P-Bass pickup help

Dale Gribble · #1 09-25-2006, 01:46 PM

Right now I have a Fender Hwy 1 P with SD 1/4 Lbs. I love their sound but they are starting to sound to "hot" for me right now. I've been playing alot of Muse stuff and just stuff with a more round sound and the 1/4's just aren't doing it for me even with the tone knob down. My question is should I put the stock ones back in? I'd get new ones but It's going to have to wait until November 2nd for my birthday. My question is should I just put the stocks back in for the rounder tone I want or just leave the 1/4's in? I'm just sick of adjusting my tone all the time. One more thing, what's a good P-Bass pickup where I can get a nice warm and round sound but also get a punchy Mike Dirnt sort of tone? I know I won't get both in one pickup but any suggestions would be nice but nothing over $120. Thanks for helping

BaldBass · #2 09-25-2006, 03:10 PM

obviously you didn't like the tone of the stock pup's so I wouldn't advise putting them back in

Dale Gribble · #3 09-25-2006, 03:34 PM

I didn't really like them at the time but right now I'm not to sure. I want a round, warm tone but I also want to be able to have the trebly 1/4 tone. It's just that the 1/4's tone is to much if I want to play Muse type stuff or something more mellow.

scourge · #4 09-25-2006, 09:51 PM

This probably won't help now, but have you tried a P/J configured bass? You'll get the full p-bass tone with the option of some punch when you need it from the j.

Dale Gribble · #5 09-25-2006, 09:54 PM

I was considering it but don't really know how much it will cost. My B-day is coming up and I don't know if I want that or some other gear. Not saying it'll be accurate but how much do you think it would cost?

Nedmundo · #6 09-26-2006, 08:45 AM

You might like Duncan's SPB-2 Hot for P-bass, because it's warm, punchy, and "round." It's heavy in the mids, and thus more like a vintage pickup than the QP, but it also has high output. When you want the hot treble, you may need to add some with your amp's EQ, because the treble is definitely pulled back compared to a QP or a vintage P pickup. I usually played it with the tone knob on full, but with the Lindy Fralin I use now, I'm rolling it off about a third.

Dale Gribble · #7 09-26-2006, 01:37 PM

I'll check those out. They sound like what I'm looking for. Thank you

LoveThatBass · #8 09-26-2006, 09:02 PM

Try lowering the pickups as low as they will go and give it a try.

Dale Gribble · #9 09-26-2006, 10:32 PM

I tried that already and I didn't really notice a huge difference. Tonight I EQ'd my amp a little bit and I found a pretty good tone. It gives me the roundness of finger style with the punch of pickplaying. I'll see how it works out in the next few days.