Fender active P-bass special

[Harbeezy]

Fender Deluxe P Bass Special 4-String Bass: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend


I have an opportunity to pick one of these up for $425. Just wanted to get some opinions on this bass and any good ideas for modifications. Thanks guys.

[ksandvik]

I like PJs but I don't like active electronics (battery dies at show and you hear funny squeaks, might bet more interference issues in very bad environments (like playing below neon signs at bars using crappy power outlets.) If those PJs at least had a passive/active mode like the Deluxe Precisions... You might also have a harder time getting a pickguard replacement as the format is different from standard Fender replacement pickguards.

[Gord_oh]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

I like PJs but I don't like active electronics (battery dies at show and you hear funny squeaks, might bet more interference issues in very bad environments (like playing below neon signs at bars using crappy power outlets.) If those PJs at least had a passive/active mode like the Deluxe Precisions... You might also have a harder time getting a pickguard replacement as the format is different from standard Fender replacement pickguards.

squeaks? interference issues? what kind of active bass have you been playing to qualify them all?

any bass has the possibility of interference from those common issues. dont let that scare you from active electronics. a properly shielded bass wont have that problem, active or passive. when a battery dies, you pickups will loose a lot of the clarity and sound very "muddy". the battery takes all of 10 seconds to replace, which is very doable even at a gig. (thats why you check before a gig, "duh") pickguards can be found, which is trickier but not impossible, or they can be easily made. and IIRC for this model, i think its a standard pickguard with a few extra holes drilled for the electronics. someone correct me if i am wrong but i think the mounting pattern is the same as a standard pbass.

as far as the price in the original post, thats not bad for a used one. nothing special, but a decent deal.

[ksandvik]

I have an ATK where I change the batteries every two months or less but have had all kinds of interesting noise issues when playing in noisy bars. So I have delegated it mostly for studio work -- where the active circuits are excellent.

I'm sure the active P is a nice bass but me personally I don't like strange and unexpected things happening at gigs.

The other issue I forgot to mention that as this is an active only config the circuits colorize the P-sound, it's a P-bass sound (excluding the J pickup) but not sounding like a similar Fender Precision.

PS: And why why why did they use that ugly gold color on all the pickguards?

[Harbeezy]

I have a music man sterling so I'm used to active electronics. Would you suggest better pickups or preamp? I am sorta looking at this bass as a project I'm just not sure where is a good place to start or if upgrades would even be worth it.

[Gord_oh]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

I have an ATK where I change the batteries every two months or less but have had all kinds of interesting noise issues when playing in noisy bars. So I have delegated it mostly for studio work -- where the active circuits are excellent.

I'm sure the active P is a nice bass but me personally I don't like strange and unexpected things happening at gigs.

PS: And why why why did they use that ugly gold color on all the pickguards?

its a great bass!

precautions can be taken to prevent any unexpected at a gig.
-install a active/passive switch to turn off the active circuit. toggles run $2-4 at radioshack
-get a 1/4" input jack battery tester to see where your battery's charge is
-always make sure you have a decent battery before a gig and carry a spare or two
-shield your electronics. i do this for active and passive basses and it has eliminated most all issues

the gold pickguard i would imagine is to give a '50s look. idk what fender's thought behind that one is.

[Gord_oh]

Originally Posted by Harbeezy

I have a music man sterling so I'm used to active electronics. Would you suggest better pickups or preamp? I am sorta looking at this bass as a project I'm just not sure where is a good place to start or if upgrades would even be worth it.

minor thread hijack:
do you like the way it sounds now?

[ksandvik]

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

-install a active/passive switch to turn off the active circuit. toggles run $2-4 at radioshack

+ 50-100$US for the technician doing it unless you know how to wire circuits and soldier.

Never understood why Fender didn't just add that switch into this model.

[Harbeezy]

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

minor thread hijack:
do you like the way it sounds now?

Well I haven't actually played it yet, so I might be jumping the gun a bit with questions like that. I get to check it out Sunday.

[Gord_oh]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

+ 50-100$US for the technician doing it unless you know how to wire circuits and soldier.

Never understood why Fender didn't just add that switch into this model.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...passive_switch

its just cutting the power from the battery so youre getting just pickups instead of powering from the preamp.

take a little time doing research, and even if you dont know how to solder im sure you know someone who does.

i have learned to save time and money to do a lot myself.

for this mod, under $10 and under 10 minutes.

[electracoyote]

I normally do not have a lot of use for the P/J configuration. I find myself wanting either to use the split P solo'd, and I'm not a fan of the Jazz bridge rail solo'd or combo'd with anything other than a Jazz rail at the neck.

HOWEVER...

This being active turns it into another beast altogether. I can dial in lots of useful tones.

Upgrades or mods? I wouldn't do anything to mine other than a custom sparkly emerald pickguard.

It's a lot of bass for $425.00, I love mine.

[Gord_oh]

Originally Posted by Harbeezy

Well I haven't actually played it yet, so I might be jumping the gun a bit with questions like that. I get to check it out Sunday.

dont plan on changing anything until you know why youre changing it.
if it sounds fine the way it is, i wouldnt touch it.
the sterlings sound good IMO stock.

[Harbeezy]

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

dont plan on changing anything until you know why youre changing it.
if it sounds fine the way it is, i wouldnt touch it.
the sterlings sound good IMO stock.

Yeah I love my sterling ha. Well thanks for all the replies guys. I'll look into some wiring tutorials.

[Harbeezy]

Well now I found another p bass special 350 but it's the one with 3 knobs. What's the difference?

[dedpool1052]

Originally Posted by Harbeezy

Well now I found another p bass special 350 but it's the one with 3 knobs. What's the difference?

full passive.
three knobs
volume/volume/tone.
it's one of the older models.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

Wiring Diagram

its just cutting the power from the battery so youre getting just pickups instead of powering from the preamp.

take a little time doing research, and even if you dont know how to solder im sure you know someone who does.

i have learned to save time and money to do a lot myself.

for this mod, under $10 and under 10 minutes.

It doesn't work that way - atleast not with that particular bass... If you kill the power on Fender's active Deluxe P Bass Special, it's basically dead, period...


- georgestrings

[georgestrings]

FWIW, I really like mine - it's definitely a keeper... It has tons of tonal options, sounds great, and is a great player:

[loend68]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

I have an ATK where I change the batteries every two months or less but have had all kinds of interesting noise issues when playing in noisy bars. So I have delegated it mostly for studio work -- where the active circuits are excellent.

I'm sure the active P is a nice bass but me personally I don't like strange and unexpected things happening at gigs.

The other issue I forgot to mention that as this is an active only config the circuits colorize the P-sound, it's a P-bass sound (excluding the J pickup) but not sounding like a similar Fender Precision.

PS: And why why why did they use that ugly gold color on all the pickguards?

You should have your bass checked out. I've been playing active basses for 20yrs and never had any of those issues. Battery changes about once a year. I've only had one battery die on me and it was a used bass I bought and, dummy me, never checked the battery.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

I like PJs but I don't like active electronics (battery dies at show and you hear funny squeaks, might bet more interference issues in very bad environments (like playing below neon signs at bars using crappy power outlets.) If those PJs at least had a passive/active mode like the Deluxe Precisions... You might also have a harder time getting a pickguard replacement as the format is different from standard Fender replacement pickguards.

IME, the only correct part of the above is about the pickguard - standard P Bass pickguards won't work with the P Bass Special, but there are options: I painted mine, but you can also get one from Warmoth for not alot of money, and drill the holes for the pots yourself, to name a couple...

I gig active basses every weekend, and have none of the troubles you mentioned - mine aren't noisy, and I've never had a battery last less than 6 months - so I change them every 6 months, and have never had one die on me...


- georgestrings

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Harbeezy

Yeah I love my sterling ha. Well thanks for all the replies guys. I'll look into some wiring tutorials.

I have a Sterling, too - if you like that, you'll probably also like the Deluxe P Bass Special...


- georgestrings