Fender Mustang Club

[TraktorBass]

Looks awesome!

What kind of Bisonic is that (vintage, modern Guild, Darkstar, Novak, etc.)? Can you gives us any tonal comparison to the stock Mustang pickup?

Thanks!

It’s a Novak bisonic, non-coil tap.

I find it hard to say anything meaningful about «tone», especially since I didn’t play the stock one alot.

Obviously a very different pickup. It is louder and - seems to me - more responsive. Sounds different when gently stroked than when pounded hard.

Dont’t know if that does anything for you, but there you go.

 

[SteveBassJr]

Hey all new to the club. Been rocking my mustang for 4 months now.

I really like the feel of the short scale.
But, I am thinking of replacing the pups. They are just not enough.
Can anybody share with me what they've done to mod their pups?

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Hey all new to the club. Been rocking my mustang for 4 months now.View attachment 3856843 I really like the feel of the short scale.
But, I am thinking of replacing the pups. They are just not enough.
Can anybody share with me what they've done to mod their pups?

I put Aguilars in mine. I like them. EMG Geezers are a popular mod. I loved the P Geezer that I had (in another bass) but wasn’t crazy about the J. Lots of people like that setup though, and it’s ok the less expensive side.

I think it’s really easy to go down a rabbit hole with pickups, it’s much easier if you have an idea of what you want to change with what you have so you know what direction to go in.

 

[TraktorBass]

Hey all new to the club. Been rocking my mustang for 4 months now.View attachment 3856843 I really like the feel of the short scale.
But, I am thinking of replacing the pups. They are just not enough.
Can anybody share with me what they've done to mod their pups?

Have a look one page back to see mine

 

[MagnusGudberg]

View attachment 3850177

Got myself a Vintera. First Mustang for me. Swapped the pickup (made a new pickguard to fit) and tuners.

Not going to go on about how great it is, you are already club members so you should know

Really dig the pickup swap but why on earth would you swap out the hipshot lollypop tuners?

 

[TraktorBass]

Really dig the pickup swap but why on earth would you swap out the hipshot lollypop tuners?

Counters the (slight) neck dive the bass had with the lollipops. The Gotohs are less than half the weight of the lollipops (38g vs. 78g).

edit: Also, thanks!

 

[MagnusGudberg]

Counters the (slight) neck dive the bass had with the lollipops. The Gotohs are less than half the weight of the lollipops (38g vs. 78g).

edit: Also, thanks!

Mkay, if it bothered you i understand 100%
I did not have a dive problem on my Vintera, and put lollypops on my pawn shop for the ultimate cool factor. There is just something about the look of lollypops on mustang in my book thats make it a perfect match. But hey to each is own, congrats on your awsome bass

 

[DC in ATX]

Hey all new to the club. Been rocking my mustang for 4 months now.View attachment 3856843 I really like the feel of the short scale.
But, I am thinking of replacing the pups. They are just not enough.
Can anybody share with me what they've done to mod their pups?

Mustang w/ EMG GZRs. Besides being a solderless install, EMG PUPs come with v/v/t pots. I was hesitant to replace the stock PUPs and leave the stock pots. EMG has an easy solution in that regard. As set up here, each PUP has a dedicated volume pot and I installed the tone pot in place of the 3-way switch. A pair of stacked v/t pots is another interesting option. I’ve heard whispers of a 4-hole Mustang plate that would allow for 3 pots and an input jack, like you’d find on a jazz bass; that seems more elegant than the stranded tone pot. (If this exists, it’s probably mentioned somewhere in this thread.) Most of what I needed for this install was in one box from EMG. I just had to order a couple extension cables to jump over to the tone pot and back. The connections to the 1/4 Jack are soldered; all other connections are plug and play.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Mustang w/ EMG GZRs. Besides being a solderless install, EMG PUPs come with v/v/t pots. I was hesitant to replace the stock PUPs and leave the stock pots. EMG has an easy solution in that regard. As set up here, each PUP has a dedicated volume pot and I installed the tone pot in place of the 3-way switch. A pair of stacked v/t pots is another interesting option. I’ve heard whispers of a 4-hole Mustang plate that would allow for 3 pots and an input jack, like you’d find on a jazz bass; that seems more elegant than the stranded tone pot. (If this exists, it’s probably mentioned somewhere in this thread.) Most of what I needed for this install was in one box from EMG. I just had to order a couple extension cables to jump over to the tone pot and back. The connections to the 1/4 Jack are soldered; all other connections are plug and play.

View attachment 3857147

I’m not sure there’d be enough room on the control plate or in the cavity to fit 3 pots and a Jack. It would be nice though.

 

[SteveBassJr]

Mustang w/ EMG GZRs. Besides being a solderless install, EMG PUPs come with v/v/t pots. I was hesitant to replace the stock PUPs and leave the stock pots. EMG has an easy solution in that regard. As set up here, each PUP has a dedicated volume pot and I installed the tone pot in place of the 3-way switch. A pair of stacked v/t pots is another interesting option. I’ve heard whispers of a 4-hole Mustang plate that would allow for 3 pots and an input jack, like you’d find on a jazz bass; that seems more elegant than the stranded tone pot. (If this exists, it’s probably mentioned somewhere in this thread.) Most of what I needed for this install was in one box from EMG. I just had to order a couple extension cables to jump over to the tone pot and back. The connections to the 1/4 Jack are soldered; all other connections are plug and play.

View attachment 3857147

Thanks so much for the info.
I am assuming that, I can't just get some Gz and just drop them in utilizing the switch as is??
But, I do like the idea of the tone adjustment for a future installation.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Thanks so much for the info.
I am assuming that, I can't just get some Gz and just drop them in utilizing the switch as is??
But, I do like the idea of the tone adjustment for a future installation.

You can. The solderless wires have little clips on the end, so you just pull those clips off and you can solder them like regular pickups. I did the set I had. You can order replacement wires if you decide to sell the pickups and want to include the solderless connections.

 

[DC in ATX]

Thanks so much for the info.
I am assuming that, I can't just get some Gz and just drop them in utilizing the switch as is??
But, I do like the idea of the tone adjustment for a future installation.

EMG sells a 3-way switch, which I ordered but ultimately chose not to install. My research indicated that an additional terminal block is required to add the 3-way switch, which I also ordered but did not install. For my purposes, I opted for independent volume control for the P and J pups. If you prefer, you can replicate the stock circuit using EGM hardware.

 

[SoulReflection]

Mustang w/ EMG GZRs. Besides being a solderless install, EMG PUPs come with v/v/t pots. I was hesitant to replace the stock PUPs and leave the stock pots. EMG has an easy solution in that regard. As set up here, each PUP has a dedicated volume pot and I installed the tone pot in place of the 3-way switch. A pair of stacked v/t pots is another interesting option. I’ve heard whispers of a 4-hole Mustang plate that would allow for 3 pots and an input jack, like you’d find on a jazz bass; that seems more elegant than the stranded tone pot. (If this exists, it’s probably mentioned somewhere in this thread.) Most of what I needed for this install was in one box from EMG. I just had to order a couple extension cables to jump over to the tone pot and back. The connections to the 1/4 Jack are soldered; all other connections are plug and play.

View attachment 3857147

Thanks for the info! Referring to the P PUP, would you say the GZRs sound more like a P bass than the stock PUPs? and, what strings are you using.

 

[DC in ATX]

Thanks for the info! Referring to the P PUP, would you say the GZRs sound more like a P bass than the stock PUPs? and, what strings are you using.

Right now, the strings are La Bella 760 stainless flats for short scale (.45–.105). I prefer these to the stock round wound strings. Part of me would like a little more articulation out of the E string and, perhaps, more tension as well, as my attack isn't as consistently nuanced as it could be. It sounds like the right tools for that job are Rotosound flats or D'Addario chromes; the Rotosound flats, in particular, are designed with a heavier attack in mind. In any case, I am considering other options but running La Bellas, which provide a thumpy vintage sound.

The EMG GZRs have a great P bass tone and are a definite upgrade over the stock pup. The consensus opinion, based on my research, seems to be that the GZRs are kind of a modern take on a vintage P pup. If you want the most authentic vintage sound or the most modern sounding P pup, there might be better options.

 

[SoulReflection]

Right now, the strings are La Bella 760 stainless flats for short scale (.45–.105). I prefer these to the stock round wound strings. Part of me would like a little more articulation out of the E string and, perhaps, more tension as well, as my attack isn't as consistently nuanced as it could be. It sounds like the right tools for that job are Rotosound flats or D'Addario chromes; the Rotosound flats, in particular, are designed with a heavier attack in mind. In any case, I am considering other options but running La Bellas, which provide a thumpy vintage sound.

The EMG GZRs have a great P bass tone and are a definite upgrade over the stock pup. The consensus opinion, based on my research, seems to be that the GZRs are kind of a modern take on a vintage P pup. If you want the most authentic vintage sound or the most modern sounding P pup, there might be better options.

Thank you, sir!

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Right now, the strings are La Bella 760 stainless flats for short scale (.45–.105). I prefer these to the stock round wound strings. Part of me would like a little more articulation out of the E string and, perhaps, more tension as well, as my attack isn't as consistently nuanced as it could be. It sounds like the right tools for that job are Rotosound flats or D'Addario chromes; the Rotosound flats, in particular, are designed with a heavier attack in mind. In any case, I am considering other options but running La Bellas, which provide a thumpy vintage sound.

The EMG GZRs have a great P bass tone and are a definite upgrade over the stock pup. The consensus opinion, based on my research, seems to be that the GZRs are kind of a modern take on a vintage P pup. If you want the most authentic vintage sound or the most modern sounding P pup, there might be better options.

I found the Dunlop flats to be a good articulate sound similar to chromes. The E string rings like chromes, not dead like Labellas. The chromes were too stiff for my hands so I went with the lighter gauge Dunlop’s but you’d probably like either. I have a set of chromes that I’d sell if you want them.

 

[Florinda4]

Hey all new to the club. Been rocking my mustang for 4 months now. I really like the feel of the short scale.
But, I am thinking of replacing the pups. They are just not enough.
Can anybody share with me what they've done to mod their pups?

Here's my mod story. Still loving it:
Fender Mustang Club.

 

[halfwound121]

I didn't go to far back on this thread but here goes. I have a MIM mustang pj that I really like but the tuners are to tight and with my severe Rheumatoid Arthritis I can't get a fine tune. Do you think that the Hipshot or Gotoh would help this problem. Finally there seems to be some difference of opinion whether the HB10 or the HB7 are the drop in replacements for the MIM mustangs. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much
Bob

I think I am the boob who initially said I replaced mine with HB-7s. In fact, I believe they were HP-10s. I asked Bestbassgear which would fit, and that's what they recommended. However, I can't find out who I bought them from to verify.

 

[DC in ATX]

I didn't go to far back on this thread but here goes. I have a MIM mustang pj that I really like but the tuners are to tight and with my severe Rheumatoid Arthritis I can't get a fine tune. Do you think that the Hipshot or Gotoh would help this problem. Finally there seems to be some difference of opinion whether the HB10 or the HB7 are the drop in replacements for the MIM mustangs. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much
Bob

HB10s are definitely a drop-in replacement on the MIM Mustang PJ.

While I added the HB10s for the more granular tuning adjustments, they are a bit lighter than the stock machine heads. In combination with a hipshot high mass bridge, taking this weight off the headstock is sufficient to balance the bass so that it doesn't have a tendency toward neck dive. FWIW.

 

[Bobhmcs]

HB10s are definitely a drop-in replacement on the MIM Mustang PJ.

While I added the HB10s for the more granular tuning adjustments, they are a bit lighter than the stock machine heads. In combination with a hipshot high mass bridge, taking this weight off the headstock is sufficient to balance the bass so that it doesn't have a tendency toward neck dive. FWIW.

This is fascinating. I posted that originally 2 years ago. I ended up with my bass (luthier) teacher routing out the tuning machine holes in the headstock to 11/16" and installing Grover Vintage 142C4 full size tuning machines. They are considerably lighter than stock(not as light as ultalites) plus they have the advantage of being full size so the Clover Leaf keys are easier to grasp with my RA fingers and hands and they are adjustable. I went through a very small nervous breakdown worrying if there was enough wood to do this but it was discovered that the PJ's headstock was exactly the same size as a Precision's and worked great. That "Little" bass is now owned (gifted) by a 12 year old young lady who was cheated by fate (Covid) out of a 6 week music camp. She is now taking formal lessons and they fit each other perfectly.
I am taken aback that that request for input (welcome to the dept. of redundancy dept.) is even noticed after all this time.
Jaw dropped
;[)
Bob