So you have got an older Precision bass, or maybe one of the cheaper models, or maybe even a copy, and you’re looking to get a much better sound out of it. If so, then upgrading your pickups is the easiest way to take your P-Bass from “wah” to “WHOA.”
But, which precision bass pickups are the right ones for you?
You’ll need some info to get you started. Luckily we are here to provide you with everything you need to know.
So, let’s take a little trip and find the best precision bass pickups available on the market today…
Contents
Top 5 Best Precision Bass Pickups In 2023 Reviews
1 Fender Custom Shop ’62 P Bass Pickups
A recreation of the pickups that changed the sound of the bass.
Fender proudly presents a reproduction of the 1962 Precision Bass split-coil pickup. These pickups are the ones that unleashed the power of the bass in amplified music.
Made with flush-mount Alnico 5 magnets, enamel coated magnet wire, and cloth-covered output wires. These pickups are full and powerful. They have lots of booming low-end, plenty of punch in the mid-range, as well as clear and cool high-ends.
The Fender Custom 62 P-Bass pickups are warm and round, with a vintage sounding tone that is thumpy and crisp.
There is depth to these pickups, a kind of low-end that fills the room but maintains clarity in the tone. It is not muffled or flattened out. You will hear the power in these pickups right away.
The split-coil design is basically the same used to make humbucking pickups.
Why does that matter?
There is no noise or hum from these pickups. The sound is attenuated and full. The tone is always clear, while the sustain is thick, punchy, and long-lasting.
Turn any old precision bass into a whole new beast with the Fender Custom Shop 62 P-Bass pickups.
(4.8 / 5)- Recreation of the original P-Bass pickups.
- Split-coil pickups eliminate hum.
- Incredible tone and fullness.
- Dynamic and powerful.
- Thick, booming low-end that is clear.
- Mounting hardware included.
- A little bit pricey.
2 Dimarzio Model P Bass Pickup
Things that go BOOM!
DiMarzio offers super-powerful single-coil pickups that will add all kinds punch to your Precision bass. The use of these single-coils means you won’t be getting the vintage tone of early Precision basses. Instead of the warmth that you would get from split-coils, these pickups are hotter, punchier and rounder.
You can make sure your bass cuts right through the mix of the band with these nasty boys. They have clarity and responsiveness. Part of their charm comes from the ceramic magnets they use. These pickups don’t sound vintage nor do they sound sterile. They are round and bouncy with colorful tones and ear-popping power.
The poles can be adjusted to further enhance your output levels and ensure a balance between the strings. There is plenty of aggression found in these pickups, but it still has class and clarity enough to handle mellow playing and lighter musical styles.
They are easy to install and really quite affordable.
If you are looking to wake up your precision bass and get it revved up for hot and heavy action, try the DiMarzio P-Bass Pickups for a little extra juice in the tank.
(4.8 / 5)- Single-coil pickups.
- Hot and loud with lots of power and punch.
- The tone is clear and very round.
- Great for pick playing and aggressive attacking.
- Easy to install.
- Quality construction.
- Affordable.
- Single-coils tend to have a noticeable hum.
- Not suitable for slap-bass or quiet jazz styles.
3 Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-Bass Pickup
Not for the faint of heart. The punch can deliver a knockout.
This Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-Bass pickup was designed for those players looking to max-out their output and extend their frequency range. With these pickups, each magnet pole is a quarter inch wide. Made with Alnico 5 magnets, this design is far larger than the original Fender Precision Bass pickups.
Why is this important?
The larger poles generate a larger magnetic field. This larger magnetic field works to extend the amount and the range of frequencies captured. The result is a much fatter sound that is full and punchy along with clear high-end and solid mid-range presence.
The overall tone and sound is one that offers lots of low-end punch and sustain, coupled with mid-range steadiness and high-end clarity.
While not entirely the vintage sound of original P-Bass pickups, these pups don’t sound overly modern either. They strike the perfect balance between power and precision. The extra weight doesn’t mean extra size. These pickups can easily be installed in any American Standard Precision bass.
Handmade in the US with attention to quality and performance. The Quarter Pound pickup has meat and muscle enough to resurrect any old Precision bass.
Anyone from Europe could be excused for calling them “Royale” pickups.
(4.9 / 5)- Larger quarter inch poles for extra output and fidelity.
- Versatile tone range and clarity.
- Excellent for heavy and rock styles.
- Made in the US.
- Alnico 5 magnets.
- Easy to install.
- Inexpensive.
- Not great for softer musical styles.
4 Emg Geezer Butler Signature P Bass Guitar Pickup Set
A signature that says something.
Legendary bass player and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Geezer Butler, joined with EMG to recreate the bass tone from his days playing with Black Sabbath.
This signature set features Alnico V magnet poles with split-coils. The coils are custom wound to deliver the precise punch and grit. The split-coils also provide greater overall balance in tones. As a passive pickup, there is no hum or noise of any kind. Another benefit for this kind of pickup is that it also adds more power and volume while maintaining a rich vintage tone.
The end result of their collaboration was an amazing recreation of Geezer’s sound. It is deep and tight throughout the low-end, reminiscent of War Pigs and Iron Man.
These Geezer’s have grit and punch thanks to their high output. When picking or slapping hard the low-end has a nice response. The frequencies cut through the mix and are well-defined.
With the solderless installation system, you won’t be getting paranoid any time soon. The installation process is not difficult thanks to this simple solderless system.
Looking for that low, sludgy bass sound that still has excellent tonal clarity? EMG has outdone themselves with these signature pickups, which are great for those 70s rock and funk drive-the-bus basslines.
(4.2 / 5)- Signature pickups to recreate early Black Sabbath sound.
- Split-coil with added output and punch.
- No noise or hum.
- Great for hard picking.
- Excellent low-end depth and overall tone clarity.
- Solderless installation.
- Not ideal for jazz or country music styles.
5 Black 4 String Electric Pickup Humbucker For Precision Bass Guitar 1 Pair From Kmise (A0496)
Very cheap hot humbucking Precision Bass pickups.
Here are some very inexpensive humbucking bass pickups. They are quite powerful for having such a small price tag. And, since these are passive humbucker pickups, you can be assured of excellent output, high-powered harmonics, and elegant high-end tones.
These bargain beauties can go from sweet and warm to rough and raw rock. Nothing is dull with these pickups. Clear and deep low-ends that are teeth-rattling in their power. They are not really vintage sounding P-Bass pickups, but they do have plenty of luster and dynamics that more than make up for it.
This set includes everything you need for a quick installation.
While they may not be a leading brand name, the tonal quality and price make these a great option for restoring some of the lost glory of your old Precision bass guitar.
(4.1 / 5)- Unbelievably inexpensive.
- Very hot and powerful.
- Humbucker style pickups.
- Good overall tone and balance.
- Some issues with size and fit.
- Made in China.
- Covers are plastic and not very durable.
Best Precision Bass Pickup Buyer’s Guide
Now that we have had a chance to look over the best precision bass pickups, we would like to offer a little bit of extra advice.
Snaps Or Claps
Precision bass guitars are typically built for rock, funk, and heavier styles of music and playing. While they can be played with jazz, blues, and country styles they are better suited for rock ‘n’ roll styles.
Precision basses tend to be more clappy, whereas jazz basses tend to be more snappy. It’s a matter of choice and musical styles, but make sure you know what you are looking for before you make a purchase.
How Deep Is Your Love
Ask yourself how much of an upgrade are you looking for? Often times simply swapping out the stock pickups will be all you need to give your bass a new lease on life. However, there are other times when a major upgrade is needed for performance or recording purposes.
When choosing a new set of precision bass pickups, you have options. Be sure you know what you need to improve your bass. The changes are never subtle and what you choose shouldn’t be guesswork.
And The Winner Of The Best Precision Bass Pickups Is?
All of the pickups we have reviewed here are an excellent option for upgrading your P-Bass. However, we know there is one pickup that will cut through the mix more so than the others.
The best precision bass pickup is therefore the…
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Pickup
The extra weight in these pickups makes so much of difference in sound and tone. They are incredibly powerful pickups. You will have no problems settling right into the mix or cranking these whoppers and dominating the scene.
Made in the US and at a very reasonable price, the best way to reanimate your Precision bass is with a pair of Quarter Pounders.
We hope you had fun learning about the best precision bass pickups. Once you get yours installed and all fired up, we are sure you will fall in love with your bass all over again. Hearing how much something no bigger than a bar of soap can revitalize your sound, means you will not be putting your bass down anytime soon.