Seymour Duncan vs. Lindy Fralin - Battle of the '51 P Bass Pickups - LowEndLobster Tone Shootout
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
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Hey Everyone! Today we are going to be swapping out our Seymour Duncan Stinger '51 P Bass stacked humbucker for a Lindy Fralin Split '51 P bass pickup. We'll be showing the install process as well as some modifications to the pickup that were necessary for fitment, and we'll be comparing the two pickups side by side. Let's do this!
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I agree - the Lindy Fralin seems much more present and hoe I think a "single coil" Precision should sound. It even kept some definition when the tone was rolled off, which is nice.
I like both, to be honest. If using the SD, I would avoid bringing the tone down too much, to avoid getting too muddy, but with the Fralin I'd avoid leaving the tone at 100% because it's a tad too bright for me.
I’ve had the fralin split 50s in my classic vibe for awhile now, and it’s such a well rounded pickup. Really cleared up the fundamental while still having some definition in the treble end. Great pickup
I just got a new Fender Vintage II 1954 Reissue P-bass and I absolutely LOVE the pickup in it--single coil, and unfortunately a bit of a buzz at times, but I'll deal with it because the pickup sounds SO good. The Lindy Fralin pickup here sounds much closer to stock pickup in my 54 reissue.
As a side note: I had a Fender Custom Shop Dusty Hill signature bass a few years back (and was stupid enough to trade it away). I believe it had the SD "stinger" pickup in it stock (or something very close--for sure it was Seymour Duncan and a stack). I found it way too boomy and indistinct for my tastes--it was just "bland." I put this same Fralin split in it as you did here and it sounded great--took the boominess and "flab" out right away.
Dude! You're really coming along with your picking. Listen to your picking part with the flatwounds strung on a 51 style P. THAT is a good recording tone! I'll take the articulation and smoothness of the Lindy Fralin over the booming lows and mids of the Seymour Duncan. Great comparison video. Thanks Lobster
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed this
'51 Precision pickups are killer pickups. They offer such vast dynamic range - Leo Fender actually came up with the split design (and the doule pole pieces) to spare early amps from going "bang" because of the unmanageable transients that the '51 Precision pickups could produce.
I have the Nordstrand equivalent in my freak bass and it's a complete killer. I just looove it.
Wow, that Lindy Fralin was surprisingly brighter in tone. I honestly liked the tones of both pickups, so would still be a hard decision.
Very nice! I've been waiting on this one, that Lindy Fralin is very articulate, very smooth!
I was lucky enough to own the first Lākland 51 P way before it became a production model…. it’s the one that caused the uproar that made them decide to start making it. Anyways, I put the Fralin split 51 in it and it was an amazing upgrade! This video shows what I heard all those years ago. The Fralin sounds like a 51 should but a smidge mellower and noise free.
Another great comparison. I liked the SD when the tone was open as it wasn’t as harsh as the Lindy. But preferred the Lindy Fralin when the tone was off as it wasn’t so muffled. Maybe that’s due to the difference in the construction.
I felt that the Lindy Fralin's sound was more defined especially in the closed position. It retained warmth but was less boomy (more lower mids) than the SD. Overall, I prefer the qualities of the Lindy Fralin. Notwithstanding, both pickup options definitely improved the bass into something that would be very useable on a soul/funk/blues, gig.
I can see how the SD Stinger works in the context of a 3-piece rock band like ZZ Top, where that extra low-end and high output was needed for Dusty Hill to fill the sonic space while Billy Gibbons would solo. But if an additional guitarist and/or keyboardist is also in the mix, then the Lindy Fralin would be better suited in that context because its added high-end prevents it from getting lost in the mix. Really cool comparison, Lobster.
Both sound great. The Fralin had a sonic presence that was better defined and pleasing. As the previous commenter said- it retained tonal character with the tone rolled all the way off. These early P basses have their own vibe and the Fralin pickup does it better justice.
Clicked like 1 sec into the video cause I knew I would like this. Thanks for continuing to throw out the awesome comparison videos. For those of us that like to tinker, these save a lot of hours scouring forums for sometimes not so great opinions.
I'm actually leaning more towards the SD due to it's "mellower" tone.....not as much "in your face" as the Fralin. It's so subjective. : ) They both sound yummy !
Both were great sounding pickups. The Lindy seemed to have a more pronounced attack. At times that is preferable. Overall though, I think I preferred the SD. It seemed more like an all rounder with more usefulness.
Lollar makes some really good vintage style pickups.
I had the change to play a fender Sting signature P bass a few years back. It sounded great, and after hearing your demo of the sire with the SD Stinger pickup, that sounds almost identical to how I remember the Sting signature sounding for what I'm guessing is a fraction of the cost. Sounds great, awesome demo as always!
I’ve just ordered a Curtis Novak Vintage Tele Bass pickup. I’ll let you know my thoughts once I’ve had it installed in my MIJ Fender ‘51 Precision Bass reissue.
Hiya. Do you have an update?
Just a couple of days ago I was thinking what 51P pickups I should use in my next Build and you bring out this Video. Thanks Lobster!
The Lindy Fralin really had the sound that I prefer. Thank you for the comparison!!
Should try the NORDSTRAND 51P4S HUM-CANCELLING pickup next. It might even fit in the pickup cavity. 🙂
I have the Seymour Duncan. I wired a pull-push pot so I can enable or disable the noise cancelling coil. By disabling it the sound is closer to an original 51 pickup with a bit more high-end and definition, but of course it hums.
Hey Butch here, the Lindy Fralin has more of a mid-range growl, I really like it! Thanks!
With the tone 100% open I think that SD sounds a little bit warmer than the Lindy Fralin, that pick up has a little bit more presence and maybe definition than the SD. If I have to choose I would choose Lindy Fralin.
After you put the Stinger in I thought hmm a little too much low end now and the Lindy seemed to be close to what it was with the original pickups? Anyway I have a D-5 and love the tone the way it came 😊 Thank you for all your work comparing these basses and hardware, you are the best on here
An alternative that I would like to see you try in the D5 is a Lace Alumitone "single coil" guitar pickup. ...so far I like the Lindy Fralin Split pickup best. The difference between those two pickups suggests that the alumitone might give even more clarity (and maybe a bit of an "acoustic" sound too). As for looks... Well, an alumitone in chrome would give the instrument a strangely retro sci-fi appearance, imho.
Really good idea!
Ideal timing for me, as I've just received a Lindy Fralin 51 pickup for a new build. I've got a Seymour Duncan Stinger in another of my 50s style P-Basses.
A year and a half later, and after re-watching the SD install video, I noticed you installed the pickup in series, which is hotter (28.9kΩ), hence the boomy lows and mids. I think if you rewired it to parallel (7.225kΩ), you would still have a full sound, without the boominess and brighter highs.
I'm building a John Bolin/Dusty Hill tribute Peeler Precision Bass from a Harley Benton PB-50FR. Difference is, I'm looking to add a Push/Pull pot to switch from series to parallel, so I can go with what is works best for my needs/taste.
The Lindy Fralin sounds unbelievable. They nail the Classic 51' P bass sound perfectly without single coil hum.
The SD has the tone of a split P with the attack of a single coil. A nice hybrid. The Fralin is very true to the original. The Fralin’s character with tone rolled off is really special. It would be nice to know if the SD could come close if not bottomed out.
I agree with your assessment 100%. So many times you do these pickup comparisons and the differences are small, this difference was rather significant. Lindy Fralin for the win!
Please do some reviews on Epic Custom Shop pickups. I'd love to hear what you think about their P bass pickups.
I'm using one in my 51' parts bass .E.C. were suggested by a forum member at Talkbass and for the quality and tone it comes at a bargain price.
I prefer the SD for my applications.
Interesting video...that would make a nice practice bass to carry around too. Thanks.
Tone up... the duncan, tone dumped... the lindy. Pick tone... duncan. Slap.... neither. I could see myself playing only fingers on either pup. Tone up with the duncan and tone probably at 60% with the lindy. Great vid! Love your channel and reviews ❤
I have a number of split P pickups and I feel like the Fralin is not as different from them as the Duncan.
For something different than a split coil P sound, I thought the Duncan was better in the thumpy bottom end where older electric blues bass lives. That is where you use a 50's P in my opinion. For many other genres the split P Bass is the better tool.
Can't go wrong with Lindy Fralin!
The stinger is too muddy, while the Fralin is much closer to the actual 51 “guitar like” tone. That guitar like tone is the whole reason to get a scpb in the first place. It’s a P bass but with a slightly different tone. This matches up with my experience having both stacked humbuckers and split coils in different basses. Split coils sound closer to single coils than stacks ime.
I find myself craving some butterscotch pudding! I give the Seymour Duncan pickup the slight edge as it has more of the tone I would want.
Hey 🦞 .im in agreement with you. Prefer the Fralins.
Im looking at either Fralin or Lollar in my 72 precision bass project with an obsidianwireloom .just got to decide wti stock or oveerwound.
The Triple Lindy
LOL
I like the lindy fralin pickup in all ways over the SD.
I like the 51 style basses but I always sell them after a time , the single coil pickups always seem lacking something compared to the split coils.
You should try out a seymour duncan rail-type humbucker guitar pickup (maybe artec or some other cheapie if you can't justify the expense). It's a rare but doable mod since they fit in the 51 precision pickup cavity. They also look really cool.
To my ears the stacked humbucker has more of humbucker tone not unlike some sidewinder pickups I have heard like on a wonderful Gibson Ripper I have once played.
The linear humbucker is more "twangy" which is also great. I almost want a bass with both pickups in
I'm a pbass nerd. I am short and I don't like the shape of the offset jazz bass bodies. I have several Ps from parts. I set up a 50's style one with an MJT Body and Mike Dirnt neck. (Great neck) Maybe the rosewood fretboard made it sound rounder... who knows.
I had the Fralin Split Coil with a 5% over wound magnet and I found it too similar to other split coil (60's). I really regret not getting Curtis Novak jazz pickups in a single coil mount and adding a bridge pickup.
On this comparison - that Fralin presence is great. If you had only active basses - I would say go Fralin for a passive Fender bass like the MIJ 51 or the Classic Vibes. Especially if you play fingerstyle.. I think if you play primarily with a pick - I think the Duncan wouldn't be a bad choice. IF you don't mind noise - I had the SD quarter pounder in my squier (previous owner) and it was cool. I could see it working for the current "rock country" or agressive pick playing. (Lots of output, big pole pieces.
My MJT needed additional routing to fit the split coil pickup. I'm not sure about 50's Classic Vibe with the Quarter Pounder.
It'd be super cool if you compared splits to singles by brand, like the Duncan Stinger stacked to the Antiquity II, Fralin's split to his single, and so forth.
This Fralin sounds precious to me, or like a Mustang. Gets too far away from the sonic nature of a '51. The SD is a bit too big on the low end, I agree, but it's a pickup for Sting and Dusty Hill. Lollar? In the UK The Creamery is knocking it out of the park on the split coils, their 4 pole single coil might follow suit!
I really love this Sire bass, finish is beautiful, roasted maple is beautiful.
However I really wish they had just copied the fender 51 p body/pickguard, the sharp arms kinda give off an Ibanez vibe that just kinda looks silly. Like when a really elderly person dyes their hair black
The SD sounds really close to the stock one in my 53/54 Sting P-Bass model (not a fan of the 12th fret inlay), and I love the tone but not the hum. The Fralin definitely has a more balanced tone, not as heavy on the lows, but I think that's why it sounds less like the rope-wound. All that said, the Fralin is apparently one of the most common mods for that bass, so...
I also run Fender tapewounds on that one. Might try the LaBellas.
I’ve got the Lindy in my Buzz Guitar - its great 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻You have to test one of Buzz basses 🤘🏻
The Fralin was dramatically brighter and even with the tone rolled off was still clanky and lacked warm bass. Personally I prefer the big fat sound of the hotter Seymour Duncan for this type of bass.
Luv my 51 p with my frailin and tone off labella flats its just how a p bass should sound
Cool bass with a real powerfull amplifier it will sound great exept power all the rest is there
SD IMHO Much more of an original style sound.
Doing a double 51 P build, thinking the S/D in the Neck and the Lindy in the Bridge might sound like a winner .....
Thanks! 😎
the cat pun shirts were my favorite
The Lindy Fralin made it sound more like an active bass.
Love the Lindy Fralin!
They both sound good, but the Lindy Fralin sounds more like a traditional P-bass pickup.
Shouldn't that pickup cavity be standard?
I would love to see a Stellartone passive P (single pickup) shown on a P5 and D5 if they can send you some. I find the current demoes a little dated.
The Fralin pickup sounded like you took the blanket off the speaker cabinet when using the Seymour Duncan. That top end presence…
To be fair, based on the manufacturers intent and build differences, I would have been very inclined to think I’d prefer the Fralin anyway, even without hearing either pickup.
I like the Seymore.
Have you tried Lollar pickup? I think it sounds woody, vintage and awesome
I’d love to get one and put a Darkstar pickup in there 🥵
I have one and this is my plan!
@@PaytonHatfield86 oh sick!!! Keep us posted!
Are the Nordstram ones good?
Where did you buy these?
For me it's SD but both sounds good
Sound is definitely humbucker vs single
Man, are the basslines you play originals that u wrote? Cause they are pretty 🔥 ngl. Any chance on getting a tutorial for them?
Lindy for me!
I'm a big Seymour Duncan fan but, in this case, I prefer the Lindy Fralin pickup. Question: If I want to put 2 of them on a bass, is there a neck/bridge pickup set or I would have to use 2 identical pickups without any problem?
Sound likes FLATS on this bass. If so, which kind of flats? Thanks
My favorite flats, La Bella Deep Talkin 760FS
Greetings. I wonder how the LF Split 51 compares to the original. Any thoughts? Thank you.
The Lindy sounds more like a current p bass while the SD is muted or less snap and high end than the Lindy. Both sound great so it would be a tough choice to pick. I would probably go with the Lindy if I had to choose just because it seems more versatile.
The Fralin sounds more like an underwound 57-58 precision bass than a single coil one.
What’s the bass line that starts at 5:02 from ?
An original :)
@@LowEndLobster very nice
'The kings new clothes ' There's so little in it.
Lindy is bright
Lots of real in the know guys claim a stacked hum cancelling pickup is inferior by design, as they claim the magnetic flux field is somewhat squashed in comparison to the side by side coils . Just by the tone I’m hearing I tend to agree. I’m sure plenty may disagree; as opinions vary.
Yeh ...prefer the Lindy
I didn't think that much of any of the tones. Slapping on flats is liking punching someone in the foot. Love you lobster ❤️
Comparison starts at 5:00...Fralin wins
Thank you so much for reminding me how freaking awful stacks are.
LEL, I’ve got on incoming and I’m thinking of modding it. Do you consider the Curtis Novak Gold Foil a good option for a gigging bass? I have several other options, single, split and multi coil. I’m at work so can’t watch now but I will 🙂
I legit was going to mod a D5 with a gold foil but ended up using a Alumatone strat pickup and love it
@@LowEndLobsterWow! That IS very interesting. Did you produce a video showing that? I’m seriously considering spending the money on the CN pickup.
No video because I did it last month but i just played it for hours by a camp fire and can attest to it's tonal deliciousness
I like the tone on zero, Bass underwater 😂
The Lindy sounds much better to me. Doesn't mean the SD sounds bad, but the LF is just better.
The amount of volume drop with the tone rolled off sounds to me like you might’ve smoked that capacitor with too much heat from your iron or something … it shouldn’t be that noticeable a level drop.
I think i replaced it with a .1uF a while ago lol. Yeah it's a bit dark lol
Lindy Fralin always sounds better than anything~ I'm sure your cat would agree.
It's all a matter of personal preference but I prefer the Seymour Duncans, to be honest. At least, for the fingerstyle and pick playing. For slap tone with the pots wide open they both kinda sucked.
Lindy is the winner for me.
dont upgrade your pickups, just run a compressor and eq pedal.(thats my conclusion after years of watching pickup shoot outs and having upgraded some pickups myself)
Why? It's just extra gear to cart around. And if you know you prefer a specific tone, go for the pickup/internal electronics you know are going to get that tone.
CAT
Fralin +1
More correct sound