Vintage P-Bass

$99.00

available

Vintage correct split-coil P Bass pickup made to look and sound like the late 50s originals.

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TECH SPECS

DCR – Short for DC Resistance, is measured in Ohms and is the total resistance of the copper wire wound around a coil form. The length of the coil form, the number of turns and the gauge of wire all affect the DCR reading. DCR is often used as a gauge of output because as the turns increase, so does the output, though magnet type and the coil geometry also influence output.
Magnet – We use several different magnet formulations: Alnico 2, Alnico 3, Alnico 4, Alnico 5, Alnico 6, Alnico 8 and Ceramic 5/8. In the case of pickups, the most significant characteristic is the gauss strength, which is a measure of the density of the magnetic field. Of the magnets we use, Alnico 3 has the lowest gauss strength. From there in order of ascending strength you have A2, A4, A5, A6, Ceramic and A8. As the gauss strength goes up, so does the output. The magnets at the lower end of the scale tend to produce a softer attack and a degree of “bloom” to the envelope of the note. Ceramic magnets should be considered as an individual case because they do not contain any nickel or iron. This has the effect of decreasing the inductance of the pickup and significantly raising the resonant frequency. It is for this reason that many consider ceramic magnets to have a brittle sound, not their gauss strength. Looking at this from another point of view, ceramic magnets can be said to produce increased clarity, better note definition and faster response to picking.
Output – The overall output of a passive pickup is influenced by several design factors: number of turns of wire on the coil(s), strength of the magnet, coil geometry and magnetic circuit geometry.The output of an active pickup is influenced by the same factors but is predominantly determined by the design of the onboard preamp.

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DCR: (Choose dropdowns to display)

Magnet: Alnico 5

Product Details

Please use the amp to the right to select which position, tone and mix you'd like to hear sample of.

Description

The P Bass has defined recorded and live music since its inception, and the Vintage P Bass pickup nails all the things we love about that distinctive tone. You will get just the right balance of authoritative thump and clear articulation for an authentic P-Bass feel. Our Vintage P-Bass pickup uses hand ground alnico 5 rod magnets, and a vintage coil wind to deliver all of the bold, smooth tone of the late 50s Precision Bass. This pickup is a drop-in replacement for any American Standard Precision bass.

Since 1978, we’ve been hand building all of our vintage Fender style pickups with the right color and thickness of Forbon flatwork, along with the period correct hand ground alnico 5 rod magnets. Each pickup comes complete with waxed and tinned cloth pushback hook-up wires. We hand file the flatwork, assemble, and lacquer the bobbin just as it was done during Fender’s Golden Age.

Wiring & Dimensions

Dimensions specs: P-Bass

For wiring diagrams, click here.

The E.Q. chart gives you a general idea as to the bass, mids and treble of each pickup position

Single Pickup

Customer Reviews

4.9

★★★★★

Based on 16 reviews

Peter C.

★★★★★

Seymour Duncan has not failed

Seymour Duncan has not failed me yet

Published date

05/30/25

Arcadia M.

★★★★★

Husband loves it!

Husband loves it!

Published date

03/20/25

Keith T.

★★★★★

The delivery was quick and

The delivery was quick and they look beautiful. Unfortunately I have to wait a couple of months for the body to arrive

Published date

02/07/25

Chase

★★★★★

Fantastic

These are wonderfully made. I can always count on SD pickups to work. This particular model is the quintessential P bass sound. I opted for the vintage output because it’s easier to boost a low output pickup than to tame a hot pickup. In my opinion, this is the most versatile option.

Published date

09/29/24

John P.

★★★★★

My Favorite

Well built and sounds exactly like it should. Perfectly balanced sound profile. The gold standard for a p-bass pickup!

Published date

01/16/24

Rodney G.

★★★★☆

Sound is good, met my

Sound is good, met my expectation. Mounting hole were a little undersize and caused the pickup height adjustment to hang up.The height mounting foam provided with the pickup is incorrect. Fender height mounting foam made height adjustment work without the pickup getting stuck.

Published date

10/17/23

Jack C.

★★★★★

Love the pickup - I

Love the pickup - I already built two P-basses, one with Antiquity II and one with Vintage P-Bass, so I'm already a big fan. I just turned 75 - 60 years on the bandstand and still active - Seymour Duncan not only makes great pickups, but the people there are savvy, personable, and took the time to advise me - rare these days. I appreciate you. Jack Carter, New Orleans.

Published date

06/25/23

terry t.

★★★★★

I put these in an

I put these in an '86 squire P bass with new pots, greatly improved the sound

Published date

12/14/22

John S.

★★★★★

Nice working with you guys.

Nice working with you guys. Chris was a big help.

Published date

06/11/22

Carlos R.

★★★★★

MUY VERSATIL

Lo tengo puesto en mi bajo Yamaha fretless, y en el puente tengo un SJB-1 jazz bass. Son la combinacion perfecta para todos los estilos.Super versatiles y discretos, planos y sutiles. Estoy super satisfecho con ellos despues de buscar la solucion al sonido por muchos años!

Published date

05/14/22

Adrian C.

★★★★★

Great sounding pickup! Turned a

Great sounding pickup! Turned a 15 dollar bass into a machine.

Published date

10/01/21

Ben R.

★★★★★

A great pickup from the

A great pickup from the industry's most reliably consistent manufacturer.

Published date

09/27/21

Michael S.

★★★★★

SPB-1

I've always been very happy with my Seymour Duncan bass pickups. My go-to pickup in the past was the Quarter Ponder, but I am leaning towards vintage tones lately. The SPB-1 absolutely nails it and the price is nice!

Published date

12/28/20

Chris J.

★★★★★

Growls like a beast

I love this pickup. It growls like no other. I also love Steve Harris, but I'm a little surprised he designed his own pickup rather than using this one. For me, the SPB-1 is the real tone of the beast.

Published date

11/17/20

Gianni O.

★★★★★

SD SPB-1, your vintage-voiced P-bass pickup

Hi. I got this pickup with a Fender Classic ‘50s P-bass I bought used some time ago. I wanted to install an active pickup on that bass, but, after listening to the tone it produced with the SPB-1 pickup already on it, I decided to keep it as it was. After many months of use, I consider the SD SPB-1 pickup as definitely being one of the best investments currently on the market for those looking for a true vintage-like tone. The pickup is surely very suitable for bass-oriented and warm tones, but, when required, it can growl nicely, it’s just a matter of adjusting the tone control a bit. Whether used with roundwound of flatwound strings, this pickup is the ideal choice for playing ‘60s R&B and ‘70s funk. Besides, the price is really honest. I recommend it without reserves.

Published date

07/15/20

James D.

★★★★★

The pickup sounds great.

The pickup sounds great.

Published date

06/01/20

Showing 3 of 16 reviews

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