Are Fender CS60s low output?

wshines1892 · #1 08-04-2010, 10:08 PM

I bought a set of Fender cs60s for my fretless jazz and I love the tone, the only thing is that the output seems to be significantly lower than that of my p bass. It's not super bad, just a small turn of the gain knob and it's back to the same level, but I'm just wondering if perhaps a wiring problem could cause lower output or something? I was considering replacing all of the components and seeing if that solved it.

joeyl · #2 08-05-2010, 07:25 AM

they are low output as compared to a P bass, no doubt, my problem with them is that they were microphonic like crazy.

wshines1892 · #3 08-05-2010, 07:59 AM

Sorry to sounds noobish, but what exactly does microphonic mean? This is a relief though, knowing I didn't waste 100 bucks on dud pickups.

joeyl · #4 08-05-2010, 08:17 AM

Microphonic is when you get noise when you tap on the covers with a finger, because the coils are loose/not potted properly and vibrate in the pickup, the pickup acts like a regular microphone, where the coils are moving with a mechanical movement. It can be annoying in the recording studio.

LaBassGuy · #5 08-05-2010, 08:22 AM

I have CS 60s on my bass and think the output is pretty decent. In fact, the infamous BP jazz pickup shootout rated these pups as having a pretty high output.

I've never had a P bass so can't compare it to that.

wshines1892 · #6 08-05-2010, 08:27 AM

Don't get me wrong, a small bump to the gain or volume and it's fine, I have more than enough amp to make up for the small difference. I was just curious if anyone else had experienced this.

LaBassGuy · #7 08-05-2010, 08:33 AM

I kept getting a strong pop everytime I slapped the A string--even when my PUPs were set pretty low. So I covered them with elecric tape. That pop or microphonic thing is now gone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyl

they are low output as compared to a P bass, no doubt, my problem with them is that they were microphonic like crazy.

4Mal · #8 08-05-2010, 08:37 AM

yep - a little lower than a comparable P Bass pickup. About normal for a vintage style J. The tone and the output of the pickup is a result of the magnet strength and coil strength so if you want 'vintage' J - you get lower output. I really like the older, vintage J sound way, way better than the boomy sound of 'hot' and overwound pickups. Like you, I don't mind a small gain adjust when flipping between a P & a J ...

BTW - Not all CS60 are microphonic. At Fender, some they get right, some they get wrong - their QC is one of the reasons I shy away from those guys in favor of small builders like VintageVibe.

wshines1892 · #9 08-05-2010, 08:38 AM

Well, considering it's fretless, and I'm not much of a slap guy in the first place that isn't a problem. I did find it annoying that the pickup covers had to be attached or else they'd fall off. Normally it'd be find, but when paying 140 for a set I'd think that they would come with covers attached.

JFN · #10 08-05-2010, 10:11 AM

Try adjusting the pickup height between the two basses to even things out (i.e. lower the P, raise the J pups).

wshines1892 · #11 08-05-2010, 11:43 AM

meh, if it aint broke don't fix it and I can bump the gain, but generally when I'm playing my fretless I don't even need it as loud as I need my p bass, so it evens out.

joeyl · #12 08-06-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

BTW - Not all CS60 are microphonic. At Fender, some they get right, some they get wrong - their QC is one of the reasons I shy away from those guys in favor of small builders like VintageVibe.

True, I myself like Aero Type 1 and Nordstrand single coil as good alternatives to CS60s. The 2 pairs of CS60s I had had problems with loose coils, and lack of/poor potting.