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Ultra boutique P bass pickups

#981
Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati said:
I abstain from commenting as the target pickup definition’s is not so clear to me.
However, while mentioning the Arcane ‘65 and the Fender CS ‘60s, one may also consider the Klein Epic ‘62, which, substantially, is in the same ballpark.
The Kloppman PB63 costs as twice as the others in @Laurent’s list, but the tone is far from being twice as better (I know this is an old topic but I’d personally never buy a P-bass pickup at that price sounding the way it sounds).
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I play a Kloppmann PB63. Yes it's obscenely expensive, and yes it does not sound twice as good as other pickups but it might well be the best pickup I own.
It has an amazing tone and rather than owning another pedal or another bass I might not use, I bought that pickup.
 
#982
Evan38109 said:
It's kinda funny...when I read "P pu that’s fat and clear," my mind immediately went to the late 50's style pickups like the Arcane '57 and Klein '59. I'm curious, why did y'all think of 60's pickups like the Arcane '65 and Klein '62 instead?
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It's tough to make a general statement because each pickup can have it own voice and frequency response.
In general, I have not been a fan of 50's style pickups because I find them too glassy on top, they have too much highs. I have not tried the Klein '59 so I can't comment on that one. The Arcane '57 did not have a ton of highs, it was actually a mids and mid-bass oriented pickup that would do really well with 60's Motown and soul music. Ultimately I like the Arcane 56 better.

Differences between pickups can be small and furthermore how good they sound is related to the players' hands, instrument and strings. It's a bit like shoes, it would be hard to the naked eye to see the difference between a D or an E width shoe. Yet, to someone's feet that might be the difference between a comfortable shoe and a very uncomfortable one.
 
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#983
Laurent said:
It's tough to make a general statement because each pickup can have it own voice and frequency response.
In general, I have not been a fan of 50's style pickups because I find them too glassy on top, they have too much highs. I have not tried the Klein '59 so I can't comment on that one. The Arcane '57 did not have a ton of highs, it was actually a mids and mid-bass oriented pickup that would do really well with 60's Motown and soul music. Ultimately I like the Arcane 56 better.

Differences between pickups can be small and furthermore how good they sound is related to the players' hands, instrument and strings. It's a bit like shoes, it would be hard to the naked eye to see the difference between a D or an E width shoe. Yet, to someone's feet that might be the difference between a comfortable shoe and a very uncomfortable one.
Click to expand...
You can check the Epic ‘59 tone in the sample tune which link I have attached above.
No effects; tone at 30/40%, LaBella DTF 760FL and simulated Ampeg SVT amp.
 
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#989
SickAura said:
Hi all - need some advice - I've been on the hunt for a Fender Pure Vintage 58 pickup for a while with no luck. What would you guys suggest as a suitable replacement? Thx
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They describe the Klein 58 as being warmer than the Klein 59, which I know well. The Fender 58 is a pretty bright pickup so just going by description I'm not sure the Klein 58 would be very close.

It sort of surprised me, but of the pickups I've tried and am familiar with, the Lollar gets the closest. But even then it's not quite as bright. The SPB1 is great and is similar but again not as bright.

If you haven't already, save a couple of keyword searches on ebay and reverb for the Fender 58. They pop up from time to time.
 
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#990
Coughdrops said:
They describe the Klein 58 as being warmer than the Klein 59, which I know well. The Fender 58 is a pretty bright pickup so just going by description I'm not sure the Klein 58 would be very close.

It sort of surprised me, but of the pickups I've tried and am familiar with, the Lollar gets the closest. But even then it's not quite as bright. The SPB1 is great and is similar but again not as bright.

If you haven't already, save a couple of keyword searches on ebay and reverb for the Fender 58. They pop up from time to time.
Click to expand...

Thanks - how would you describe the Klein 59?
 
#991
SickAura said:
Thanks - how would you describe the Klein 59?
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The Klein Epic ‘59 has a less throaty tone if compared to the SD SPB-1, but it sounds similar to it to my ears, slightly clearer however.
Output is also similar; it’s a warm sounding pickup, which tone becomes growly only when you dig in, putting the player in control.
There’s a sample tune which link I have attached in a previous post, where the above features are highlighted I believe.
 
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#993
Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati said:
Hi.
I’d just like to share another sample track I recorded with my Klein Epic ‘62-equipped AO ‘60s P-bass:

Tune 27-2023 (the Sporting Sunday)

OT, the bridge pickup of my JB has lost power; I’m planning to replace it with a Klein Epic ‘62 as well.
Anybody has got direct experience with such pickup to share?
Click to expand...

thats the kind of futbol song I would tune into every week
 
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#994
I am new to this forum. I found this thread when looking for reviews and options on some p bass pickups. I read through all 50 pages. It was long but extremely informative.

So... i have a 70's yamaha pulser 400 p bass (a late 70's fender lawsuit copy). It is a sen body (Asian ash) with a maple neck. The bass resonates like crazy unplugged so I know I have something here. plugged in the bass is bright and has a snappy attack. Very similar to a late 70's fender p bass.

I am looking to replace the pickups. I play a mix of 70's-80's funk (mostly fingerstyle Paul Jackson and rocco prestia vibe), some Motown stuff, and neo-soul type music. I play with roundwound strings

I was thinking fralin or lollar. They both have standard wind and higher percentage winds. From reading the thread @Ringhammer has many 70's fenders with very similar setup to mine and has also used fralin and lollar both standard and higher % winds. I would love to know how they differ. Also any suggestions would be most welcome. I know back in the 70's players who had Fenders would swap the Fender pickups for dimarzio p pick ups.

Sadly the Acrane 65 which was highly regarded here Isn't going to be available to me here in the UK. Curtis Novak may also be expensive due to extra customs tax over here.

Cheers
 
#995
Is yours a “double P” setup?

At this point I’d say I prefer the Lollars, and I only say that because I think they are fuller and maybe a little darker. But both are good. In my double P’s I usually run both on full. But each bass is different tuning, different strings, etc. It’s hard to tell, especially since they all sound good. I also have 2 Seymour Duncan “hot” sets, in a ‘71 with maple neck, and that one, tuned Eb, is also a really good one. The price and availability of the SD (SPB-2) might be a better choice for you.
 
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#996
Ringhammer said:
Is yours a “double P” setup?

At this point I’d say I prefer the Lollars, and I only say that because I think they are fuller and maybe a little darker. But both are good. In my double P’s I usually run both on full. But each bass is different tuning, different strings, etc. It’s hard to tell, especially since they all sound good. I also have 2 Seymour Duncan “hot” sets, in a ‘71 with maple neck, and that one, tuned Eb, is also a really good one. The price and availability of the SD (SPB-2) might be a better choice for you.
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Hey Ringhammer. thanks for the response.

Mine is only a single P, though i would love a double P in the future. I have the opportunity to get the high wind lollars for a great price, cheaper than the Duncans. How do the high winds compare to the standard wind? I found out that Nash guitars use the high winds pickups in p basses which is interesting. I thought it was a custom wound pickup.

I've not been able to find any overwound examples of Fralin on the internet.

Granted every bass reacts differently but I get the feeling that a higher wound pickup would be your recommendation.
 
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#997
I do have a “high wind” Lollar in one of my single pickup P’s and it is definitely hotter than the Arcane 65 that came out of it. When the Arcane was in it it had that signature P-bass midrange sound and a fat low end as you would expect, but also kind of “zinging” high, and the fret click was pronounced. The fret click/clack is something I struggled with on this particular maple fb bass. The Lollar gave it more output, and seemed to tame the highs some, and I felt it was an improvement overall. That bass doesn’t get a lot of playing time (like all of my Fenders at the moment), because I’m fully enamored with Gibson Thunderbirds lately and have bought five over the last couple years. Two of them have Lollar Thunderbird pickups and they are a definite improvement (to my ears) over the stock black plastic TB+ pickup that come in them. I guess what I’m getting at here is I would recommend the Lollar pickups (either standard or high wind) for your application. I think they’re a great company that makes a quality product. They are what I have in more of my P’s than any other. But beware, if you aren’t already down this rabbit hole of pickup swapping, you will be soon. No matter what pickup you choose, you’ll always wonder if the other one(s) you didn’t choose is/are somehow better….
 
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#998
Dear @soulstar89 .. if you like bass-oriented P-bass pickups, with a distinctive Motown character, I’d definitely give the widely available Fender PV ‘63 pickup a shot.
If you like a bit more midrange and a bit less bass, whilst keeping that peculiar vintage taste, you may wish to try a Seymour Duncan SPB-1 pickup, a bit underestimated in my opinion but a very fine sounding pickup.
Going up a little step .. well .. definitely the Klein Epic ‘62; it has got all one may want from a P-bass pickup IMO.
 
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#999
soulstar89 said:
Hey Ringhammer. thanks for the response.

Mine is only a single P, though i would love a double P in the future. I have the opportunity to get the high wind lollars for a great price, cheaper than the Duncans. How do the high winds compare to the standard wind? I found out that Nash guitars use the high winds pickups in p basses which is interesting. I thought it was a custom wound pickup.

I've not been able to find any overwound examples of Fralin on the internet.

Granted every bass reacts differently but I get the feeling that a higher wound pickup would be your recommendation.
Click to expand...
How overwound? Do you know the actual resistance? The Lollars sound like a deal to me considering your location...you can always flip them if need be.

Ive played several early 60s P basses including my buds 64 and i dont care for really overwound P pickups usually such as Duncan SPB2 (depends on the wire and other factors)...matter of fact i have a 70's Japan Masada P bass; Ash wings w maple center block, maple RW bolt neck i bought a cheap 'underwound' China alnico 5 P pickup and am very pleased (its like 5% underwound)....i use a Duncan SPB1 as a reference which ive had in several P bass types....slight over and underwound variations of a traditional Fender alnico P pickup are popular as we know.
 
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