SPB 1 sounds pretty flat but a little timid in the lows, pleasant sounding overall. SPB2 sounds a little dry, not a lot of highs and high mids and it sounds a bit pokey in the high bass, around 200hz. SPB3 sounds very loud in the lows and quite powerful, but sounds scooped in the low-mids, does make them sound more clean and round though. SPB 4 sounds good but a bit obtrusive in the mid bass around 120-150hz, does seem to be quite present around 1khz which makes it sound honkier. Antiquity I sounds a little warmer in the highs but still sounds the most balanced to me, a balanced sound is always good. Antiquity II sounds great, also quite balanced like the Antiquity I but has a nice snarling high mid bite to it giving it a little more flavour. Either way, it's surprising how much different each of these sound.
Interesting. I liked the SPB2 and SPB4. Was not expecting that. I know it would be boring, but I wish Will played exactly the same riffs for every pickup.
agreed. the steve harris and the vintage 2 were the best overall. however the P bass is such a basic pickup it's hard to go wrong with just about any of them!
I'd love to hear a comparison between the Steve Harris SPB-4 and the EMG GZR P-bass pickup. They both have a bit more push and grind in the lower mids that really screams classic rock tone to me.
Just wanted to say that's a really cool technique. Pushing your thumb underneath the strings to mute lower strings while playing the G and D strings. I played fingerstyle for a year only to find I'm a much better bassist with a plectrum. That being said it's always cool to lean something new from another bassist.
So bored of all the guitar players who demo stuff it’s only the same generic blues solo or the same ultra fast solo. Ok we got it you know how to play. Now throw some riffs
I like SPB-2, it has 70' tone, punchy, well balanced because you can hear each note without hummings. I've already bought it, and am going to install in my PB Squier.
I put one in my P bass largely based on this demo and I just love it. Feels like home. They have a worn-in pair of shoes feeling somehow, and I love the natural mids and high end.
i have an SPB-2 in my Fender Precision 77 and i am very satisfied with his sound. I will try the SPB-4 in another bass, because i like the sound of this model in the review, and because i am a big harris fan. Thanks Will!!
Casting my vote for the Antiquity 2. The others are awesome, but for what I do, the Antiquity 2 would serve my wants and needs best. Amazing demo!! Everyone else on RUclips should take note for sure. Cheers
I liked voice of SPB-4, Antiquity II (tried them) and Antiquity 57 replica - I was quite impressed, I rather like round tone of 50s pickups then 60s and Antiquity has nice clarity and woody sound, to me they sound the best on this particular p bass, not fan of overwound SPB-3, very harsh sounding.
I'm not a fan of Iron Maiden but I've put the SPB-4s on my first P and I've fallen love with the P-bass sound since; these things are amazing. They also deliver a nice vintage tone if you want to.
Thorough review, well done! Vintage tone, modern tones SD is the go. Have changed all my basses (and many guitars) to SD pickups. SD was there when the evolution of pickups transpired (and indeed was instrumental in that transition) and truly knows his stuff. IMHO SD has become the touchstone for pickup technology. There are many boutique (and mass produced) winders out there, but for me none of them understand the needs of modern recording and live needs like SD. Once you record with SD's theres no going back!
Thanks a million for this excellent pickup comparison! By far the best one I've seen. It really showcases the differences between the various presented pickups without any disturbing variables, which is exactly what you want. I don't know which one's my favorite here though. I really love the airy/3-dimensional sound of the Antiquity I, but SPB-3 might perhaps suit me better, don't know. Too bad only that you couldn't test the original pickup in my own P-bass for comparison... ;-)
Man I really think the antiquity II’s are the sweet spot. I’ve been researching the past two weeks and I think this comparison just sealed the deal between spb4s and the II’s. Warm and crisp with just a touch more clarity over the spb4s IMO. I’d like to hear an Aguilar ag4p60 vs anti II comparison...
The SP1 has superior clarity . Really smooth sound without subtracting any of that natural precision growl . SP3 is obviously the fullest bottom heavy pickup with highest output . The SP4 Steve Harris pickups sounds in like a cross between the SP3 and SPB1 . SP3 would probably the best choice for someone playing in a Heavy Metal band . I think it would sit nicely in the mix . The SPB2 has a bit of a vintage tone as well . This pickup is very difficult to put into words . Let's put it this if you were comparing the SPB1 to the SPB2 . It's would be the equivalent of playing a Fender strat and switching from the middle pickup to neck pickup . All in all the SPB1 wins for my particular taste.
Could you do this with different types of pickup altogether? Not necessarily on a real bass, just a lab thing that would be designed for easier replacement. You could also try different placements. For example. I'm having trouble finding videos about precision pickups being moved closer to the neck.
Great demo as always! Keep 'em coming! I put quarter pounders in my first Squier P bass many years ago, and what a difference. Really dig what you guys do! Don't sweat what Wally says. Anyone can be a dueche hater. If someone thinks they're better, show us.
I have Duncan Quarter Pounders in three basses and have added a pull pot for series/parallel wiring in all of them. They can do a really passable rendition of vintage pickup tone when in parallel!
As much as I like to be rebellious I have to go with the majority on this one and go with the SPB-3 just fits my preference better to be honest and I know that is what the Roger Waters Signature P-Bass has in it and that bass has a sound I very much admire (even though its a Mexican Fender not to say that's a deal breaker just almost certainly gonna need to be setup after purchased online) Very Informative video those for the audiophiles among us bassist who look for that perfect sound
Great comparison but Arghhh, they all sound good in different ways, this isn't helping!!! But maybe Antiquity II for me? 16:34 vs 13:42 vs 10:55 vs 1:41
Superb video my man, to be fair all the pickups sound great in their own right, but a great job in showing the differences, liking the tee aswell, unfortunately i recognise the logo from originally owning a copy of California uber alles 😁
Umm yeah....you don’t want to do that. It serves no purpose and can only cause problems with fluidity. You can mute the A string with the pinky of your plucking hand when playing the G string and mute the E by using it as a thumb rest.
I'm really torn between SPB-1, 3 and 4. SPB-1 may have the most pleasing overall tone to my ears, but there isn't enough power in the low end, which leads me to the SPB-3, but that may be a little too bright. I wish the same riff had been played for every pickup, but 20 minutes of the same thing would have driven us all crazy.
The Steve Harris sounds great for loud Rock! But I like the Antiquity II best. How does the Antique 2 sound next to the Fender original or custom shop?
I bought the SPB 3 and the screws didn’t fit the plastic cover. After multiple emails to SD tech support they acknowledged the problem but wouldn’t replace them. I gave up and returned them to Amazon.
Can’t decide between an SPB-1 or a QP? Get a Steve Harris. The Antiquities both sounded great too. I think the SPB-2 is the only one I’m not really crazy about.
FINGER STYLE
SPB1 - 1:40
SPB2 - 4:08
SPB3 - 7:16
SPB4 - 10:55
Antiq - 13:41
Anti II - 16:33
PICK STYLE
SPB1 - 2:22
SPB2 - 5:25
SPB3 - 8:17
SPB4 - 11:42
Antiq - 14:40
Anti II - 17:17
SLAP STYLE
SPB1 - 3:08
SPB2 - 6:22
SPB3 - 9:16
SPB4 - 12:21
Antiq - 15:43
Anti II - 18:09
Landroid thank you
Good Job! Thank you Very much!
Thank you little angel
😩
God bless you
I'm not one for caps lock, but I'm reaching over to the button for this:
THIS IS HOW YOU DO A DEMO PEOPLE!
EXACTLY!!!! awesome demo!!!!!
I agree! Really well done! Very helpfu! Thanks. I've just subscribed :)
I have to disagree...without context (ie other instruments), this is kinda pointless.
4 things I love about this -
1. Don't bother with the pickguard screws.
2. DK shirt.
3. Craft tongue.
4, A really comprehensive review.
Thanks :)
I honestly really appreciate that they put the full demo at the beginning of the video. Sometimes just hearing it is enough
That very first pickup - the SPB1 - has great clarity and transparency.
SPB 1 sounds pretty flat but a little timid in the lows, pleasant sounding overall. SPB2 sounds a little dry, not a lot of highs and high mids and it sounds a bit pokey in the high bass, around 200hz. SPB3 sounds very loud in the lows and quite powerful, but sounds scooped in the low-mids, does make them sound more clean and round though. SPB 4 sounds good but a bit obtrusive in the mid bass around 120-150hz, does seem to be quite present around 1khz which makes it sound honkier. Antiquity I sounds a little warmer in the highs but still sounds the most balanced to me, a balanced sound is always good. Antiquity II sounds great, also quite balanced like the Antiquity I but has a nice snarling high mid bite to it giving it a little more flavour. Either way, it's surprising how much different each of these sound.
Very well-said!
100%
Interesting. I liked the SPB2 and SPB4. Was not expecting that.
I know it would be boring, but I wish Will played exactly the same riffs for every pickup.
the Steve Harris SPB 4 is my favorite overall. It seems to have the best characteristics of all pickups. I have one in my 73 P bass and it just rocks.
It does sound good but how are the levels? I've had pickups that were way too hot before and I hated what they did to the tone.
agreed. the steve harris and the vintage 2 were the best overall. however the P bass is such a basic pickup it's hard to go wrong with just about any of them!
I'd love to hear a comparison between the Steve Harris SPB-4 and the EMG GZR P-bass pickup. They both have a bit more push and grind in the lower mids that really screams classic rock tone to me.
Just wanted to say that's a really cool technique. Pushing your thumb underneath the strings to mute lower strings while playing the G and D strings. I played fingerstyle for a year only to find I'm a much better bassist with a plectrum. That being said it's always cool to lean something new from another bassist.
Wow, this place does pickup comparisons right. Can you teach the guitar guys how to do this?
Agreed! They always seem to want to play with a backing track and, even worse, rarely play the same riff/passage... YYYYY?!?!?!
So bored of all the guitar players who demo stuff it’s only the same generic blues solo or the same ultra fast solo. Ok we got it you know how to play. Now throw some riffs
I need seamless A/Bs with backing tracks to know what they REALLY sound like
Or processed with modelers that make every pickup sound the same, so what’s the point.
This demo (and the Jazz Bass one) is fantastic.
Guitarists are too busy with their fancy pedals.
SPB-3 has been my go-to pickup for over a decade.
I like SPB-2, it has 70' tone, punchy, well balanced because you can hear each note without hummings. I've already bought it, and am going to install in my PB Squier.
sounds too dry to me, not enough high mids and treble.
My favourite too!!
Cosign. To my ears is the truest P sound.
10/10 nice work!, this is what bass players need! more videos like this
thanks!
Ac. Bassman yep
SB3 - quarter pounders for me.
nice, punchy, loud, modern, sbp 3s for me
As much as I want to hate on the QPs, you’re right. It’s the best of the bunch. Not too bassy but not to wimpy either.
This video should be taught at the youtube university gear presentation department!! 10/10!!!
I'm totally in love with the Antiquity II, that totally hot mid-range thing is super sexy.
I put one in my P bass largely based on this demo and I just love it. Feels like home. They have a worn-in pair of shoes feeling somehow, and I love the natural mids and high end.
Yes
This is a masterclass on how to demo pickups, awesome video 😁👍🏻
The Steve Harris has got its own unique tone, the most characteristic of the bunch.
Antiquity II, pretty good.
SPB-1 FTW....it's THE sound!
Another great review, thanks Will! SPB-2's all the way for me. Those Antiquities tho....
Adam Tucker The Antiquities are amazing.
They all have their own mojo.
i have an SPB-2 in my Fender Precision 77 and i am very satisfied with his sound. I will try the SPB-4 in another bass, because i like the sound of this model in the review, and because i am a big harris fan. Thanks Will!!
Yeah I'm having a hard time deciding I've got a sire p7 and want to swap out the pickups. And those are the exact two I'm stuck between.
Casting my vote for the Antiquity 2. The others are awesome, but for what I do, the Antiquity 2 would serve my wants and needs best.
Amazing demo!! Everyone else on RUclips should take note for sure.
Cheers
For my taste are best SPB-3 and Antiquity II
Thanks for doing this!!!
I don't know if anyone noticed but the thumb behind the string muting tech is pretty awesome.
For my taste are best SPB-1 and Antiquity II :-)
Matouš Červenka I agree.
The Antiquity II did sound really good.
I like how Will is the first part of the signal chain in the description.
SBP-2 for roundness/softness... Antiquity I for clarity (thanks AlNiCo 2 for existing) !
I love how the antiquity II sounds on the higher strings bit I like the spb-4s most overall
Thumbs under the strings. First time i see this muting technic. Gonna have to try it out. Great vids guys
I liked voice of SPB-4, Antiquity II (tried them) and Antiquity 57 replica - I was quite impressed, I rather like round tone of 50s pickups then 60s and Antiquity has nice clarity and woody sound, to me they sound the best on this particular p bass, not fan of overwound SPB-3, very harsh sounding.
Dude, and that muting technique is dope! Great video! Love the comparison. Currently building a P Bass with SD SPB-3's.
Amazing comparison. I wish there were more videos like that
I'm not a fan of Iron Maiden but I've put the SPB-4s on my first P and I've fallen love with the P-bass sound since; these things are amazing. They also deliver a nice vintage tone if you want to.
I prefer SPB-1 vintage, it sounds fat, clean and hot.
Thorough review, well done! Vintage tone, modern tones SD is the go. Have changed all my basses (and many guitars) to SD pickups. SD was there when the evolution of pickups transpired (and indeed was instrumental in that transition) and truly knows his stuff. IMHO SD has become the touchstone for pickup technology. There are many boutique (and mass produced) winders out there, but for me none of them understand the needs of modern recording and live needs like SD. Once you record with SD's theres no going back!
Thanks a million for this excellent pickup comparison! By far the best one I've seen. It really showcases the differences between the various presented pickups without any disturbing variables, which is exactly what you want. I don't know which one's my favorite here though. I really love the airy/3-dimensional sound of the Antiquity I, but SPB-3 might perhaps suit me better, don't know. Too bad only that you couldn't test the original pickup in my own P-bass for comparison... ;-)
This what I have been wanting to see thanks for you’re time guys
Man I really think the antiquity II’s are the sweet spot. I’ve been researching the past two weeks and I think this comparison just sealed the deal between spb4s and the II’s. Warm and crisp with just a touch more clarity over the spb4s IMO. I’d like to hear an Aguilar ag4p60 vs anti II comparison...
Modding my friend's Harley Benton PB-20 and glad I went with the QP after watching this excellent, thorough af demo.
The SP1 has superior clarity . Really smooth sound without subtracting any of that natural precision growl . SP3 is obviously the fullest bottom heavy pickup with highest output . The SP4 Steve Harris pickups sounds in like a cross between the SP3 and SPB1 . SP3 would probably the best choice for someone playing in a Heavy Metal band . I think it would sit nicely in the mix . The SPB2 has a bit of a vintage tone as well . This pickup is very difficult to put into words . Let's put it this if you were comparing the SPB1 to the SPB2 . It's would be the equivalent of playing a Fender strat and switching from the middle pickup to neck pickup . All in all the SPB1 wins for my particular taste.
SPB-2 sounds soo good to my soul, my ibanez body and fender neck bass will SING! thank you sir for opening my ears! Salute.
A Dead Kennedys tee shirt. Gets a thumbs up from me.
Came for a pickup shootout and got a playing technique lesson to boot!!! 🤘
please do this with jazz pickups, soap bars MM... etc etc
+klaymeister We will, but these things take a bit of time to get set up.
Bassic Gear Review especially installing all these pickups. I really love the first 2 minutes
Could you do this with different types of pickup altogether? Not necessarily on a real bass, just a lab thing that would be designed for easier replacement.
You could also try different placements. For example. I'm having trouble finding videos about precision pickups being moved closer to the neck.
i would love to hear all this again with flatwounds!
Same here
Great demo as always! Keep 'em coming! I put quarter pounders in my first Squier P bass many years ago, and what a difference. Really dig what you guys do! Don't sweat what Wally says. Anyone can be a dueche hater. If someone thinks they're better, show us.
Thanks, man! Yeah, those Quarter-Pounds sound gigantic. Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and thank you for watching!
Best channel on RUclips hands down!!!
You guy should do a video like this one across different brands. Compare DiMarzio Model P and Split P against Seymour Duncans... that would be nice.
Great playing and nice DK shirt :-). Punk basslines are among the catchiest imo.
Great sound from P basses and video sound. I think I prefer the SPB2's, beautiful punch and low end high frequencies.
I totally wanna buy an American special p bass and put some SPB3 set in
I have Duncan Quarter Pounders in three basses and have added a pull pot for
series/parallel wiring in all of them. They can do a really passable rendition of
vintage pickup tone when in parallel!
They’re definitely superb pickups!
Always thought so. first started using them when I worked in a guitar shop in the 80s.
so that makes my oldest set almost 40 years old? DAMN
They have sooo much output they do not fall down in parallel - Try a pull pot with some !
2:23spb1 pick
5:26 spb2 pick
8:17 qp pick
17:18 ant 2 pick
This is what I was looking for, thanks for putting this up
6 years later and this video is still super valuable. Quick question... If you can recall, what strings were you using?
SPB-1 0:02
SPB-2 0:17
SPB-3 0:27
SPB-4 0:36
Antiquity 0:47
Antiquity II 0:58
As much as I like to be rebellious I have to go with the majority on this one and go with the SPB-3 just fits my preference better to be honest and I know that is what the Roger Waters Signature P-Bass has in it and that bass has a sound I very much admire (even though its a Mexican Fender not to say that's a deal breaker just almost certainly gonna need to be setup after purchased online) Very Informative video those for the audiophiles among us bassist who look for that perfect sound
Antiquity 1 would be my choice.
Thanks for the video!!
The SPB-2 is my favourite
Well formatted review. ONLY thing I wish you did differently was go direct in with bass when recording to eliminate the heavily colored Ampeg amp .
I've spb-2 in a homemade p bass with Emerson electronics and flatwounds. It's fucking awesome. Period.
I have quarter pounders pickups in my shiny squier classic vibe 70's precision bass 🔊
Good demo, I read on Seymour Duncan site that the Antiquity 1 has Alnico 2 magnets like the original late 50s P Bass pick up
That Antiquity II had some mojo going on. Have you done the same type of demo with the SD Jazz Bass pickups? That would be marvellous!
The video helped me decide on the SPB3. Thank you
Wow! Awesome video Will. I'm making my own PJ and will use the Quarter Pound PJ
i like the muting technique you got there truthfully i think ill use it
I still have my Squier Bass with Duncan SPB1 pickups from who knows when. Sounds fine with Fender strings and I've never been temped to change them.
Great comparison but Arghhh, they all sound good in different ways, this isn't helping!!! But maybe Antiquity II for me?
16:34 vs 13:42 vs 10:55 vs 1:41
Thanks mate, you showed which pickups to put in my bass
Superb video my man, to be fair all the pickups sound great in their own right, but a great job in showing the differences, liking the tee aswell, unfortunately i recognise the logo from originally owning a copy of California uber alles 😁
IMO SPB3 have more clarity like the original pickups of an American p bass.
Because the low mids are scooped...makes it lose that P bass woody warmth
Steve Harris Signature for me.
antiquity 2 for the win
Antiquity II for this particular Bass
I'm going to try to work in the thumb behind strings technique
Umm yeah....you don’t want to do that. It serves no purpose and can only cause problems with fluidity. You can mute the A string with the pinky of your plucking hand when playing the G string and mute the E by using it as a thumb rest.
BASS player her, thumb behind the strings, probably for muting the top strings, try on top of the strings.
Start fretting riffs by noisily sliding one finger up and down the strings.
@@trappenweisseguy27 i was kidding lol. i do however, love the bass Channel.
I'm really torn between SPB-1, 3 and 4. SPB-1 may have the most pleasing overall tone to my ears, but there isn't enough power in the low end, which leads me to the SPB-3, but that may be a little too bright.
I wish the same riff had been played for every pickup, but 20 minutes of the same thing would have driven us all crazy.
I had the Spb-1 and hated it, boomy with very little mids
Spb-2 all the way, love that midrange bark or has
Antiquity for the best!
haha the bass clefs arranged in the background in the opening sequence is tattooed on my left forearm.
Hi Will, just a tech question… were you using the grease bucket tone circuit on your American Special in that video?
SPB2’s are what I use! Highly recommend
The Steve Harris sounds great for loud Rock! But I like the Antiquity II best. How does the Antique 2 sound next to the Fender original or custom shop?
love those quarter pound pickups.. \m/
The Antiquities are 🙌🏻🙌🏼🙌🏽🙌🏾🙌🏿.
Great video! Are all these pickups passive or active?
Seba Melero passive
Look how happy this man is
I bought the SPB 3 and the screws didn’t fit the plastic cover. After multiple emails to SD tech support they acknowledged the problem but wouldn’t replace them. I gave up and returned them to Amazon.
Spb 1 vintage and the antiquity series impressed me.
However, Im currently rocking the quarter pounders.
My favorites here were the Steve Harris and Antiquity I.
I love those antiquity 2
I have the same Ampeg bass and... man... in my opinion, nothing is better then it in night club here in São Paulo / Brazil
I just bout an SPB-1 for a 1972 precision that needs some love.
Not to be too critical but how can you make this comparison on vintage style pickups without using flats?
That floating thumb muting string from behind the strings looks cool.
Thanks for the review, pretty awesome!!!!
SPB-1 is my choice!
Great demo 👍🏾🤘🏾 Do you guys think you could demo their jazz bass pickups ?
That is definitely the plan.
Can’t decide between an SPB-1 or a QP? Get a Steve Harris. The Antiquities both sounded great too. I think the SPB-2 is the only one I’m not really crazy about.
Awesome videos. Would love to see a jazz bass one. I use the spb1 and have 2 with the spb4.
i like your damping technique