Think this combo may be too bright?

KingRazor · #1 06-12-2011, 11:04 PM

I want to assemble a passive bass for my church. I've heard of some people experiencing that P basses can sometimes be a poor choice because they often don't have enough clarity.

So, I'm thinking of building a P bass with an EMG HZ pickup and a 500k volume pot, to get some extra brightness and clarity.

But, I don't want to go overboard and make it sound harsh. I want plenty of high end and clarity, but not harsh, clangy, twangy brightness. You understand what I'm saying?

I was going to string it with DR Sunbeams which I think might help.

walterw · #2 06-12-2011, 11:26 PM

skip the cheeze HZ for a good pickup and you're in business. a duncan "vintage" can be had for about the same money, and is way better for accurate P-bass tone.

500k volume and tone on a P-bass can sound good, especially with a little grind or compression (i love them on mine with a stock fralin P pickup into a sansamp bass driver).

plenty clear and piano-y on "10", but roll the tone knob back to like "7" and you're back in vintage territory.

you'll want a linear taper volume and an audio taper tone. (and no arguments from the peanut gallery unless you read the 50 million "audio vs. linear volume" threads first!

)

**line6man** · #3 06-12-2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

you'll want a linear taper volume and an audio taper tone. (and no arguments from the peanut gallery unless you read the 50 million "audio vs. linear volume" threads first!

)

Be careful! You know how quickly threads go awry when people mention a taper.

KingRazor · #4 06-12-2011, 11:30 PM

I'm not looking for a vintage tone, in fact, if anything, I'm looking for a "hi-fi" tone.

Now, before you take that and run with it, I'm really just looking for clarity. Not for a thin tone, not for a super bright tone. Just clear.

I don't think I'll actually put a tone pot on this.

TAZ · #5 06-12-2011, 11:31 PM

A Quality Precision with Stainless Steel strings will get you all the clarity you will ever need.
I've tried to like EMGs in bass guitars but I was never able to bond with them.

KingRazor · #6 06-12-2011, 11:32 PM

Well, the Spector we've used in the past has EMG HZ pickups and the worship leader likes the tone of that bass.

walterw · #7 06-12-2011, 11:37 PM

in that example you're hearing the sound of the active preamp. EMG actives are an industry standard, but the HZ stuff is a second-tier product. they routinely get removed for better pickups around here.

if that's the sound you're going for, you might as well get "real" EMGs, and add an EMG stack-knob EQ preamp in place of the tone knob (the "BTC control", it's called).

KingRazor · #8 06-12-2011, 11:39 PM

Right, but I want the bass to be passive. No batteries.

I'm not totally set on EMGs. Just need something that will get me a good tone that is usable for multiple styles of music, sits in the mix well, but maintains clarity.

I personally think that Spector is too middy. Especially in the high mids. When played pick style it sounds really, really twangy.

walterw · #9 06-12-2011, 11:46 PM

passive won't sound like an active-EQ'd bass, but a good P with a good pickup and 500ks can cover a lot of ground. i'd keep the tone knob so you can dial back brightness if needed.

**Syco_bass** · #10 06-12-2011, 11:47 PM

If you want the clarity out of the EMG's I would recommend going with the Active version and get the BTC tone controle.

Have you checked out Lace's "Alumatone" P bass pickups? Might be the ticket. The other option is to check with SGD to see if he has P bass p/ups yet. NEO magnets might get you a bit more "clairity". Not sure but it would be worth trying.

Peace.

KingRazor · #11 06-12-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

passive won't sound like an active-EQ'd bass, but a good P with a good pickup and 500ks can cover a lot of ground. i'd keep the tone knob so you can dial back brightness if needed.

That's why the FOH board at my church has a semi-parametric EQ.

I didn't say I was going for an active, EQ'd tone. I said I want a P bass, with some added clarity, but one that's not TOO bright. I'm sorry that I'm having trouble making my point understood. I don't know how else to describe it.

KingRazor · #12 06-12-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syco_bass

If you want the clarity out of the EMG's I would recommend going with the Active version and get the BTC tone controle.

Have you checked out Lace's "Alumatone" P bass pickups? Might be the ticket. The other option is to check with SGD to see if he has P bass p/ups yet. NEO magnets might get you a bit more "clairity". Not sure but it would be worth trying.

Peace.

No active preamp. Going passive with this.

Haven't checked out the alumatones, I'll have to look into them. I don't think SGD has gotten around to making P pickups yet.

walterw · #13 06-12-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I didn't say I was going for an active, EQ'd tone. I said I want a P bass, with some added clarity, but one that's not TOO bright. I'm sorry that I'm having trouble making my point understood. I don't know how else to describe it.

no, you're making sense. that's why i agreed with the 500k volume idea, but suggested a 500k tone to go with it, so you could have your cake and eat it too.

a good "vintage"-type pickup with the brighter wiring can sound plenty clear and "modern".

KingRazor · #14 06-12-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

no, you're making sense. that's why i agreed with the 500k volume idea, but suggested a 500k tone to go with it, so you could have your cake and eat it too.

a good "vintage"-type pickup with the brighter wiring can sound plenty clear and "modern".

That's good to hear.

I think maybe an SD SPB-1 pickup + 500k linear volume pot will be a good combo.

xjeremiahx · #15 06-12-2011, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

No active preamp. Going passive with this.

Haven't checked out the alumatones, I'll have to look into them. I don't think SGD has gotten around to making P pickups yet.

A co-worker of mine said he tried the alumatones and LOVED them. Said they looked kinda funny but sounded real good. He said it was a bright, almost twangy sound - in a good way.

**line6man** · #16 06-13-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syco_bass

Have you checked out Lace's "Alumatone" P bass pickups? Might be the ticket. The other option is to check with SGD to see if he has P bass p/ups yet. NEO magnets might get you a bit more "clairity". Not sure but it would be worth trying.

I've not tried the Alumatone P, but a member here loaned me an AlumaJ, and it was the worst thing I've ever heard. I definitely would not recommend it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I don't think SGD has gotten around to making P pickups yet.

You heard the man, David! Better get started with those P designs!

KingRazor · #17 06-13-2011, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

I've not tried the Alumatone P, but a member here loaned me an AlumaJ, and it was the worst thing I've ever heard. I definitely would not recommend it.

You heard the man, David! Better get started with those P designs!

I only have sound clips to go off of, but his pickups are the best I've ever heard. I would put them in any bass.

**Syco_bass** · #18 06-13-2011, 12:53 AM

David definately rocks! It might be a bit of a wait, but the pickups are definately worth it!! The Series 3 MM5 p/up I have in my OLP/Custom bass is amazingly smooth yet "in your face" punchy. Can't wait to build another one with 2 MM5's in it!

As far as the Alumatones are concerned, I've never tried them, just thought I'd throw it out as a suggestion.

Going with 500K pots might work. You might even try a 1meg cap. I would try making these mods with your current picukps to see if it is even getting you the desired effect.

Good luck.

**line6man** · #19 06-13-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syco_bass

You might even try a 1meg cap.

I'm not sure a one-million Farad capacitor even exists. That is an absolutely absurd amount of storage!

Do you mean a 1M pot?
That would be a bad idea, as it would function as an on/off switch, doing nothing until you roll way down, then suddenly kicking in.

tubby.twins · #20 06-13-2011, 01:35 AM

If you're looking for a split-coil P pickup with clarity that doesn't sound too brittle or "zingy" then you should consider Delano's "HE" series. Their "PC 4 HE/M2" model has lots of upper midrange clarity and an open, airy feeling, without ever losing the warmth of the fundamentals and lower midrange. These are definitely not a traditional P-bass pickup tone, but they're responsive to different playing techniques and would work well in a variety of situations.

Delano pickups aren't cheap ($121 for this model, from BestBassGear.com) but IMO they should meet your needs quite nicely.

I've got the 5-string version of this pickup (model "PC 5 HE") and really enjoy the tone, especially on a fretless bass.