Ed Friedland Agrees: Reverse P is the way to go!

[Darnell Jones]

This is the thread where Friedland describes what he does. In great detail. He's honest and open about it, and as in his videos, he comes across as very likeable.

Wow, you don't often see that much candor and humility. Very impressive post.

 

[Davo-London]

So with my '64 P are you suggesting I change the PU around?

Davo

 

[hellboy]

I liked the reverse-P on my BB1200s so much I put a reverse-split pickup in my Hellcat VI:

...and I love the way it sounds.

 

[Darnell Jones]

So with my '64 P are you suggesting I change the PU around?

Davo

Give it a shot, you can always change it back if you don't like it

 

[KingRazor]

I hope you guys realize that so far he's only said he prefers the reverse P on P/J basses. I haven't heard him say he prefers the reverse P in general.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I hope you guys realize that so far he's only said he prefers the reverse P on P/J basses. I haven't heard him say he prefers the reverse P in general.

+100

I have said myself several times that the reverse P-pup in conjunction with a single coil pickup in the bridge is the ticket. The tone is a bit closer to the Jazz bass, especially when slapped. To may ears, that is a smoother and more musical slap tone.

 

[edfriedland]

I hope you guys realize that so far he's only said he prefers the reverse P on P/J basses. I haven't heard him say he prefers the reverse P in general.

Absolutely! In fact, the only reason IMO to have it reversed is to do a PJ. But after horrifying so many nice P basses in the 70s and 80s looking for "the best of both worlds" I came to the realization (for myself) that P and J basses are perfect just as they are and that I should just play one or the other and not mess with Leo's plan. Yeah, in theory it's a great idea, but I never liked the tone of the blend. The reverse setup makes it better, but... for me, a P bass or a Jazz bass (or a MM) is the way to go. Just my opinion, you don't have to agree.

 

[johnk_10]

well, there you have it, from the man himself.
thanks Ed, for chiming in.

 

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by Davo-London
So with my '64 P are you suggesting I change the PU around?

Davo

Give it a shot, you can always change it back if you don't like it

You can't reverse it without routing the body on a 64...

 

[Darnell Jones]

Then I should have put a smiley on my post

 

[P. Aaron]

while i respect Ed's playing and opinions (as well as everyone else's), i really think Leo nailed it in 1957 on the p bass. the standard P (non reverse) is the one for me. and IMO, same thing for the slanted telecaster as strat guitar bridge pickups too.

Those are the tones I find myself chasing as well. Mods always seem to put a bit of shine on the base Fender sounds.

 

[kellyrojo]

I never even considered a RP setup being a non modder and somewhat of a minimalist but what everyone has said makes a lot of sense if you are looking for more onions from your G + D and more of a cut on the low strings. Now I gotta go find a Reverse P to check out---! Thanks and thanks to EF for his input!

 

[Yornomis]

I just got a 2005 American Deluxe Precision V and I'm a bit disapointed about it. I'm seriously thiking of having it modifyied to get the P pickup reversed. B and E string would obviously become tighter. The thing that disapoints me the most right now is the lack of bass response from the D and G strings as the P is too close to the Lawrence Humbucker. I guess having the reverse P pickup would improve string to string balance.

 

[Zbysek]

I just got a 2005 American Deluxe Precision V and I'm a bit disapointed about it. I'm seriously thiking of having it modifyied to get the P pickup reversed. B and E string would obviously become tighter. The thing that disapoints me the most right now is the lack of bass response from the D and G strings as the P is too close to the Lawrence Humbucker. I guess having the reverse P pickup would improve string to string balance.

You should do it.

I bought this five-stringer from AV Basses second hand...asked the manufacturer to reverse the P pickup... I love it!