What P pickups can achieve this/these tones?

[SpankBazz]

I used to have a 70's Cortez (now Cort) bass that filled my P-bass needs but unfortunately, I don't have it anymore. It sounded great.

The picture below was found in the Cortez bass thread.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/cortez-bass.384530/#post-25684016

Trying to get my Squier Classic Vibe 60's P closer to the tone I want.
I've got the Indonesian one not the superior Chinese build from the late 2000's (waiting to see if one pops up used) that the guy is playing below.



Does anyone know the part number for the pickups in the Chinese Squier?

Anyway, this is the ballpark I'm shooting for with P bass tone:




This dude has achieved a fantastic P bass tone.
He's demoing Lollar and DiMarzio 60's pickups but I think his Aguilar Tone Hammer may be adding something to it.
He's also playing old roundwounds.


I can't trust videos too much because the same pickups will sound incredible in one video and sound terrible or just regular in another.
Yes, even when they claim the signal is pure.

Any advice from the P bass experts here?

 

[sunbeast]

Keep an eye out for "Duncan Designed" pickups on Ebay/Reverb that used to come in some older Squier "vintage" model basses (probably not the one pictured though as they usually have a "Duncan Designed" logo on the pickup cover), they are based on the Duncan SPB-1 and the actual Duncan is a great relatively affordable option as well if you can't find the Squier version. I can vouch for the Lollar- it is a great aggressive vintage P vibe in my experience, or Fralin for a fatter option (I use both on basses I have now).

 

[bdplaid]

My current-version out-of-the-box Indonesian Squier Classic Vibe P does all this.

 

[MidlifeBeginner]

I don't think you will get much tone difference in a Squire P pickup from a Chinese model versus an Indonesian model. Squire pickups don't have model numbers on them. Buying one used is a gamble that it will give you the slight change in tone you want.

If you already have the right flatwound strings on, get a namebrand vintage tone pickup.

 

[MartinB]

Tonerider made the pickups for the Chinese-era Classic Vibe guitars (e.g. Stratocaster). Can't say for sure whether they also did the bass pickups, but their [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] pickup certainly gets good reviews

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I used to have a 70's Cortez (now Cort) bass that filled my P-bass needs but unfortunately, I don't have it anymore. It sounded great.

The picture below was found in the Cortez bass thread.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/cortez-bass.384530/#post-25684016

Trying to get my Squier Classic Vibe 60's P closer to the tone I want.
I've got the Indonesian one not the superior Chinese build from the late 2000's (waiting to see if one pops up used) that the guy is playing below.



Does anyone know the part number for the pickups in the Chinese Squier?

Anyway, this is the ballpark I'm shooting for with P bass tone:




This dude has achieved a fantastic P bass tone.
He's demoing Lollar and DiMarzio 60's pickups but I think his Aguilar Tone Hammer may be adding something to it.
He's also playing old roundwounds.


I can't trust videos too much because the same pickups will sound incredible in one video and sound terrible or just regular in another.
Yes, even when they claim the signal is pure.

Any advice from the P bass experts here?

I've sold a few things to sonjomo

I think that last video has the best P tone you posted. And, it's from the lollar.

But, my favorite split is the Nordy standard NP4

 

[SpankBazz]

Tonerider made the pickups for the Chinese-era Classic Vibe guitars (e.g. Stratocaster). Can't say for sure whether they also did the bass pickups, but their [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] pickup certainly gets good reviews

I'll check these out.
Thanks.

 

[SpankBazz]

My current-version out-of-the-box Indonesian Squier Classic Vibe P does all this.

Can we hear it?

 

[SpankBazz]

Keep an eye out for "Duncan Designed" pickups on Ebay/Reverb that used to come in some older Squier "vintage" model basses (probably not the one pictured though as they usually have a "Duncan Designed" logo on the pickup cover), they are based on the Duncan SPB-1 and the actual Duncan is a great relatively affordable option as well if you can't find the Squier version. I can vouch for the Lollar- it is a great aggressive vintage P vibe in my experience, or Fralin for a fatter option (I use both on basses I have now).

I'll definitely investigate.
The Squire Vintage Modified 70's Jazz Bass I had was, I believe, the second version of that model and it had the Duncan Designed pickups. Sounded really good. A bit beefier than the typical Jazz tone buy nice nonetheless.

 

[thedovewarlord]

I think both the Lollar and the Dimarzio 60's will get you where you want to be. I happen to prefer the Lollar over the DImarzio 60's. Which do you like more?

 

[SpankBazz]

I think both the Lollar and the Dimarzio 60's will get you where you want to be. I happen to prefer the Lollar over the DImarzio 60's. Which do you like more?

From the video I posted, the DiMarzio's sound like they're more aggressive and have more ass (low end), but again, I'm almost certain that the AG700 is doing some of the heavy lifting tonewise in that video.

 

[thedovewarlord]

From the video I posted, the DiMarzio's sound like they're more aggressive and have more ass (low end), but again, I'm almost certain that the AG700 is doing some of the heavy lifting tonewise in that video.

Gotcha, I think he said he's using the TH700 and I can't tell how much color the amp is because he said he's taking it direct into his Apollo (he didn't specify if it included the EQ etc.). That said, if you like aggressive, more ass low-end, I have DiMarzio's regular model P in two of my basses. On my #1 bass, it's a late 60's P... seriously, booty for days and can bite ya head off or be smooth depending on how I attack the strings. I have the Lollar vintage (regular, not hot) on my MIM P that is now fretless and it is an awesome pickup as well, made a major difference from the stocks that were not bad. Go with the DiMarzio, but I love the DP122 more than that 60's because I know it has the aggro & booty.

 

[SpankBazz]

Yeah, I meant Tone Hammer 700. LOL.
I'll look into the DP122. I was just comparing the Sixties P and the Relentless earlier.
Thanks!

 

[bigtone23]

Pretty much any standard A5/10-11K P pickup with a pair of 250K pots will get those sounds. The Duncan SPB-1 is a great place to start, and many don't go further after installing it.
The rest is strings, playing style and amp.

 

[thedovewarlord]

Pretty much any standard A5/10-11K P pickup with a pair of 250K pots will get those sounds. The Duncan SPB-1 is a great place to start, and many don't go further after installing it.
The rest is strings, playing style and amp.

Totally agree on strings playing style. Is there a reason why you like the Duncans more than the Dimarzio P's?

 

[bigtone23]

Totally agree on strings playing style. Is there a reason why you like the Duncans more than the Dimarzio P's?

The Duncan SPB1 is just a 'catch all' P pickup. It has a massive reputation as such. It's ubiquitous, affordable and delivers. Use it as your benchmark and go from there. However, once it's adjusted properly and you get familiar with it, you just might not go anywhere else. Not bad for a $100 pickup.

Yes, Fender wound all kinds of (mostly human) variables in the P pickup from 57 to today, but an 11K A5 P pickup is just 'that sound' with regards to how close it is to the strings, the amp chosen, the strings used and playing technique. To my ears, P pickups sort of average out more than other pickup designs. It's kind of that series humbucker compression/smoothing thing. Sure, one can wind one with A2 and add a few more turns of wire to compensate for the lower gauss and inductance, but it will still sound pretty middle of the road. One can wind it 10-15% more on A5 and it will just have a touch more output and less highs. Wind it less with ceramic magnets and though it's hotter, it still sounds pretty much like a typical P pickup because the coil is brighter.

I get a laugh at all of the hair splitting about a 57 vs 63 vs 78 P pickup. The reality is that those pretty subtle differences are 100% lost in the mix. The difference of James Jamerson and Steve Harris is more about everything but the pickup in the bass. Now if you compare a SPB1 to a Quarter Pounder, that's radically different when playing in your headphones, but less so when in a mix. I have three distinctive P basses: one has a Wilde p46 (with rounds), one a 2004 US Fender P pickup (Chromes), and one an A2 Elite from 1984 (Fender Flats). These all have very different tones because of the basses and strings, but the big take away is the Wilde pickup has more clarity, the 2004 Fender pickup sounds like "a P pickup" and the Elite pickup kind of sounds similar to both, depending on where I set the TBX tone control.

Dimarzio pretty much pivoted on the Model P for the last 45 years, which was a hot rodded P pickup of it's day--more lows, brighter highs, a little more aggressive. They did recently put out a 'Sixties P' to cater more to the 'catch all' crowd that has been big fans of that SPB1 type pickup. I don't have any bias, but I do have experience with the Duncan SPB1 and know it's a winner. I have yet to play a bass with one, as it came out in 2020. I'm sure it's a great P pickup.

Aftermarket pickup makers got their start by providing what the public was NOT getting from stock pickups-which at the time of the 70s was hotter, bigger, wider bandwidth. They came around to providing 'classic' recipes when people started having to replace the Quarter Pounder or Model P that was installed in the 69 P Bass they found at a thrift store for something more 'original' or where a $75 replacement pickup was cheaper than a $150 rewind on that classic bass with a broken pickup...

Just my 2 cents.

 

[thedovewarlord]

Just my 2 cents.

Awesome post, worth every penny and more.

Lots of info to unpack, you made an interesting point, some people changed their stocks for a different sound and some wanted to replicate. I believe the original poster here is looking for a change from his stock to a more aggressive, clear mids with big bottom so I think the Dimarzio model P is that where If Im following how you describe the Duncan SPB-1, a really good quality repro of a prototypical Fender P pickup.

My reasoning, I have a rebuilt/refurbished '69 that was revived by the master, Matt Brewster, at 30th Street. That's my #1. He did some magic to this bass and the Dimarzio wiring and the difference compared with the stock Fender on my '57 AVRI Precision, or the Lollar on my MIM Precision (converted to fretless) and even my all original '66 Fender P. They all are usually strung with same chromes 50-105 strings, played thru the same amps and by my hands. To my ears each bass sounds quite different than the other, they feel different and I probably play them differently because of the vibe/inspiration mojo whatever... At band volume, I couldn't say if someone in the audience could describe the difference in tone. Im not even concerned if those nuances even matter to them as long as the energy is there. I could say my bandmates can tell from bass-to-bass, but that usually is if I ask... maybe they're just being nice, ha.

 

[sunbeast]

Awesome post, worth every penny and more.

Lots of info to unpack, you made an interesting point, some people changed their stocks for a different sound and some wanted to replicate. I believe the original poster here is looking for a change from his stock to a more aggressive, clear mids with big bottom so I think the Dimarzio model P is that where If Im following how you describe the Duncan SPB-1, a really good quality repro of a prototypical Fender P pickup.

My reasoning, I have a rebuilt/refurbished '69 that was revived by the master, Matt Brewster, at 30th Street. That's my #1. He did some magic to this bass and the Dimarzio wiring and the difference compared with the stock Fender on my '57 AVRI Precision, or the Lollar on my MIM Precision (converted to fretless) and even my all original '66 Fender P. They all are usually strung with same chromes 50-105 strings, played thru the same amps and by my hands. To my ears each bass sounds quite different than the other, they feel different and I probably play them differently because of the vibe/inspiration mojo whatever... At band volume, I couldn't say if someone in the audience could describe the difference in tone. Im not even concerned if those nuances even matter to them as long as the energy is there. I could say my bandmates can tell from bass-to-bass, but that usually is if I ask... maybe they're just being nice, ha.

The examples the OP posted seemed pretty “run of the mill vintage P-bass” to me. I’ve not played one of the newer Squier CV Ps like he owns, but have the body from a recent CV 70s J that I’ve built up in a few different configurations and regardless of pickups or neck I pair with it that body has a relatively “soft” sound compared to other 70s spacing Js I’ve had (including an old Squier Vintage Modified 70s J I used to have). It could well be the cheap body wood they are using is having a noticeable influence. That said, it should be possible to find a pickup that will get them close enough to that tonal world that a little EQ can fill in the gaps.

Not surprised I wasn’t the only poster to suggest the SPB-1, as it really is a solid and relatively affordable/easy to find baseline pickup for those kinds of tones.

 

[thedovewarlord]

Not surprised I wasn’t the only poster to suggest the SPB-1, as it really is a solid and relatively affordable/easy to find baseline pickup for those kinds of tones.

I should've said it earlier but I definitely need to check one of those SPB-1, I'll consider it down the road 100%. Since going back and forth on this thread I found a few demos and it sounds great. 100 bucks so same cost as the Dimarzio but like 50-60 bucks cheaper than the Lollar , Frahlin and Fender's vintage series and to your point, gets you in the same spot more or less.

 

[sunbeast]

I should've said it earlier but I definitely need to check one of those SPB-1, I'll consider it down the road 100%. Since going back and forth on this thread I found a few demos and it sounds great. 100 bucks so same cost as the Dimarzio but like 50-60 bucks cheaper than the Lollar , Frahlin and Fender's vintage series and to your point, gets you in the same spot more or less.

Yeah I’ve had Dimarzio Model Ps in a number of instruments over the years and they are great too, just more aggressive in general than a traditional P tone. If you’re looking at ceramic pickups like the Dimarzio then I’d highly recommend checking out the G&L MFD P pickup- one of the best punchy and versatile modern P pickups out there and only $80 direct from the G&L webstore