When it comes to bass pickups, there are a variety of choices available to you that have their own distinctive characteristics that can have an effect on how your instrument sounds.
Bass players have several primary pickup types at their disposal for playing bass guitar: single-coil and humbucker models each offering its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
1. Fender ’62 Precision Bass Pickup
Fender ’62 Precision Bass Pickup is a higher-end middle/bridge pickup equipped with flush-mounted Alnico V magnets and enamel-coated wire that has been specially treated to simulate vintage P bass tones, producing natural grit that almost bursts into overdrive when you turn up the volume.
It also features a powerful ceramic magnet at its core that will make your Precision Bass feel much heavier than usual, particularly if you play rock or metal music. Furthermore, its great tone will respond very well to fingerstyle and pick playing styles; making this bass an excellent choice for anyone seeking big and aggressive sounds without using multiple amplifiers.
DiMarzio DP127 Model P is another great solution, providing accurate reproductions of 1962 Precision Bass pickups that provide powerful bass response and crisp high end. As it uses split coil humbucking technology, this pickup is suitable for use both electric and acoustic basses.
This two-piece hum-canceling pickup offers an expansive, punchy sound with plenty of low end growl to cut through any mix. Perfect for players seeking an additional volume boost for their bass guitar, its double blade design makes string spacing effortless for optimal playing position and ease.
The Seymour Duncan Vintage P-Bass pickup is one of the premier choices for bass players looking for a warm, authentic tone. Boasting an impressive frequency range and suitable for jazz, blues and rock music genres as well as players preferring flat strings this pickup will help set yourself apart from others in any given crowd.
2. Seymour Duncan JB
No matter the purpose, finding the ideal pickup can be challenging. Two top manufacturers – Fender and Seymour Duncan – may both have options suitable for your needs; each will offer something slightly different; take your pick!
The Fender ’62 Precision Bass Pickup is ideal for many styles of music, from blues to metal and even pop! Additionally, its traditional sound offers clear clean tones with some punchiness in its tone.
This classic pickup has been used by various musicians including Beck, Alice in Chains and Megadeth. With its signature tone suited for rock and metal music, but also great sounding great when applied to blues or country.
Seymour Duncan JB Humbuckers are widely renowned, but not everyone appreciates them. While their sound may be full and rich in low end response, others offer higher resonant peak frequencies with more bite. But Seymour Duncan remains popular due to their longstanding tradition and legacy.
Although expensive, this guitar can make its cost worth while with its versatility and consistent sonic output. Furthermore, many major names in metal have endorsed it – so be sure to give it a go yourself.
Pickups can be purchased individually, or as sets for most guitars and basses. Guitar Center often has them for less than other stores; however, to find the best possible deals you should shop around to find what is suitable.
Seymour Duncan are one of the UK’s premier manufacturers of pickups, offering an expansive selection of humbuckers and P90 options; more humbucker and P90 choices than Fender! Additionally, Seymour Duncan provides bass guitar-specific pickups.
The Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker is their flagship humbucker, making it well worth considering when looking for a bridge pickup. Boasting unparalleled versatility and being endorsed by some of the biggest names, it should not only meet but surpass your needs! Also being readily available makes testing out this pickup easy before purchasing.
3. EMG Geezer Butler
If you want a deep and punchy low end that’s sure to engage an audience, the EMG Geezer Butler bass guitar may be just what you need. Created in collaboration with Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler himself, its design was created in order to replicate his signature Precision bass tone from the early 70s.
The EMG GZR-PHZ Geezer Butler passive bass guitar pickup is an outstanding choice for an array of musical genres. Boasting that familiar deep, tight sound from Black Sabbath’s classic period, this pickup makes an excellent accompaniment for blues, rock and metal playing styles as well.
This pickup set offers exceptional value and quality. Suitable for most bass guitar models, this pick up set is an ideal solution for heavy rock bassists as well as hard rockers looking to upgrade their pickups and enhance their overall sound.
These pickups feature large diameter pole pieces to deliver an open, full-bodied tone while being easy to install without the need for batteries.
I have tried various active bass pickups made by EMG and found them to be among the highest quality models available, featuring low noise preamps and featuring their X series models.
This bass pickup features outstanding midrange response and incredible power for such a small pickup. Its output can penetrate through any mix seamlessly, making it the ideal choice for rock bassists.
The J pickup is another top choice among bassists in search of powerful bass tones. Handmade in California and designed specifically to cover a range of genres – rock, grunge and metal alike!
This bass pickup offers a powerful, punchy tone that can be enhanced using various bass pedals. Ideally suited to many genres of music and featuring a strong low end that can become even stronger with additional bass distortion pedals installed, its output makes a statement as part of any genre’s repertoire.
These are my top bass pickups and make an excellent starting point for anyone seeking to upgrade or switch out their current set.
4. Lindy Franlin 4 String Jazz
Lindy Fralin bass pickups are a favored choice amongst bassists due to their rich tone that closely resembles that of an original Fender Jazz guitar tone. Widely considered the best available pickups today, they’re used by renowned players such as Jaco Pastorius, John Paul Jones and Geddy Lee – as well as in some of their own basses!
These hand wound pickups feature vintage specifications and use Alnico V magnets with heavy Formvar wire in 42 gauge gauge. Their output is high while providing an articulate and powerful tone suitable for all genres of music.
These guitars offer an expansive variety of tones – from warm and rich to modern and with plenty of bite, clarity, and sparkle – ideal for practice sessions as well as live gigs. Furthermore, their quiet nature makes them the ideal companions.
The Lindy Fralin 4 String Jazz pickup is a fantastic pickup that will help you retain an authentic Fender Jazz guitar tone while offering improved output and clarity over stock pickups. It comes equipped with bridge and neck pickups for easy installation into any Fender bass guitar.
This pickup is an ideal upgrade for Mexican Jazz basses. With its passive design that looks vintage but offers no noise issues and can easily fit onto any bass without soldering, this pickup should not be overlooked!
These pickups were created to resemble the original Fender Jazz pickups but with increased output, midrange bass response, and warmer tones than stock. Alnico 5 magnets and overwound coils create a balanced sound with plenty of power while maintaining clarity for those seeking that coveted barking, growling or singing tone.