After many years, one of the pickups on my bass has started misbehaving. It is an 80s Precision copy and has more sentimental than monetary value, so not wanting to spend big, but wondered if anyone has any recommendations for some decent pups that don't break the bank- maybe something you've upgraded a Squier Precision with? I have had a quick look across my go-to brands where 6 strings are concerned, but not much joy...
The original Precision pickup from Fender is always a good choice, they come in around $100, pretty average.
I have to also vote for the original precison, I found one on Amazon a couple years back for $60, it’s been in two Basses, and it’s great... but the leads are fragile (I’ve had to re-solder both leads on the pickup side). I do have a very close runner up though, Wilkinson makes a Alnico V Model I used in my former USA JP-90 (which had an original P in it, which I later fixed). It was a smidge hotter than the original, but sounded perfect. Here’s an Amazon link, but you can find it cheaper elsewhere.
Unless you are after a specific "personality", I'd suggest standard Fender pups as well. I'm not familiar with the "cheap and cheerful" options available in the UK though.
I see alnico5’s on eBay for about $12.50. There’s some Fleour’s for $2 more. Guitar Madness has some in his eBay store too. I have Quarter Pounders in my ‘99 Affinity I picked up for $50 at GC and they have a very wide range of tones with the knobs and can really thump!
I’ve used one of these and like how it sounds. The covers didn’t fit, but I just used the covers that came with the bas, as the bobbins fit in them fine. http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148356&icep_item=332803396798
I replaced the cheapie pickups on my Squier VM PJ bass with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounds. More than happy with the results!
I hope no one else snipes you on this... http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148356&icep_item=254795701138
Thanks all for the suggestions. Fender originals seem to be about the same price as SDs in UK, which is a bit more than I want to spend at the moment. I am going with some Artec units that I picked up crazy cheap on ebay as a short-term fix - will see how they sound and maybe keep an eye out for some pre-loved Fender or SDs.
If you feel like being good to yourself this Christmas. https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/...-creamery/scatterwound-bass-pickups.html#bass
Damn... that really sucks. Hope someone else cops them because 25 freedom bucks for a Duncan 1/4 pounder is almost free. I doubt you’ll regret the Artec pup tho
