On the way - Klein 1962 Epic Series PB

[40Hz]

After a short bit of a wait, the Klein '62 Epic PBass pickup I ordered is now in the hands of Fedex and due in this Friday. I'm chuffed!

I've heard really great things about this pickup. Mine is heading for a MIM PB I've got. It's a really nice bass. Sounds good and plays like a dream. But it's a little too modern sounding for my tastes. Hopefully this transplant will make it sound a little more like the PBs I grew up with.

So… is anybody here currently using one?

 

[Hopkins]

After a short bit of a wait, the Klein '62 Epic PBass pickup I ordered is now in the hands of Fedex and due in this Friday. I'm chuffed!

I've heard really great things about this pickup. Mine is heading for a MIM PB I've got. It's a really nice bass. Sounds good and plays like a dream. But it's a little too modern sounding for my tastes. Hopefully this transplant will make it sound a little more like the PBs I grew up with.

So… is anybody here currently using one?

I've used some of their S5's in a Strat, but not their bass pickups. The Strat pickups might be the best single coils I have ever heard.

 

[40Hz]

I've used some of their S5's in a Strat, but not their bass pickups. The Strat pickups might be the best single coils I have ever heard.

Thx for the input. That's very encouraging. The demos posted of their '57 Strat set are to die for. If this works out I may get a set of those for one my GF's (9? 10? I lost count) Strats. There's a fairly new one that sounds fine as is. But we both recently started thinking it could still use just a little something more.

I also just learned my pup isn't going to be here till next week. Oh well!

 

[Hopkins]

Thx for the input. That's very encouraging. The demos posted of their '57 Strat set are to die for. If this works out I may get a set of those for one my GF's (9? 10? I lost count) Strats. There's a fairly new one that sounds fine as is. But we both recently started thinking it could still use just a little something more.

I also just learned my pup isn't going to be here till next week. Oh well!

The S5 is somewhat modeled after the Big Dipper pickups that are used in the John Mayer signature Strat.

 

[40Hz]

UPDATE:

Well they arrived and I got them installed with all new electronics. I was given a "Premium Vintage" PBass wiring kit from RS Guitarworks as a gift so I figured I'd use it with this spankin' new pup.

Installed in a 2015 MIM Precision, it was definitely a step up in sound quality. And it does sound very close to an early '60s PB although it seems just a little clearer than I remember a PBass of that era sounding. And that's an improvement if so.

So…bottom line, is it worth it?

I think so.

The bass ($??) and the wiring kit ($34 + shipping) were gifts. So my only out of pocket was $120 for the pickup + $10 for Fedex.

On a MIM, I think it's a nice upgrade even if the RS Guitarworks kit is a little on the proud side at that price. It consists of two pots, a paper-in-oil tone cap, a jack, two pieces of pushback cloth covered wire and a wiring diagram. All components are from top notch manufacturers like CTS and Switchcraft.

Left to my own devices, I'd never buy the entire kit. About the only thing in it I think is worth considering is their "SuperPot" volume pot, which has a custom taper and is made for them by CTS. It's probably the best volume control I've ever used. They sell that pot separately in a few different ohm values for $10. I really like it and will probably be getting a few more.

Conclusion: glad I did it. It made an already nice bass a level or two better.

 

[Hopkins]

UPDATE:

Well they arrived and I got them installed with all new electronics. I was given a "Premium Vintage" PBass wiring kit from RS Guitarworks as a gift so I figured I'd use it with this spankin' new pup.

Installed in a 2015 MIM Precision, it was definitely a step up in sound quality. And it does sound very close to an early '60s PB although it seems just a little clearer than I remember a PBass of that era sounding. And that's an improvement if so.

So…bottom line, is it worth it?

I think so.

The bass ($??) and the wiring kit ($34 + shipping) were gifts. So my only out of pocket was $120 for the pickup + $10 for Fedex.

On a MIM, I think it's a nice upgrade even if the RS Guitarworks kit is a little on the proud side at that price. It consists of two pots, a paper-in-oil tone cap, a jack, two pieces of pushback cloth covered wire and a wiring diagram. All components are from top notch manufacturers like CTS and Switchcraft.

Left to my own devices, I'd never buy the entire kit. About the only thing in it I think is worth considering is their "SuperPot" volume pot, which has a custom taper and is made for them by CTS. It's probably the best volume control I've ever used. They sell that pot separately in a few different ohm values for $10. I really like it and will probably be getting a few more.

Conclusion: glad I did it. It made an already nice bass a level or two better.

Do they basically sound like a Vintage P pickup?

 

[40Hz]

Do they basically sound like a Vintage P pickup?

In my opinion they do. They also do one voiced more as a '50s era PB with less mids and more bass.

The one I got is very sweet and musical. It's more versatile than I remember the '60s vintage PBs sounding. But it's definitely a '60s sounding pup.

I'd recommend it without hesitation.

 

[Hopkins]

In my opinion they do. They also do one voiced more as a '50s era PB with less mids and more bass.

The one I got is very sweet and musical. It's more versatile than I remember the '60s vintage PBs sounding. But it's definitely a '60s sounding pup.

I'd recommend it without hesitation.

It's just hard to me to justify paying boutique prices for a vintage voiced P pickup when the SPB-1 sounds so good for around $60

 

[40Hz]

It's just hard to me to justify paying boutique prices for a vintage voiced P pickup when the SPB-1 sounds so good for around $60

You sound like somebody who knows what you like. That's a great advantage to have when shopping for music gear. It's the people who don't really know what they like that end up spending bucketloads of money filling up their spare parts bin with expensive 3rd party and boutique stuff.

There is zero need to pay any more than the going price of the pickup you already like.

In my case, I was just more curious about the Kleins than anything else when I ordered them. There's so little info on them in the regular channels.

But I lucked out with these. They sound really good to my ears. So they were worth it to me (YMMV) even if I'll agree with you one hundred percent that $120 + shipping is a lot to drop on a PBass pickup.

 

[Hopkins]

You sound like somebody who knows what you like. That's a great advantage to have when shopping for music gear. It's the people who don't really know what they like that end up spending bucketloads of money filling up their spare parts bin with expensive 3rd party and boutique stuff.

There is zero need to pay any more than the going price of the pickup you already like.

In my case, I was just more curious about the Kleins than anything else when I ordered them. There's so little info on them in the regular channels.

But I lucked out with these. They sound really good to my ears. So they were worth it to me (YMMV) even if I'll agree with you one hundred percent that $120 + shipping is a lot to drop on a PBass pickup.

The SPB-1 is just a great vintage voiced P pickup, I have no doubt the Kleins are outstanding as well.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

@40Hz would you perhaps be able to measure the Epic ‘62 pickup’s DCR?

 

[40Hz]

@40Hz would you perhaps be able to measure the Epic ‘62 pickup’s DCR?

Their specs say “approximately 10.8K”

Measurement on my DVM was 10.81K from my notes when I installed it. But I tested it while it was wired in circuit so I’d guess it’s probably accurate to say it’d be somewhere between 10.75K and 10.85K out of circuit since a +/- 5% variance wouldn’t be unusual for this type of pickup.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Their specs say “approximately 10.8K”

Measurement on my DVM was 10.81K from my notes when I installed it. But I tested it while it was wired in circuit so I’d guess it’s probably accurate to say it’d be somewhere between 10.75K and 10.85K out of circuit since a +/- 5% variance wouldn’t be unusual for this type of pickup.

Thanks bro

 

[40Hz]

Thanks bro

Always glad to help if I can.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

In my opinion they do. They also do one voiced more as a '50s era PB with less mids and more bass.

The one I got is very sweet and musical. It's more versatile than I remember the '60s vintage PBs sounding. But it's definitely a '60s sounding pup.

I'd recommend it without hesitation.

I got now the ‘59 version now in production .. with respect to my typical ‘60s P-bass pickup (Fender PV ‘63) this pickup is grittier, it has got an inherent midrange growl which makes it sound somehow similar to a jazz bass when played with just a tad of the bridge pickup on.
It definitely sounds different from a ‘60s P-bass unit and, IMO, it fairly well nails the ‘50s P-bass pickup target

 

[Isotonic]

The SPB-1 is just a great vintage voiced P pickup, I have no doubt the Kleins are outstanding as well.

I have had both. The Klein is brighter and faster. Like a faster Original P. Sits in the mix well and also very clear in the mix. Never a complaint and some compliments from my tone when using. I like it, but it while I love the Fender 62 Original, the speed of the Klein and lack of warmth were a left me unsatisfied. I sold it.

On the other hand, I find the Duncan SBP1 very nice, but good, not great. I much prefer the Curtis Novak, the Bart 8S, and The Fender Original among others.

 

[Hopkins]

I have had both. The Klein is brighter and faster. Like a faster Original P. Sits in the mix well and also very clear in the mix. Never a complaint and some compliments from my tone when using. I like it, but it while I love the Fender 62 Original, the speed of the Klein and lack of warmth were a left me unsatisfied. I sold it.

On the other hand, I find the Duncan SBP1 very nice, but good, not great. I much prefer the Curtis Novak, the Bart 8S, and The Fender Original among others.

What exactly does "faster" sound like?

 

[Isotonic]

More dynamic in the time domain.

 

[Hopkins]

ou

More dynamic in the time domain.

?