What's the advantage to having the Dimarzio One ["mudbucker"] right at the neck as opposed to a pup by the bridge in addition to the P pup. [I know about Billy's "woofer/tweeter" setup.]
Why wouldn't a guy that plays lots of notes want the definition of a bridge pup? He could still use his two output system, but the P pup would be the "woofer" in this case while the other pup could provide much needed clarity to fast passages.
Perhaps this is a silly question. Perhaps Billy doesn't want clarity and definition.
/end thread
Errr. because that's the sound he likes?!!
The way he sets his amps eq an compression gives him plenty of articulation and clarity. He removes quite a lot of low end from the split P p/up and has a ton of compression that brings a trebly tone and every nuance and harmonic out of it. The woofer p/up is sent to another amp with the top end rolled off and less extreme compression to provide a huge meaty low end that doesn't encroach into the mids and high end.
Remember these are specially designed p/ups too that provide the tone Billy wants. And also remember, he doesn't go for zingy high end, he's more about mid range growl.
He could have gone for a bridge unit instead, which whilst would give good definition, it doesn't give the massive rounded low end that the neck p/up does. I am inclined to agree with him too. My 5 string warwick thumb has 2 J p/ups right up near the bridge, it has a hell of a tone, and really crisp and defined, but my Yamaha RBX4-A2 which has a more traditional Jazz bass layout with one p/up much nearer the neck has a bigger, rounder low end.
As others have mentioned, it is well documented that he was never happy with the tone of his P bass when he was doing flashy tricks. He would lose all the bottom end when playing harmonics etc. He saw another bassist that had an EB-O and was stunned at his massive chest thumping low end, but thought it lacked definition. So he thought he should combine the two and use 2 amps, so still retain the signature P bass sound for all the detail and yet still have big round lows.
I have seen him live recently, and only using one amp with both p/ups combined and he still had a clear defined tone and you could hear every nuance in his playing. Every tap, harmonic, pinched harmonic was clear, but still had a full low end.
