Standard pbass pickup in sb-2?

[bthiemann80]

I know it may seem like blasphemy or something, but I want to replace the pbass pickup in my sb-2 with an original fender pbass pickup and leave a hole where the bridge pickup used to be. I absolutely LOVE the g&l, its the best playing bass i've ever had, but the tone of those ceramic pickups is definintely not my thing. Will standard pbass pickups fit into the sb-2? Has anyone tried this sort of thing before?

[DavePlaysBass]

As far as I know they are standard P size. A lot of people do the opposite and get a MFD P for their non G&L bass. What is it about the tone that you do not like?

Things I would consider first are:

1) Pickup height

2) Strings

3) Add a tone control to take the edge off

I know a lot of people claim the SB-2 does not need a tone control, but I believe tone controls are real nice to have on P basses. Also I would get a set of nickel rounds on the bass such as TI SAs, Fender 7250s, or Sadowsky Nickels.

If you are dead set on the change the Fender 62 P bass pickup is a nice sounding overwound vintage style pup that many like and they can be had for beer money.

Dave

[bthiemann80]

The thing I dont like about the tone is the highs and the high mids inherent to most ceramic pickups in general. There is a good amount of punch, and the fender flats I use tame the hot ceramic pickups down a bit. The pickup that would replace the MFD would be the Fender original/62 reissue pickup, so far those are the best sounding pickups i've ever run across.

[birminghambass]

I also had issues with my SB2. I love the look and feel of the bass but the P was easily 2x as loud as the J and the tone was too aggressive with not enough clarity. I put a stock USA Fender P in my SB2. The pickup actually fit into the SB2 P pickup covers, it would not fit with the Fender covers. The tonal difference was huge! The P and J were even in volume, and I got a nice mellow tone for the first time. A/B listening between my Fender P and the SB2 with Fender P pickups gave mixed results: the G&L still did not sound like a vintage P, I'm guessing the high mass bridge and overall design contributes alot to the tone. After a few days I tried another experiment. I put the stock MFD back in but I rewired it parallel instead of series. This gave me a tone very close to the Fender P with a bit more volume. After 2 months, I'm definitely keeping it like this. The MFD P in series was just too hot and aggressive for my taste. now the pickups are perfectly balanced with just enough clarity in the highs and lows.

[sunbeast]

I definitely would recommend trying out a tone control on your SB-2- I was about to sell mine before I did the mod, now I love it. I almost always have the tone down below halfway...

Karl

[mellofello]

It sounds like u are set on the ones you want, if not I've got a set of Duncan 1/4 pouders new for even trade. I love the G&L's but if it's not your thing then it's not your thing.

[DavePlaysBass]

Not to change the thread but I see in your profile that you have a 50's P. Is the 50's P pickup a 62 original? I measured one to be right around 10.5k if memory serves correct and I get the impression they may be one in the same. Assuming they are, I really dig the sound of my 50's P. I would like to compare it to an SB with a tone control at some point...

[bthiemann80]

Hey guys, been w/out internet for a while. Sorry bout the delayed response.

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

Not to change the thread but I see in your profile that you have a 50's P. Is the 50's P pickup a 62 original? I measured one to be right around 10.5k if memory serves correct and I get the impression they may be one in the same. Assuming they are, I really dig the sound of my 50's P. I would like to compare it to an SB with a tone control at some point...

I actually dont have that bass anymore, wish I did though. The pickup is not the same, side by side at least, as the Fender original/'62 reissue. The stock 50's pickup is more like the stock US pickups, at least to me.