EMG GZRPJ Geezer Butler PJ Bass Pickup Set

Get plenty of clear, deep lows out of this pickup set. These solderless pickups feature powerful Alnico 5 magnets for aggressive definition and punchy tone.

EMG Pickups along with legendary artist Geezer Butler have collaborated to develop the GZR-P and GZR-PJ signature bass sets. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bass player started working with EMG founder Rob Turner in 2011 looking to find the classic bass tone he had in Black Sabbath's early days. As Geezer and Black Sabbath moved from studio to touring in 2013 the final component of getting the classic Geezer tone was in play, the rigors of a world tour.

To recapture Geezer's early Black Sabbath tone, it meant a new EMG vintage style passive P & PJ design with a few modern touches. The all solderless P set uses Alnico 5 pole pieces and custom wound coils for just the right amount of punch and grit. The J (PJ set) also uses Alnico 5 poles and features two custom wound split-coils that both eliminate the noise and hum usually associated with early 70's bass pickups and allow for more power and volume than any other standard single coil J giving this set remarkable balance between the P & J. The result is unmistakable early Geezer Butler bass tone with deep, tight low end that you can hear on "Iron Man", "War Pigs", and "Paranoid" just like 1970's. Said Geezer, "I never felt comfortable giving my name to any other pickups, but this time these have blown me away."

Geezer Butler talks about recording with Black Sabbath and his signature EMG pickups that he's using on tour:
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

- Magnet Type: Alnico 5
- Inductance: (Henries) 6.12 2.60
- DC Resistance: (kOhm) 11.2 7.60
- Resonant Frequency: (KHz) (1) 1.77 2.4
- Resonant Frequency: (KHz) (2) 2.36 3.2
- Impedance at Resonance: (kOhm) (1) 68.00 41.29
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item
Shipping Weight: 1 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 4645.00

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 707-525-9941

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (8 ratings)
Submitted February 12, 2020 by Russell

"You can't go wrong"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Written by one of our gear experts!
I got these to put in a $200 bass that I was taking on the road. When I came home I put them in my real bass. They made the $200 bass sound better than most basses I've ever played. It made what was kind of a junky instrument very fun to play. They really came to life in my fancy bass, which has an active preamp.

Sound
I can't imagine a better set of pickups. I was afraid they would be too boomy for fast music, but they were not. 16th notes on the low E string are not rubber-bandy but actually very well under control. They definitely add a large round low end, like you would expect from something that has Geezer Butler's name on it, but that's never in the way and they are always musical above all else. The low midrange is well defined and each note has impact, even on the high G. They take up a lot of space but are articulate. If you want less space taken up you can use the EQ on your amp or play with the pickup height. They loved having the active preamp in the circuit as well, which changed their character some but they retained everything that's good about them. They are also very dynamic. Definitely the most dynamic Fender-style bass pickups I've ever played. They are great for punk and metal, but I think country and R&B players could get a lot out of them as well. A lot of time and thought went into these designs. They make playing either of the basses I had them in much more fun and effortless, which I can't say about many pickups, even some read more very good ones. They also hit mild-to-high overdrive rigs in a way that blended with guitars much better than some name brand alternatives that I have used. High end never fizzy.

Features
Nothing special, see next section

Ease of Use
I did the solderless install on the first bass I put them in and actually kinda enjoyed it. This is a great option for novices who haven't taken their bass apart before. It took 6 or 7 years, several low-dollar soldering irons, and a lot of courage for me to get halfway competent at performing guitar surgery. For the second instrument I put them in, I had to clip some wires and hook things up to an active circuit which is very different from the regular P/J configuration. The modular nature of the solderless system actually made it easy to fix mistakes, but if you run out of wire you have to buy a new harness to hook up the pickups since the pickup leads are just two pins for plugging into their modules. Since I was careful I didn't have to do this. I will also say that P bass pickups are not the easiest to mount, but that's just the way it goes.

Quality
All of the top pickup makers have very high quality in my experience.

Value
For under $200 these are really great. They could go for $300 easily, especially with the celebrity endorsement. They are pretty unique for what they are. Most Fender-style passive pickups are going after stock sounds, while these really do seem like a lot of time was spent to get them musical and organic feeling. Very great gift for the bass player in your life. I can't see anyone not liking these.

Manufacturer Support
EMG has some of the best customer support. Someone is there when you call who can help you and there are smart people answering their emails. They are ready to do what it takes to get your issues resolved. Don't be afraid to call them no matter what it is.

The Wow Factor
All of the bandmates remarked on the difference when I first played these at rehearsal. It's harder to get a more real-world accolade than that. There was more bass where it was missing previously and less where it got in the way of the drums or guitar.

Musical Background:
25+ yrs, semi-pro

Musical Style:
hardcore punk
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