Can my cruisebass plunk?

[Comanchero]

Hey all!
I am hoping to find some advice for modifying my 80's Hamer Cruisebass to sound more plunky... you know, more like an old P bass...

I have a sentimental thing with this one, because it was my first 'good' bass, and well, we've been through a lot together! That said, here's the scoop... The previous owner had doctored this thing up with a new dovetail neck joint, bone nut, schaller bridge and tuners, and a set of emg p/j pickups modded with different caps and 18v. The neck and body are both mahogany and there is a ton of sustain and nice harmonic qualities.

It plays/feels great, like home to me, but the sound is bright and crispy and sustains forever. Since my main axe is a Smith, I'm all set with the hi fi clean sound and I really need a fender-like sound in my arsenal. I know.... get a fender... Maybe that is the answer, but in the meanwhile, I want to make the Hamer sound better and more passive...

Anyone have any recommendations for me that won't break the bank? Lose the bone nut? passive pu's? flatwounds?

I'm handy with the tools and have built a few instruments, so I'm not afraid to take humpty dumpty apart again
Thanks for any advice!

[The Thinker]

I would suggest:

First, cut a piece of foam to fit under your strings near the bridge. This will probably get you most of the way there.

Second, if turning your tone knob down doesn't fix the hi-fi top end, throw on some flats.

If you still need it plunkier, take out the EMGs and get some passive Fender or Seymour Duncan/Basslines pickups..

But the foam will likely get you in the ball park.

[Comanchero]

Hey, thanks for the feedback!

I'll give the foam a shot and see how that works. Are you thinking like a soft foam, or a harder foam like the typical white packing material?

I am thinking of buying a p/j set from ebay that came out of a 1987 Kramer Striker. Any idea of how these might compare?