Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (50)
$99.00
Guitar Center
4.5 (26)
$99.00
Amazon
4.8 (618)
$99.00
Reverb
5.0 (17)
$89.99 New
$99.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (80)
$99.00
zZounds
5.0 (11)
$99.00
Thomann
4.8 (385)
$105.00
Gear4Music
£119.00

Average Price: $99

Budget/Beginner

$119

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups, an ideal choice for bassists seeking a powerful, punchy tone that never gets lost in the mix. This high-output single-coil pickup is renowned for its hot output and punchy midrange, making it a staple for Precision Basses. Whether you're a rock bassist chasing a heavy sound or a musician exploring different genres, the versatile SPB-3 Quarter Pound offers an impressive tonal range to suit your needs.

With its 1/4" pole pieces, the SPB-3 Quarter Pound expands the magnetic field and frequency range, resulting in a fat, full tone with a substantial midrange presence and the highest possible output. Handcrafted in Santa Barbara, CA, these pickups employ Alnico 5 rod magnets and Forbon flatwork for unparalleled performance.

Designed as a drop-in replacement for any American Standard Precision Bass, the SPB-3 Quarter Pound comes with a 4-string configuration for a straightforward installation. Once in place, you'll immediately notice a significant difference in power and articulation.

The SPB-3 Quarter Pound pickups are vacuum wax potted to eliminate squeal and reduce feedback at high volumes. Their highly rigid construction prevents microphonics, allowing for aggressive playing styles without compromising on tone. Choose the SPB-3 Quarter Pound and experience the innovative design, premium components, and road-tested durability that Seymour Duncan is famous for.

Key Features:

  • High-output single-coil pickup
  • 1/4" pole pieces for expanded magnetic field and frequency range
  • Alnico 5 rod magnets and Forbon flatwork
  • Drop-in replacement for American Standard Precision Bass
  • Vacuum wax potted to eliminate squeal and reduce feedback
  • Rigid construction to prevent microphonics
  • Handcrafted in Santa Barbara, CA
  • Suitable for all genres
  • Used by world-class musicians

Product specs

Type Single-coil
Format P-style
Active/Passive Passive
Magnet Material Alnico V
Number of Strings 4
Position Middle
Number of Conductors 2 wire
Features Split-coil

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups?

The Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups deliver a powerful, punchy tone with enhanced bass and treble response, ideal for styles like rock, punk, and metal.

Are Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickups suitable for a 4-string bass?

Yes, the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups are specifically designed for 4-string P-style bass guitars.

What type of magnet is used in the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickups?

The Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups use Alnico V magnets, which contribute to their high output and dynamic tone.

Are the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickups passive or active?

The Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups are passive, providing a traditional, high-output sound without requiring a battery.

Can the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickups handle genres like metal and punk?

Yes, the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups are well-suited for aggressive music styles such as metal and punk, thanks to their high output and robust tone.

Сергей Табачников

Сергей Табачников

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Bass [SPB-3, SJB-3]

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Bass [SPB-3, SJB-3] by Сергей Табачников

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Bass [SPB-3, SJB-3]

Сергей Табачников

Сергей Табачников

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan SPB-3 vs Mexican Fender P-Bass Pickup by ML Sound Lab

Seymour Duncan SPB-3 vs Mexican Fender P-Bass Pickup

ML Sound Lab

ML Sound Lab

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound SPB-3 P Bass Pickup Upgrade by Bully Thakidd

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound SPB-3 P Bass Pickup Upgrade

Bully Thakidd

Bully Thakidd

Video thumbnail for Fender Original '62 Pickup VS Seymour Duncan SPB-3 | Nate Mendel Precision by Obrad Lacarac

Fender Original '62 Pickup VS Seymour Duncan SPB-3 | Nate Mendel Precision

Obrad Lacarac

Obrad Lacarac

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan SPB-3 [Demo] by Patrick Hunter

Seymour Duncan SPB-3 [Demo]

Patrick Hunter

Patrick Hunter

Video thumbnail for Fender Precision Bass gets new Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound SPB-3 Pickups... nice upgrade! by Manotick StringWorks

Fender Precision Bass gets new Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound SPB-3 Pickups... nice upgrade!

Manotick StringWorks

Manotick StringWorks

Reviews

PROS

  • Significant improvement in output and clarity over stock pickups

  • Delivers a punchy rock growl with modern tones

  • Versatile across genres: rock, jazz, funk, blues

  • Easy installation with clear instructions provided

  • Excellent value for money with professional sound quality

  • Maintains instrument's natural character while enhancing tone

  • No need for battery-related hassle as with active pickups

  • Deep lows and articulate highs, ideal for cutting through a mix

  • Well-suited for both fingerstyle and pick playing

  • High-quality construction with consistent winding and good magnets

CONS

  • May require additional padding for proper fit in some basses

  • Larger size can complicate pickguard fitting and adjustments

  • Potentially too loud for some players without volume adjustment

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups.

Use cases and applications

  • The SPB-3 Quarter Pounders excel in live and recording settings, providing a punchy sound that integrates well within a band mix.

    Source
  • The Quarter Pounder P pickup is favored for its ability to sound great in various amp configurations, from vintage tube amps to modern rigs.

    Source
  • Combining a P pickup with a Jazz pickup and slight distortion can capture Tame Impala tones, enhancing versatility in musical styles.

    Source
  • SPB-3 Quarter Pounders are favored for their mid scoop and dirtier sound, suitable for punk and alternative rock, particularly with a maple neck.

    Source

Comparisons

  • While the SPB-3 offers a big and punchy sound, the SPB-1 is preferred for a more authentic vintage tone with better definition and breakup.

    Source
  • The SPB-3 is noted for lacking the nuance and character found in the SPB-1, which is praised for thumpy vintage tones.

    Source
  • The SPB-2 Hot P-Bass set is recommended for retaining traditional Precision tone, unlike the SPB-3 which adds more low-end and a mid scoop for punk and alt-rock.

    Source

User experience

  • One owner replaced their vintage P-Bass pickups with Quarter Pounders and preferred the fatter sound, highlighting their satisfaction by not reverting back.

    Source
  • Owners note that the SPB-3 can add substantial girth and attack to tone, offering a distinct difference from the stock Fender Player P-Bass pickups.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing Jaguar's P Bass pickups with Quarter Pounders significantly increases volume, surpassing even active Jaguar setups, enhancing the bass's overall sound quality.

    Source
  • Upgrading the P pickup alone, rather than both P and Jazz pickups, transforms a $200 bass into a tone rivaling a $700 instrument.

    Source
  • DiMarzio DP148 Ultra Jazz Bridge Pickup is recommended for those seeking Jazz pickup upgrades, offering improved tone and hum cancellation.

    Source
  • Users consider switching to SPB-2 if the SPB-3's added low-end becomes overwhelming, with an option to resell if necessary.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Jaguar's active circuit, often deemed unnecessary, can be bypassed for a cleaner sound, focusing on the new pickup's capabilities.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Seymour Duncan QUARTER POUND SPB-3 BASS LINE VS STOCK SQUIER P-BASS Pickups – electricpickupartist

wordpress.com

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
smallerthings

Punchy

I'm a hobby home office player and I wanted that punchy rock growl. Traditional P bass pickups are a little too underwhelming, but these are aggressive and full.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mark Hoppus uses Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups

Mark Hoppus

Singer, Bassist

Blink-182

...
Verified via Mixdown Magazine

Mark has used the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups on all of his signature basses. These have been used in the standard position as well as inverted in his later Jazz and Jaguar basses. These have been used in-studio and live.

See how Nate Mendel uses Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups

Nate Mendel

Bassist

Foo Fighters

...
Verified

According to the Fender specifications for the Nate Mendel Signature P Bass: "Middle Pickup - Seymour Duncan® Basslines SPB-3 Quarter Pound Split Single-Coil Precision Bass®." Additionally, these pickups can be seen at 0:05 into this YouTube video, identified by their large pole pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnve6E1ij_4

See how Ian Grushka uses Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups

Ian Grushka

Bassist

New Found Glory

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Ian is using a Fender Precision bass with a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound SPB-3 P Bass Pickup

See how Seb Barlow uses Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups

Seb Barlow

Bassist, Music Producer

Neck Deep

...
Verified via Photo

Seb Barlow uses Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups in his custom Jaguar bass, as confirmed by his Instagram post. In the caption, Seb describes the bass as having an "inverted precision pickup," alongside other specifications.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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robert_tidwell

robert_tidwell

Gear IQ 172

david_adam_tucker

david_adam_tucker

Gear IQ 124

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