I need a new P-Bass pickup

storyboards27 · August 26th, 2009, 03:27 PM

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 · August 26th, 2009, 04:00 PM

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

storyboards27 · August 26th, 2009, 04:02 PM

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

fidopunk · August 26th, 2009, 04:09 PM

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 · August 26th, 2009, 05:10 PM

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

martini · August 26th, 2009, 06:14 PM

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 · November 2nd, 2009, 02:52 PM

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

Frankjohnson · November 2nd, 2009, 04:06 PM

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 · November 2nd, 2009, 10:52 PM

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 · November 2nd, 2009, 11:23 PM

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 · November 3rd, 2009, 12:01 AM

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 · November 3rd, 2009, 12:18 AM

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

Tim

4mal · November 4th, 2009, 04:21 PM

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 · November 4th, 2009, 05:09 PM

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

Tim

Frankjohnson · November 4th, 2009, 06:34 PM

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 · November 4th, 2009, 08:14 PM

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

BigDaveyTwinkle · November 5th, 2009, 12:56 PM

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 · November 5th, 2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

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 · November 21st, 2009, 09:53 AM

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

August 26th, 2009, 03:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
storyboards27 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2009 Location: Marietta, Georgia Age: 24 Posts: 111	I need a new P-Bass pickup 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! __________________ Gibson got me in the game, Fender kept me playin'

August 26th, 2009, 04:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Old Cane Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Age: 48 Posts: 2,272	Budz. But you won't find one for $10. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/otiskeithwatkins

August 26th, 2009, 04:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
storyboards27 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2009 Location: Marietta, Georgia Age: 24 Posts: 111	lol yeah, I don't expect to. If i can find something around $50-60 I'll be happy. __________________ Gibson got me in the game, Fender kept me playin'

August 26th, 2009, 05:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Martinp Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Westbury, N.Y. Posts: 366	I put an old school DiMarzio in mine, it's an early 80's pickup. Sounds great __________________ mp Westbury, New York

August 26th, 2009, 06:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
martini Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 424	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. __________________ Your attitude will always affect your altitude.

August 26th, 2009, 04:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
fidopunk TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 49	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.

November 2nd, 2009, 02:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Maggot Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 867 1 Photos	I've heard good things about the EMG Select, which runs about $25. __________________ www.myspace.com/feierman

November 2nd, 2009, 04:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Frankjohnson TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dover - Delaware Posts: 78	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 __________________ >:^{I)>Kenny Belmont www.Myspace.com/BadJuJuBlues Bad JuJu - Its good for your Soul !

November 2nd, 2009, 10:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
franchelB Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 44 Posts: 2,314	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. __________________ Feel free to visit my homepage! http://www.myspace.com/francisbalagtas

November 2nd, 2009, 11:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 4,348 13 Photos	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. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson "...Because we all expect the truth, we must be the best of fools." - Stiff Little Fingers

November 3rd, 2009, 12:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
jrfrond Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 538	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. __________________ *John R. Frondelli*

November 3rd, 2009, 12:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,152	All good thoughts on pickups. I'd pass on that the pots on my SX bass were fine until they quit working! Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

November 4th, 2009, 04:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,513	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! Last edited by 4mal; November 5th, 2009 at 10:32 AM.

November 4th, 2009, 05:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,152	Actually, the alnico Music Man copy pickup I bought from GFS was and is extremely toneful... Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

November 4th, 2009, 06:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
Frankjohnson TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dover - Delaware Posts: 78	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! __________________ >:^{I)>Kenny Belmont www.Myspace.com/BadJuJuBlues Bad JuJu - Its good for your Soul !

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pickup for P Bass	Leon Grizzard	The BASS Place	8	June 27th, 2008 07:45 PM
Need a bass pickup suggestion.	backwards lefty	The BASS Place	1	October 15th, 2007 12:07 PM
Neck pickup needs less bass(cap)?	guitarzan13	Tele-Tech	1	January 11th, 2007 06:53 PM
Hey, is the '51 P-Bass pickup anything like a Strat pickup?	Tim Armstrong	The BASS Place	6	August 31st, 2005 08:58 PM
P-Bass Pickup	Maggot	The BASS Place	5	November 28th, 2003 12:31 PM

November 4th, 2009, 08:14 PM	#16 (permalink)
Tim73 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Berkshire, England Age: 36 Posts: 2,386 19 Photos	I like the Seymour Duncan Antiquity series and also the SPB-1 for classic P-bass tone __________________ Born in the '70's & in my mind, still living there now...

November 5th, 2009, 12:56 PM	#17 (permalink)
BigDaveyTwinkle TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kansas City Age: 42 Posts: 72	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. __________________ "Music is love in search of a word." - Sidney Lanier

November 21st, 2009, 09:53 AM	#19 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 5,159	put a gfs p-bass pup in a squier - really nice tone.

IMPORTANT:Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult! No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.