Pickup for Pbass if you play near the neck

[E.Gonzalez]

Hi guys, this is my first post in Talkbass.com.

I need some help from you guys here. I got myself a Fender Precision bass recently and everything bout it is great. Its looks awesome and is very comfortable to play with. However I am not very satisfied with its sound.

I use fingerstyle and the problem is, I play really near to the neck. I rest my thumb on the pickguard edge. As a result, due to playing near the neck, the sound is very soft, undefined, bassy, not punchy and cannot cut through the mix, even when im playing to some mp3 songs. I can't hardly feel the bass thumping and rumbling. ( it could be my amp... any recommendations on amp for beginners? )

Im pretty sure my fingering technique is correct but Im not sure if i should play nearer to the bridge.

Oh finally my question, what pickups can really improve my sound so that even when i play near the neck, the sound is still punchy, clear, defined and can get through the mix. I am thinking of seymour duncan SPB-2 Hot or SPB-3 Qtr pounder. Which one you guys recommend?

[bongomania]

I'm thinking the problem has more to do with the amp and your technique than the pickups. Playing near the neck will generally give you a bassier, less grindy tone, with less attack. That's a good thing, you can use that as a tone option. Try resting your thumb on the top of the pickup, and plucking either over or behind the pickup. Also, you haven't said what your amp or your tone/EQ settings are; but I can tell you the mantra on Talkbass is "boost your mids, don't scoop".

HTH!

[jenderfazz]

Try playing closer to the bridge. Don't stick to one location, but become familiar with all right hand positions, from the neck to the bridge. Be able to get the sound you want from an assumed right hand position. That's my advice... I wouldn't replace your pickups right away.

[TheSuzie]

The other question is what strings are you using? Strings make a huge difference in the tone of your instrument. If your strings are dead or if you are using flatwounds and you want a brighter tone, you could switch to round wounds, pressure wounds or maybe even ground wounds and get a more punchy sound.

Peace,
S

[Elliot Smith]

wat bout using GK amps?

[E.Gonzalez]

Yea, I am using roundwound strings.

i find it really hard to play when I rest my thumb on the pickup. The strings are so hard and stiff. I play much faster when i play near the neck.

[vindy500]

but it sounds like mush....