Stock MIA P pickup vs Fralin

open_space · #1 02-26-2007, 07:13 AM

I know this question has been asked here several times but I will post it anyway.

I am considering swapping pickups in my 1996 MIA P. I recently got a MIA jazz and both me and my band mates noticed how the sound changed. I like that with the Jazz there is much more definition, it's not only thump that I get with my P. Now I understand that jazz and p are different beasts but I wondering whether changing the pickup will actually hep my P become more pronounced. I guess I need some more clarity in the mix, because when I play with my fingers it's mostly thump, not as much clarity. It's much better with the pick but I don't play with it that often.

I've heard so many good things about Fralins. Can anyone tell me how the sound changed when you swapped you pickups for Fralins? I have read somewhere that they actually have less mids or at least the midrange spike is not as big as in stock pickups. I guess that in my case it will be a good thing, hopefully it will help me achieve more clarity.

Maybe I am getting it all wrong here. Help me please.

Oh, I live in Eastern Europe so it will take 3-4 weeks to deliver the pickup so moneyback is not an option for me.

saxnbass · #2 02-26-2007, 09:22 AM

You swapped your MIA J pickups to Fralin J pickups already? Did I understand that right?

"I recently got a MIA jazz and both me and my band mates noticed how the sound changed. I like that with the Jazz there is much more definition,"

open_space · #3 02-26-2007, 09:27 AM

no, no...

i just got a stock jazz and was comparing it to my mia p

I want to change pickups in my P

sorry for confusion

saxnbass · #4 02-26-2007, 09:33 AM

oh. Cause I have a MIA J and am thinking about replacing the stock PUs with Fralins. Any idea how the sound changes? If somebody wouldn't mind telling me, I'd appreciate it; if Open_Spaces doesn't mind if I add this question to his thread.

pyrohr · #5 02-26-2007, 09:48 AM

I actually have two basses with Fralin pups, A MIA standard jazz and a MIM p-bass I got dirt cheap used in pristine condition. Here's my take:
1) The MIA jazz needed no modification form the start as the pups were just fine, I just wanted to experiment and see what it would sound like with Fralins. The Fralins cleaned (cleared) up the low end giving it more definition and made the high end "sparkle" a bit more! The Fralins made a great sounding bass even greater sounding!

2) The MIM p-bass I had intentions on going nuts with only ended up getting the Fralin pups. I wanted a "vintage sounding" p-bass and the Fralins nailed that! The differences are just like the jazz bass as far as cleaning up the low end, the entire tonal spectrum has been enhanced with more definition. I payed $237 bucks for this bass then installed Fralins in it and now I would take it to any gig that called for that particular sound. Btw I have Thomastik flatwounds on it.

zac2944 · #6 02-26-2007, 09:52 AM

I own a MIA Fender P with stock pickups and I've played a Skyline Glaub that had Fralins. The Glaub had the same wood combination, was passive and both had flats, so I guess it's a good comparison. IMHO, the Glaub sounded more like the P-bass tone I hear in old Motown and Stax recordings. It is a hard thing to describe, but I guess the Fralins sound more "vintage".

If you're looking for a tighter or more focused tone, I don't know if Fralins are going to give you much of that. I've never tried them with round wound, and that makes a huge difference.

Do you have rounds or flats on your P-bass?

pyrohr · #7 02-26-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac2944

I own a MIA Fender P with stock pickups and I've played a Skyline Glaub that had Fralins. The Glaub had the same wood combination, was passive and both had flats, so I guess it's a good comparison. IMHO, the Glaub sounded more like the P-bass tone I hear in old Motown and Stax recordings. It is a hard thing to describe, but I guess the Fralins sound more "vintage".

This is exactly what I was looking for when I did this pup change. This p-bass is now the one I use for the Motown vibe as well as all the other "soul" music of the 60's and 70's.

saxnbass · #8 02-26-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyrohr

I actually have two basses with Fralin pups, A MIA standard jazz and a MIM p-bass I got dirt cheap used in pristine condition. Here's my take:
1) The MIA jazz needed no modification form the start as the pups were just fine, I just wanted to experiment and see what it would sound like with Fralins. The Fralins cleaned (cleared) up the low end giving it more definition and made the high end "sparkle" a bit more! The Fralins made a great sounding bass even greater sounding!

2) The MIM p-bass I had intentions on going nuts with only ended up getting the Fralin pups. I wanted a "vintage sounding" p-bass and the Fralins nailed that! The differences are just like the jazz bass as far as cleaning up the low end, the entire tonal spectrum has been enhanced with more definition. I payed $237 bucks for this bass then installed Fralins in it and now I would take it to any gig that called for that particular sound. Btw I have Thomastik flatwounds on it.

1) Would you say that the Fralins sound more "aggressive" (more punch, in fingerstyle, not slap)?

2)Do the Ps come as split coil or do they also come as the vintage style (ie: Sting Sig, '51 RI, '54 RI). What's the vintage style P pickup I'm talking about called anyways?

pyrohr · #9 02-26-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxnbass

1) Would you say that the Fralins sound more "aggressive" (more punch, in fingerstyle, not slap)?

2)Do the Ps come as split coil or do they also come as the vintage style (ie: Sting Sig, '51 RI, '54 RI). What's the vintage style P pickup I'm talking about called anyways?

The Fralins are not agressive, they punch just due to the clarity of the pup. When I play the thump and pop stuff everything is clear with definition. Fingerstyle the lows are clear and tasty while the highs are clean and articulate. Highs are not exageratted or overpowering. If i compared these pups with the pups on my Geddy I would say the Geddy with the lows rolled on would be a little muddy sounding compared to the Fralin bass, the mids in the Geddy would be "clanky" compared to the Fralin pup bass, the treble rolled on would be much brighter almost "sharper sounding" than the Fralin pup bass. The Bass with the Fralins is more refined and polite compared to other basses. Imagine the lows and highs you get out of Bose speakers, that's what I mean by clear and polite! Yes the p-bass does use the split coils. as for earlier P models (single coil) i'm not familiar.

saxnbass · #10 02-26-2007, 11:38 AM

Looked into http://www.stanhinesleypickups.com/ ?
I'm looking at the Hot Js for my MIA too.

open_space · #11 02-26-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxnbass

Looked into http://www.stanhinesleypickups.com/ ?
I'm looking at the Hot Js for my MIA too.

I checked it out as well, but I am leaning towards Fralins. They have been around longer and a lot of people use them. Not as much info on these.

Judging by these comments, I think that Fralins might do the trick with clarity for me.