I need a new P-Bass pickup

[storyboards27]

I recently bought a short scale SX p-bass and I love it. Easy to play great neck and finish. Even the pots aren't half bad. What isn't all that great is the stock pickup. Sounds fine except for the E string. Major volume drop off.

I don't want to drop a whole ton of coin on this, since the bass was only $110. I was thinking maybe either a Fender Original or SD Quarter Pound SPB-3 if I can find a deal on Ebay. Anyone have any other suggestions for a replacement?

Thanks guys!

[Old Cane]

Budz. But you won't find one for $10.

[storyboards27]

lol yeah, I don't expect to. If i can find something around $50-60 I'll be happy.

[fidopunk]

I obsess over P-bass tone... I have a ton of P-basses and P-bass sound-a-likes... This will give a fantastic sound:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/gfspbproplov.html
I've recorded with it and I can say it's tremendous.

[Martinp]

I put an old school DiMarzio in mine, it's an early 80's pickup. Sounds great

[martini]

A Duncan quarter pounder or, if you don't mind spending more money on a pickup than you did on the Bass, the Antiquity 2 Pride pickup...both are fantastic....trawl ebay for bargains.

[Maggot]

I've heard good things about the EMG Select, which runs about $25.

[Frankjohnson]

I actually put my SX pup back in after a cap and pot replacement.

Nice pups through Guitar Fetish.....have on in my SX 75J

EMG selects are pretty clean and suprisingly articulate. IMHO

[franchelB]

I've thought about the Quarter Pounder pickup because of Iron Maiden's Steve Harris, but a friend had an old DiMarzio in his parts drawer to install in my "mutt" P-bass. And I'm pleasantly surprised by the sound.

[Ben Harmless]

I dropped the QP into a frankenbass (Peavey neck on an Ibanez body - a Peabanez) awhile back, and I couldn't believe the difference over the stock Ibanez pickup. Wow. That thing can get you pretty much any P-bass tone you need with a turn of the tone knob.

[jrfrond]

I have never tried the GFS P-Bass pickup, but it comes in two flavors. I would give the hot one a try. I've used many of their other pickups with good-to-excellent results. I just ordered more today. They are as cost-effective as it gets.

Having said that, I just LOVE the DiMarzio Model P.

[Tim Armstrong]

All good thoughts on pickups. I'd pass on that the pots on my SX bass were fine until they quit working!

Tim

[4mal]

hmmm... the few things I've heard from GFS have been below PAR in comparison with what I hear in the upper end. I'll grant they are cheap - in bulk Chinese P-Bass pickups can be had for about $6.00.

Hot pickups in specific form factors (hot for P Bass, Hot for J bass, etc) do not generally sound very balanced. In general they have a low mid's bump that MIGHT work for you - but it tends to mask the real low's and the upper mid clarity get's smushed... It's pretty much the inevitable result of too much wire and too much magnetism existing in a very small space.

If you hear Lawrence, Aero, Fralin, Lollar, Vintage Vibe, etc - you won't be quite so high on the GFS or the QP. The Antiquity mentioned above is very good. The lawrence P-46 is exceptional but is more transparent than I care for. Still - a very good, very dynamic, very quiet pickup. Pretty in-expensive as well.

My personal fav is from Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe Guitars spec'ed using Alnico III and a slight overwind for warmth.) The Vintage Vibe get's the nod for character and for being very, very quiet. At $90 - it's a steal!

[Tim Armstrong]

Actually, the alnico Music Man copy pickup I bought from GFS was and is extremely toneful...

Tim

[Frankjohnson]

The J set I have is quite nice. I played the bass they are now in (SX Jazz) with MIM, Old Kalamazoo Epis, and then the GFS. I have a set of Am Std to try in it yet.

The GHS are currently themost articulate....the Epi's made it my Motown bass and I loved it - particularlly with flats.

I have older Lace Sensors in my Squier CV 60 P right now...and I think it is a really good match. The CV pup will likely go in a SX PJ.

I think if you want to spend the money on known standards for good pups, you will do well. If you want to go less expensive....its hit or miss finding what works in your instrument, with your touch and amp.

Its kind of hitting a fork in the road......

That being said, my favorite basses are my AM std P bass and AM Dlx Jazz.....
both .....have great pups, and I LOVE how they respond to me. The Jag comes in next.....but.....then - for the mutts.....its hard to say - thats why I like them!

Find what makes you happy!

[Tim73]

I like the Seymour Duncan Antiquity series and also the SPB-1 for classic P-bass tone

[BigDaveyTwinkle]

I am loving Fender Originals in my hot-rodded Squier P-bass. They are quality. That is a solid choice to fall back to. It was a sad day when my band told me they preferred the $65. Affinity P-bass with Fender Originals over my $$$Warmoth Jazz bass with DiMarzio Model J's. That p-bass thump really goes a long way in rockk&roll.

[bobbybigmac]

Originally Posted by martini

A Duncan quarter pounder or, if you don't mind spending more money on a pickup than you did on the Bass, the Antiquity 2 Pride pickup...both are fantastic....trawl ebay for bargains.

I second your opinon regarding the Antiquity 2. I have a set installed in my '73PB.
Love 'em.
Sound great and you get Seymour's autograph on each one.

[Rob DiStefano]

put a gfs p-bass pup in a squier - really nice tone.