Fat, swampy, old school P-Bass pickup?

[csala]

Hi,

I've got a cheapo Yamaha P-bass lying around and it sounds like crap, but it feels pretty cool. I'd like to do something with it to make it playable. Which passive P bass pickup will give it that old school thick funk similar to, I dunno, the bass sound on Just Kissed My Baby by the Meters? FYI I do plan on putting flats on but I want to know what the consensus is on trying to approach a sound like that.

Thanks.

[badboy1984]

You could check out the Duncan's QP p pickup, Delano P pickup or some EMG ones if you want active.

[Jazz Ad]

The Rio Grande Muy Grande is all about this kind of tone, thick and juicy like a T-Bone steak.

[BellBottomBlues]

Lindy Fralins for deliciousness.

[TrevorOfDoom]

maybe the Fender '62's? i'm angling for some Nordy's, but they're a bit higher fidelity than what you're looking for, methinks.

however... Jazz Ad, how do the rio Grande's compare? i've looked at 'em, and been interested, but never heard 'em, or figured out their deal.

[Jazz Ad]

Much hotter output than a '62. The tone is a bit dirty and very ballsy. Highs easily get crunchy when you push the amp. Nothing like a Fralin.

[csala]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

The Rio Grande Muy Grande is all about this kind of tone, thick and juicy like a T-Bone steak.

What's the difference between the Muy Grande and their vintage P pickup? Any experience with the vintage?

[Jazz Ad]

The vintage sounds much more like a Fender '62 or Duncan Antiquity. Less gain, rounder tone with warm mediums.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by badboy1984

You could check out the Duncan's QP p pickup, Delano P pickup or some EMG ones if you want active.

??? Worst suggestions ever IMO. I haven't tried the Delanos, but the QP's and the EMG's are about as far as you can get from "swampy" old-school tone while still being P pups.

[Jazz Ad]

A Bartolini 8S could do the job as well.

[thumpbass1]

It's a simple formula really. Passive P-Bass style pickup and flatwound strings
pushing through an amp that is going to have a nice fat and warm vintage tone
thing going down. A tube head would be nice but most FET based solid state amps
with a good e.q. for the mids can give up the goods for some vintage vibe.

I'd go for a vintage wound P-Bass pickup but you didn't say what you are running
your bass through.Maybe your stock pickup with some flats will get you there in
a hurry and all you'll have to do is adjust your amp e.q. for an old school tone instead
of a modern hi-fi uber clean and spanky bass tone.

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by bongomania

??? Worst suggestions ever IMO. I haven't tried the Delanos, but the QP's and the EMG's are about as far as you can get from "swampy" old-school tone while still being P pups.

+1 - I was about to say..."swampy" and "old school" aren't words anyone would ever use to describe 1/4 pounders and EMG's.

My vote goes for the Fralin.

[GlennW]

A while back I thought I wanted a P-bass with the split pickup. I tried a bunch of stuff, including two Ibanez basses with that type of pickup, four econo Asian P-basses, SD Hot, SD QP, and a Muy Grande. That's 9 different pickups.

The Muy Grande is the only one I kept. I'm not using it, but am hanging on to it in case I find a bass for it.

[csala]

Originally Posted by thumpbass1

It's a simple formula really. Passive P-Bass style pickup and flatwound strings
pushing through an amp that is going to have a nice fat and warm vintage tone
thing going down. A tube head would be nice but most FET based solid state amps
with a good e.q. for the mids can give up the goods for some vintage vibe.

I'd go for a vintage wound P-Bass pickup but you didn't say what you are running
your bass through.Maybe your stock pickup with some flats will get you there in
a hurry and all you'll have to do is adjust your amp e.q. for an old school tone instead
of a modern hi-fi uber clean and spanky bass tone.

Well, I've already got Chromes (50-105) on the bass and it's way better but the bass still needs a lot of help. It sounds too hollow if that makes sense. I'm using an Ashdown head and have it tweaked for lots of bottom and some dirt when I play hard, but it still needs more tone.

[csala]

Originally Posted by GlennW

A while back I thought I wanted a P-bass with the split pickup. I tried a bunch of stuff, including two Ibanez basses with that type of pickup, four econo Asian P-basses, SD Hot, SD QP, and a Muy Grande. That's 9 different pickups.

The Muy Grande is the only one I kept. I'm not using it, but am hanging on to it in case I find a bass for it.

Interesting. At this point I'm leaning towards the Muy Grande. That seems to be the one getting props here.

[GlennW]

They're unusual because they don't use a cover, and you might have to have to shorten the mounting screws because they just go through the bottom bobbin. You might like it.

[badboy1984]

Originally Posted by bongomania

??? Worst suggestions ever IMO. I haven't tried the Delanos, but the QP's and the EMG's are about as far as you can get from "swampy" old-school tone while still being P pups.

I never said those pickup can get you the sound he wanted. I just say those are a few brand that he can check up on p bass pickup.

[bongomania]

Why in heck would you recommend something that won't do what he wants?

[csala]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Why in heck would you recommend something that won't do what he wants?

Funny. I was wondering about the EMG's as well...

I'm curious, does the Muy Grande have the Jamerson thing covered to some degree as well, or is it more of a one trick pony?

[kraigo]

Antiquities II or Duncan SPB-1. I've got Antiquities II in my P-Bass and faced with the same conundrum for my own Yamaha (BB300), I just bought the SPB-1. The SPB-1 is moderately cheap - $65. For my Yamaha it'll do fine. Yes, get flats. To me, nickel are _TOO_ swampy and old school. I like Lakland Joe Osborn stainless steel flats.

KO