I'm back here again...
Building a new P, partly based on lessons learned from my current one and partly just because I really want a white one.
I have a regular Lollar split P pickup in my current bass, and not necessarily looking for anything different, but interested to see if anyone has any first-hand experience of Lollar vs Fralin, SD Antiquity, Aguilar, etc? If anything I wouldn't mind a smidge more output and upper mids, but I don't want something completely different like a quarterpounder or P90
This will be using TI flats almost exclusively, I think.
Comments
It sounds great with a nice mid range bump as all good P pickups should have and it tolerates being exceptionally close to the strings for a strong output. Unlike many others the pole pieces are slightly lower than the plastic cover so there's no annoying string on pole clicking that others have.
I've got them in 2 basses and I've had them in previous basses too. Whenever I get a precision type that I want to keep passive, that pickup goes in.
I’m so bored I might as well be listening to Pink Floyd
https://www.curtisnovak.com/product-category/bass/p-bass/
It has more headroom than the standard version, but sounds like a great P should. Just with quite a bit more output.
That one is always my choice for a PJ set up... but always with the EMG active balance control to solve insertion loss.
I’m so bored I might as well be listening to Pink Floyd
I have experience of some of the pickups on your wish list. I suggest that you add Nordstrand and DiMarzio to it.
The differences between the brands may prove extremely subtle - depending on your amplification.
Extra output is DiMarzio's calling card. The DP146 Will Power Middle delivers a strong Rock sound. This has been superseded by the Relentless model.
FWIIW, my AV'63 arrived with a '58 style (raised A poles) pickup. I transferred that to my beaten up Squier Silver Series and treated the Fender AV to a Duncan Antiquity.
Love this description.
It has the Aguilar in it at the moment, but there's something I am really enjoying about the output and headroom of the P-X.
I’m so bored I might as well be listening to Pink Floyd
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
The AG4P is entirely the opposite. It's a recreation of the original split coil P bass pickups using the same construction with a view to get that older sound where mids were more important than true bass (not that the amps of the time could cope with true bass at high volume). It's a less complex, more fundamental sound, with more mids than a current standard pickup.
Modern USA P pickups are in the middle really. Fender custom shop vintage P pickups are closer to the Aguilar than the stock modern P pickups. The current pickups are really based on the 1970s ones when players were starting to demand higher outputs and a more aggressive tone.
It should be noted though that with a good understanding of EQ and use of the bass tone control / LPF a modern passive P pickup can sound very close indeed to a 1960s recreation.
String choice (Steels / nickels / flats / rounds / grounds / tapes) will still have a big impact, as will the amp and speaker choice.
And as always - the audience won't notice or care. But if the player is more satisfied that usually leads to a better performance.
I’m so bored I might as well be listening to Pink Floyd