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Is the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound right for your bass?

(*Note: More recent versions of the Quarter Pound no longer show the “Basslines” logo, but it is still the same great pickup it always was.)

Is Quarter Pound just a name?

Quarter Pound is not just name-only. The pole pieces used in a Quarter Pound are 1/4-inch in diameter, expanding the magnetic field of the pickup. In plain English, that means the frequency range is extended.

“How does the extended frequency range benefit my sound?”

With more midrange frequency available to you, this allows your bass guitar tone to cut through the mix more easily. Another added benefit is that the Quarter Pound is high output. If your existing pickup(s) are lacking in drive and punch, a Quarter Pound will take care of that issue.

Is the Quarter Pound right for your bass?

One of the Quarter Pound’s most attractive features is the price. Compared to other pickups, it’s a much less expensive way of punching up your sound passively without having to spend too much to get it.

What does a Quarter Pound sound like?

Here is an inexpensive SX bass with an SPB-3 installed in it, played finger-style. A very nice P-Bass sound.

Here is a JP set on a Fender Japan Precision Bass (yes, we do carry the JP set, see below) played hard with a pick. Very good for a hard rock tone and sounds great:

There are more benefits to having a Quarter Pound

Are you a fretless player? The Quarter Pound sounds great when sliding on a fretless. If your fretless “muds out” or drops out too quickly with your existing pickup, a Quarter Pound might be just what you’re looking for.

Do you play with dropped tuning? If you answered that with yes, the increased midrange and output of the Quarter Pound will be a very welcome thing to your tone. Get those super-low notes to cut through!

Do you use harmonics? This is again where the high output of the Quarter Pound really makes a difference. With a higher-output pickup, this may allow you to achieve harmonics much easier, saving wear and tear on your hands.

Is the Quarter Pound right for you?

If you’re looking for a less-expensive upgrade with a passive pickup, Seymour Duncan delivers in fine style. Get your P-pickup here, J-pickup(s) here or JP set here.

Do you already have a Quarter Pound in your bass?

Let everyone know what you think of it by posting a comment below, and be sure to mention what make and model of bass guitar you put the pickup into. It also helps if you mention your playing style (fingers-only, pick, slap, etc.)

5 thoughts on “Is the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound right for your bass?”

  1. Put the SPB-3 Quarter Pounders and added an SJB-1 Jazz pup in my 1985 Yamaha BB300.what an amazing difference!
    Punch AND rumble!

    Reply
  2. 2010 5 string Squire J Bass, new Quarter Pound set, PHAT FAT sound, La Bella 760FL-B strings , thumb picker. Also Babicz Full Contact Bridge. Nothing but delicious sounds.

    Reply
  3. I’ve been playing 50s/60s rock n roll/Merseybeat for 60 years and last year bought a Squier Classic Vibe 60s bass fitted with a Basslines pickup. Our local luthier fitted Pyramid flatwounds while setting the bass up & the result is amazing. Even he commented just how good the bass sounds – as do several bass playing pals who I meet up with at our weekly jam night.

    Reply

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