Geezer Butler Pickups with Flats?! | Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision Bass [Re-review/Demo]

[@skooterbrah]

Love the deep thump of the flatwound strings on a P-bass! It definitely helps to calm down the hot pickups!

[@JonnyDibble]

Has such a distinct sound that just works in certain situations!

[@prestachuck2867]

I don’t have a Squier, but the Geezer in the title of this video got my attention because I installed a Geezer Pickup into my Fender Player P, and I installed LaBella Low Tension Flats along with it. It’s massive sounding now, yet very vintage.

[@JonnyDibble]

Two rights make a right 🔥

[@Breakbeats92.5]

With the tone set to zero, that is exactly what I have been looking for in terms of sonic texture from a bass. I'd stayed away from the Butler pickups thinking they would be too hot but boy was I wrong. Flat wounds to the moon and back!

[@JonnyDibble]

Glad to be of service 😉

[@carloszagal1934]

I prefer FLATS on a P! Although Flats on a jazz or MM also sound great. If you have the cash, just get two Ps', one with rounds, and one with flats. Great content!

[@JonnyDibble]

I have 2 Ps on the way and will be setting it up like that! 😁 Thanks very much

[@cavanray6742]

Ernie ball cobalt flats on an active j!!

[@kevmac1230]

I built a couple of basses loaded w/p bass pups.The Geezer is very nice.On the other I took advice from the Guns and Guitars site and bought Ps from Epic Customs Shop.He winds them by hand and they're half the price of the EMG.My new favorite now and I'd not hesitate using them again.

[@davidcudlip6587]

I've got a couple p bass pickups from Q pickups in Croatia. He winds quarter pounders, 62 vintage and 70;s vintage pickups. Great winder and his prices and build time is sweet. He can wind to your specs regarding magnet choice and winding wire.

[@paulclemas513]

I have those pups in my Squier CV too and they are superb. I get a lot of complimentary comments on the sound but I use wounds for that growl that I want. The passive GZRs are a great upgrade for a low/mid price bass.

[@JonnyDibble]

Amazing that they're solderless too. Makes for a great stepping stone I think for those wanting to start modding I think 😄

[@barackmycat9448]

I just got one of these basses and the quality is amazing. Great job on that!

[@chrisparker5278]

I love how geezer butler’s signature pickup is the modern go to for p bass!

[@lowtone9]

Although the GZR is Geezer Butler’s signature pickup, they are just a copy of a nice 1960. Alnico V, and 11 Kohm wind, which is slightly hotter than most p pickups from the era. So they are perfectly fine for mo-townish flat sounds. BTW, Geezer played flats on the early Sabbath albums.

[@putradwiananto4181]

Johnny, have you ever tried danelectro basses, im completely curious about that thing since there's not to many youtuber made a video about that

[@JonnyDibble]

Hi! I havent. My guitar is a Danelectro 59XT though and it's amazing! Will keep my eye out 😁

[@leonardocelada8662]

Hi Jonny! How do you like this bass compared to your precisión 40th anniversary satin blond? You find them similar? or are there big differences? Thanks mate.

[@derPaul76]

I have flats on all of my Basses; since I have them on my fretless I love the feeling and the sound

[@JonnyDibble]

Nice. Ah yeah they're so at home on a fretless!

[@martindoman7315]

I prefer flats on my basses.

[@blooter6360]

5 mins 45 seconds before the slaver stops and the playing begins Thank you

[@JonnyDibble]

The slaver, that's a new one!

[@blooter6360]

@@JonnyDibble haha thought you’d like that but hey good anyway cheers

[@mr_ozzio5095]

Steve Harris plays roto-sound flats, but 50-110s with a very low set up! They can do heavy and aggressive, not just mo-town James Jamerson style🎸

[@JonnyDibble]

What a guy! Love it when people don't use things conventionally

[@balbo1981]

James Jamerson's strings (La bella) have very similar gauge respect rotosound steve harris. JJ used mute foam, without even la bella can be sound aggressive if you play aggressive like steve harris IMO.

[@bassonthemark8191]

I think you were going to say “…drier than a nun’s sense of humor.” Right? 😳

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah, why what else would it have been??

[@andyunwin9260]

Drier than a nun's pastie?

[@blooter6360]

Phlange

[@peppymus]

Hi, which is the best option, this bass or the Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4???

[@JonnyDibble]

P5 I think!

[@peppymus]

@@JonnyDibble thank you very much for your help

[@TSBASSIST]

I gotta say, I'm really digging the new background music

[@JonnyDibble]

Thank-you! It's all the same music it's always been 😊

[@TSBASSIST]

@@JonnyDibble Really? I could have swore you were using different music before the new studio. In either case, good stuff!

[@necrodamus5481]

i have a set of flatwounds on my yamaha bb bass. personally theyre a little too bassy for me. Usually it's easier to mimic the sound of flats with good roundwounds. Hard to do vice versa.

[@Andyanddiana467]

I use GZRs with Ernie Ball cobalt flats and I absolutely love them.

[@JonnyDibble]

Awesome! Definitely need to experiment with different sets of flats. I'll add those to the list! 😊

[@joedecker3900]

The Cobalts are tough on the fingers

[@Andyanddiana467]

@@joedecker3900 Really? I found the opposite, but hey, everyone's hands are different...

[@joedecker3900]

@@Andyanddiana467 But sound like a Round

[@joedecker3900]

@@Andyanddiana467 I like TI’s.

[@haroldcartwright1476]

DANG, I thought I was a cultured OG, but alas, I've only been here since the Harley Benton PB-50 demo (I think). Anyways, the tone, THE TONE!!! I just have to say wow, I'm not usually a flats person, but those strings sung like a choir with the EMGs. The fingerstyle bit without the sponge really sounded like the first Sabbath album to me; huge attack, with not a lot of sustain. What a crushing sound, I had no idea it could sound that good.

[@JonnyDibble]

Ahh I'm glad you really liked it mate 😄 Cant wait to slap a set on my short scale. Itll suit that bass really well methinks. I still had curly hair then, so I think you count as an OG! 😆

[@telecasterbear]

The LaBella deep talkin flats are a bit pricey, but they have such a great smooth feel. I have them on two basses here. They have been on for almost two years, and there they will stay. I did put roto sound flats on a repair that i did, and they are much rougher to the touch. I just purchased a classic vibe 60s precision. My mods will be a cover for the bridge, a cover for the pickup, fender pure vintage '63 p bass pickup, a thumb rest, CTS 250k pots, and a switchcraft jack.

[@jordanchastain5132]

gotta try the fender custom shop 62 pickup

[@JonnyDibble]

Yes!!

[@Nicklowend]

Please make a test for the jazz bass emg jv52!!

[@oldasrocks9121]

Try the handwound Bare Knuckle '65. Gotoh long stem tulip vintage tuners are really great. See if your saddles stick to a magnet, if not swap in the AllParts ones. Refined linseed oil from the art supply store for the fingerboard. GHS Precision flats

[@nunoharris]

Hi can the EMG Geezer Pickups recreate the sound of earlier Black Sabbath albuns? Thanks

[@bradstone3907]

What did you use to sand off the neck?

[@daveandrews5485]

I have a 70’s vibe Squier P bass which has Billy Sheehan “Will Power” pickups in it. The plain black pick guard was swapped out for a purple marble effect one and finally I put a Fender High Mass bridge on it. An absolutely stonking bass at a great price. I’m putting together a frankenbass which will have flats on it so this video came along at the perfect time. Good stuff Jonny, keep bringing us this type of content. Love it!

[@JonnyDibble]

Great minds Dave! Looks the part and no doubt sounds the part too 👌

[@daveandrews5485]

@@JonnyDibble by the way this is the artist formally known as Highlandrews. You may have figured that out. 😁

[@nrich5127]

If my memory serves me well , back in the day some Fender basses had a bridge cover with some foam to mute the strings in it. But this was a long time ago. Maybe revisit the Fender Original pickups - I would be surprised if you didn't find the warmth in the sound you're looking for. I prefer the sound without the foam but thats just me.

[@elmanitasdeplomo]

Where did you get those white knobs? Looks cool with the mint on white.

[@JonnyDibble]

They were 3D printed!

[@dantee361]

I recommend you the Fender 63' vintage pickups

[@JonnyDibble]

Cheers! 😄

[@otto_spotto803]

Incredibly underrated instant sub!!!

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks so much!! 😄

[@frippertonics6421]

Not related to the topic of the video itself, but I've been thinking about purchasing the Squier Classic Vibe P Bass, and I was wondering where you picked up the mint green pickguard and the knobs... I think they look great on the bass!

[@JonnyDibble]

Hi! Link for the pickguard is the description 😊 It's just from eBay! The knobs were 3D printed by a member of the audience 😄 Cheers!

[@frippertonics6421]

@@JonnyDibble Great! Thanks so much for the reply!

[@markstiles6797]

Excellent video as usual Mr Dibble sir. I think we can all justify having two P basses, we just can't justify it to our other halves. Unless you hook up with another bass player 😆

[@JonnyDibble]

Thank-you! Hahaha yep. All part of the deal!

[@Mipster_]

Why does that A string sound so much more clanky and metallic (new) than the D and G strings? Fun sounding bass but that really kept catching my ear

[@JonnyDibble]

Hadn't really noticed if I'm honest, they're all from the same set, same age etc. Might be my playing style

[@bryanl64]

What knobs did you use the for tone pots

[@JonnyDibble]

A fan very kindly 3D printed them for me!

[@georgevacca1714]

Flats 100% I use labella flats on my American standard precision bass

[@ravelitschimo]

thank you for the honest review.

[@JonnyDibble]

Every review should be honest! 😄 Thanks for tuning in

[@Robert_Charles]

So the purple bass in the back is a Jackson JS3QV right?

[@JonnyDibble]

🤭🤭🤭🤭

[@paulclemas513]

If it gets too dry give it a lick mate!

[@JonnyDibble]

Nothing a bit of blood sweat and tears can't fix.

[@davideantozzi9275]

What about the Squier CV 70s precision bass? What are the differences between the 60s and the 70s P bass?

[@JonnyDibble]

Hi! It's all in the specs really. So the 70s has that maple fretboard, different woods (I think) and pickuos that are voiced a bit differently. To my ear the 70s has more of a treble and slightly less warmth to the low end. This may purely be down to the maple neck? I've not played the 70s personally though

[@davideantozzi9275]

@@JonnyDibble ok thanks so much

[@danilodomenicorizzi1812]

@@JonnyDibble Do you remember I bought the 70s after talking together? I'm waiting for a review on that too! I was not able to compare the two models well, certainly this version of the 60s is very massive. Congratulations, always a good job!!

[@JonnyDibble]

@@danilodomenicorizzi1812 I remember! How are you finding it now mate?? I would love to check one out 😊

[@nedvigbendeguz]

Yeeey... Finally Jonny with flats!!! Nice! Although the pickups do sound a bit thin for this style. I have a J. Bought it before knowing anything about bass. I got a set of Labella flats and loved them with the neck pickup for a "p sound" and the bridge for poppy funk ( Joe Dart) but in less than a year on of the strings broke, so I put back the old rounds. Labellas do come expensive, so maybe I'll check out Rotosound too. In the meantime I'll keep an open eye for a deal on a P bass! Cheers!

[@JonnyDibble]

I definitely prefer P bass pickuos that are a bit warmer. Treble and presence are easier to add compared to low end warmth! Ah very nice. Good luck with the search! 😊

[@91cog]

I love my flats on my Squier Classic Vibe Mustang Bass! I’ll have to try out the foam under the bridge trick

[@JonnyDibble]

Short scales suit it so well I think! Got some going on my Gretsch soon 😁

[@ancjr]

Big fan of Fender 9050 flats here.

[@balbo1981]

i have a cv70 with lindy fralin pickups and thomastik stings (flat)

[@JonnyDibble]

Ooh I've not heard of those pickups! Nice and warm?

[@balbo1981]

@@JonnyDibble yep. 60's sound like emg gb. i use that bass with a sonicake boom ave and a sonicake ir loader. all together cost me around 430€, bass and ir loader were not new. i'm very very happy with my gear

[@luigi.zanini]

I prefer flats but mostly I prefer Thomastik ;-) (and tone 50%)

[@JonnyDibble]

May have to give those a go!! Cheers 😊

[@joedecker3900]

They cut the best

[@martinheath5947]

Nice. If you do put a bridge cover on, put the foam above the strings between the strings and the cover 👍

[@JonnyDibble]

Great shout!

[@Anchorette]

Love this combo, my main bass has that combination of string and pup :)

[@JonnyDibble]

Awesome! 😄

[@brettb7000]

You just inspired me to put flats & try the sponge on my Fender Player P Bass. Don't have any other basses with flats & I think that's the 1 to do it on. Great video mate

[@JonnyDibble]

Ah that's awesome! I really like the way they feel. Totally different to my other basses and normally playing style. Thanks 😄

[@brettb7000]

@@JonnyDibble Yeah I had a Squire Jag with the Geezer PJ set & flats a few years ago, was a great little bass but I moved it on. Don't feel too bad about the EMG knobs either mate, they wouldn't have looked half as good as the white set do!

[@stephenghudson6179]

Dude that was some awesome playing, even without a pic! Anyway I'm off to get some flat wounds. Byeeee.

[@JonnyDibble]

Haha thank-you man! 🥰

[@deangomes6280]

Sounds great. Should try some flats on the sterling 34ca. Daddario makes some reasonably priced flats. I like both types of strings. Funny enough I have flats on my squier affinity pj bass that has the geezer pickups.

[@JonnyDibble]

That could be fun to try! Don't think id keep them on there though. I use the stingray for the high output clang in my band 😁 ah nice! At least you got some KNOBS

[@deangomes6280]

@@JonnyDibble I don’t think it did just the pots pickups and the jack. I bought black ones because I also switched the bridge to a black one.

[@JonnyDibble]

@@deangomes6280 well that sucks

[@Theladrion]

I use .105 D'Addario Chromes on my Squier Standard with Geezer p/j pups. Surprisingly usefull for a plethora of styles. 12 of my basses have rounds in nickel or steel, and only my olp and this Squier has flats. Both chromes, as I like the additional high eq response

[@JonnyDibble]

Awesome! D'addario Pro Steels are my string of choice for rounds. Excited to try some more brands for flats! 😊

[@sickinthahead6557]

Putting these in my bass with DAddario chrome flats tonight! 🤘🤘

[@JonnyDibble]

Let me know how you find it! 😄

[@joetspaulding]

maybe a set of lock washers from your local hardware store. it worked for me. or Loctite (liquid thread lock) from the auto part store.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks for the recommendation 😀

[@gabrielegazzotti5582]

Jonny your finicky way to approach to an instrument is cool... i'm the same...i have the exactly bass,and love it as it is,but, i wanna change a couple of things too...especially the neck, and of course the picks up...Emg Geezer Butler are awesome...about the foam near the bridge you did a good choice, but I prefer without it...keep it up...cheers🤪

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks as always my dude! It's a great bass from stock 👌I enjoyed experimenting here! 😄

[@leighcoulson2148]

What! no pick playing and flats. Felt a bit stressed and a bit unnerved watching ...but managed and have to admit it sounded pretty cool.

[@JonnyDibble]

Haha yeah it's just weird coming from me isnt it! 😆

[@tomjones2348]

I made it all the way to minute 3. I just want the facts. Moving on now.

[@JonnyDibble]

Nothing but #factz

[@hazomina7253]

Geezer Butler used flats on his P bass for the first 2 or 3 Sabbath albums

[@JonnyDibble]

Ah cool! Thankyou for the insight 😊

[@elmanitasdeplomo]

I thought it was old roundwounds but I could be wrong.

[@matsgoalkeeping2448]

@@elmanitasdeplomo the p bass he used came with flats I believe

[@torchmusic27]

On the first album and subsequent gigs he used old roundwounds (apparently ~10 months old on average) because he couldn't afford to replace them often. On Paranoid and Master of Reality he used a different P bass that may or may not have come with flats.

[@Barrow754]

I think the pots that come with emg's are dog shit, didnt think the tone pot done a alot on my emg gzr set so stripped the ends and soldered to some cts with a .047 cap

[@JonnyDibble]

I think it does the job for me, but your upgrade would definitely be the better shout if you have the know how 😄

[@Barrow754]

@@JonnyDibble I will say that the concept of quick connect is amazing but in my opinion the kit isnt good enough

[@franknavarro9364]

See the Steve Harris bass specs 😎... that is metal !!!

[@williammalmberg3030]

You should get some Lundgren vintage p-pickups! The best pickups money can buy 🤟

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks for the recommendation! I've not heard of them before, so I'll check them out 😄

[@williammalmberg3030]

@@JonnyDibble Swedish made! High quality 👌

[@ArielNefleman]

So.. seymour duncan spb1?

[@JonnyDibble]

Just got some SDs in my jazz. Might need to step into the P bass pickups in the future! 🔥

[@ArielNefleman]

@@JonnyDibble check this. This are a very popular brand in argentina www.dspickups.com.ar/en/bass-pickups.html

[@thecappy]

These pickups needed something to bring the high end down. They are super sizzle.

[@JonnyDibble]

Bit of EQ should manage that. I want them to be warmer!

[@thecappy]

@@JonnyDibble I think that's what I wanted to say cut the sizzle and add bottom. I tried the gzr pj set and didn't really vibe with it. If I was in a punk band definitely but not for me currently. I have the CS '62 and '63 pv, and a bunch of others. The '63pv are low end thump, maybe to much unless it is a veight bass to begging with. The cs62 were the pickups in the 2012-2016 american std. Kinda what you expect a p bass to be. I currently have 4 pbasses(if you count my 1 pj). You need 1 each roundwound, flatwound, fretless and fretted. Same with jazz and humbucker, lol.

[@adriancorralero5239]

Nice video Jonny! Cashew nuts 4 Life 🤣 P with flats is a solid tone, but my experience is that I really struggle to encounter a musical situation where that tone is all I need. Flats for me work best in vintage style basses with two pickups. I played an Ibanez Atk800 with flats for three years and I had no complaints whatsoever with its sound and all the bands I played in were happy. Your Epi Embassy is asking for flats, thats all I'm sayin 🤣

[@JonnyDibble]

It's a classic. But yeah, the majority of my basses will remain having rounds, suits my playing and writing style way more 😊 I do miss that Embassy sometimes tbh. That's exactly my thoughts though, hence why I think I'm going to put some on my HH Gretsch 😁 Cheers!

[@adriancorralero5239]

@@JonnyDibble oh you don't have that Embassy anymore? I thought you did, it sounded proper thicc! Anyways, nice video and keep experimenting dude!

[@bazZzment]

The music starts at 5:44... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXyso4KqZpaHnpo

[@JonnyDibble]

Thank-you for your service

[@bazZzment]

@@JonnyDibble You're welcome! ;) Sorry, that's just me being impatient because I'm all gassed up on making a decision on which P Bass pickups to buy. :D Thanks for your videos. It would be a cool bonus if you could include timestamps.

[@thevictoryoverhimself7298]

The Bocchi The rock bass

[@fredmiller1358]

They call me 'Fuzz' because I don't play well with others.

[@Bassman1999]

You do realise the Geezer pickup is based on an early 60's vintage pickup ?? Also that bass needs a set up...the strings sound like they are choking a bit to me (before the foam) . I would check the neck relief and the string action.....sounds too low to me.

[@jamesmarkham7489]

I've always disliked p-basses personally. Not sure if it's feel, tone, or whatever.

[@phipschi4255]

the most unpopular opinion amongst bassists lmfao, i like it personally. maybe its a lil bit overrated but im boutta get a pj

[@jamesmarkham7489]

@@phipschi4255 i'm a true jbass player. I did make a frankenbass with a p/mm pickup setup. I enjoy that bass but i keep coming back to j's.

[@heggy_69]

To be fair, from what I've seen I think I'd prefer a j bass too. I play guitar more than bass tho so idk much about them

[@JonnyDibble]

It's all personal preference at the end of the day! I used to think P basses were super boring and now I don't think I ever want to be without one in the collection 😊

[@leonardrobbins2691]

First bass i learned on was an old p bass my uncle gave me. I've played a bunch of different basses since for slap and growl but i have come back to that deep fundamental tone that moves the soul . listen to some pb players from the past and present. It will grow on you. Great sound with a pick to.

[@nicorepetto5781]

Geezer originally used flats

[@nunofernandes4501]

I don't prefer one or the other, both string types have their roles to play. I have a Yamaha BB with PJ pickups and rounds and a Squier P with flats, so I have all the Precision bass tones covered. I use D'Addario Chromes flatwounds which sound great and aren't expensive since they'll last for years. With flats, the older they are, the better. Just like a nun's... faith in our lord Jesus. :D

[@JonnyDibble]

Totally agree. Some people ask which you should have and they're not really comparable at all! Oh nice, all basses covered (pardon the pun) 😅

[@nunofernandes4501]

@@JonnyDibble pun away, please!

[@timkbt]

So if you bought a real 63 jazz bass you would sand the finish off the neck. I hate to tell you this but satin finishes starting being put on basses that were cheap because it’s a cost saver. Back in the early 80’s you would only find them on $200 basses. Would you really take a $5000 bass and sand down the finish? Your thumb is the only thing that should be touching the neck.

[@thebassbuilder]

Change the pickup. That was too bright and clancky

[@JonnyDibble]

As I said, would definitely benefit from some more warmth! 😊

[@vid3844]

Slap but no pick?...W T F???!!!???

[@nicelynoise6457]

..does your boyfriend like that nose ring?

[@JonnyDibble]

I'm confused, are you using homosexuality as an attempt to offend someone? Really don't understand how being gay would be any kind of insult or any kind of business of yours. Good bye 👋

[@nicelynoise6457]

@@JonnyDibble ...people so overly sensitive and entitled now it seems...is all I mean by...toughen ft up-all of you...

[@Adrian-tg3ue]

@@nicelynoise6457 not only are you homophobic but you clearly have nothing better to do than to comment stupid shit like this lol. get a hobby.