Just not happy with the sound of 76 p-bass pickup
 

I have tried it through many different amps and the sound is just BLAH!! I should have tried another p-bass today while I was in store trying different amps with MY bass.

I am using fairly new flat's (and I never used flats before ) I am thinking of changing to rounds, and or changing the PUP..

I would hate to change the PUP since it is an OLD bass, but I guess if I keep the original PUP I should be fine? If I decide to sell it down the road.

I put a '62 Original RI pup in my '76 and it sounds amazing.

I would just hang onto the old pickups and swap to something you like. No point in having a bass you don't like the sound of.

I head nothing but good about these pickups.

Change the strings first. Always start with the cheaper and less invasive mods, especially when dealing with vintage or collectible instruments.

Just change back to rounds then.
I always used to keep nothing but flats loaded P basses around, but I found I was never playing them because it is a limited sound and can be 'blah'. After 10 years of flats on them, once I threw rounds on them I found I was using them more.
My 82 P definitely is awful with flats.

Sell it and buy a real thumper vvv

Change strings first. If that doesn't do it for you, then try the pickups.

The 62 P's are my choice for recording. The extended range of a G&L MFD P-type split pickup is what I use for hi-volume situations.

I've tried both the '62 Original and Seymour Duncan's SPB-1 in my '76 - both sounded better than the original pup, but IMO the SPB-1 was the best sounding of the 3, and it's still in that bass...


- georgestrings

Put me down for not a fan of 70's pickups. My 76's pickup got replaced in 1982, and a few more times over the years. Bought a 79 a few years ago, and had the same problem. It can sound really good, but compared to the 62 CS P I have in it now, and even the pickups on my old SX basses that I no longer have, it just didn't have what they had.

My 76 P suffers the same and doesn't get played.

My 64 P is a million times better! At least.

Davo

Hey Jimmy -
Haven't crossed paths with you on any threads of late, but I have read enough of your posts to know that the Cowpoke was your Fender of preference for quite some time.

Thus I'm curious if you've now migrated to the 62 Precision full time. I'm a big fan of the '62 myself -- I just love the articulation of the pickup, the wide fingerboard is fantastic for getting the most out of bending strings, and built like a tank.

Thanks and keep on rockin!

.... all of which is to say, in regards to the OP: try dropping a '62 reissue pickup in there if a string change doesn't do the trick.

Hey bro, I think you're getting me confused with someone else. Sadly, I've never owned a Cowpoke. And I only wish I had a 62 Precision! Got a 76, though, and an 09 on the way ;)

Would it be recommended to keep the original pots with the new Pickups, or purchase new pots?

One problem is that you're using flats when you've never used flats before. you can't make a judgment on the pickup when you're ear is not used to hearing the type of string you've changed to. Change string to something you know you like first.

Start with the basics. You seem to have a start on what you don't like about it, but really be able to articulate what's missing. Then listen the bass unamplified. If the things you don't like or find missing are there unamplified, the problem is in the wood and metal. If those characteristics aren't there, then work out exactly what you want- more highs, fuller mids, whatever. Then you can get some pretty specific recommendations.

John

70's pickups totally rule- put some stainless steel rounds on that bad boy and start
messing with the height of those blah pickups- theres a sweet spot and every pickup
is different. Find that sweet spot and you find nirvana. I loves me some grey bottoms.

I'd keep it as original as possible. Nothing wrong with the old pots if they still work.

BTW, I gathered that this is a new bass with flats you just started using and you've never tried it with your regular strings, right? In that case, I agree with those who say to hold off till you try it with your regular strings. But if I'm wrong and it does work for you with your regular strings, I'd probably blame it more on you not being used to flats than the pickup, even though my opinion of 70's Fender pickups still stands. It's not that they're bad pickups...some folks love them. I just prefer the ones built more like the older ones.

I would swap-out the entire harness, you'll have to clip a few wires but you'll have the pickup, both pots and the jack all in a neat bundle to save with the bass. IMO, it's a better option than soldering on the original components.

If you switch the strings, if you're using steel strings, try nickel, they do sound different.

Personally on a Precision, I have come to prefer nickels much more than any steel, or 'chrome' type wound strings.

DR Nickel Sunbeams or Low Rider Nickels