EMG along with legendary artist Geezer Butler
have collaborated to develop the GZR-P and GZR-PJ signature bass pickup
sets. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bass player started working with
EMG founder Rob Turner in 2011, looking to recreate the classic bass
tones 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 - a passive pickup with a truly vintage
tone an feel.
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 V 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. This
eliminates the noise and hum usually associated with early 70’s bass
pickups and allows for more power and volume than any other standard
single coil J - creating a remarkable balance between the P and the J.
The result is an unmistakable early Geezer Butler bass tone with deep,
tight low end that you hear on tunes like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and
“Paranoid,” just like 1970’s. “I never felt comfortable giving my name
to any other pickups, but this time these have blown me away.” - Geezer
Butler