Pricing and availability
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Price
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
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What kind of tone can I expect from the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups?
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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.
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Are Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickups suitable for a 4-string bass?
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Yes, the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups are specifically designed for 4-string P-style bass guitars.
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What type of magnet is used in the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickups?
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The Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups use Alnico V magnets, which contribute to their high output and dynamic tone.
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Are the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickups passive or active?
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The Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound Bass Pickups are passive, providing a traditional, high-output sound without requiring a battery.
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Can the Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickups handle genres like metal and punk?
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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.
Videos
Сергей Табачников
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Bass [SPB-3, SJB-3]
Reviews
PROS
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Significant improvement in output and clarity over stock pickups
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Delivers a punchy rock growl with modern tones
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Versatile across genres: rock, jazz, funk, blues
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Easy installation with clear instructions provided
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Excellent value for money with professional sound quality
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Maintains instrument's natural character while enhancing tone
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No need for battery-related hassle as with active pickups
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Deep lows and articulate highs, ideal for cutting through a mix
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Well-suited for both fingerstyle and pick playing
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High-quality construction with consistent winding and good magnets
CONS
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May require additional padding for proper fit in some basses
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Larger size can complicate pickguard fitting and adjustments
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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
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The SPB-3 Quarter Pounders excel in live and recording settings, providing a punchy sound that integrates well within a band mix.
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The Quarter Pounder P pickup is favored for its ability to sound great in various amp configurations, from vintage tube amps to modern rigs.
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Combining a P pickup with a Jazz pickup and slight distortion can capture Tame Impala tones, enhancing versatility in musical styles.
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SPB-3 Quarter Pounders are favored for their mid scoop and dirtier sound, suitable for punk and alternative rock, particularly with a maple neck.
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Comparisons
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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.
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The SPB-3 is noted for lacking the nuance and character found in the SPB-1, which is praised for thumpy vintage tones.
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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.
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User experience
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One owner replaced their vintage P-Bass pickups with Quarter Pounders and preferred the fatter sound, highlighting their satisfaction by not reverting back.
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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.
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Mods and upgrades
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Replacing Jaguar's P Bass pickups with Quarter Pounders significantly increases volume, surpassing even active Jaguar setups, enhancing the bass's overall sound quality.
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Upgrading the P pickup alone, rather than both P and Jazz pickups, transforms a $200 bass into a tone rivaling a $700 instrument.
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DiMarzio DP148 Ultra Jazz Bridge Pickup is recommended for those seeking Jazz pickup upgrades, offering improved tone and hum cancellation.
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Users consider switching to SPB-2 if the SPB-3's added low-end becomes overwhelming, with an option to resell if necessary.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings
364
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
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.
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.
In this photo, Ian is using a Fender Precision bass with a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound SPB-3 P Bass Pickup
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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