Fender American Deluxe Precision: what's up with bridge pup?

[cazclocker]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but I did the usual searches and couldn't turn up much. And the Fender website itself isn't much help (but I'm used to that). I'm getting ready to purchase a new-to-me Fender American Deluxe Precision, and I see some of them have standard Jazz-bass pickups in the bridge position. Others have what appear to be humbuckers in the bridge position. Now, of course, I understand why Fender offers the two options - its for tonal variety. But what I'm wondering is if the larger pickup is a humbucker (which I kind of doubt) or a twin Jazz pickup (which is what I suspect). If it's the latter, is it one of the Bill Lawrence pickups on the Roscoe Beck basses?
And between the two pickup options for the bridge position, which one would you guys choose? How do they compare sonically?

 

[vanderbrook]

I think you'll want this under the BG forums, rather than DB.

 

[Gorn]

It's not that they offer two options. One is just older than the other. As for whether or not it's a Bill Lawrence pickup, it's not. It's just a regular Fender pickup.

 

[bholder]

But what I'm wondering is if the larger pickup is a humbucker (which I kind of doubt) or a twin Jazz pickup (which is what I suspect).

The answer, of course, is that it's both. Two J pickups, one reverse wound, put together make a humbucker. Pretty simple, really. Mine is a '95 and has the humbucker, which I would prefer over a single coil J. Now, a hum cancelling J, then that'd be fine.

 

[Fuzmaster]

Starting in 2010, the American Deluxe P-bass uses a Fender N3 "noiseless" J-bass pickup in the bridge position. Fortunately, you can replace the (sterile sounding, IMO) N3 J-bass pickup in a newer Am Deluxe P-bass with a standard, bridge-sized J-bass pickup.

Prior to 2010, the Am Deluxe P-bass used a Fender-made humbucker in the bridge position.

 

[Wallace320]

And 22 frets instead of just 21 and different stringthru body bridge instead of present HMV

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[cazclocker]

Thanks guys - so the humbucker-equipped ones were simply made before 2010. Makes sense. And, fuzmaster, thanks for the heads up re: the N3 bridge pickup.

 

[cazclocker]

Just a couple more questions about the pre-2010 double-J humbucker in the American Deluxe Precision...
Is there any kind of consensus about the sound of the double-J versus the single-J, in the bridge position? Yes, of course, I realize that tone preference is nearly entirely subjective, but what I'm wondering is how the tone of the P-pickup will mesh with the J pickup when both are set to equal volumes.
A separate (but related) question is whether or not the bridge double-J pickup in the pre-2010's are equipped to be ran as a single-J. If so, then my previous question becomes a non-issue. I remember my Roscoe Beck 5-string had twin pairs of J-pickups, but each pair could be switched to a single-J with toggle switches. Looking at photos of the American Deluxe Precision, I don't see any toggle switches, so I highly doubt the double-J was able to be ran any way other than as a double.
I guess I'm just trying to narrow down whether I want a pre-or post-2010 American Deluxe P. There's a gorgeous '96 on evilBay right now (only has a few hours left) that I'm totally lusting after. Two-tone sunburst, rosewood fingerboard, and pearloid pickguard! Yummy!

 

[topcat2069]

I had an Am Deluxe DB J Pickup (bridge) and it was 3 wire (coil tap??) with no single coil option..... but I now use the MP Jazz Bass Satin pickups which, like the Roscoe Beck pickups (which I believe mine are) have 4 wire outs so they are fully switchable between HB parallel, single coil and HB series (like the Roscoe Beck wiring). My Am. Deluxe P with the Dbbl Jazz pickup and and the associated preamp had more output from the bridge pickup (a better match for the P pickup) but for me wasn't all that usable soloed (although I did find some Killer tones with the Brdg. pickup soloed and some extremely boosted tone settings, I just didn't need those sounds in my Traditional Blues Band).... YMMV

haven't played a new Am Deluxe P so I can't really comment on the bridge pickup but in my experience the active preamp makes almost any setting a winner.

The Am. Deluxe P Bass was one of the Best playing and sounding Basses I've ever owned (I sold it when I moved to 5 strings and have regretted it ever since) But my new (passive) Bass is more versatile and plays almost as good so I'm quite satisfied

Also, I built a Warmoth 5 string version of the Am. Dlx. P using a Bill Lawrence design 5 string brdg. pickup which is where I'm getting the 3 wire info and a Bill Lawrence P-46 in the P position. That Bass was passive (Vol, Bal, Tone.) and had such an commanding presence that I got comments from sound men all the time.

I love me some Bill Lawrence Roscoe Beck Pickups !!!

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Thanks guys - so the humbucker-equipped ones were simply made before 2010. Makes sense. And, fuzmaster, thanks for the heads up re: the N3 bridge pickup.

The current N3 pickups are humbuckers as well. I believe it is a stacked coil. The pre-2010 ones used two coils in one shell to act as a humbucker. The pre-2010 ones, especially the 90s ones are quite cheap on the used market so I don't think you could go wrong with one if that's what you're after. I just traded my Am Dlx P for a Dlx V Jazz, both 2011 models, but it was a fantastic bass. I don't think the older ones have the passive tone control like the modern ones but I may be wrong on that.

 

[Dbassmon]

I believe the PDeluxe with the humbucker was discontinued in 2009. I think it is one of the best P basses to come out of Fender. Extremely versatile tonal variation moving into MusicMan Territory at one extreme, plus many jazz and P tones you would expect. You do not see a whole lot these for sale because people hold on the them. They are great basses. Very well made, great compound radius neck, sound fantastic live and in the studio.

One knock is the mid-range eq on the stock pre-amp really effects overall output. If you scoop the mids too much, you lose a lot of volume. Not a deal breaker at all, just be aware.

 

[bholder]

If you scoop the mids too much, you lose a lot of volume. Not a deal breaker at all, just be aware.

Cool, I'll have to check that out on mine, not sure I had noticed it (I tend to be moderate with eq boost&cut). Neat how I can find something new on here about an instrument I've owned for years.

 

[seedokebass]

And between the two pickup options for the bridge position, which one would you guys choose? How do they compare sonically?

I would take the more traditional J bridge over the double J, or do what Fuzmaster suggested and swap it for a regular bridge Jazz pickup. I say this because I had AmDeluxe P bass, and it was the least Fender-y sounding Fender of all that I owned. Even the P soloed didn't sound like a P bass... to me. I wasn't a fan of the double J either, but I've never been big on Music Man type pickups. The preamps were kind of funky too, the frequency points on the EQ weren't useful compared to other active basses I had at the time. (This was the same case with a 5 string Am Deluxe J5)

I really don't mean to rag on these so much, but that was my experience with the American Deluxes. The quality/workmanship was top notch, but they didn't sound like Fenders.

I would highly recommend playing it through your gear first, or in a band setting. If you have, or know it's tonally what you are going for, knock yourself out

 

[Fuzmaster]

With my 2013 Am Deluxe P, I wound up not using the active circuit very much. I think the active/passive switch was a significant improvement on the newer Am Deluxe models, and really a brilliant idea (well beyond just dealing with dead batteries).

... I had AmDeluxe P bass, and it was the least Fender-y sounding Fender of all that I owned....

...The quality/workmanship was top notch, but they didn't sound like Fenders.

That was my impression as well. The fit/finish and playability of the Am Deluxe P are all off the charts, but the sound of the OEM pickups left a lot to be desired.

I swapped in a set of Dimarzio DP126 (P+J), which are not exactly vintage-Fender sounding, and the difference in both active and passive sounds was amazing.

 

[cazclocker]

Thanks guys. I'm really getting the impression that I'm just not going to go wrong either way I go. I get what you guys are saying, that the Am. Std. P is not quite as "Fendery" as a vintage P, but it's definitely the bass I'm setting my sights on.

 

[Remguy]

Old thread, I know, but FYI:

Another difference between the pre- and post- 2010 versions is the voltage. Pre's are 9V, Post's are 18 (via 2 x 9V batteries). Lotsa headroom. Also, I agree that the sound of the soloed P pup doesn't have the most "Fender-y" (Fender-like?) sound. Sounds more like a Jazz with a soloed neck pup. Still, it's a great guitar; I owned the pre, never played a newer one. I traded my old Deluxe for a 5-string (G&L L-2500 US) and have regretted it ever since <sob>!

P.S. I like the idea of a passive/active toggle. Seems like you could use it as a "slap switch" by scooping the mids on the active tone controls. Anyone know if that would work, i.e. can you set passive and active tone controls differently?

 

[cavemanbass]

I have a 2006 deluxe, great bass in many ways: smaller body means lighter weight, mine is 8.4lb. 22 frets and perfect neck for my tastes. Lightweight tuners. My favorite Fender bridge though unfortunately different screw pattern so can’t just drop one like it into my other P.
The less great parts: I hated the preamp, felt like it choked the sound so I removed it. Much better but the p pickup never sounded quite right to my ears. Replaced it with a Geezer and now the bass is perfect!
The double J rarely gets any use, only blended with the P when I need more definition. But, the position and size makes a perfect tugbar when palm muting / playing with the thumb, also nice thumbrest. And it looks cool!

 

[JohnRex]

Just a couple more questions about the pre-2010 double-J humbucker in the American Deluxe Precision...
Is there any kind of consensus about the sound of the double-J versus the single-J, in the bridge position? Yes, of course, I realize that tone preference is nearly entirely subjective, but what I'm wondering is how the tone of the P-pickup will mesh with the J pickup when both are set to equal volumes.
A separate (but related) question is whether or not the bridge double-J pickup in the pre-2010's are equipped to be ran as a single-J. If so, then my previous question becomes a non-issue. I remember my Roscoe Beck 5-string had twin pairs of J-pickups, but each pair could be switched to a single-J with toggle switches. Looking at photos of the American Deluxe Precision, I don't see any toggle switches, so I highly doubt the double-J was able to be ran any way other than as a double.
I guess I'm just trying to narrow down whether I want a pre-or post-2010 American Deluxe P. There's a gorgeous '96 on evilBay right now (only has a few hours left) that I'm totally lusting after. Two-tone sunburst, rosewood fingerboard, and pearloid pickguard! Yummy!

Another thing to consider is that the size of the bodies of the 90's -2009 American Deluxes were a slightly reduced size compared to the standard P and J body. I personally love these reduced size bodies and have 3 of them.