Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

[BloodRose]

Anyone know what the differences would be? My Charvel model 2b came with DP122s and a DP123 in it. Sounds pretty good, but in all honesty, Ive always gotten along better with Duncans. By the same token, Im fairly new to the bass so I havent tried swapping bass pups, so Im not sure really what would trip my trigger for bass pups. Ive had an Ibanez SR305 for years and a Traben bass, but they are stock and I didnt play em much and the traben has actives, so Im really curious about the Steve Harris models and other Duncan bass pups.

Also, any idea how the Steve Harris' would work with the DP123 in the back?
Thanks

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

Can you be more precise (no pun intended) about the way(s) in which your DiMarzio pickups are failing to satisfy, please?

How do you tend to use the two pickups on your Charvel? Are you an "either/or" guy or do you attempt to blend them? How meaty does the bridge pickup sound on its own?

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

Great question! Um.... I dont know.. In all honesty, not sure how to answer. Im learning, so right now Im all over the place as far as using front vs back and blending. Trying to find what sounds best to me. Since this door is open, typically what is the protocol for bass? I mean with guitar, you use the bridge for screaming chunk stuff, neck for clean stuff and as I was late to learn, neck for leads too. I know with basses, you have the jazz/p config, some basses have only one or the other. Is there a right vs wrong?
Ill try to get it out again next day or so and spend some time and try to pinpoint what Id like to improve. In all honesty, with my guitars, Ive ALWAYS bonded better with SD pups. Not knocking any other brands as they are all good, but personally Ive found my tone with Duncans. I assume I will on bass too. So that is the main basis of my inquiry.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

Going just by the spec stats, the P pickup has about 25% more output than the J. Then, of course, you have the effects of their relative positions along the length of the string. The P is always going to overpower the J.

Typically, the P pickup is your essential Rock bass guitar sound and the J is there to introduce a little bit of sonic variety when you blend it in. The J pickup is unlikely to see much action on its own.

For my tastes, both DiMarzios lack top end compared to a Fender. I would solve this by adding an active EQ device in place of the passive treble roll off tone control. The SD/Basslines STC-2C 2-band EQ would do the job. The stacked concentric knob version takes up the least space.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

Good info! Thanks! Thats advice I really need, cuz as I said, Im learning and have no idea what is the proper pup tone to use for rock even. (my main style loves are rock and metal) Now I know what pup to focus on. And perhaps try changing the pot before pup even. What spec stats were you going by? the Dimarzios I have in the bass now? Thanks again!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

Yes. The DiMarzio pair.

I have the DiMarzio Will Power P model. I like the low end power. I just wish that it had more "wire" in the high frequencies. Same goes for Bartolinis.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

thanks for clarifying! I wasnt sure if you were giving stats on the dims or the steve harris. Now I got it. seems odd that they would overpower the pup that would most naturally boom more..??

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

Depending on how much you actually use (or don't use) the treble-roll-off tone control, you might consider bypassing it entirely. That will add brightness that doesn't exist even with the tone fully on.

If you are thinking about changing pickups, you might think about starting with the J pickup. Since you like Seymour Duncan, I'd recommend the STK-J2 hot-stack. That will help balance the outputs of your pickups.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

those dimarzios are some great bass pickups, lately Ive been hearing lots and lots of basslines that were recorded with them and they sound phenomenal.

how are your pickups in terms of height? that makes a HUGE difference in bass. I have a squier bass that no one liked... until I put spacers under the pickups that let me raise their height drastically, sounds like another bass!

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

I used the majority of the P pickup with a splash of the J pickup blended in. For me, the P pickup gives the punch and full body while the J pickup adds clarity to the mix. My bass has 2 volume knobs, so I put the P on 10 and the J on 2-3, just to give you an idea. Honestly, adjust to taste but that's what I like to hear and feel.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

I used the majority of the P pickup with a splash of the J pickup blended in. For me, the P pickup gives the punch and full body while the J pickup adds clarity to the mix. My bass has 2 volume knobs, so I put the P on 10 and the J on 2-3, just to give you an idea. Honestly, adjust to taste but that's what I like to hear and feel.

I'm not into this. I don't understand how people can use a J pickup by itself. IMO it's too noisy.

I do like how versatile a PJ bass is because every once in a while, at stage volume, you can't hear a little buzzing, but for quieter applications it's murder.

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

I'm not into this. I don't understand how people can use a J pickup by itself. IMO it's too noisy.

I do like how versatile a PJ bass is because every once in a while, at stage volume, you can't hear a little buzzing, but for quieter applications it's murder.

Not sure how this applies to what I wrote. I was talking about using both the P & J pickups together. I blend them together with 75% P to 25% J, which would be hum cancelling.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

It's not hum cancelling per se, but at 25% it's certainly not as hummy.

If I ever have a PJ bass (astrozombie)(love your avatar btw), it's either going to come with a humbucking J pickup, or it will have one soon after. A lot of pickup manufacturers make split-coil J pickups. That's the only thing I will put in a J route any more. It sounds as good/bright/clear as a single coil J, but without any noise at all. In my opinionated opinion, there's just no reason to put up with noisy single coils any more.

In my Warmoth bass build, I have three J pickups, all of them are split-coil. I can have any pickup on, or any combination or blend of pickups, and it's dead quiet apart from the signal.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Steve Harris pups Vs dimarzio DP122?

thanks for info all! Im gonna wait till I run the bass thru my actual bass amp a bit and make sure im giving them a fair shake and play with heights. then decide. I often get hasty