Vintage P Bass problem/question (low output)

cvogel · #1 02-27-2010, 03:21 PM

I have a 73 P. Original pups. I have noticed two things about it since I got it.

1. The output seems very low to me. I find I need to use a boost to avoid having to crank my amp when playing live.

2. When I roll the tone off, I lose significant volume. I would expect a little loss because of the high end bleed off, but it seems to be about 75% volume cut.

Could these problems be related? Would it be worth it to have the pups rewound? I replaced the tone pot and cap to see if that was the problem, but it didn't fix the problem.

Any ideas on solutions would be great. I'm going to try to get some sound clips to better explain the problem.

trunkshope6 · #2 02-27-2010, 03:31 PM

hmm i cant really say much,but my friends 78 jazz had the bridge pickup realllly low,like u can still hear it somewhat,but it was nothing compared to the neck ppu,so maybe its time to rewind the pickuppp?

testing1two · #3 02-27-2010, 03:47 PM

It sounds like you may have a bad tone pot and/or cap. You (or your tech) should grab a meter and test everything. If this bass is a collector bass, consult a vintage pickup guru (Jason Lollar, Lindy Fralin, Chris Klein...) about obtaining the correct vintage replacement parts and re-winding the original pickup if necessary.

inthepocket4u · #4 02-27-2010, 03:47 PM

check your input jack ... i had the same problem when i swapped out a pickguard. when i put the pickguard back on, i had accidentally grounded out my jack. may want to give it a look.

cvogel · #5 02-27-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

It sounds like you may have a bad tone pot and/or cap. You (or your tech) should grab a meter and test everything. If this bass is a collector bass, consult a vintage pickup guru (Jason Lollar, Lindy Fralin, Chris Klein...) about obtaining the correct vintage replacement parts and re-winding the original pickup if necessary.

That was my though too, but I put in a brand new CTS and a new orange drop. I'll meter it anyway.

depalm · #6 02-27-2010, 07:03 PM

My 78P PU use to have a good output when new but got really weak with time, so I ended up replacing it.

I guess like everything pickups gets old too…

Rewinding was an option, but I'm pretty happy with the new one.

cvogel · #7 02-27-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

My 78P PU use to have a good output when new but got really weak with time, so I ended up replacing it.

I guess like everything pickups gets old too…

Rewinding was an option, but I'm pretty happy with the new one.

What did you replace it with? I'm thinking about going with an underwound lollar.

depalm · #8 02-28-2010, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvogel

What did you replace it with? I'm thinking about going with an underwound lollar.

Nordstrand NP4.
Love it. My 78P sounds better than ever.
Lollar is also a really great PU maker.
They are both my favorites.

Good luck.

walterw · #9 02-28-2010, 11:28 PM

weak output + tone knob acting like a volume = dead pickup (open coil)

a '73 pickup is probably worth rewinding; someone like lindy fralin might even be able to fix it, if the break is on the outer layers of the coil.

also, add fralin to the list of killer vintage P-bass replacements.

BigOldHarry · #10 11-07-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvogel

I have a 73 P. Original pups. I have noticed two things about it since I got it.

1. The output seems very low to me. I find I need to use a boost to avoid having to crank my amp when playing live.

2. When I roll the tone off, I lose significant volume. I would expect a little loss because of the high end bleed off, but it seems to be about 75% volume cut.

Could these problems be related? Would it be worth it to have the pups rewound? I replaced the tone pot and cap to see if that was the problem, but it didn't fix the problem.

Any ideas on solutions would be great. I'm going to try to get some sound clips to better explain the problem.

The first thing that leaps to mind is your line "With original p'ups". Back then, EVERYONE replaced the p'ups in fenders because...well... they weren't very good.

Something to consider...

M.R. Ogle · #11 11-07-2010, 05:55 PM

Yeah... I remember when DiMarzios first came out, how we couldn't WAIT to rip those 70's pickups out of our Fenders and replace them with something "better"...

Now, I get a huge kick out of seeing "Vintage, original 70's grey-bottom" pickups being offered as if they were made of pure gold.

I remember those pickups, they were great...really got the bait down to where the lunkers lurked.