MIM Fender P-Bass Special Questions

[lowendrasta56]

I just ordered a MIM Deluxe P-Bass Special, mostly because I missed the growl of a precision and I love the Mexican actives Fender puts out.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like Fender puts a little extra care into these basses due to their different electronics (whoa! almost said "upgraded electronics" but I got too much love for you passive boys)

- I have a 2011 MIM Deluxe Active Jazz. I love the Noiseless pickups and I never thought much to upgrade them...

- However with this new bass I really fought myself on not picking up a bass with a single humbucker due to past issues with my EBMM basses not being versatile enough.

- I'm looking for tonal versatility. What, if any, are my best options to replace the J pickup on my new active P-Bass with a stacked humbucker? I've heard the stacked humbucker blends much better with the P pickup than the Noiseless J pickup, is this true?

- Are there any replacement active Precision pickups that bring more of a vintage sound with them?

I'm thinking if I make the right pickup selection and add a Hipshot bridge, I could give a lot of MIA Active P-Basses a run for their money. Please correct me if I'm wrong

Thanks in advance

[walterw]

you have a stacked J pickup in the Noiseless J; a dimarzio area or ultra J would be a louder, more authentic choice that still hum-canceled.

also, the vintage threaded-rod bridge rocks, it's one of the best things about that bass; real steel saddles for clear tone, and you can get the string spacing just right between the pickup magnets.

you don't need an "active" P pickup, the EQ preamp makes the whole bass active. it has a decent vintage-style P pickup already.

[georgestrings]

Yeah, I pretty much agree with Walter - I have an '06 MIM Deluxe P Bass Special, FWIW... IMO, the stock pups work really well with the preamp, and offer plenty of tonal versatility besides sounding great... Regarding the bridge - I changed mine out for a BAII, only to find that the BAII made it brighter, with less midrange character - I changed it back to the original "vintage style" threaded saddle bridge, and it's going to stay that way...

I suggest you try it out thoroughly before deciding to change anything - and maybe with a few different string sets... Mine is currently wearing D'Addario EXL160s, and they're working out quite nicely...

[invalidprotocol]

The MIM Deluxe P Special is on my short list of future purchases. I think they sound terrific stock and plenty of versatility. Definitely enjoy it for a while before investing in any upgrades. I just wish they had better colors to choose from.

[Revvv]

I run my P Bass Special bone stock. I really enjoy the tone from the factory.