P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

[TCW]

Hi!
I'm a guitar player that likes to play (record) bass. I have a Yamaha P-Bass copy (alder body, maple/rosewood neck). I currently have EMG "select" pickups installed. They sound nice but have a slight chorusing going on no matter how much I back them off the strings.

So, I'm gonna get a Duncan. I play pretty simple lines (i.e. U2), and I like a good deep tone (no slapping/solos). I have a Sansamp Bass Driver that will be used as a direct box for recording. My style is alternative rock and blues (Live, SRV, U2).

Thanks!
Tom

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

The Duncan 1/4 pounder seems to be the most popular. That's the one I get the most requests for. It's also the one the guys at Duncan seem to recommend most often. Lew

 

[kill your scene]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

The QP is my personal favorite, but unlike Lew, I can't recommend them uneqivocally for all bass players. Each bass player has different needs, so what's right for one may not be right for everyone.

The advantage of getting the QP is strength. It gives you very hard hitting, punchy yet warm tone that is perfect for hard rock and metal. It's great if you want something powerful, but still articulate. The advantage of the Vintage is that it's voiced more like classic P pickups and it has more subtlety (IMO). It's not as muscle-y but it's warmer and smoother. If you like Jack Bruce or John Paul Jones, the Vintage is your pickup and if you like Steve Harris, the QP is your pickup.

You could just as easily buy either and send it back if you don't like it. The trial period is very generous... buy your pups from a licensed Duncan dealer and use your warranty if you need to.

 

[kill your scene]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

I hate to double-post (sorry), but I just thought I'd add that anyone who lists SRV and U2 as influences should probably look into gear that's as "classic" as possible. Both those bands use or have used vintage gears to achieve vintage sounds. Whatever you choose, getting away from EMG is your best bet. Those sound way too artificial and clangy... bright no matter how you EQ. I like darker, warmer low-fi tones and that is most definitely NOT happening with EMGs. As I said, you should just give one of the two a shot and return it if it's needed. A Vintage sounds right up your alley, but for all I know, you could have metal or punk cravings that would go hand-in-hand with a QP.

In any case, enjoy your Duncans.

 

[TCW]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

Thanks for the replies!

I'm not going to be playting metal or punk, but would like to be able to get a good driving rock sound, but then be able to back it off for some deep mellow stuff. From the descriptions given here, maybe the vintage is what I'm looking for.

 

[TCW]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

Anyone else have experience with these pickups??

 

[Byakhee00]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

Personally, i'd have to say hot for P-Bass. That should give you a good, solid driving sound, without being too punchy or midscooped, and retaining that "classic" P-Bass sound, think of the hot for P-Bass as a classic sound, with slightly more oomph.

 

[John Wymore]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

Here's my exprience with each ...

Vintage .... Warm & thick with good balance, very classic P-Bass tone, This would definetly work for the U-2 tone.

Hot ..... Higher output, low end boosted, very warm. I like this pickup for classic stuff as well but can be too much low end in some basses. Best for fingerstyle players. I always use this in P+J applications.

QP .... Highest output of the three, scooped EQ, modern tone, lot's of high end content, records well.

Hope this helps ...

 

[Hoss]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

good comparisons...i'm thinking about replacing the stock pup in my p-bass!!!

 

[jeremy]

Re: P-Bass: Qurter pound or Vintage?

ive been using the qp p bass pup for a long time with great success. it has a great growl to it that goes away as you roll back the volume leaving a very warm vintage tone, think bob babbitt. full up it is an aggressive beast with a strong top end that isnt overly bright but plenty punchy. probably not the best choice for country or pop but in the right hands it can do most anything. its hard to go wrong with the vintage either, its been making great records for years