Which Seymour Duncan's to go with?

[ambissonnett]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new set of PJ configuration pickups. I'm torn between the SPB-2's and the SPB-3'S. I already have the jazz SJB-2 bridge pickup with a fender vintage-62 reissue. I'm thinking I want to brighten it up a little more. So would the SPB-2 to work, or should I just go all the way with going higher with the SPB-3 PJ configuration? Here's a sample I'm going for.



EDIT: Sorry I have the SD STK-J2 hot stack jazz pickup.

 

[Hopkins]

If you want it to balance with your SJB-2b I would go with a SPB-1 or stick with the Fender 62 you already have.

 

[shawshank72]

The SPB-2 will not brighten your tone, it will darken it.

 

[devinp17]

Go for the SPB-1 instead.

But if I was going for this sound I would go with the SPB-1 + STK-J2. Just a thought... but since you already have a J pup this probably means nothing to you.

Hope I helped!

 

[ambissonnett]

Anyone know the similarities or differences between the SPB-1 and Fenders 62 reissue?

Also, wouldn't the SPB-3 have that brighter tone since the magnetic poles are larger?

 

[Hopkins]

Anyone know the similarities or differences between the SPB-1 and Fenders 62 reissue?

Also, wouldn't the SPB-3 have that brighter tone since the magnetic poles are larger?

The SPB-3 is very hot and mid scooped. the highs are there but they are more shrill and brittle sounding than bright. It will also over power your J pickup

 

[Bobby Bass]

I just replaced the SPB-3 in my Pbass with a '63 Fender Pure Vintage. The SPB-3 was certainly louder but harsh & more agressive. But if that's the sound you are after, OK. The '63 so far, I like it more like my old Pbass from years ago. More even sounding across the strings. I think the '62 would probably be a good choice also.

 

[chiplexic]

I just replaced the SPB-3 in my Pbass with a '63 Fender Pure Vintage. The SPB-3 was certainly louder but harsh & more agressive. But if that's the sound you are after, OK. The '63 so far, I like it more like my old Pbass from years ago. More even sounding across the strings. I think the '62 would probably be a good choice also.

Bobby, can you elaborate at all on the 63 Pure Vintage pickups.
What is it you are finding you like about the tone and what can you say you wish they had a bit more of? Thanks.

 

[ambissonnett]

Well isn't the bass sound in the video really bright and aggressive? That's why I thought the SPB-3 would be a good choice.

Also, if i did go with the SPB-3 Id get the matching jazz pickup with it.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I have the SPB2 in a Peavey Fury P type bass....very punchy, can be hard to dial in, but wow this pickup packs a real wallop...pretty smooth.

I don't think it would match easily with vintage type J pickups but the SPB2 can be adjusted height wise fairly well in terms of output.......it is a slightly darker pickup but I can dial in plenty of top end with my David Eden Metro.

It has good clarity once you get the height dialed in.

 

[Thebrownarrow]

I have a P bass with a set of SPB-3s in it. If you want an aggressive pickup, go for it. Getting the matching bridge pickup is the way to go.

 

[Hopkins]

I have a P bass with a set of SPB-3s in it. If you want an aggressive pickup, go for it. Getting the matching bridge pickup is the way to go.

Actually the SJB-3b is not a matching pickup to the SPB-3. Its is the matching pickup for the SJB-3n, as it is RWRP to it and they will hum cancel when both are on. No true single coil is a matched set for a split P pickup.

 

[ambissonnett]

EDIT: Sorry I have the SD STK-J2 hot stack jazz pickup.

So, now would just switching the bridge pickup with the SPB-1 work, or the whole SPB-3 PJ pickup set work better for this tone?

 

[acebase62]

SPB-1 and STK-J2 is a good versatile combination.

 

[Right_Butterscotch64]

Why not the SPB4? It has lots of low mids, the highs aren't brittle, it's hot but not too hot. I used one in my old Pbass it was great.

 

[devinp17]

EDIT: Sorry I have the SD STK-J2 hot stack jazz pickup.

So, now would just switching the bridge pickup with the SPB-1 work, or the whole SPB-3 PJ pickup set work better for this tone?

Ah, yes. Now that I know you have the STK-J2, I would suggest getting the SPB-1. Especially for this sound!

Hope I helped!

 

[ambissonnett]

Sounding like the SPB-1 is winning

 

[uOpt]

Yeah. You should start with the duncan -1s.

It is a really bad idea to needlessly mess with the wind. A lot of people are unhappy with the QP in particular. There is nothing wrong with trying it, but not when never tried a high quality regular wind, regular magnet pickup.