Dark Precision pickup?

[jbiscuti]

I have two Precisions, and one is noticeably more brash and trebly than the other, which is not a quality I look for in my basses. I've tried two sets of pickups in it - vintage DiMarzio Model P's and Road Worn pickups - but wasn't happy with the results of either.

I'm quite certain at this point that it must have to do with the body wood, since my main P wears DiMarzio Model P's and I love the tone.

I was thinking about going for broke and dropping a Thunderbird pickup in it - a dark tone I know I'm a fan of - but I wanted to see if there were any Precision pickups being made that are particularly dark.

BTW, I have worn LaBella flatwounds on it, so it ain't the strings!

Thanks!

 

[schecter5string]

I'm no expert, but I don't believe body wood will make that much of a difference.
Are these passive or active basses, do they have the same pre amps? Pots?
I would be looking at these things first.
I'm sure you will get more opinions, this is just mine, so take it with a grain of salt.
Good luck on your tone quest!

 

[jbiscuti]

Both passive, vintage-style Precisions. The thumpier one is a Road Worn, the bright one is a '62-esque parts bass. I didn't consider the pots - good call. I wonder if the brighter one has 500k's or something for some odd reason?

 

[schecter5string]

That would be my guess, pots of different values.
Easy enuff to check, and change

 

[Mr.Typhus]

I would check out seymour duncan hot p-pickups! Really nice dark tone on these i think they are named spb-2.

 

[Nedmundo]

I would check out seymour duncan hot p-pickups! Really nice dark tone on these i think they are named spb-2.

+1. These are heavily overwound, so they have reduced treble and very thick low mids. Lots of mix-filling booty.

 

[GODSBASSMAN]

Don't forget while you are checking the pots, check the even cheaper capacitor.

 

[jbiscuti]

Update: Pots and cap turned out to be correct values. Decided to do something radical. Thunderbucker ordered. Update soon.

 

[Alzimerz]

Bartolini are very dark and clear toned! The fretboard would make more OC a difference than the body wood I.e malpe/rosewood. Maple being more bright than the warmer rosewood. Could this be a cause of the brightness? Hope the thunder birds work out for you!

 

[Dave W]

+1. These are heavily overwound, so they have reduced treble and very thick low mids. Lots of mix-filling booty.

+2 on the SPB-2

It's noticeably thicker sounding than all of the other P pickups I've gone through.

 

[eloann]

Bartolinis 8s, still got highs but the lower mids are all over the place

 

[BBQV]

Update: Pots and cap turned out to be correct values. Decided to do something radical. Thunderbucker ordered. Update soon.

Did you get the resultat you wanted? I'm about to do the same to my SCPB and would love to get a real world report!