Fender P: CS60s must go!

[Panther]

Have tried a bass eq?

 

[reno88]

Just curious why you put Fralins (which are very highly regarded) in that bass? Problem with the original pickup? I have a '74 P with original pickup which I adore. Curious how the Fralin compares to it.

I added the fralins because the originals just died. I still have them - I guess I could have them rewound. I heard good things about the fralins and decided to give them a try. I can't recall how they compare because it has been so long - I just know they sound great in any style music I play.

 

[sikamikanico]

Have you considered wiring them in parallel?

 

[FirewalZ]

I think you'd like the Fender Original ('62) pickups. Versatile and usually described as vintage tone w/lots of character. Good definition. And can be had for about $60.

+1 to this. I have a 2014 Am Special P that came with the old pre CS pickups. They were fine, but for me they were too scooped, especially with flats. I swapped them out with the Fender Original 62's, IMO these seem to be voiced with flats in mind. By that I mean they exaggerate upper mids and that classic P grind, maybe too much with rounds, but with a broken in set of flats they complement each other well. I have a sound example if interested?

 

[bassrich]

Whatever is in my 1998 Fender MIM P, GREAT tone.

 

[Robus]

+1 to this. I have a 2014 Am Special P that came with the old pre CS pickups. They were fine, but for me they were too scooped, especially with flats. I swapped them out with the Fender Original 62's, IMO these seem to be voiced with flats in mind. By that I mean they exaggerate upper mids and that classic P grind, maybe too much with rounds, but with a broken in set of flats they complement each other well. I have a sound example if interested?

I'd like to hear it!

 

[JimmyM]

I just happen to have comparison clips of the 62 Original and the Geezer in the same bass. For me, it was no contest...the Geezer ate the 62 Original for breakfast. But if you want more highs and more of a scoopy sound, you might like the 62 Original. Did this comparison with rounds, but you'll get the idea.

 

[nerkoids]

I'd go real cheap and get a vintage wound from GuitarFetish, or go on e-bay and get a Calig B-75.

Also, for a more scooped tone, Optima flats might be what you're looking for.

 

[NightCat]

First off, I am not versed in all the various P pick-up flavors. I have my trusty SB-2 and the P has sounded awesome to me with every string I've tried. The TI Flats and Sunbeams which are the two string sets I favor. I have the Sunbeams on it now. I wonder why more people don't recommend the G&L MFD SB_1/SB-2 P ($80.00) pickup, MFD are the hot-rod pick-ups or LB-100 P ($80) which is the classic P pickup? To my ears I can get the LB-100 tone out of the MFD P by rolling back the volume to 75% but you can't get the MFD "P on steroids" out of the LB-100 P.
I've never tried a different pick-up set in my bass, and never will, but I definitely play all the new P basses at the various stores and I've never played a P or P/J that I thought had better tone, at least not one that made me go whoa, I gotta have that.

Curious to hear your thoughts.
~NC

 

[Bassa Nova]

I think you'd like the Fender Original ('62) pickups. Versatile and usually described as vintage tone w/lots of character. Good definition. And can be had for about $60.

I added these to my Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision with LaBella Deep Talkin Flats...very impressed!

 

[Laurent]

I experience the same problem with the same pickups. I am not a fan of the custom shop 60s pickups. They sound harsh to my ears.

With flatwounds you want pickups with a fair amount of highs. Lollar regular wound would be on the top of my list.
Aguilar would be another good option but I am afraid they are going to be too woolly and warm for flats. They are beautiful sounding pickups however.
I have tried most P bass pickups available from both boutique and larger houses. You will find a detailed list in my profile.

 

[svtb15]

before you change out pups.. have you tried lowering then down into the body and away from the strings a little more.. that can make a huge difference at times

 

[bassliner50]

Thanks. I get a little confused by Fender's terminology. Are these the pickups you mean:

Yes. Those are they.

 

[Robus]

before you change out pups.. have you tried lowering then down into the body and away from the strings a little more.. that can make a huge difference at times

Bottomed out.

 

[bolophonic]

I love me some '62s.

 

[miles'tone]

Had both the Fender Original ('62) and the Fralin, both bloody marvellous with a growly yet sweet top end.
I did find the Fralins were a bit more versatile at the tone knob but in a live band situation that really is splitting hairs.

 

[Texan]

I've become a big fan of the Aguilar AG-4P-60 pickups. I switched to them from Duncan SPB1 Antiquities about 5 months ago and love them. It a pure vintage P Bass tone.

 

[leonard]

I'm happy with Lollar on my 2011 am std P. Geezer has more high mids, SPB-1 has less. All three are great pickups.

 

[highway]

I think the SPB-1 is great and is what I would vote for.

I have a 14 MIA with the CS60 and I did an A/B with that and a GZR in a Squire Affinity. I chose to sell the GZR. I am taking a USACG build out today to have setup that has a NP4 in it. I am going to A/B that with the CS60 and see how it goes. There is a delano FE/M2 around here to try if the Nordstrand doesn't make the cut.

 

[mpdd]

nordstrand and alleva coppolo will talk to you about your tonal goals and hook you up, those guys are swell fellows

the sb-2 mfd is amazing with la bella flatwounds, kind of the perfect cutting thick warm tone with just a little bonus drive since the output is so high

i personally like the hanson neo punches for p basses that come with the lakland skylines without effects, however in the doom band the feedback was uncontrollable with my distortion