DiMarzio Relentless PJ vs Sixties PJ - Harley Benton Stang Showdown! - LowEndLobster Tone Shootout

Note: This was filmed back in January, still no beard now ;P

Hey Everyone! We have quite the short scale shootout for you all today! We're comparing two modified Harley Benton MV4-MSB Mustang style basses featuring DiMarzio pickups and push/pull pots! These are wired up to have both pickups in series to give us some serious punch. Pull the volume control and you now have the P pickup soloed for that classic thumpy precision tone. Paired with the LaBella 760FL-S Deep Talkin Flats, we have a recipe for some serious tone! Which pickups will sound better for you? Let's find out!

[zyxwfish]

The beard grew back quickly. The 60’s pj pickups sound great.

[robjgolde]

Did not expect to like the Sixties PJ more than the Relentless, yet here we are. Both sets are amazing, but the Sixties work so well with that vintage, short scale vibe and the LaBellas

[richgsimisker]

I've had a Relentless P on my shopping list for ages - came for the looks, stayed for the sonics!

But to my surprise, this shootout has highlighted how the Sixties P might be more the sound I'm after, as a pick player.

I would never have considered a 'retro/vintage' type of pickup if it weren't for this excellent work you do. Thanks!

[TurtleCabbage]

Somehow you've managed to make a video for whatever I'm interested in 3 times in a row

[stan_likes_single_coils]

Sixties set rocks! Thank you for this, one of the most useful videos out there! Rock on!

[chrismorris]

Tone shootouts are some of my favorites! This is one I've been waiting for!

[Facu_Roldan]

Great video as always! I just wish this comparison between those two sets was made using a long scale bass with rounds. I think the character of any pickup is more evident using roundwound strings rather than flats, and in 34" scale basses. Specially the relentless set, those have a lot of low end and output that I'm not sure it pairs well with the tone of a short scale with flats. For this particular set up, the sixties are better IMO.

[Wombatmetal]

Return of the Beard. I've put in a relentless set in a Charvel (I know, your fsavorite bass) with a Darkglass Tone Capsule and it rocks. Good vid

[michaelkeefer]

I think overall I preferred the Sixties PJ set, but both sounded fanfreakintastic!

[Eckerick]

This video is exactly what I was looking for, thanks! You helped me change my mind, will probably be going with the 60s as an upgrade on a Squier PJ. Great playing!

[carlmontney]

Color me surprised. The 60's pups sounded amazing. My favorite for sure.

[glenndjubilee]

My '75 P bass has a EMG PJ combo in it that was set up for fretless. I have replaced that neck with a fretted roasted maple Fender P neck. I want to replace the pick-ups for fun and see what I can come up with. These sound great especially the vintage ones. Thanks!

[wtcornet]

Thanks again for another great indepth video. To my old ears the 60 P/J set rocks.

[eldorado]

The alnico-5 Sixties pickups are my piece of cake 🍰

[Waggel]

I prefer the 60's in this case. The high output and massive low-end of the Relentless probably isn't a great combination with the thumpiness of a shortscale with flats.

Some EQ tweaks might help. Or some wiring tweaks. I know both pickups are in series (system series), are the coils of each pickup in series as well (local series)? That would explain the massive output and low-end.

[ea]

Always enjoy your videos lobster. Sixties sound good to me.

Sorry to go off topic. Relative newbie here 1). Can you do a quick video on basic maintenance and storage? A lot of the stuff out there is sponsored offering products I suspect we might not necessarily need. So I reach out to a trusted source to get some peace of mind. How do you clean your basses? What products do you use, if any. Do certain surfaces and finishes need specialized care? Are humidity packs essential if the bass is stored in the case for extended periods of time? That kind of thing. 2). How to do a basic set up. Thanks.

[MadJackF]

For finger style, the Sixties sounded wonderful. The cooler, more articulate midrange tone was on point.
For pick play, the Relentless was awesome. The hotter darker tone was punching through with a fuller sound.

[iamgribs]

Honestly the 60s P had a woody tone to it that was pure ear candy. very nice hi end sparkle too, lovely sound. Reminds me of emg gzr to an extent.

Relentless are crazy sounding, but I'm not sure i like them in this particular bass. I liked how they sounded in the fgn double P better -that bass was a fucking WEAPON. They do live up to their name, for better or worse. There is nothing subtle about them, which is perfect for rock and metal. However, treble cut they sound smooth and sweet so they can do that too.

With a pick, both sound just great. Slap was nice for both but i think the treble response for the 60s set was better in that particular application.

[Crumpet_Central_]

It's only been 3 days Lobster! How does your beard grow back that fast?! Great video by the way

[lixisoftdigital]

I was seriously considering getting a set of the Relentless, now not so much. To my ears the Sixties set sound superior in every style. Great comparison, I have an original 62 and 64 Pbass and that’s the sound
I expect to hear !