Fender Deluxe P Bass Special

RGSA · #1 11-08-2011, 08:03 AM

Hi all, I am looking at one of these on Craigslist.

Fender® Products

It looks great, it has both P AND J pickups

and I trust that it is high quality. Additionally, it is geographically convenient and in an acceptable price range. My only question is if this bass has active PICKUPS or if the EQ is the only active thing. If it is just the EQ, does that mean that, when I take the battery out, will the pickups revert to being passive? I figure this because the Fender page describes the pickups as just a Noiseless Jazz pickup and a Standard Alnico Precision pickup.
Thanks for your input!

topcat2069 · #2 11-08-2011, 08:22 AM

I had one for awhile (loved it) and I don't think it will work as a passive set up. Yes the pickups are passive and the Pre is active. I never tried it without a battery but, I believe, that the pickups run through the preamp in a fashion like a Turntable through a stereo system. It the system is not on, you won't hear the "record".

Maybe a poor analogy but you get the idea.

But, perhaps a talented Luther could rig an active passive switch for you if that's what you're looking for. If not just keep an extra battery in your Bass case. I bought mine and put a new battery in it and played it for a year and never had to change the battery. (FYI)

RGSA · #3 11-08-2011, 08:39 AM

Yeah, that's probably what I'll do. How would you describe the tone of an active bass vs a passive one?

**iriegnome** · #4 11-08-2011, 08:44 AM

I love my p secial. Mine was not availble as active when I bought mine in 1999. I had my luthier add a emg pre and pups and I really love it. Mine is every bit as good if not better than any of my mia p basses

Flabass · #5 11-08-2011, 09:08 AM

The Standard P Deluxe does not have passive capabilities. The new USA, 2001 Deluxes have active/passive.

RGSA · #6 11-08-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flabass

The Standard P Deluxe does not have passive capabilities. The new USA, 2001 Deluxes have active/passive.

It's the active special...
How much would it set me back to go to a luthier/repair shop and have the guy convert it to passive?

EdHunter · #7 11-08-2011, 10:14 AM

I've been playing one for just over two years now, and it's marvellous. I've upgraded a touch, with a Gotoh 201 bridge and a Duncan SPB-1. Plays wonderfully, very sturdy bass and a superb tone. In the time I've had it, I've changed the battery twice (once was this week) so don't let that dissuade you - just keep a spare handy.

TL;DR: great bass, battery lasts long enough not t be a problem.

RGSA · #8 11-08-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdHunter

I've been playing one for just over two years now, and it's marvellous. I've upgraded a touch, with a Gotoh 201 bridge and a Duncan SPB-1. Plays wonderfully, very sturdy bass and a superb tone. In the time I've had it, I've changed the battery twice (once was this week) so don't let that dissuade you - just keep a spare handy.

TL;DR: great bass, battery lasts long enough not t be a problem.

Would you say that an active sounds any different than just a normal P?

EdHunter · #9 11-08-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGSA

Would you say that an active sounds any different than just a normal P?

As the pickups are passive, provided you set the EQ up in a way which corresponds to the tone knob on a passive P, then the difference is unnoticeable. Mine's a bit over the top on the mids, so it doesn't quite get the normal P sound (not what I was going for). But if you do want a normal P sound, then you'll get it, though the standard pickups do sound a little thin.

topcat2069 · #10 11-08-2011, 10:30 AM

The Jazz pickup adds punch (midrange).... but with the tone controls "flat" it sounds Very Good. I never moved the tone setting from flat (or zeroed out at the center detent) except for slow songs with sustaining notes when I added a touch of the bass control boosted (it made for nice soft-pick organ like deep tone).

ghostdog93 · #11 11-08-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGSA

Hi all, I am looking at one of these on Craigslist.

Fender® Products

It looks great, it has both P AND J pickups

and I trust that it is high quality.

They're MIMs, so it's worth taking a first hand look at the one you want before deciding. That being said, I've never played a Deluxe P Special that I didn't like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGSA

Yeah, that's probably what I'll do. How would you describe the tone of an active bass vs a passive one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGSA

Would you say that an active sounds any different than just a normal P?

It's already been pointed out, but I'll echo the comment - you can certainly get very close to a standard passive P tone with a little knob fiddling. IMO, the real advantage of this bass is that it is an active P/J, which takes the versatility of a P/J setup and multiplies it with a 3 band EQ.

My advice? Since the bass is local, go and play it. That way you can hear it for yourself.

Gord_oh · #12 11-08-2011, 12:05 PM

I hate to be that guy, but I thought you should know.
I see that you are relatively new.
Talkbass is full of helpful advice, with lots of people to answer any question you may have.
However, I am 100% sure this topic has been covered numerous times.
The search function here is quite handy, and will most likely meet if not exceed your needs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGSA

It's the active special...
How much would it set me back to go to a luthier/repair shop and have the guy convert it to passive?

its as simple as adding a switch. id guess $10 or $20 tops as a shop, free if you did it.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...passive_switch

RGSA · #13 11-10-2011, 11:46 AM

Eh someone must have bought it... the listing was taken down.