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Di Marzio P bass any good ?

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by lost_in_space, Nov 19, 2001.

  1. Nov 19, 2001 #1
    lost_in_space

    lost_in_space

    Nov 16, 2001
    France
    hello everybody.

    This is my first post. I have checked the threads but haven't found the answer so please bear with me !

    I would like to have your opinion on the Di Marzio Pbass pickup.

    I have been playing a supercheap Pbass copy for years. I put an old (probably 70s) used Dimarzio in it when i got the bass. Now i'd like to upgrade but I haven't decided if the pick up is worth keeping, or should I just not bother and get rid of it and the bass?

    I play mostly oldies, rock, r'n'b, soul, blues, etc. on whatever amp is lying around. The sound is a bit coarse in the upper midrange, rolling off the tone control helps, but at the expense of punch and articulation (but again, a better (that is, solid wood!) body would surely help).

    thanks for your help.
     
  2. Nov 19, 2001 #2
    brianrost

    brianrost Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2000
    Boston, Taxachusetts
    While not as much in vogue as 20 years ago, the model P is a good pickup. A used one isn't worth much, a new one is only like $60.

    Sounds like you're thinking that after you get a new bass you might want to use the Model P in that bass as well. My advice is if you don't like the sound of a bass straight off the rack, look for another bass rather than try to guess what it MIGHT sound like with mods to the electronics.

    I've used the Model P in two different basses and like it. It's a very "in your face" sounding pickup, that might explain some of the "coarseness" you mentioned but I may be misunderstanding what you're describing.
     
  3. Nov 19, 2001 #3
    lost_in_space

    lost_in_space

    Nov 16, 2001
    France
    brianrost, that's exactly what i was trying to say, you got it right. 'in your face', that's it.

    yes cruise4 your guess is correct, i didn't mention that clearly but yes i thought maybe i could recycle the pup in another better instrument.

    thanks everybody for your advice, i will probably just leave my current bass alone and buy a better one instead. I don't think i'll sell the old one though, cause i wouldn't get much money anyway and its the instrument i learned to play on, i bought it from a friend, and after all, it's set up right, plays ok and feels comfortable. it's going to be my backup.

    crappy but i love it like an old wife. funny isnt it ?

    cheers.
     
  4. Nov 19, 2001 #4
    Hategear

    Hategear Workin' hard at hardly workin'.

    Apr 6, 2001
    Appleton, Swissconsin
    I put a DiMarzio pickup into my P-Bass years ago. I can't say that it made a huge difference -- that I can hear anyway. I may have gone with something other than a DiMarzio, had I had more experience and had people that knew what the heck they were talking about help me with my decision. :(
     
  5. Nov 20, 2001 #5
    Andy Daventry

    Andy Daventry

    Dec 17, 1999
    No longer Ankara, Turkey. Now London, UK
    I don't like it. Loud and crude. Uninteresting, sterile sound. I still think Fender make the best P bass pickups.

    DiMarzio does, on the other hand, make excellent jazz bass pups.
     
  6. Nov 21, 2001 #6
    lost_in_space

    lost_in_space

    Nov 16, 2001
    France
    thanks, your feedback is really helpful. i wasn't sure what to blame for my tone, but what you people say really confirms my impressions.
    time for a new bass !