Upgrade from a Duncan SPB3 (Quarter Pounder) for similar clarity

z11111

z11111

Apr 10, 2012
48
9
4,551
Boston, MA
#1
Hey there, was wondering if anyone could offer any insight on this.

I have Duncan SPB3s in both my main p-bass and also my backup I really like them a lot for their low end clarity and output. I regain any of the lost mids people complain about with these PUs from my amp rig (SVT-II non-pro, or a Traynor YBA3 > 15" TL606s, so I have PLENTY of mids to work with) but.... I feel like there's always just a little something missing with the Quarter Pounders.

They are ALMOST there for my personal sound, but just not quite. Sometimes they sound almost flabby without enough clarity, but they are the only pickup I've tried which provides me with the low-end clarity I seek. As mentioned about; there's always just something missing from their overall tone. I'm probably being overly picky about this.

For context: I play (essentially) loud alt rock. Pretty heavy on the low-midrange rather than ultra-low lows. I play other styles, but my main concern is this band. I play with heavy picks and really beat the hell out of the strings.
Should I look into adding some sort of preamp into my bass and sticking with these pickups? I wouldn't have to drill or route for anything considering someone already routed it out for an EMG active system back in the 1980s (which I have since removed because it just wasn't my thing). Or should I look into a higher quality PU from somewhere like Nordstrand or Novak? I don't even know if what I'm looking for truly exists :roflmao:

Thanks!
 
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#2
I would highly recommend trying a set Lindy Fralin pickups. Possibly 5% overwound. I have tried a lot of pickups including Qp's and the frailins win hands down. They have an uncanny ability to sit perfectly in any mix and just sound right. I love mine!
 
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#5
I found the Aguilar Hot P to be pretty nice for an overwound pickup. But that's my ears. You'll have to buy a bunch of pickups if you are truely looking for your sound. Luckily it's easy to sell them on Talkbass once you're done.
 
#9
Hopkins said:
Look no further than a Rio Grande Muy Grande. It is the very best hot P pickup on the market in my opinion.
Click to expand...

That is one hefty price tag for a P pickup, at least from the Rio Grande site! But wow, looks amazing and just read a few things about them on the forums and sounds like a great choice. Has the big polepieces like the Duncan. Would love to hear a recording of it.


Alivefor5 said:
Another good option would be the Dimarzio Model P. Similar massive output but better balanced. In my opinion.
Click to expand...

I've had good experiences with Dimarzio guitar humbuckers and have always preferred them to Duncans, at least on the guitar front. These are fairly cheap as well so I might try to find a used set. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
#10
z11111 said:
Hey there, was wondering if anyone could offer any insight on this.

I have Duncan SPB3s in both my main p-bass and also my backup I really like them a lot for their low end clarity and output. I regain any of the lost mids people complain about with these PUs from my amp rig (SVT-II non-pro, or a Traynor YBA3 > 15" TL606s, so I have PLENTY of mids to work with) but.... I feel like there's always just a little something missing with the Quarter Pounders.

They are ALMOST there for my personal sound, but just not quite. Sometimes they sound almost flabby without enough clarity, but they are the only pickup I've tried which provides me with the low-end clarity I seek. As mentioned about; there's always just something missing from their overall tone. I'm probably being overly picky about this.

For context: I play (essentially) loud alt rock. Pretty heavy on the low-midrange rather than ultra-low lows. I play other styles, but my main concern is this band. I play with heavy picks and r
eally beat the hell out of the strings.
Should I look into adding some sort of preamp into my bass and sticking with these pickups? I wouldn't have to drill or route for anything considering someone already routed it out for an EMG active system back in the 1980s (which I have since removed because it just wasn't my thing). Or should I look into a higher quality PU from somewhere like Nordstrand or Novak? I don't even know if what I'm looking for truly exists.

Hi, my name is John Burns. I have Two Fender Jazzes, both with Seymour.Duncan Pick-ups in them. Classic Stax's or Hot Stax's, l Have Both (passive) of course! They make a Classic Stax pick-up set up for your P-Bass that would really give you that sound you want, Powerful Clarity in the Bottom end] yet all the mids & highs you'll ever need, try'em. I think they're the best bang for the buck. I play my basses three to four nites aweek. Just love the tone and Output. I play Blues & Classic Rock. So it's up to you Sir!, JohnBurns.
Click to expand...
 
#11
z11111 said:
That is one hefty price tag for a P pickup, at least from the Rio Grande site! But wow, looks amazing and just read a few things about them on the forums and sounds like a great choice. Has the big polepieces like the Duncan. Would love to hear a recording of it.




I've had good experiences with Dimarzio guitar humbuckers and have always preferred them to Duncans, at least on the guitar front. These are fairly cheap as well so I might try to find a used set. Thanks for the suggestion!
Click to expand...


I have a bass with a Muy Grande in it. I will try and get a sound clip up
 
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