Can someone solve a mystery for me regarding a Mustang bass?
I recently bought my 4th Mustang PJ, but its pickups are not at all what I thought they would sound like. For context, I had a limited-edition Mustang (in Myst Seafoam) from Adorama a few years ago (I think it was an Offset model?), which had a thick and punchy tone I loved. I ended up selling it because it had some neck-dive and I always regretted it. Recently, I decided to get a Mustang PJ again, and wanted to go for a higher-end model, and ended up with a limited-edition American Performer PJ (in Satin Honey Burst), but I didn't like the pickups (thinner, brighter, and more hi-fi than the previous one Ｉ had) so I returned it. Next, I got a Player PJ (in Olympic White), which had exactly the same fat and punchy tone I loved from my first Mustang PJ. However, at the time, I couldn't find a finish I preferred (Limited-Edition Surf Pearl, MIM, from 2018), and then later when I found one on Reverb, I went for it.
And here's where things got weird. This Limited-Edition Surf Pearl PJ's pickups look just like the ones in the first one and the Player (larger, with sharp angles), yet, it sounds just like the pickups in the American Performer (which looks totally different--much rounder and smaller). If I roll the tone down to about 50%, it'll sound a bit closer to the Offset and Player models, but still a bit brighter and not as much mids. All these tests were recorded with just the default roundwound strings. The seller said it was purchased new from Adorama in 2018, so it should be the original pickups and electronics, but it sounds like the pickups from the American Performer (while looking like the pickups from the Offset/Player), with the tone pot of the Offset/Player, which rolls off way too much of the highs, unlike the Greasbucket of the Performer) . What is going on here?
Just in case my description is confusing, here are photos of the Mustangs mentioned:
Limited-Edition (Offset?) Myst Seafoam from Adorama:
Limited-Edition Satin Honey Burst American Performer:
Olympic White Player:
Limited-Edition Surf Pearl:
EDIT: On a whim, I tried swapping the strings of my Player Mustang with the Surf Pearl Mustang, and the sound got closer, almost identical to when using the original strings but with the tone rolled off to 50%. It's still a bit more hi-fi than the same strings on the Player, and I wonder if it's just due to the lack of consistency of the pickup windings at the factory? Anyway, I think it sounds close enough that I'm happy with it.
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