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Underwound P Bass Pickups

wraub

wraub

Apr 9, 2004
7,761
10,630
ennui, az
#1
Lately, my P Bass pickup crusade has been for underwound pickups. I find that good underwound P PUs have clear highs without shrillness and more than enough of the booty bass and mids that matter :D while still having clarity and balance.
I found that a lot of typical overwound PUs had an overwrought sound that emphasizes lows and highs in often unpleasant (imo) ways.

I have found a few... If you know of more, please elaborate. :)

Here's an article explaining underwound PUs (guitar centric, but still infotaining)-
Dave’s Corner: Picking Your Pickups - Hotter Is Not Always Better


The following P bass PUs I have heard little to nothing about, for the most part- This is a short list, still underway. Feel free to add more.

Here's an Artec that's 8.5 K- [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Mings- 8.0 K- Mings Standard 4 String P Bass Pickup Set

Mings Closed Cover - 8.0 K - Mings Closed Cover 4 String P Bass Pickup Set Black #PBC


Fender V-Mod Precision Bass Pickup Set - 6.3 K
Fender V-Mod Precision Bass Pickup Set

Bartolini 8CBP Classic 4-string P-Bass Pickup Set - 9.2 K
Bartolini 8CBP Classic 4-string P-Bass Pickup Set
 
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#6
This is me. :)

I've been listening to some old music since it was young :D, and I noticed that a lot of contemporary P PUs have a distinct sound, and it isn't always "that" sound, if you get me. I believe that a lot of P pickups are overwound to compete with active basses, and to keep up with more aggressive music styles and manners of play.
All good, but it wasn't the sound I heard, and hear still, as "the P bass sound(s)" that was.

Some research led me to the differences in winding, and a definite preference for the sound of underwound P PUs. I changed from one with 10.55 K to one that's 9.16 K and that PU is never leaving that bass. Ever. :D
The more I hear examples, the more I'm convinced.

It would seem that I'm not the only one. ;)






kodiakblair said:
@wraub

Nice to see somebody going against the overwound herd.

Had a 6.2K ohm single coil in a 51 P-bass, sounded fantastic.
Click to expand...
 
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#8
About 3 years ago, I bought a real deal 1953 P Bass. The p/u is original and has never been rewound. It measures 5.7 K ohms. It is an outstanding sounding bass!

Fender's Custom Shop 60s Jazz Bass pickups, both the neck and bridge measure under 7 K ohm. When run together which is in parallel, they measure about 3.5 K ohm which is very low.

I have 2 P Bass pickups made by Gotoh. One measures 9 K ohm. It is my best sounding P pickup. The other one measure 9.5 K ohm. I've never used it yet and it's in my parts pile.

I saw some 9 K P pickups on eBay one time. I can't remember the brand. You can launch a search and see if you can find them.

I like underwound p/us! They have clarity, definition and a nice low end of true bass sound without mud boom.

Curtis Novak will wind any ohm pickup you like. He is very reasonable and is one of the best pickup guys around.

Curtis Novak Classic Pickups

Love your thread!
 
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#10
I appreciate the added info. :)

The suggestion to search the 'bay is pretty solid... I can't vouch for the majority of sellers, but a quick search for "precision bass pickup, 9.0 K" or some variant does bring up some possibilities. Obviously, buyer beware applies. ;)

bassdude51 said:
About 3 years ago, I bought a real deal 1953 P Bass. The p/u is original and has never been rewound. It measures 5.7 K ohms. It is an outstanding sounding bass!

Fender's Custom Shop 60s Jazz Bass pickups, both the neck and bridge measure under 7 K ohm. When run together which is in parallel, they measure about 3.5 K ohm which is very low.

I have 2 P Bass pickups made by Gotoh. One measures 9 K ohm. It is my best sounding P pickup. The other one measure 9.5 K ohm. I've never used it yet and it's in my parts pile.

I saw some 9 K P pickups on eBay one time. I can't remember the brand. You can launch a search and see if you can find them.

I like underwound p/us! They have clarity, definition and a nice low end of true bass sound without mud boom.

Curtis Novak will wind any ohm pickup you like. He is very reasonable and is one of the best pickup guys around.

Curtis Novak Classic Pickups

Love your thread!
Click to expand...
 
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#12
Not weak at all... Balanced, full, even, and strong is the sound of my experience with underwound P PUs.

I think to some, overwound = more = great, but, ime, more is just more. It's not always great. My great P bass PUs are underwound. :)






jallenbass said:
I think some people see "underwound' and think "weak". I have no experience (that I know of) with underwound pickups but this sounds like it may be what I like as well.
Click to expand...
 
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#15
I'm sure Jaime at The Creamery can wind it exactly like you want it. The "standard" P-bass options available on his website are '58 (11.6k), '65 (10.5k) and '74 (10k) but he builds everything to order so I'm sure he can do anything you want. They're suprisingly cheap for custom made boutique quality and I have nothing but excellent experiences with his pickups. Easily as good as anything out there IMO.

EDIT: If you're in the US there might be severe delays with shipping now of course due to covid.
 
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#16
Lindy Fralin P-Bass Pickups: Hand-Wound, Boutique P-Bass Pickups
  • For an era-authentic 50’s tone, use our “Stock Wind”, or, choose “N/A” under output preference
  • For a thicker midrange and fewer highs, choose +5%. This will reduce the highs by 5%, and increase the lows and mids by 5%.
  • For an even thicker tone than the +5%, you can opt for +10%. This is perfect for anyone looking for an aggressively strong midrange and dark tone. Perfect for balancing out a bright sounding bass.
  • If you’re looking for a little cleaner tone, use our -5% wind. This will increase the highs by 5%, and decrease the mids by 5%.
 
#18
I also like pickups that are not overwound because of the same reason. And I don't get when people complain that their pickup is not loud enough... pickups can't be loud by themselves, they are designed to be amplified, and amplifiers come with volume knobs.
 
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#19
Deleted member 271037 said:
I'm sure Jaime at The Creamery can wind it exactly like you want it. The "standard" P-bass options available on his website are '58 (11.6k), '65 (10.5k) and '74 (10k) but he builds everything to order so I'm sure he can do anything you want. They're suprisingly cheap for custom made boutique quality and I have nothing but excellent experiences with his pickups. Easily as good as anything out there IMO.

EDIT: If you're in the US there might be severe delays with shipping now of course due to covid.
Click to expand...

Jaime (The Creamery) has done several pickups both guitar and bass and every single one has been outstanding, he has become my go to. He sits in good company with my Ron Ellis and Peter Florance equipped instruments.
 

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