Matching output on 2 diferent Pickups...

[Aussiephoenix]

OK, so, this is probably a stupid question, but...

Recently, I Put together a Frankenstein bass, the idea sounded great.. A P-bass body, a Jazz Neck, A Bridge Musicman Humbucker, and a Neck P-bass Pup...

You can imagine the kind of sound I was going for, the fat p-bass goodness with the eye-popping Musicman stab...

the way I put it together, is that each pup has an individual volume, they both connect to the same tone, and the MM has a 3way for series/parallel/single-coil.

the MM by itself sounds grand in any switch config.
if I add the p-bass into the mix, its very faint indeed... (but I can still hear the MM in all its glory)

in comparing each pup by itself (other's vol at 0), the MM has MUCH more output than the P...
So, I dont think its an out-of-phase problem...

Now my question is... is there ANY way to boost the output of the P so as to level out the 2 outputs permanently?

(EDIT: Yes, I know I can lower the vol on the musicman, but that would lose its fun wouldnt it?)

I was thinking of something that would fit in the pot/electronics cavity which, by the way isnt the typical p-bass pots enclosure under the pickguard, but something like you'd find in most active basses, accessible from the back of the bass, so it has room.

Thanks.

[ZombiCrow]

You've built my dream experimental bass. Pics? No immediate help for the pickup volume problem, beside throwing in a preamp of some kind; ACGuitars Filter-Pre, maybe? Hehe You need a Darkstar in there, as well, then you'll be "done." Again, pics?

[Aussiephoenix]

Originally Posted by ZombiCrow

You've built my dream experimental bass. Pics? No immediate help for the pickup volume problem, beside throwing in a preamp of some kind; ACGuitars Filter-Pre, maybe? Hehe You need a Darkstar in there, as well, then you'll be "done." Again, pics?

a Darkstar? I've heard quite a bit of buzz about those... but, part of my interest in putting this bass together, was, apart from trying my hand at DIY, putting something sweet together without spending much cash... I got the body, the bridge and the "vester" neck plate for free, I had a few bits laying around that I put into use, so I only spent money on the neck, the musicman (copy) pup, and the 3way switch, all of which I got from ebay at ridiculously low prices... Turned out much better than I expected actually

Pics Here
ps.: I havent put the finishing touches on there yet... that's just thrown together to check that it works. there's still a bit of polishing to do.

[SGD Lutherie]

What kind of P is it? Maybe you need a new louder P bass pickup.

[Aussiephoenix]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

What kind of P is it? Maybe you need a new louder P bass pickup.

Its a custom, a friend of mine built it, he's been building rickenbacker pups for a few good years... Hmmm maybe that's the problem... rickenbackers dont have that much output really... well, not to compete with MM Humbuckers anyway...

Still, I really like its tone, and if there was a way to boost that pup, I'd rather do that than getting new one...

[Rusty the Scoob]

ACG preamps have onboard trim pots designed to even out the outputs of dissimilar pickups - exactly what you are trying to do.

[sir juice]

Raise the P pickup and/or lower the MM until you're happy with the balance.

[KeithPas]

Raising and lowering the pickup to match is a good place to start. After that you can try a high output P pickup like a 1/4 pounder.