Hey

I have a '57 Reissue P-Bass and it sounds pretty good, however I don't want it to sound good, I want it to sound great.

I know as passive bass its not a tone machine, but I've played other p-basses that have sounded a lot better than this.

This bass has been plagued with problems since I ordered from Musiciansfriend with the treble pot crapping out in about 2 weeks. (Which is wierd as I have an almost 50 year old fender with all original hardware that only requires a minor setup every now and then)

Its in the shop now... again... getting its neck straightened out as its severely bowed (how I don't know, its only 4 months old) and while it was there, I was thinking of upgrading its pickups.

So I'm looking to replace the stock 57 RIs with something with a bit more punch and mid range to it. However I don't feel like changing the pickup configuration or routing to put in a J or a soap bar pickup. I also have a distaste for actives so I'm gonna go the passive route.

My thoughts so far have been to +5% overwound Lindy Fralin pickups, which I've played with before (albeit with a different bass) and they sound pretty good.

But I'm looking for more suggestions.

My budget is $250. I don't want to spend more than $150 but I'd be willing to toss in an extra hundred to keep things smoothed out.

My playing style is finger picking through Rotosound Jazz flats, and I pull the strings pretty hard when I play. I also play a lot of fast melody as well and tend to do a lot of counterpoint. I usually played heavily blues influenced rock so I usually play lead bass.

Any thing I'm missing here?

Please help! Ah!

There is a separate forum for pickups and electronics your post would get more responses there. But ive heard great things about nordstrand pickups.

Thanks Linas. Can I get a moderator to move this thread? Or should I just C&P the original thread and post it in the pickup section.

I actually saw the pickup section after I posted...

D'oh!

I think is what... my 3rd post? lol

several of my regular clients sure make a load of session/gig money with their NP-4's. One guy in particular is on regular call specifically for his NP-4 loaded FrankenFender

all the best,

R

What are NPs?

EDIT: Found out what those NPs are and they don't come in a P Configuration... eeek...

I can't use bridge pickups very well as I really dig my fingers in when I play fast (I have a very unique plucking technique as I was self taught. Many people ask me where I learned it, but that was just how it happened) and I usually play down by the bridge so a bridge pickup would get in the way of my fingers.

What are NPs?

EDIT: Found out what those NPs are and they don't come in a P Configuration... eeek...

I can't use bridge pickups very well as I really dig my fingers in when I play fast (I have a very unique plucking technique as I was self taught. Many people ask me where I learned it, but that was just how it happened) and I usually play down by the bridge so a bridge pickup would get in the way of my fingers.

NP-4 is the Nordstrand 4-string P-bass pickup model number

www.nordstrandpickups.com

all the best,

R

Just a thought, but if the bass turns out to be a lemon, perhaps you might look toward something outboard, a preamp maybe? The Sadowsky runs about $250 if memory serves.

Hmmmm....

My scroller wasn't working and I found the Nordstrand NP4s

So Lindy Fralins ($120USD) or the Nordstrands ($139USD)

Brian at BestBassGear has the NP-4's for a significantly lower price:

http://bestbassgear.com/nordstrand-pickups.htm

This is about as low as you'll find them on the Net.

all the best,

R

My friend works at a recording studio and I can usually get my gear at factory price. I'll see if I can get these pickups through him too.