I waited as long as I could.... P Pup content

ljazz · #1 07-18-2011, 03:17 AM

I've posted before about the lackluster tone of my '08 MIA P pup in other threads......... I've been running chromes on it, because other flats sounded "meh" at best on it. The chromes really sound good on it, and bring out the P characteristics nicely. But ultimately, it's still been missing that classic P tone. I've gone round and round on what pup to install as a replacement..... I have a set of SD Antiquities in my Jazz bass that I've been smitten with since putting them in 16 or 17 years ago, and was thinking that maybe the P version would be the ticket. But I also read all of the great reviews on the Fralin, Fender '62 and others. Torn.

So, I was in my local shop this weekend, and they had the Fender in, so after a bit of haggling, I took it home and installed it. All I can say is "WOW"...... that is the classic P tone. A bit more air on top, a bunch more low mid growl, and much less "hi-fi"...... all of that classic P color, and I'm glad I didn't spend the extra dough on the SDA or the Fralin.

The tone makes me wonder why Fender doesn't do a more classic version of the AmStd..... or a more modernized version of the '62 RI...... '62 specs, but with the graphite reinforcements, easy access truss rod nut, HMV bridge. I'd be all over that.

Anyway, if you're in the position of trying to decide which P pup to grab up, don't rule out the Fender...... it's a great sounding pup.

**RaginRog** · #2 07-18-2011, 06:42 AM

I concur....it's a great pickup at a very good price. I always thought the stock pickup was good as well, but it has to work for your situation, or it has to match that "sound in your head"

I needed a very aggressive sounding pickup, so I went with the Dimarzio Will Power Middle (DP 146) in my 2008 American Std, and wired in a DPDT/Series -parallel switch.

rummy · #3 07-18-2011, 07:47 AM

I'm in the same boat. My USA P needs some old school, and I'm debating between Duncan SBP-1 and Original Fender.

ljazz · #4 07-18-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rummy

I'm in the same boat. My USA P needs some old school, and I'm debating between Duncan SBP-1 and Original Fender.

You know, I considered the SBP1 as well, but I'm really glad I went with the Fender. The thump factor is truely impressive.

Mirios · #5 07-18-2011, 06:38 PM

Well mines not a fender, but my Lakland sounds great with the Fralin pickup. My old MIA precision didn't sound good to me either. Probably should've kept it and ditched the pickup but someone wanted it bad enough to get me to sell it to them.

kb9wyz · #6 07-18-2011, 06:44 PM

I just put a DiMarzio Split P in one of my basses. It decidedly does not sound like a "classic" P tone, but she do thump very nicely, and has the growl. But it has a scoop in the mid response that makes it put out a nice tone. And also, it was very reasonably priced.

smeet · #7 07-18-2011, 06:45 PM

What do you guys not like about your P's? My 2008 MIA P5 sounds good, but has very little in the way of highs and less mids than I would think a good P should have. It sounds good, but not as much growl and more lows than I would expect. Does that describe the what you were hearing?

**woolysock** · #8 07-18-2011, 07:02 PM

I just bought an AV 62 RI and popped in a Lollar P pickup. I'd say the original pup was fine, light, bright, clear maybe a little raw on the top end. The Lollar sounds similar but I'd say a little more rich and complex in the mids and subtle/subdued/sweet on the top end. Sorry to sound like a wine snob... The difference is audible when playing solo but impossible to hear in a band situation.

ljazz · #9 07-19-2011, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeet

What do you guys not like about your P's? My 2008 MIA P5 sounds good, but has very little in the way of highs and less mids than I would think a good P should have. It sounds good, but not as much growl and more lows than I would expect. Does that describe the what you were hearing?

I think JMJ described it best in his forum..... "transparent"...... It definitely sits in the P family of tones (so to speak), but it's missing some of that raw low mid P color and a bit of air up top. Playing it last night, the amount of "punch" as compared to the AmStd pup is incredible. Very old school sounding pup. I love it.

When I first got this P a few years ago, I threw on a set of broken in TIJF's. The bass sounded horrible. Complete garbage. The TI's are so middy, I think they require a pup with a good mid response..... otherwise, you can't hear any of those great TI characteristics. Next, I threw on a set of old Labella flats (I can't recall the gauge..... but they're laying around here somewhere), and they weren't much better (except no mids at all). An old set of Fenders were next, and they weren't any better. I was about to change the pup when someone recommended chromes, so I went with them. They sounded good, and emphasized the mids a bit more than the other flats. But even with the chromes, that raw, grunty, low mid punch was still missing..... it was just too "polite." I'm geeked about this, because I think I can throw a set of TI's back on!

Mike M. · #10 07-19-2011, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

I've posted before about the lackluster tone of my '08 MIA P pup in other threads......... I've been running chromes on it, because other flats sounded "meh" at best on it. The chromes really sound good on it, and bring out the P characteristics nicely. But ultimately, it's still been missing that classic P tone. I've gone round and round on what pup to install as a replacement..... I have a set of SD Antiquities in my Jazz bass that I've been smitten with since putting them in 16 or 17 years ago, and was thinking that maybe the P version would be the ticket. But I also read all of the great reviews on the Fralin, Fender '62 and others. Torn.

So, I was in my local shop this weekend, and they had the Fender in, so after a bit of haggling, I took it home and installed it. All I can say is "WOW"...... that is the classic P tone. A bit more air on top, a bunch more low mid growl, and much less "hi-fi"...... all of that classic P color, and I'm glad I didn't spend the extra dough on the SDA or the Fralin.

The tone makes me wonder why Fender doesn't do a more classic version of the AmStd..... or a more modernized version of the '62 RI...... '62 specs, but with the graphite reinforcements, easy access truss rod nut, HMV bridge. I'd be all over that.

Anyway, if you're in the position of trying to decide which P pup to grab up, don't rule out the Fender...... it's a great sounding pup.

Sounds like we're in the same boat. This past weekend I took my Jazz bass in to have the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II's intalled that I ordered. I'd also like to try something differant in my Squire Affinity P bass. (I'm in an experimental kick lately!)

So it's the Fender '62 P pickup, eh? It's not that I hate the pickup in my Squire. Fact is, it's the first "P" bass I've ever owned. Don't have a clue as to what the current pickup compares to, but as said I want to experiment a bit.

Nedmundo · #11 07-19-2011, 08:35 AM

I have a 2004 American Series P, and thought the pickup sounded good overall, especially with Chromes. But IMO it was lacking two things: punch and clarity in the lows. That lack of clarity contributes to the "thump" factor, and no other pickup I've tried thumps quite like it. That tone definitely has its place, but the soft attack bothered me. I now have a Lindy Fralin, which has more clarity across the board and lots more punch, with a gritty, old school texture and plenty of thump. For a vintage type pickup with an aggressive edge, it's perfect IMO.

mpdd · #12 07-19-2011, 10:54 AM

it may just be me, but my 2009 hwy one sounds kind of super punchy, dare i say explosive, with lots of mid and low, is this normal or did i just get lucky with a really nice bass with hot pickups

SurferJoe46 · #13 07-19-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M.

Sounds like we're in the same boat. This past weekend I took my Jazz bass in to have the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II's intalled that I ordered. I'd also like to try something differant in my Squire Affinity P bass. (I'm in an experimental kick lately!)

So it's the Fender '62 P pickup, eh? It's not that I hate the pickup in my Squire. Fact is, it's the first "P" bass I've ever owned. Don't have a clue as to what the current pickup compares to, but as said I want to experiment a bit.

I was playing a Wine & Cheese Old People & Their Grandparents show, and a bass playing buddy came by to see the latest Tux Bass I just finished.

He grabbed my Squier Affinity P that I had put some p'ups in from a Peavey Fury - and he immediately said; "Whoa! This thing has some guts!"

I think you might try them and see for yourself, but they really have that deep lowdown Motown sound and can keep it clear and clean when you want to too.