What's going on?

[Joetheschmoe]

First post!

In my precision, I installed Quarter Pounders. I HATE them. Low/lowmids are muddy, highs are crackly, and the highmids are honky. This is through my Acoustic B100. I love the amp with my other basses, just not with this thing. It can't be the amp. I use D'addario EXL170TP bass strings, for all my basses. It can't be the strings either.

For the record, I tested out a Squier Pete Wentz sig(I don't like him, but I don't hate him), which has the same pickups. I got the grind, the tight low-mids, and clarity without clank-ity, all through the B100 they had at the store.

What's going on? Why is this happening? Both the basses have maple fretboards, my p-bass is Alder, and I don't know what the Pete Wentz sig is made out of. What could be making this HUGE difference?

[GlennW]

Maybe lowering the pickup will help.

[Jim C]

If the pickups are the exact same, the only variables that would make a big difference would be the strings or the amp. Take you bass to the store with a PW and try though the same amp; preferably through an Acoustic B100.

[line6man]

Originally Posted by Joetheschmoe

my p-bass is Alder, and I don't know what the Pete Wentz sig is made out of.

I very highly doubt it if you could even tell the difference between Alder and whatever wood that bass' body is made of in a blind test.
Body wood should not be a factor.


As Glenn suggested, adjust the pickup height and see if that helps.

[JTE]

Well, I differ. Not just the body wood, but more importantly how the neck of each individual instrument vibrates has a huge impact on what you get out of any pickup. Plus you played it through an different amp, even if it's the same model. There just ain't that much consistency especially at the lower end of things. Plus you were playing in totally different listening environments. The room has a HUGE impact on what you hear.

John

[line6man]

Originally Posted by JTE

Well, I differ. Not just the body wood, but more importantly how the neck of each individual instrument vibrates has a huge impact on what you get out of any pickup. Plus you played it through an different amp, even if it's the same model. There just ain't that much consistency especially at the lower end of things. Plus you were playing in totally different listening environments. The room has a HUGE impact on what you hear.

John

He is apparently hearing a drastic change in sound, not just a "this sounds a tad off" type of deal.

I don't think the woods/construction has that much to contribute to the sound.

[Joetheschmoe]

Originally Posted by line6man

He is apparently hearing a drastic change in sound, not just a "this sounds a tad off" type of deal.

I don't think the woods/construction has that much to contribute to the sound.

This is true, while I know what type of bass sounds like what, but I can't tell the difference between Alder, and Agathis. I'm not too worried about the tonewoods, as much as the pickup/amp/string.

Do you think I may have gotten a bad set? I really don't think its the amp, I mean, it sounds good with everything else. and even my guitarist's MIM Jazz. Through logical thinking, I believe its the pickup. Nothing else makes sense.

I shall take my bass to the shop, try it out, and see whats going on. Its just odd that I hate the tone, and hate the pickup, but turn around and love it in another P-bass.

I really appreciate the help so far!