Potential G&L SB-1 pickup swap

father of fires · #1 03-07-2011, 06:25 AM

I usually get a lot of flak when I bring this up but I am thinking about trying a different pickup on my SB-1 (don't worry I won't sell them or anything). Those MFD's are so damn hot. I overdrive the input of almost any amp I play. Sometimes it sounds awesome and sometimes all I get is some harsh barking sounds when I dig in.

I'm a heavy handed player and I will soon be playing some super down-tuned metal and last night I kept destroying the front end of my amp while trying out for a new band.

I plan on using flats because they sound great for metal and when down-tuned the higher tension helps a lot. I can only imagine that when I put some flats on this bass then amps will start melting.

I know I can turn my bass down but I lose some tone and I know I can turn the gain on the amp down but it doesn't seem to do enough.

So, this leads me to my quest. What "P" style pup will I buy? My other basses have been regular fenders. One was a '78 P (sold) and the other is a Squier P (my backup). I have always loved the sound of P basses so i don't want to go with a crazy active setup. I'm just looking for some passive options.

I got the G&L as a gift but it's build quality is far superior to any Fender I have ever played. One of the pots is bad anyway so I will be opening it up to replace the volume pot so It won't be to much trouble to try another pup out at the same time.

I guess I'm looking for a pickup that will give me a good full/agressive tone without being super hot. I know there are several custom makers but I'm thinking that a regular set of Fender P pickups will work (I have loved them in other basses). I have used DiMarzio in the past (when the pup in my '78 died) and I didn't love them. They sounded a little harsh to me.

Anybody have any thoughts or opinions? Any recommendations?

Thanks for reading!

Nedmundo · #2 03-07-2011, 07:45 AM

If you like the gritty punch of the MFD, I'd suggest a Lindy Fralin for a lower output, more vintage voiced alternative. I have a G&L SB-2 and a Fender P with a Fralin, and love both. The Fralin has a vintage vibe, but with an aggressive edge, so it works well for hard rock and metal.

IMO, you do NOT want a Fender pickup for drop tuned metal, because, at least in my experience, Fender pickups often have somewhat "blurry" lows. (That's one reason I didn't get Fender's P5 when I wanted a fiver.) You'd be much better off with the Fralin, or maybe even a Duncan Quarter Pounder, which has deep lows with good clarity.

The DiMarzio Model P is another alternative, but it's super hot like the G&L, and yet doesn't sound as good IMO. Maybe DiMarzio's Split-P would work, but I've never heard one.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #3 03-07-2011, 07:56 AM

Good luck playing that G&L after you remove its soul!

Bardley · #4 03-07-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

Good luck playing that G&L after you remove its soul!

LOL!

Nedmundo · #5 03-07-2011, 01:49 PM

By the way, what amps are you using? My SB-2 works just fine using the input pads on my G-K heads and Roland combo, and I have no trouble with the Hartke head in my band's rehearsal space. I always run the split-coil's volume on full too. Maybe you could lower the pickup a bit before swapping it out, and see if that helps. It woud be a shame to lose the MFD's full range power, especially when you'll be playing music that could really take advantage of it.

Also, for strings DR now makes DDT rounds specifically for drop tuning. Those or super stiff Lo-Riders would probably work well. Just FYI. I love flats on P-basses, but, Steve Harris notwithstanding, I'm not sure I'd use them for metal.

father of fires · #6 03-07-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

Good luck playing that G&L after you remove its soul!

I know I feel kind of bad.

father of fires · #7 03-07-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

By the way, what amps are you using? My SB-2 works just fine using the input pads on my G-K heads and Roland combo, and I have no trouble with the Hartke head in my band's rehearsal space. I always run the split-coil's volume on full too. Maybe you could lower the pickup a bit before swapping it out, and see if that helps. It woud be a shame to lose the MFD's full range power, especially when you'll be playing music that could really take advantage of it.

Also, for strings DR now makes DDT rounds specifically for drop tuning. Those or super stiff Lo-Riders would probably work well. Just FYI. I love flats on P-basses, but, Steve Harris notwithstanding, I'm not sure I'd use them for metal.

I love flats for metal. I have been using a Mesa M3, and an SWR SM400S.

Nedmundo · #8 03-07-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

I love flats for metal.

Cool. What kind do you use? I've used several kinds, and played some old school metal, but I've never mixed the two. My current band is on the heavier side of classic rock, and flats work fine there, especially Chromes.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #9 03-07-2011, 03:42 PM

Btw Davis, I think I have a more metal tone than you were using and I really do not like the sound of the SB-2 directly into my SVT because of how hot the MFDs are. However if I run them through any type of fuzz or OD it makes the tone perfect.

father of fires · #10 03-08-2011, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

Cool. What kind do you use? I've used several kinds, and played some old school metal, but I've never mixed the two. My current band is on the heavier side of classic rock, and flats work fine there, especially Chromes.

I used to use Labella Deep Talking flats. They are so smooth and sexy but this time I bought a set of Rotosound 77's because everyone complains about their high tension. I'm hoping to use that in my favor.

father of fires · #11 03-08-2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

Btw Davis, I think I have a more metal tone than you were using and I really do not like the sound of the SB-2 directly into my SVT because of how hot the MFDs are. However if I run them through any type of fuzz or OD it makes the tone perfect.

This is not a bad idea. I prefer to play clean but If I could find a nice fast and controlled overdrive, I could let that take the full force of the pup.

Ben Clarke · #12 03-08-2011, 06:47 AM

The split MFD is pretty much the archetypical aggressive P sound to me. Instead of changing that out and running the risk of searching for the tone you lost to correct the levels, why not run a boost pedal like the Fulltone FatBoost3? Just set it up for a volume drop instead of a boost. Aggressive tone should be retained or possibly enhanced (the FB sounds really good, especially using 18V power).

**Lazarus.Bird** · #13 03-08-2011, 07:05 AM

When I first got my SB I was like why the hell is this thing popping every time I hit a note? I'm a very heavy handed player as well and really like to dig in. I initially thought the strings were hitting the pickup pole pieces but eventually realized it was just the aggressiveness of the MFDs if I turned them up past like 40%. I don't even run that much fuzz or OD as I let the SVT do most of the work (my bluebeard fuzz and sustain are dialed all the way back) but just going through the bluebeard circuitry puts the MFD at the exact tone I'm looking for. I would think that any kind of pedal that affects gain could probably help you tame the MFDs. I've been running my P volume at around 80% and the J at probably 40%.

father of fires · #14 03-08-2011, 07:11 AM

Thanks for the tips guys. Come meet me over on the effects side later for some good gain pedal discussions.

Nedmundo · #15 03-08-2011, 07:54 AM

For pedals, I'd just use my Aphex Punch Factory compressor to keep levels under control, and the compression itself helps too. I've only done this recording with the SB-2, but it worked well on stage when I had my Precision loaded with the similarly hot DiMarzio Model P. I had to lower the DiMarzio pretty far into the body to avoid almost constant clipping of just about anything I plugged into.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #16 03-08-2011, 07:58 AM

I was going to suggest a compressor if you want to keep your tone clean but I don't use them or know much about them. I'm an effects noob.

father of fires · #17 03-08-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Clarke

The split MFD is pretty much the archetypical aggressive P sound to me. Instead of changing that out and running the risk of searching for the tone you lost to correct the levels, why not run a boost pedal like the Fulltone FatBoost3? Just set it up for a volume drop instead of a boost. Aggressive tone should be retained or possibly enhanced (the FB sounds really good, especially using 18V power).

I stole a few minutes at lunch and went to Guitar Center. They didn't have any good bass distortions but they did have a FatBoost 3. It sounded damn good at any volume and had a little bit of overdrive when pushed. This is exactly want I need. I hate using a pedal for something that an amp should be able to do but I do agree it's better then swapping pickups.

Nedmundo · #18 03-08-2011, 03:20 PM

Just checked out that Fatboost 3 on Fulltone's site. Seems like a very cool and useful pedal. Definitely something to check out ASAP.

Ben Clarke · #19 03-08-2011, 11:39 PM

Yeah, it's a great sounding pedal and it's nice to have another set of simple bass/treble squeezed in the signal chain, too. I use it for bass and guitar and I can't seem to make it sound bad. It's good as an "always on" character box in front of a more neutral rig, and bananas as a chunky od in front of anything.

I think the key here is that you can run it with the volume down and the drive up just a hair and it doesn't sound at all turned down.

father of fires · #20 03-09-2011, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Clarke

Yeah, it's a great sounding pedal and it's nice to have another set of simple bass/treble squeezed in the signal chain, too. I use it for bass and guitar and I can't seem to make it sound bad. It's good as an "always on" character box in front of a more neutral rig, and bananas as a chunky od in front of anything.

I think the key here is that you can run it with the volume down and the drive up just a hair and it doesn't sound at all turned down.

That was my experience.

I really appreciate everyone's help with this. This pickup thing has been bugging me for a while. I'm not a pedal guy so that idea never occurred to me.

Thanks!