Vintage sound from 2008 "New" American Standard P

[Noot]

Hello,

I have a 2008 New American Standard P-bass with rosewood fretboard. It sounds powerful and clear, but the tone is somewhat scooped, maybe modern ... just doesn't sound like the classic P I hear on so many recordings. I am using Fender Nickel Plated Strings. I was wondering if and how I can get the "classic" fat P-bass tone out of it. I'm thinking Black Sabbath, early Pink Floyd, these guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiFMASoUGmc
I have a Seymour Duncan SBP-1 pick-up at hand, if I install it will it get me there or closer? Is it the heavy bridge or light tuners? Is it the strings? Or is it simply how this bass series sounds?

[SpruceGoose54]

Try flatwound strings and rolling off the tone before swapping out the pickups.

[Duckwater]

The SBP-1 will probably get you closer to that classic P sound than the stock pickup, flatwounds(especially Rotosound 77s) will bring a lot of that Sabbath/Pink Floyd tone as well.

[jasonbraatz]

Like the others said, put flats on it before you start swapping components around. It'll get you where you want to be.

[cangaroo]

+1 on putting flats into your P Bass.

I suggest Thomastik Infeld JF344 (Very Warm sounding, low tensioned strings) or D'Addario Chromes. Chromes are very bright at the beginning, but after some time they give you that classic woody and clear precision tone.

[Pet Sounds]

I recommend flats, too, either LaBellas, GHS Precision flats or Fender original flats.

[Dredmahawkus]

Flats with lindy fralins

[treekiller]

Originally Posted by jasonbraatz

Like the others said, put flats on it before you start swapping components around. It'll get you where you want to be.

Yup, it totally changes! Got Chromes on my 2010, roll the tone back 3/4 and it'll really thump. I think the '62 R.I. in my MIM P is a bit brighter, but I love 'em both.

[jallenbass]

The American Standards that I've tried didn't sound nearly as good as the AVRI's that I tried. Changing the pickup would be the first thing that I would do.

[MuthaFunk]

I agree with much of what is said already.

1.Flats - Tone rolled back a bit

This will likely get you there but if it doesn't,

Find a reissue pickup. A cheaper alternative could be the bridge. I'm not sure what kind of bridge is on yours but the bridge has a lot to do with the tone. From my experience I've found the heavier and larger the more low end you'll get. My '64 P is loaded with mids and the bridge is very thin and flimsy. Much like the stock bridge that came on my MIM Jazz. When I upgraded the Jazz bridge the low end came out like it never had before. You may want to put a standard bridge on if you don't already have one on it to drop some low end out and let the mids through. Tone knob can take care of the highs.

Edit - I just checked some pics of the bridges on the American Standards and they are much bigger and bulkier than the standard bridges that come on the old pbasses and AVRI's.

[walterw]

and we're going to get deluged with folks insisting that changing the bridge makes no difference at all!

for my money the stock AM std bridgs are very solid, no need to change them.

flats are great if you like flats (i don't).

the pickup is indeed the key here, pre-'12 american standards have these molded-plastic pickups that are OK, but can be improved upon. (they're not as good as the rest of that excellent bass IMO)

that duncan will be a nice upgrade towards classic P tone.

[Mastermold]

+1 to all above--flats (once they break in ) will make any passive modern AM P sound vintage.

[Stumbo]

+1 to not changing the strings.

Also try a piece of foam under the strings next to the bridge or a mute pad.

Here are a couple of past TB threads that you may want to check out:
1 Get that dead flatwound string sound
2

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by cangaroo

+1 on putting flats into your P Bass.

I suggest Thomastik Infeld JF344 (Very Warm sounding, low tensioned strings) or D'Addario Chromes. Chromes are very bright at the beginning, but after some time they give you that classic woody and clear precision tone.

I just got a nice 08' MIA P bass and am all about vintage tone. The best way to get it has been outlined here...flats! I could never get a good vintage tone with rounds unless they were dead.

The pup in that bass is very good and swapping it out might only have you wanting more and a lighter wallet. I am not a big fan of swapping pups unless they flat out suk. I have not had results in changin out pups worth the expense even after following others on TB advice.

TI's and chromes are great TI's are a bit more vintage...try either. The EQing of your amp is another issue also. Its not the bass you just need to make changes in strings and EQ.

[Jeff K]

Well, the OP said he already has the SPB-1 on hand. While the original pickups are fine, I do really like the SPB-1s. I have them on two of my P's. IMO, it doesn't get much better than a SPB-1 and flats. If you're going out to buy some flats, I'd suggest you try the GHS Precision Flats. They sound vintage right out of the package. Chromes are great, but IMO, only after they've been on for awhile. Too bright when they're new.

[Lowbrow]

I've owned two 2008 Am Std. Precisions and find them nothing if not middy, like any P - if you're finding it scooped, I'd concentrate on rethinking your amp EQ. I personally am not a believer that flats will get you closer to the sounds you cite - now, if you wanted a Jamerson 'vintage' tone I think flats would be appropriate. I'd go for a mellow round string like GHS boomers or Roto RS66 Nickels. That SPB may help failing that.

[JimmyM]

You HAVE to get rid of that stock pickup. I have a 2009 and thought the exact same thing. All gone when I replaced the pickup. That AMStd pickup sucks. You have an SPB-1? Use it. Trust me, that's the entire problem.

[dukeorock]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You HAVE to get rid of that stock pickup. I have a 2009 and thought the exact same thing. All gone when I replaced the pickup. That AMStd pickup sucks. You have an SPB-1? Use it. Trust me, that's the entire problem.

I got an AM STD somewhere between 07-09, honestly can't remember...the pickup was just terrible, IMO. No lows, just a weak boring pickup. I bet the SPB-1 would be a nice improvement. Just for grins I tried a Lindy Fralin 5% overwound and really love it a lot. It's not too hot or particularly grindy. Mostly it adds lows and low mids and cuts a little bit of highs compared to a trad Pbass pickup.

[ljazz]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You HAVE to get rid of that stock pickup. I have a 2009 and thought the exact same thing. All gone when I replaced the pickup. That AMStd pickup sucks. You have an SPB-1? Use it. Trust me, that's the entire problem.

Or the Fender OV pup.

To the OP -
Seriously, the pup they used in '08 - '11 is HORRIBLE.

I put in the OV several years ago, and haven't looked back. About the only string that helped were chromes (more mid bite kinda helped out the scoop).

[nemo]

http://www.juststrings.com/lab-760fl.html
+
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...-p-bass-pickup
+
back the tone knob a good bit
=> profit