Ultra boutique P bass pickups

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Have you seen this?

https://www.lecomptebass.comView attachment 5301187

See: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/lecompte-mega-thread.215475/

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Have you seen this?

https://www.lecomptebass.comView attachment 5301187

Wow, I hadn’t. @Laurent pick up a set and review them for us

 

[Ryan in PDX]

I reached out to lollar as I found out they are in nash pickups like you said. I thought they had a custom wound but all nash basses use lollar high wind pickups.

tbh I’ve heard both and like a sound in between the standard or high wind. A reading of say 11.4-11.7.

I reached out to Lollar in 2015 because at the time I had both a Nash P bass with a Lollar pickup in it and a regular wound Lollar pickup in another bass.
A gentleman named Greg Timmons was kind enough to get back to me and said that Nash was using the regular wound Lollar pickup at the time, and not a custom wound or high wound.
In my case it turned out that the two pickups I had were the same even though I thought they sounded different. It was another reminder that the instrument and the string can really alter the perception of a pickup.

The information dates back to 2015, so it is entirely possible that Nash might have switched to a high wound for their more recent basses (which are really nice btw).

I took measurements on my fleet of P pickups a few months ago.

• Lollar "NASH 2021" 10.83 k

Lollar's listed stock wind is 11k, so I'd guess Nash was using the stock wind as of 2021.

For those interested, the other readings were:

• Fender "CS62" 10.35 k
  
• Fender "Tony Franklin" 11.10 k
  
• EMG "GZR" 11.2 k

The Lollar has a shorter/fatter coil geometry than the Fenders, and shorter rod magnets than the Tony. I didn't measure the CS62 rods, but it uses plain enamel wire, while the other two use formvar. The EMG is epoxy potted, so no measurements. All four pickups use non-beveled rods. There sure are a lot of ways to build a vintage-ish pickup.

 

[soulstar89]

I took measurements on my fleet of P pickups a few months ago.

• Lollar "NASH 2021" 10.83 k

Lollar's listed stock wind is 11k, so I'd guess Nash was using the stock wind as of 2021.

For those interested, the other readings were:

• Fender "CS62" 10.35 k
  
• Fender "Tony Franklin" 11.10 k
  
• EMG "GZR" 11.2 k

The Lollar has a shorter/fatter coil geometry than the Fenders, and shorter rod magnets than the Tony. I didn't measure the CS62 rods, but it uses plain enamel wire, while the other two use formvar. The EMG is epoxy potted, so no measurements. All four pickups use non-beveled rods. There sure are a lot of ways to build a vintage-ish pickup.

Wow. Completely different info from what they gave me. Thanks for sharing. Interesting the differences in construction of the three you could see the magnets and wire.

I reached out to both Lindy fralin and lollar with questions. Lindy Fralin recommended there stock wind and lollar the high wind. Made me a tad confused.

To confuse me even more, I rented a fender 82 p bass. Ash body maple neck. It made my MIJ Yamaha which I thought was super resonant and snappy seem ultra dull lol.
Happy new year everyone.

 

[Laurent]

Wow, I hadn’t. @Laurent pick up a set and review them for us

Nah, I'll pass! It's your turn; I've done my share.

 

[soulstar89]

Nah, I'll pass! It's your turn; I've done my share.

lmao.

 

[soulstar89]

I did a search on the forum for Monty’s pickups but nothing came up.

It’s a British based company. They only partially wax pot pickups keeping the centre of the coil untouched, resulting in increased clarity and responsiveness

Has any here tried the 62 or retro wind pickup?

'62 P Bass Pickup

Retro Wind P Bass Pickup

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I finally read the whole thread. Had no idea there was such an abundance of boutique options. Unfortunately, it also seems like each option has five opinions on how it sounds. I liked the Fender V-mods that came with my American Professional. I liked them even more when I switched their stock positions. And last week I installed a set of stock Fralins -- and I like those even more! Different flavors of goodness, I guess. That's all I've got.

 

[Laurent]

I finally read the whole thread. Had no idea there was such an abundance of boutique options. Unfortunately, it also seems like each option has five opinions on how it sounds. I liked the Fender V-mods that came with my American Professional. I liked them even more when I switched their stock positions. And last week I installed a set of stock Fralins -- and I like those even more! Different flavors of goodness, I guess. That's all I've got.

By the time you get to pickup makers such as Fralins, Lollar, Seymour Ducan, Arcane you're starting to get to the top of the food chain and it does not get much better.
Once you start in that realm it becomes a quest for what your ears like the best and what works best with your specific instrument.

 

[Laurent]

I did a search on the forum for Monty’s pickups but nothing came up.

It’s a British based company. They only partially wax pot pickups keeping the centre of the coil untouched, resulting in increased clarity and responsiveness

Has any here tried the 62 or retro wind pickup?

'62 P Bass Pickup

Retro Wind P Bass Pickup

I have not tried their pickup or heard of them. When I think about British pickup companies, Bare Knuckles and Creamery pickup come to mind. I to not believe Creamery is available in the US; I do see Bare Knuckles from time to time. Chicago Music Exchange use to carry them.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I have not tried their pickup or heard of them. When I think about British pickup companies, Bare Knuckles and Creamery pickup come to mind. I to not believe Creamery is available in the US; I do see Bare Knuckles from time to time. Chicago Music Exchange use to carry them.

Monty Guitars mainly sells products for fretboard dressing and caring.
I purchased two jugs of their fretboard products, a blackening paste, which works wonderfully, and a fretboard clear wax.
It wasn’t easy to get them delivered to my address in Italy (Brexit’s effects); didn’t know they started manufacturing pickups as well.

 

[Coughdrops]

By the time you get to pickup makers such as Fralins, Lollar, Seymour Ducan, Arcane you're starting to get to the top of the food chain and it does not get much better.
Once you start in that realm it becomes a quest for what your ears like the best and what works best with your specific instrument.

Truth and wisdom in this. Lots to be said for finding one you like and then just playing your instrument and not giving it much thought. Talkbass sometimes works against that so you wind up with giant threads like this. My soldering skills sure have improved though.

 

[soulstar89]

I have not tried their pickup or heard of them. When I think about British pickup companies, Bare Knuckles and Creamery pickup come to mind. I to not believe Creamery is available in the US; I do see Bare Knuckles from time to time. Chicago Music Exchange use to carry them.

Monty Guitars mainly sells products for fretboard dressing and caring.
I purchased two jugs of their fretboard products, a blackening paste, which works wonderfully, and a fretboard clear wax.
It wasn’t easy to get them delivered to my address in Italy (Brexit’s effects); didn’t know they started manufacturing pickups as well.

Yes brexit has affected purchasing items a lot. How weird that in some instances it’s cheaper to get items in the states than in Europe for me now. Even that is much more expensive.

a luthier and guitar builder who is up the road for me worked for Monty’s guitars in the repair department. I didn’t realise they did repairs or even pickups.

funny when I took my bass to him he love ld the sound and said “I would change them” his ears are different to mine I guess lol.

well I’m London uk based so if you ever find it hard to get a item , maybe I can be of some help.

 

[Jim C]

They only partially wax pot pickups keeping the centre of the coil untouched, resulting in increased clarity and responsiveness

They're website goes on to say "Like all old Fender pickups, our ’62 P-bass pickup is only partially potted. This keeps the centre of the coil free from wax, resulting in increased clarity and responsiveness."

I'd like to see the science behind this statement. If it is true, I'm sure it was a happy accident for Leo trying to use just enough wax to get the job done without spending any extra $$.

 

[Laurent]

They're website goes on to say "Like all old Fender pickups, our ’62 P-bass pickup is only partially potted. This keeps the centre of the coil free from wax, resulting in increased clarity and responsiveness."

I'd like to see the science behind this statement. If it is true, I'm sure it was a happy accident for Leo trying to use just enough wax to get the job done without spending any extra $$.

I fully agree with you on this one. How would you make a partially potted pickup? Just dip a bit or just paint the outside of the coil with wax?
I really don't see Leo Fender doing complicated manufacturing steps even in the 60's. All I read about this gentleman is that he liked his manufacturing process simple, efficient and inexpensive.
The only big exception I see to this is the fact (if accurate - always doubt things when dealing with history) that prior to CBS taking over Fender, the pickups were hand wound. By hand wound they mean an electric spinning machine guided by hand. After 1965 the process becomes automated.

Also partially potted pickup would worry me; potting prevents the pickup from being microphonic so the last thing I want is my pickup squealing when approaching my amp!
I also believe that potting prevents corrosion, so I'm not sure I would like my pickup corroding from the inside....

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Yes brexit has affected purchasing items a lot. How weird that in some instances it’s cheaper to get items in the states than in Europe for me now. Even that is much more expensive.

a luthier and guitar builder who is up the road for me worked for Monty’s guitars in the repair department. I didn’t realise they did repairs or even pickups.

funny when I took my bass to him he love ld the sound and said “I would change them” his ears are different to mine I guess lol.

well I’m London uk based so if you ever find it hard to get a item , maybe I can be of some help.

Wonderful.
Thank you so much @soulstar89

 

[SickAura]

Hey all - I went through quite a few of the usual suspect P pickups before settling on the PV63 as my favourite.

I picked up @Coughdrops overwound Lollar out of the classifieds and finally had a chance to install

I recorded Before and After through a Peavy Mini Max set flat into a Subway 115/112 stack
Zoom H2N on the floor 6ft in front
Same pickup height

The AutoGain on the H2N was allowing the PV63 to clip quite a bit
So not a perfect recording by any means but good enough to hear differences

 

[soulstar89]

Hey all - I went through quite a few of the usual suspect P pickups before settling on the PV63 as my favourite.

I picked up @Coughdrops overwound Lollar out of the classifieds and finally had a chance to install

I recorded Before and After through a Peavy Mini Max set flat into a Subway 115/112 stack
Zoom H2N on the floor 6ft in front
Same pickup height

The AutoGain on the H2N was allowing the PV63 to clip quite a bit
So not a perfect recording by any means but good enough to hear differences

thanks for the post.

What wood combo is your p bass? Same as in your profile pic?

Surprisingly to me, the lollars sounded sterile and bland. I fully understand why you picked the pv63 over the HW Lollars for the bass you put them in. Was you playing tone 100% on both?

 

[jmpiwonka]

I went through a few p bass puckups in an alder avri body with rosewood neck i had made. Parts bass.
I like pickups that are even and clear with enough output to make an svt head get into some slight distortion without a pedal. i remember like the Antiquity II the best. Lollar was a little darker, spb-1 just a bit darker than the lollar and real smooth sounding. Novak pbv was similar to the Antiquity II but a little too polite. All pickups were between 10.5-11k.

My favorite is still my 77 p bass (maple neck) with one coil rewound by fralin. It is enamel wire and measures 10.7k if I remember correctly.
I play nickel roundwounds and let them get nice and dead.

maple vs rosewood neck matters alot as does the strings and amp…haha.

 

[PleyswethSqwerl]

I went through a few p bass puckups in an alder avri body with rosewood neck i had made. Parts bass.
I like pickups that are even and clear with enough output to make an svt head get into some slight distortion without a pedal. i remember like the Antiquity II the best. Lollar was a little darker, spb-1 just a bit darker than the lollar and real smooth sounding. Novak pbv was similar to the Antiquity II but a little too polite. All pickups were between 10.5-11k.

My favorite is still my 77 p bass (maple neck) with one coil rewound by fralin. It is enamel wire and measures 10.7k if I remember correctly.
I play nickel roundwounds and let them get nice and dead.

maple vs rosewood neck matters alot as does the strings and amp…haha.

Kloppmann PB 63 the best P bass pickup for passive basses. Yes it’s $275 dollars but it’s worth it