I got all I wanted and nothing I needed

goathead · #1 04-25-2007, 08:43 AM

A long time ago I started gathering parts for a p-bass to build for fun, as i started this life as a guitarist

. I thought that I had finally "finished" the instrument recently untill I started playing with the praise band at my church. The bass only sounds good with 10% of the songs, of course the funky gospel stuff, but most of the music the band plays is current sounding, with bass lines that are more along the lines of maybe...driving, grinding, full...while my bass has a definite phat hollow p-tone.

The question I have is would it be advisable to route-in a contrasting bridge pup that would fill out the tone I am looking for, or do I need a neck through w/ a hot preamp?
My bass is an assembled P with Ashe body warmoth bubinga neck, ebony fb w/ SD 1/4 pounders, constantly switching between flat and round wounds. I was thinking of doing a SD music man as close to the p pups as posible, definately encraoching in on the pickguard, but would this give me the modern sound I am looking for? Maybe a soap bar of some type? I really don't know how to describe, what lingo to use, the sound I am talking about. It seems so much on this forum is designated to finding that oldschool tone and I spent a lot of time wanting that.

I don't nesicerilly need to stick with SD brand but have read a bit on TB and a little on the Seymour Duncan site about pickups that do not "get along" and would like to avoid compatability problems if at all posible.

I really appriciate you guys for all the info, and all the laughs.
Thanks for your input.

jeremy

bassgod0dmw · #2 04-25-2007, 09:23 AM

What are you using for an amp? I'm suprised you can't get want you want with those SD's...

goathead · #3 04-25-2007, 09:31 AM

Sorry I knew I forgot something. They run me direct, and were using in-ear monitors.

Orco87 · #4 04-25-2007, 09:39 AM

just my opinion here:

if you got a bass that has an awesome old school tone and excels at that, then I wouldn't alter it in any way to just get another sound. I think now would be a good time to get a nice jazz bass. Now if we're gonna go fairly cheap, here's what I would do:

SX J-bass - slap some DiMarzio Model J's (waiting for mine to come in

), Audere JZ3 (contemplating one), and a Badass II (or similar) bridge.

I think you'd have a very great sounding and playing instrument that would ful-fill your needs.

4Mal · #5 04-25-2007, 10:35 AM

I would look at an external pre solution. I use a Radial Bassbone. 1 channel is flat the other run's a mild scoop. I can switch a thrid sound in using the effects loop and an EQ. A little adjustment in the low & hi-mids goes along way.

I do prefer a PJ setup to a straight P and adding a 1/4 lb J in to match your P wouldn't be a bad idea but I expect that you would get some mileage out of something like the BB.

PilbaraBass · #6 04-25-2007, 04:54 PM

First, try some outboard gear...it may be all you need.

But, If you want to add a bridge pickup...go for it...any one will fill that tonal void, really...

may I suggest a MM pickup with the rear coil aligned with a classic 60's Jazz position...this will be very close to a classic MM pickup, too...(a little aft, but the P-pickup will help "thicken" that).

Oh, and IMPORTANT...
for a more "modern" sound from a P-bass, just play the bass BEHIND the pickup (bridge side)...instead of on-top or in front.

You'll be surprised how much finger position affects the sound of a P-bass...that's what makes them so darn cool in the first place.

Bass Mule · #7 04-25-2007, 04:59 PM

I agree with 4Mal and Pilbara. Take a look at Aguilar DB 924 (? I think this is the one?)....

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...amp?sku=155023

scottyd · #8 04-25-2007, 08:08 PM

Just a thought, is the sound is alot better coming from out of the house? I've never really used an in ear monitor that put out nice bass tone.

PilbaraBass · #9 04-25-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyd

Just a thought, is the sound is alot better coming from out of the house? I've never really used an in ear monitor that put out nice bass tone.

+2 (one for each ear)

Does your sound man record the worship? If so, have you listened to the sound?

is it just a plain old DI? If so, how about using a DI with cab simulation? Like a Sans Amp or a Zoom B2.1u

I use my zoom live PRIMARILY for the cab sims, the extra EQ, chorus, and reverb are bonus.

My guess is $150 - $200 worth of DI gear is your get out of jail free card.

goathead · #10 04-26-2007, 08:58 AM

Awesome, thanks for all the replys.

I'll definatly have to ask the sound guy to record the house mix. My cord is long enouph to get out there to hear the mix, but I got a short headphone extension taped to it for my in ears. I can hardly stand the things...great for vocalists though, pure confidence. I've been told "your bass sounds great out here!" but due to other coments made by these same people I don't know if I can trust the opinions, althoe I 'm greatful for thier positive attitudes. I am going to have to figure a way to get out there and listen next week at rehearsal.

I'll also start looking into some outboard gear before I throw a router at my bass. I know a guy who uses a sansamp and really likes it. It seems to get some mixed reviews here on TB, but it sounds like those are due to a HIFI movement where the sansamp colors? Is that "color" what I'm looking for, or do I just need to boost and alter my signal with a cleaner pre? Thanks for all the help...

BassoP · #11 04-26-2007, 09:39 PM

I'm not sure the pickups are your problem. There is nothing vintage about 1/4lbs. I'd consider a sans amp, or even just an eq pedal for starters if you are running direct.

Matt Dean · #12 04-26-2007, 10:14 PM

+1 on the ext. pre... try a sadowsky pre for a more modern sound.

JimmyM · #13 04-26-2007, 11:23 PM

I believe in trying out the cheaper options first, so since it's a parts bass and it won't hurt the value to rout it out for a J pickup at the bridge, I'd try it first before I went and spent hundreds of dollars on a preamp that may or may not do what you need.

PilbaraBass · #14 04-27-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I believe in trying out the cheaper options first, so since it's a parts bass and it won't hurt the value to rout it out for a J pickup at the bridge, I'd try it first before I went and spent hundreds of dollars on a preamp that may or may not do what you need.

the problem with routing is that it is irreversible…buy the outboard gear from a shop with a good return policy and the money spent isn't really spent…in addition, we're talking about $200 worth of outboard gear which is returnable vs. $75 worth of pickups which is irreversible...

besides, we're not even sure that there even IS a problem, yet...

however, all that said, based on my experiences, I LOVE having a P/J setup...it really gives me a much wider palette of tones, that I can't really get from a P-pickup alone (regardless of what I have hanging off the other end of the cord).

Shoewreck · #15 04-27-2007, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goathead

Sorry I knew I forgot something. They run me direct, and were using in-ear monitors.

Impedance mismatch. Look for a nice on-floor DI/preamp and wonder where does all that snap and attack come from

A decent onboard pre will do almost the same. I took active electronics out of my bass about a week ago and experienced the same problem when plugged direct. You may also ask the soundman to boost higher mids.

JimmyM · #16 04-27-2007, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

the problem with routing is that it is irreversible…buy the outboard gear from a shop with a good return policy and the money spent isn't really spent…in addition, we're talking about $200 worth of outboard gear which is returnable vs. $75 worth of pickups which is irreversible...

besides, we're not even sure that there even IS a problem, yet...

however, all that said, based on my experiences, I LOVE having a P/J setup...it really gives me a much wider palette of tones, that I can't really get from a P-pickup alone (regardless of what I have hanging off the other end of the cord).

I have never met someone who regretted adding a bridge pickup because of the extra variety in tones and the more modern sound it gets them. I do know people who have regretted doing it to Fenders because it took a chunk of the resale value out of them, or because it made a heavy bass a little heavier, but never because of the improved sound. And since it's a parts bass, even though it's irreversible, you really can't go wrong. A Precision is going to sound like a Precision regardless of the outboard gear it's plugged into. But a P/J combo can sound like both a Precision and a Jazz. And based on my experiences, as well as yours, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that it's the answer he's looking for.

azzyrazzy · #17 04-27-2007, 05:15 AM

Dark Star candidate!

JimmyM · #18 04-27-2007, 07:17 AM

You wacky Dark Star fans with your $400 pickups! Everything about Dark Stars is cool except their price.

azzyrazzy · #19 04-27-2007, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You wacky Dark Star fans with your $400 pickups! Everything about Dark Stars is cool except their price.

Yes handwound stuff costs, but I got lucky and bought a pre-owned, unused one for half-price

Only bought one though (200$ retail) for about 119$

Chris Breese · #20 04-27-2007, 08:15 AM

Get a Fender Original '62 pickup! Those quarter pounders are for a more in-yer-face sound, at least in my experience. The Fender pickup will put you at just the right place in the mix. I would start there, and wait on all the outboard stuff if it were me.