap. Can't wait to hear how they sound compared to the Fender Original pickup that is currently in there. (Which I actually don't mind the sound of)

 

[Pbassmanca]

Hello Brian. Thanks about my review. I just reread it, but I saw nothing suggesting "woody midrange bark" in the Klein Epic 1959 P bass pickup. Recently I am playing that same pickup in a different bass (the third bass so far, and where it will stay), and I can confirm that it does not have that characteristic. Also, I have yet to play the Klein Epic 1962 P bass pickup, so I can't comment on it. There's no accounting for taste or terminology, though; so you may want to try both in your bass, just in case. I can't speak highly enough of Klein's 1959 P pickup.

Try Curtis Novak PB-V, Lollar split coil P bass, and Seymour Duncan Antiquity P bass pickups. Each is quite different, but one might get you the midrange you seek. Good luck!

I just ordered a set of the Klein 62' P bass pickups. I'll let you guys know how they sound once they're all setup in the bass.

 

[Aroneng]

I've installed the Arcane 65 P in a self-build project (swamp body and maple board).

As a basis for comparison i have a G&L LB-100 (alder body and rosewood board) fitted with a Stellartone Tonestyler which is otherwise stock (pickups).

The Arcane pickups have much more openness with clear mids and harmonics, in comparison to the LB-100 pickups in the G&L have more pronounced lows and more muted sound.

I may remove the Tonestyler to see how that affects the tone, but for this comparison the Tonestyler is in the "1st" position; this should be similar to stock (like the Tonestyler wasn't there).

I'm pretty much thrilled with the Arcane sound.

 

[Snaxster]

Hello. My review still is pending. But there is this post, which I found very helpful.

Maybe others will fare better, but my experience with Jess Loureiro did not include a happy ending:

Jess Loureiro bass pickups: how did they sound to you?

 

[sheltjo6]

Just tested a Lollar overwound precision pickup in my LB-100. Wow!!! That pickup has balls.

It doesn't have the mid-frequency response my EMG Geezer has, but it does have a huge, low frequency response the Geezer lacks.

I would like to compare it to an Aguilar AG- 4P hot to hear the tonal differences.

 

[sheltjo6]

I spend some time comparing the Arcane 65 pickup with a group of quality pickups and the results were impressive.

Here is what I used as a reference group; all pickups are split coil sixties style pickups; basses are all P basses of various flavors and wood, strings are mosty round wound Ernie Ball Slinkies or Dunlop Roundwound:
Lollar
Lollar Overwound
Aguilar AG 4P-60
Aguilar AG 4P-hot
Fender Select (pickup from a Fender Select - not available for purchase as an after market pickup)

Tonally and stylistically the Arcane sat in between the two Lollars. It did not have the extended highs of the regular Lollar and it did not have quite the muscular output and the bass of the Lollar Overwound. The Arcane was hotter in output than the regular Lollar. The Fender Select stands in its own because of its somewhat glassy, punchy tone. It seems to have a bump in the high mids that gives it that cut through character. The Aguilar AG 4P-60 is quite warm and woolly. It has sufficient highs but it's kind of a gentle, polite sounding pickup. The Arcane has less of that aggressive character compared with the Fender Select and more than the Aguilar. The Aguilar Hot has extensive bass and a massive output and this pickup, although related to the Lollar Ovewound stands alone in this group.

All of these pickups are my favorites after testing through 20 some different P bass pickups and I was surprised how the Arcane shined in this group. It really delivered well by its overall balance. All of these pickups deliver a nice P bass tone but they all have their strength and weaknesses; their own character.

The Arcane is so balanced that when I started testing it, it appeared to be the middle of the road average P bass pickup. Upon further listening I came to conclusion that this pickup comes across as such because it's so balanced and so tonally elegant.

It's a beautiful sounding pickup that delivers a nice amount of growl on its low register. It is obvious that the people at Arcane have a great level of technical skills and great ears to deal-in such a quality great sounding pickups. I believe they are mostly noted as a guitar pickup builder. This is often the case because the demand for guitar pickups far exceed the demand for bass pickups. I am glad however that this company took the time to great a limited but well focused range of bass pickups.

Should anybody owning a Lollar, Fralin, Aguilar dump it to buy this, probably not, particularly if you are happy with what you have. However if you are in the market for a new pickup, Arcane should definitely be on your list as one of the best option available in the highest quality range of sixties style split coil pickups. This pickup would also be a great option for people restoring a vintage instrument and who need an authentic sound replacement to their original pickups. Needless to say, I am impressed and so glad I purchased this pickup.

Hello Laurent,
I just had the opportunity to test a Lollar overwound precision pickup. As you mentioned in your review, it produces a deep, muscular tone.

After reading your reviews, I would like to hear you opinion on the Aguilar Hot precision pickup. How does it compare in tonality with the Lollar?

Looking forward to your reply.

Joe

 

[Pbassmanca]

Well, STI'LL haven't put the Klein Epic Series 1962 pickups in my alder/rosewood P yet! Finally getting some spare time next week, so the 62's are going in come hell or high water! I plan on recording the best quality sound clips I can muster as there are no examples online of Klein bass pickups that I can find , and I don't have all of the descriptive eloquence of our friend @Snaxter to fill you guys in!

 

[Laurent]

Hello Laurent,
I just had the opportunity to test a Lollar overwound precision pickup. As you mentioned in your review, it produces a deep, muscular tone.

After reading your reviews, I would like to hear you opinion on the Aguilar Hot precision pickup. How does it compare in tonality with the Lollar?

Looking forward to your reply.

Joe

My guitar player's comment on the Aguilar Hot was, outdoors only please! That's how potent that pickup is. Massive bass, muscular response, not for the shy at heart. It's big, authoritative and fantastic. That being said, I am a fan of Aguilar, their pickups shows the owner of the company has an amazing pair of ears and that he takes no compromise at all. I bought a set of Aguilar jazz pickups and they are fantastic too. I've lost count how many Aguilar pup's I have owned but they are all solid.

The Lollar is a slightly plus version of the regular Lollar pickups, it thrives by its balance. It's not as extreme as the Aguilar hot but it shines in its own way. It's only a matter of degree.
It's important to consider the pickup to complement your instrument. If your bass is bass-shy the Aguilar might be best. If the bass is naturally bassy, the Lollar hot might be perfect.
Unfortunately, you often have to try the pickups on your instrument to form a definitive opinion.

 

[stratovani]

Here's my contribution to this thread. I have a set of M&V Atlas pickups in my Squier Affinity P-Bass, and they sound great. Like the Delano pickups they have large pole pieces instead of the usual two per string like the usual P pickup. Unfortunately I don't have any sound samples to add here, but I can say that I've had there pickups in my bass for over a year now and I like the sounds I'm getting out of them - warm and meaty with a bit of edge.

P-Bass--3-8--Pole-Split-Humbucker-Replacement-Pickups-

 

[sheltjo6]

My guitar player's comment on the Aguilar Hot was, outdoors only please! That's how potent that pickup is. Massive bass, muscular response, not for the shy at heart. It's big, authoritative and fantastic. That being said, I am a fan of Aguilar, their pickups shows the owner of the company has an amazing pair of ears and that he takes no compromise at all. I bought a set of Aguilar jazz pickups and they are fantastic too. I've lost count how many Aguilar pup's I have owned but they are all solid.

The Lollar is a slightly plus version of the regular Lollar pickups, it thrives by its balance. It's not as extreme as the Aguilar hot but it shines in its own way. It's only a matter of degree.
It's important to consider the pickup to complement your instrument. If your bass is bass-shy the Aguilar might be best. If the bass is naturally bass, the Lollar hot might be perfect.
Unfortunately, you often have to try the pickups on your instrument to form a definitive opinion.

Thank you Laurent for your response.

I agree with you on selecting pickups (and strings) that compliment an instrument's tone.
It's taken me a few years and several dollars to fine tune each of my basses.
What worked on one bass does not necessarily work on another, even if they are built to the same specs.

So far the Precision Pickups I've tested include:
Nordstrand NP4: Nice tone, but hollow sounding.
EMG PA: Nice tone for an active pickup. Has a better mid-frequency response than the EMG P pickup, which thickens the overall tone.
EMG P: Nice modern tone, but hollow sounding. Great pickup if you use a pick and want the low end response with a 1Khz click tone.
EMG Geezer: Full tone with strong mid-frequency response. Kind of lacking on the low frequency response.
Lollar Hot: Muscular low frequency response and loud. Would like to hear more mids in this pickup's response, but it's still work keeping for playing hard rock. (Sounds similar to the Aero Type 1 Jazz pickups I have in my jazz bass, but with a lot more bass response)

Regards,
Joe

 

[DevinWard369]

Here's my contribution to this thread. I have a set of M&V Atlas pickups in my Squier Affinity P-Bass, and they sound great. Like the Delano pickups they have large pole pieces instead of the usual two per string like the usual P pickup. Unfortunately I don't have any sound samples to add here, but I can say that I've had there pickups in my bass for over a year now and I like the sounds I'm getting out of them - warm and meaty with a bit of edge.

P-Bass--3-8--Pole-Split-Humbucker-Replacement-Pickups-

I've said it before elsewhere.. the M&V atlas are killer pickups!!! They have a 20% more output/regular versions and they are both way nice pickups. Come in white or black even! And around 100 shipped, very great option for everyone to look into.

 

[bassdude51]

I've tried about 7 or 8 (lost count) P Bass pickups and my experience has been.............whether if spending $65 for Fender Originals or S. Duncan SPB-1 or $200 for so called boutique P pickups................there really isn't all that much difference in sound. Very, very little difference. Spending big time bucks for a P pickup isn't worth it.

Get a good used set of Fender Originals or Duncan SPB-1 for about $45. Plenty good enough.

 

[jallenbass]

I've tried about 7 or 8 (lost count) P Bass pickups and my experience has been.............whether if spending $65 for Fender Originals or S. Duncan SPB-1 or $200 for so called boutique P pickups................there really isn't all that much difference in sound. Very, very little difference. Spending big time bucks for a P pickup isn't worth it.

Get a good used set of Fender Originals or Duncan SPB-1 for about $45. Plenty good enough.

I agree with one caveat. In your living room played alone they are mostly similar. On the bandstand the differences become quite apparent and price may or may not be an indication of the best performers. Vague, I know, but that was how I made my choices.

 

[Snaxster]

I've tried about 7 or 8 (lost count) P Bass pickups and my experience has been.............whether if spending $65 for Fender Originals or S. Duncan SPB-1 or $200 for so called boutique P pickups................there really isn't all that much difference in sound. Very, very little difference. Spending big time bucks for a P pickup isn't worth it.

Get a good used set of Fender Originals or Duncan SPB-1 for about $45. Plenty good enough.

A whole 7 or 8, eh? Seriously, though, that is interesting. My experience so far is quite different.

With any given two across makes, models, and vintages, and irrespective of price, I have yet to hear two split coil P bass pickups that sound the same.

And if it's old Fender, then especially it's the luck of the draw: for example, two mid-1970s Precision pickups I have sound totally different; but two 1967 to 1969 Precision pickups I have sound very similar.