Victor Bailey Sig Bass: Should I install Mike Pope pre amp and new PUPS?

AndyMania · #1 10-05-2011, 02:20 PM

I have a Victor Bailey signature Fender Jazz bass and I also have a Mike Pope custom internal preamp left over from a luthier project that never materialized. Should I leave the bass as it is or should I have a pro install the preamp and new pickups? Will I notice a warmer change in sound? I am currently using my bass with 2x12 Epifani cabinets and a Markbass Little Mark III. My bass sounds very plain and "stringy". I tried everything from playing with the EQ knobs on both my bass and LMIII to raising and lowering my pickups. Nothing noticable in sound. Maybe I need a tube amp to get that warm "burpy" tone....

Any input greatly appreciated.

-Andy

stretchcat · #2 10-06-2011, 08:45 PM

Not sure what warm and burpy means to you, but I would try plugging that bass and that head into another speaker cabinet and see how that sounds.

AndyMania · #3 10-07-2011, 07:12 AM

Yeah. I'm also going to bring it to my local music store and try plugging it in to several other cabs/amps as well.

SGD Lutherie · #4 10-07-2011, 08:05 AM

Sometimes burpy is all about where and how you pluck the strings.

I can solo my bridge pickup, and if I pluck in the middle or closer to the neck, I don't get any burp.

If I move my plucking hand closer to the bridge, roughly over the bridge pickup, and then change my picking attack to be a bit sharper, I get plenty of burp.

I find the key is all in how you pluck and where. For a warmer burp, turn down the tone control slightly and use mostly the bridge pickup.

thepontif · #5 10-08-2011, 07:41 PM

And cover your mouth..

mk197523 · #6 11-09-2011, 05:21 AM

Just keep on participating on here, most people may help you find a roscoe basses selling custom bartolini pickups. Roscoe Standard and Standard Plus series. Much cheaper, same Roscoe quality and sound.

FunkyMan · #7 11-09-2011, 10:28 PM

No Offense, but the Vic Bailey Sig bass, was the worst bass i've ever played regarding sound, but in playability and comfort was A-1, so i think if you change the pickups for a good pair of Dimarzios plus the Pope Pre, you'll get a super bass!!!

**BASSPLAYERS4HIM** · #8 03-03-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyMania

I have a Victor Bailey signature Fender Jazz bass and I also have a Mike Pope custom internal preamp left over from a luthier project that never materialized. Should I leave the bass as it is or should I have a pro install the preamp and new pickups? Will I notice a warmer change in sound? I am currently using my bass with 2x12 Epifani cabinets and a Markbass Little Mark III. My bass sounds very plain and "stringy". I tried everything from playing with the EQ knobs on both my bass and LMIII to raising and lowering my pickups. Nothing noticable in sound. Maybe I need a tube amp to get that warm "burpy" tone....

Any input greatly appreciated.

-Andy

Go ahead...install it...Mike Pope Preamps are Way....Better..built...!
Fender Preamps for this models are Weak...and unstable in the sound......I installed a John East U Retro Deluxe,,,,,it really made a difference and the good thing about it is that it did not alter the sound...

**BASSPLAYERS4HIM** · #9 03-07-2012, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Sometimes burpy is all about where and how you pluck the strings.

I can solo my bridge pickup, and if I pluck in the middle or closer to the neck, I don't get any burp.

If I move my plucking hand closer to the bridge, roughly over the bridge pickup, and then change my picking attack to be a bit sharper, I get plenty of burp.

I find the key is all in how you pluck and where. For a warmer burp, turn down the tone control slightly and use mostly the bridge pickup.

I am not so sure about this...I just talked to a Fender Tech...and he said that some top Fender bass ....listen...to this...ARE NOT GROUNDED...!!!!
so this means...no matter how close...how distanat you pluck your strings....it will not helpl.!!!

**BASSPLAYERS4HIM** · #10 03-07-2012, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyMania

I have a Victor Bailey signature Fender Jazz bass and I also have a Mike Pope custom internal preamp left over from a luthier project that never materialized. Should I leave the bass as it is or should I have a pro install the preamp and new pickups? Will I notice a warmer change in sound? I am currently using my bass with 2x12 Epifani cabinets and a Markbass Little Mark III. My bass sounds very plain and "stringy". I tried everything from playing with the EQ knobs on both my bass and LMIII to raising and lowering my pickups. Nothing noticable in sound. Maybe I need a tube amp to get that warm "burpy" tone....

Any input greatly appreciated.

-Andy

for PICKUPS....go with the Aguilar if you love that 60's or 70's
sound from Fender.... GO with the AGUILAR AG-4J60 or
AG-4J70 .....you will love the sound...!!!!

Aguilar Amplification: Bass Pedals, Bass Pickups, Bass Preamps, Bass Amplifiers, and Bass Speaker Cabinets