The best pickups for your Gibson Bass. As a bass player, your choice of pickups can have a significant impact on the sound of your instrument. Whether looking for a deep, rich tone or a brighter, punchier sound, selecting the right pickups for your Gibson bass is crucial.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best pickups for Gibson bass guitars and provide some tips on how to choose the right pickups for your needs.
First, let’s take a closer look at the different types of pickups available for bass guitars.
Table of Contents
the best pickups for your Gibson Bass
Types of Bass Pickups
Your Gibson Bass offers you many different pickup types that will best meet the demands of different genres; finding one tailored to your music style should not be a difficult feat.
The Gibson P-90 pickup is a favorite among jazz guitarists as it provides both great jazz sound as well as solid rock playback, thanks to its warm and round tone that resonates well on both clean and dirty amps.
Humbucker
Guitar pickups play a large part in determining the overall tone of a bass guitar, so finding ones suitable to your playing style is essential. Humbucker pickups tend to be more versatile than single coil ones and are popular among jazz guitarists as well as metal and hard rock guitarists.
As metal guitar pickups tend to produce thicker sounds and are also adept at canceling out the “60-cycle hum”, they may make for the ideal solution when playing metal music.
Humbuckers also boast the added benefit of being virtually “hum-free”, meaning there is minimal electrical interference from the pickup itself, meaning fewer chances for squeals when playing through amplifiers with higher gains. They make an ideal choice for high-gain applications.
If a humbucker isn’t what you’re after, there are also pickups designed to be “split.” These pickups remove one of their two coils from the circuit for a single coil sound without producing as much noise compared to double coil pickups; however, they may not suit all players.
Humbuckers are also an excellent option for any player looking to limit the noise created by effects pedals and high-gain amplifiers and for bassists attempting heavier styles of music as they provide an ideal combination of volume and distortion to keep a heavy beat alive and moving smoothly.
Humbucker pickups remain incredibly popular with guitarists in the rock genre; however, modern designs have addressed issues associated with 60-cycle hum, producing tones suitable for various musical genres and styles.
Early Gibson basses often featured single coil pickups wrapped around one magnet, producing brighter sounds than their humbucker counterparts but having less bottom and midrange presence; this may prove disadvantageous for players who prefer warmer, darker-sounding basses.
Single Coil
No matter whether you play a Gibson bass guitar or another type of electric guitar, finding the ideal pickups can make all of the difference to your instrument and tone preferences. As various factors are involved in selecting suitable pickups for any given instrument, research should always precede any definitive decisions on this topic. Finding your ideal tone requires carefully considering all these variables in making an informed choice based on specific factors for every instrument that needs it.
Single coil pickups are a go-to choice for many guitarists because of their clear and bright sound that suits many genres of music. This makes them suitable for clean tones as well as overdrive or distortion effects.
Single coil pickups come in various varieties, each offering distinct advantages in terms of tone clarity, frequency response, note separation, control over effects such as distortion or delay, and more.
Single coil pickups offer one advantage in that they can handle higher output levels than other models, though this may result in less focused and glassy sounds than their counterparts.
Humbucker pickups utilize two coils that are situated close together. If an electrical interference enters one coil, it attempts to cancel out its signal by trying to cancel out that of another coil–thus creating a buzzing or buzzing noise in response.
This hum can be especially bothersome when playing metal and can become worse at higher volumes or with distortion effects. Therefore, modern single-coil pickups often include ” noiseless ” features that aim to eliminate this hum from their circuits.
This technology works by adding iron into the core of noise-sensing coils, which allows them to detect noise more effectively and lessen its effect on playback. This helps prevent single coil humming, making for a clearer tone while still accommodating overdrive and distortion effects. Overall, this should be taken into consideration by bass players looking for ways to avoid unnecessary humminess that plagues single coils.
P90 pickups
P90 pickups offer guitar players looking for a thick and warm tone with strong low-end response an ideal solution. As hybrid pickups, they fit somewhere between single coils and humbuckers in terms of tonal quality.
Les Paul basses feature these pickups, popularly used for classic blues tones as well as jazz lead tones, making them an excellent choice for hollow or semi-hollow body guitars.
P90 pickups differ from conventional single coils in that they feature additional copper windings to increase output and make them warmer, which allows for greater output, improved hum cancellation, and an array of tones than what a regular single coil offers.
P90 pickups produce different tones depending on their coil size and shape, so selecting the optimal pickup is crucial to finding an instrument-specific sound. There is a variety of models available; most come in multiple colors as well.
Some pickups feature Alnico II magnets and steel poles to help you customize your tone to suit your personal preferences, while some have a higher output than others; it is important to select the one that complements the sound of your Gibson Bass guitar.
Another fantastic option is the Fishman P90, with three voices to choose from: soapbar tone in position one; aggressive tones from modded P90s in two, and finally bright and jangly sounds in three.
Use a vintage-style soap bar P90 guitar, to recreate the sound of an original 1950s pickup and achieve a warm vintage tone that is great for blues and punk music.
Essential to keep in mind is that P90 pickups may not be ideal for metal as they tend to have weak bass frequencies and struggle with high-gain settings, though they still make for great options on both acoustic and electric guitars. You can find an excellent-sounding P90 at an extremely reasonable price point.
Burstbucker
Burstbucker pickups are a favorite among Gibson guitar owners. Offering an authentic vintage tone suitable for many musical genres, these pickups also add depth and dimension to acoustic instruments.
BurstBucker pickups were initially manufactured in Japan and quickly spread around the globe, producing an iconic vintage sound beloved by blues and early Rock n’ Roll musicians alike.
These pickups differ from conventional humbuckers in that they utilize Alnico magnets in their coils to increase strength and increase response, with wax pots to mitigate feedback and noise issues.
These pickups come in various sizes to accommodate various neck and bridge positions, each model offering distinct output and sound qualities – it is important to check its specifications before purchasing one.
These pickups can be installed onto many Gibson guitar models, including Les Paul Standard and Classic guitars. However, you must be aware of the specifications for the specific electric guitar you plan to use.
Before purchasing any guitar, be sure to review its neck and bridge dimensions according to manufacturer specifications.
Gibson offers several humbucker pickups that each possess distinctive properties. Two popular choices among its selections are the 57 Classic and BurstBucker; these models were created to mimic the sound of its PAF pickups first introduced during the late 1950s.
The 57 Classic is an ideal choice for jazz or blues music enthusiasts. Its pickups offer similar tones as Gibson’s original humbuckers while providing an edge and bite more suited for jazz and blues music.
Though these pickups have some bite, they remain warm and mellow – perfect for jazz or blues guitarists. Additionally, they are quite flexible – you can push up their gain for an aggressive, thick, and smoky tone.
Best Pickups for Gibson Basses
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder
The Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder pickups are a popular choice for bass players who want a powerful, punchy sound. These pickups have oversized quarter-inch Alnico 5 rod magnets, which provide a high output and plenty of midrange.
The Quarter Pounder pickups are available in two versions: the SPB-3, which is a split-coil pickup for Precision Bass-style instruments, and the SJB-3, which is a single-coil pickup for Jazz Bass-style instruments.
The SPB-3 Quarter Pounder pickup is designed to give your Precision Bass-style instrument a fat, punchy sound with plenty of clarity and articulation. The high-output design provides a full, balanced tone with a strong midrange and a tight, focused low end. These pickups are ideal for rock, blues, and other styles that require a powerful, punchy sound.
The SJB-3 Quarter Pounder pickup is designed to give your Jazz Bass-style instrument a fat, punchy sound with plenty of definition and detail. The high-output design provides a full, balanced tone with a strong midrange and a tight, focused low end. These pickups are ideal for a wide range of playing styles, from funk and soul to rock and metal.
Both versions of the Quarter Pounder pickups have a high output and plenty of midrange, making them suitable for players who want a powerful, punchy sound. They are also highly responsive to playing dynamics, allowing you to achieve a wide range of tones simply by adjusting your playing style.
Overall, the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder pickups are a great choice for bass players who want a high-output, punchy sound with plenty of midrange. They are ideal for players who want to cut through the mix and make a statement with their playing.
EMG Geezer Butler Signature PJ Set
The EMG Geezer Butler Signature PJ Set pickups are a set of passive pickups designed in collaboration with Geezer Butler, the legendary bassist of Black Sabbath. These pickups have a vintage sound with a modern twist, thanks to their active electronics.
The PJ Set includes two pickups: a PJ-style pickup in the bridge position and a single-coil pickup in the neck position. The PJ-style pickup is a split-coil pickup, which means it has two coils that are wired in opposite directions. This design helps to cancel out unwanted noise and hum, resulting in a clear, noise-free sound.
The Geezer Butler Signature PJ Set pickups have a high output and plenty of midrange, making them suitable for various playing styles. They have a warm, vintage sound with plenty of clarity and articulation, and they are highly responsive to playing dynamics. This means that you can achieve a wide range of tones simply by adjusting your playing style.
One of the unique features of the Geezer Butler Signature PJ Set pickups is their passive design. Unlike most active pickups, which require a battery to operate, these pickups rely on traditional passive electronics. This means that they have a more organic, natural sound compared to many active pickups.
Overall, the EMG Geezer Butler Signature PJ Set pickups are a great choice for bass players who want a vintage sound with a modern twist. They are highly responsive and versatile, making them suitable for various playing styles. Additionally, their passive design provides a more natural sound compared to many active pickups, making them a great choice for players who want a more organic sound.
DiMarzio DP122 Model P
The DiMarzio DP122 Model P bass pickups are a popular choice for bass players who want a classic, vintage sound. These pickups are designed to replicate the sound of the original P-bass pickups from the 1950s and 60s but with modern enhancements.
The Model P pickups have a split-coil design, which means that they have two coils that are wired in opposite directions. This helps to cancel out unwanted noise and hum, resulting in a clear, noise-free sound. The pickups also have oversized 1/4-inch diameter alnico 5 magnets, which provide a warm, full-bodied tone with plenty of clarity and definition.
The DiMarzio DP122 Model P pickups have a high output and plenty of midrange, which gives them a punchy, powerful sound. They are highly responsive to playing dynamics, allowing you to achieve a wide range of tones simply by adjusting your playing style.
One of the unique features of the Model P pickups is their adjustable pole pieces. This allows you to adjust the height of each pole piece to fine-tune the balance between the strings and achieve a more even sound across all strings.
Overall, the DiMarzio DP122 Model P bass pickups are a great choice for bass players who want a classic, vintage sound with modern enhancements. They are highly responsive and versatile, making them suitable for a wide range of playing styles. Additionally, the adjustable pole pieces provide additional control over your tone, allowing you to achieve a more customized sound.

Bartolini BC4C-T
The Bartolini BC4C-T bass pickups are a high-quality set of pickups designed for bass players who want a clear, articulate sound with plenty of definition and detail. These pickups are ideal for players who want a balanced tone with a strong midrange and a tight, focused low end.
The BC4C-T pickups have a split-coil design, which means that they have two coils that are wired in opposite directions. This helps to cancel out unwanted noise and hum, resulting in a clear, noise-free sound. The pickups also have ceramic magnets, which provide a high output and plenty of midrange.
The Bartolini BC4C-T pickups have a dual-coil design, which means that they have four conductor wires for flexible wiring options. This allows you to customize the wiring to achieve the exact tone that you want.
The BC4C-T pickups have a wide frequency response and a clear, articulate sound, making them suitable for a wide range of playing styles. They are highly responsive to playing dynamics, allowing you to achieve a wide range of tones simply by adjusting your playing style.
One of the unique features of the BC4C-T pickups is their adjustable pole pieces. This allows you to adjust the height of each pole piece to fine-tune the balance between the strings and achieve a more even sound across all strings.
Overall, the Bartolini BC4C-T bass pickups are a great choice for bass players who want a clear, articulate sound with plenty of definition and detail. They are highly responsive and versatile, making them suitable for a wide range of playing styles. Additionally, the adjustable pole pieces provide additional control over your tone, allowing you to achieve a more customized sound.
Gibson Thunderbird Bass Humbucker
The Gibson Thunderbird Bass Humbucker pickups are designed specifically for the Gibson Thunderbird bass, which is known for its distinctive shape and powerful sound. These pickups have a high output and plenty of midrange, which gives them a punchy, powerful sound that is perfect for rock and metal music.
The Thunderbird Bass Humbucker pickups have a dual-coil design, which means that they have four conductor wires for flexible wiring options. This allows you to customize the wiring to achieve the exact tone that you want. The pickups also have powerful ceramic magnets, which provide a strong, aggressive sound with plenty of sustain.
The Gibson Thunderbird Bass Humbucker pickups have a wide frequency response, with a strong emphasis on the midrange. This gives them a full-bodied, powerful sound that cuts through the mix, making them perfect for heavy rock and metal music.
One of the unique features of the Thunderbird Bass Humbucker pickups is their placement on the bass. The pickups are placed closer to the bridge, which gives them a tighter, more focused sound with plenty of attack and definition.
Overall, the Gibson Thunderbird Bass Humbucker pickups are a great choice for bass players who want a powerful, aggressive sound with plenty of midrange. They are highly responsive and versatile, making them suitable for a wide range of playing styles. Additionally, their placement on the bass provides a unique sound that is perfect for heavy rock and metal music.
Choosing the Right Pickups for Your Gibson Bass
When choosing pickups for your Gibson bass, there are a few things to consider. First, think about the style of music you play and the sound you want to achieve. Do you want a bright, punchy sound or a warmer, thicker tone?
Next, consider the type of pickups you want. Single-coil pickups have a bright, clear sound, while humbuckers have a thicker, warmer tone. Active pickups can provide higher output and more control over your sound, but they also require a battery.
Finally, think about your budget. Pickups can vary widely in price, so it’s essential to choose something that fits within your budget.
Conclusion
Selecting the right pickups for your Gibson bass can significantly impact your sound. Whether you want a bright, punchy tone or a warmer, thicker sound, there are plenty of great pickups to choose from.
Consider the style of music you play, the type of pickups you want, and your budget when making your choice. With the right pickups, you can take your playing to the next level and achieve the sound you’ve always wanted.
Is it worth upgrading bass pickups?
Yes, upgrading bass pickups can be worth it as it can improve your tone, provide more versatility, reduce noise, allow for customization, and increase resale value. However, it’s important to choose pickups that are well-suited for your bass and playing style.
What pickups do Gibson guitars use?
Gibson guitars use a variety of pickups, including their own proprietary models such as the Burstbucker, PAF, and 490/498 series, as well as pickups from third-party manufacturers such as Seymour Duncan and EMG. The specific pickups used depend on the model and year of the guitar.