Pickup upgrade: Getting 'that' tone...

apisgogo · #1 04-17-2011, 07:27 AM

Hi guys...

I have a Yamaha RBX270J bass guitar; Alder body, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard and it has a P/J pickup.
Full spec here: RBX270J - RBX - Yamaha

I’m looking to have a Jamiroquai type of tone, especially in this one (Runaway):
YouTube - Jamiroquai - Runaway Live from Abbey Road
I looove the sound of the bass on this one.

I couldn’t get that tone straight from the guitar (I'm type of guy that don’t prefer to add 'color' to my tone). I just wondering, if a pickup upgrade would give the justice?

I'm looking at Nordstrand NP4. To my ears, it sounded so close to the bass on Runaway song.

Any advice? Or is there other pickup that sounds similar?

Thanks

Snuggles · #2 04-17-2011, 07:38 AM

By "color" do you mean EQ and other such tone-shaping tools? I might have found your problem...

apisgogo · #3 04-17-2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuggles

By "color" do you mean EQ and other such tone-shaping tools? I might have found your problem...

Usually I put the EQ flat... Tried a lil tweaking on the gain and mids, but I couldn’t get it. Any tips?
Open to suggestion...

Britbonic · #4 04-17-2011, 08:43 AM

Changing the pickup is not going to get you there. Listen to pbass pickup comparison posted on dan Atkinsons site. Differences in pickups are not that extreme unless you have something that is either very weak or high output. So much of that sound comes from Paul Turner's playing and whatever preamp and post processing eq, compression, etc that is added.

apisgogo · #5 04-17-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britbonic

Changing the pickup is not going to get you there. Listen to pbass pickup comparison posted on dan Atkinsons site. Differences in pickups are not that extreme unless you have something that is either very weak or high output. So much of that sound comes from Paul Turner's playing and whatever preamp and post processing eq, compression, etc that is added.

I do feel the output coming from my yamaha a lil bit weak.

Thanks for the advice.. Maybe changing pickups is not it...

Will do more research on it... appreciate any pointers though

Britbonic · #6 04-17-2011, 08:57 AM

If you have a pj and dont like sound probably want to change both pickups. Would recommend looking at nordstrand and others who make matching sets so the outputs are balanced.

Bass Club Mark · #7 04-17-2011, 09:20 AM

I disagree. Every day I have customers tell me they prefer a bass based on on-board pickups & electronics. An EMG is going to sound a lot more aggressive than a Fralin, etc. Also IMO, listening sound samples on a computer is not going to give you a real world idea of how that same tone is going to be passed from your 500 watt amplifier and 410 bass cab. My advise is to consider either Sadowsky or Fodera. They are both very present & modern sounding. Their pre has the same character as their pickups. You can demo their preamp pedal and see if you like what it does to you bass, without mod'ing or hard wiring your bass. If you like it, you can have either their pre or pickups mounted to your bass. Hope that helps.

jallenbass · #8 04-17-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Club Mark

My advise is to consider either Sadowsky or Fodera. They are both very present & modern sounding.

The Jamiroquai clip that the OP is referring to isn't modern sounding to my ears.

Britbonic · #9 04-17-2011, 09:48 AM

Not sure what you are disagreeing with. The OP has an inexpensive yamaha bass and he's looking to get a particular sound.

The bass played in the youtube clip appears to be a standard Pbass though Paul Turner often plays Alleva Coppola basses. And either case, I'd say this is a pretty classic PBass sound, albeit hard to tell since it's a very produced track.

His bass has passive pickups. This is the sample posting that I was referring to:

ATKINSON BASSES - LIBRARY

For passive Pbass pickups, I would argue the differences between them are pretty subtle. EMGs are a whole nother kettle of fish.

I am guessing the OP was looking for an inexpensive way to upgrade his sound. I would think the Fodera and Sadowsky options would cost more than the bass.

apisgogo · #10 04-17-2011, 09:55 AM

Yes I do looking for a inexpensive way to get the desired sound. I know if i just can grab a vintage P, that do most of the trick but somtimes a lil experiement can be exciting

Britbonic: Can you explain y you mention EMG is lot another story? Thanks

Found this video on Tube:
YouTube - Nordstrand Pickup Review - NP4 & NJ4SE (Finger Style & Slap Bass)

Britbonic · #11 04-17-2011, 10:05 AM

EMGs are typically used in active basses for a more modern or agressive sound. Very popular for metal.

The sound you're looking for is a classic PBass sound. Nordstrand, Fralin, Lollar, Seymour Duncan, and several other makers all have offerings that will get you there.

There are countless threads and sound samples here on the difference between them.

prd004 · #12 04-17-2011, 10:05 AM

It is a nice bass sound, it sounds like a Jazz bass with Flatwound strings to me, perhaps try a new set of strings. He almost has an old-school tone try some La Bellas. I find, and many on this forum agree, that your choice in strings has as much effect on tone as anything you can buy. There are countless threads on flatwound strings.
Also, that is a studio cut, with quite a bit of compression, so you may want to consider a compressor.

apisgogo · #13 04-17-2011, 10:08 AM

Thanks guys...

Always learn new things each day I'm in this forum

prd004 · #14 04-17-2011, 10:18 AM

Great forum indeed! August will be 27 years of bass playing for me and I still learn new stuff all the time on here!

Jazz Ad · #15 04-17-2011, 10:24 AM

I don't see a need for a pickup change.
Use your P pickup alone, turn down your tone pot and you'll be very near from this tone.
The rest is production. COmpression may help indeed.

Rocky McD · #16 04-17-2011, 11:02 AM

The link to the Atkinson test of different pickups should be a real eye opener to the extremely subtle differences. These differences "might" be heard on good headphones but would never be heard in a live band situation. I put Nordstrands in my Fender P/J and I am happy with them but what I really learned was, how good the original Mexican pups were compared to high end botique pickups.
Rocky

Britbonic · #17 04-17-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky McD

The link to the Atkinson test of different pickups should be a real eye opener to the extremely subtle differences. These differences "might" be heard on good headphones but would never be heard in a live band situation. I put Nordstrands in my Fender P/J and I am happy with them but what I really learned was, how good the original Mexican pups were compared to high end botique pickups.
Rocky

Agree. Note that these were all pretty similar style of pickup, largely focused on vintage type tone. There are lots of other options for higher output or more modern sound that would be more noticeable.