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Fender Player P Mod - What's Needed to Bring It Up to Am Std Standards Electronically?

EdO.

EdO.

Jan 21, 2016
2,515
4,600
Podunk, Ks just slightly south of KC
#1
Title says it all, basically. It's a 2022 issue MIM Player P, solid instrument structurally with a great easy-to-play, low action neck but the tone I get seems a bit too "flabby" and not fully defined, if that makes any sense. I'm not quite getting the solid punch and definition I think I'm looking for so I know I probably need to replace the pickup at a minimum, so while doing that I'd likely go ahead and upgrade the other electronics (pots, wiring?) in it as well. Really not even sure that matching it up to Am Std specs electronically is the direction I should even be going but seems like a reasonable direction to shoot for? 🤷‍♂️

FWIW the band I bought it for and use it in exclusively (tribute to a very well known 60's act so it's as much a prop as it is an instrument) is silent stage/IEM's if that matters. I run through an HX Stomp and I've gone through all of the available pre-amp/amp/cab options and I just can't seem to quite get to the tone I'm hearing in my head. Yeah it could be something to do with all of that, however... I'm comparing it to my Sadowski MetroExpress PJ which gets me there tonally through the exact same setup. Unfair comparison I know (Fender passive versus active Sadowski electronics) but that's where I'm at with it. I will say that I'm not the type to buy something and mod it just for :poop:'s and grins and I bought this one brand new in 2022 so this isn't something I've just come to without giving it a thorough going over. Ideas and suggestions sincerely appreciated.

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#2
To be honest, all the vids of these I've seen sound fine.

I don't know what pots are on this bass (the higher end MIM use CTS pots, same as USA, not sure about these), but I'd be surprised if they aren't sonically adequate. Personally I think boutique caps are snake oil but YMMV.

Is there something about the pickup you don't like? The flabby-ness may disappear with height adjustment or EQ
 
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#5
KevInDaBassment said:
Strings, my friend....strings.

Heck of a lot less variables than an electronics change. Rounds, halfs, or flats...stainless or nickel...different brands and gauges. I've had basses destined for the dumpster that were saved by changing up which strings were used.
Click to expand...
100% agree.
Based on your words, try a new set of DR Hi-Beams. Medium or Medium/Light gauge.

And the set up (pick up height to string) and a nice low ish action with a straightish neck.
 
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#6
It's not the pots, jack and wires. Players use 24mm Alpha pots. They're fine. Check the actual resistance of the pots. If it's less than 250k, your bass will be a tad darker. If they're more than 250k, it'll be brighter.
CTS pots have a ton of variation so don't think you'll be improving your tone.
Same with the tone cap. Only the value matters and they all have a high tolerance.

I had a Player 6 years ago that was lean in the low end and too bright. Maple neck. Vintera pickups are much better.

I don't hear much difference across different types of rounds if that's what you play.

So I would change pickups once I understand what I actually want. What does punch mean to you?
 
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#9
I have 7 p basses in my basement at the moment and the one with the most articulate bass has a set of quarter pounder pickups with some SIT nickel rounds.

Powerful and agressive tone though so I don’t know if that’s what you’re looking for.
 
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#16
I have 4 P basses and use an HX Stomp for 100% of my IEM gigs and love my P bass tone.

I recommend Fender PV63, PV1960 (same as Fender Originals), Fralin, or Lollar pickups.

I use elixir .45 to .105 strings.

My AV 58 and AVII 1960 are stock pickups, my RW has the 63’s and off camera, my Squier Debut has Fender CS 62’s which are good but I like the others better.
IMG_2411.jpeg
 
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#20
To be fair to the pickup, it is worth upgrading the Jin Sung pots and ceramic tone cap to SOMETHING that is closer to a "standard" electronics harness. Using that as a starting point will give you a better idea of what the pickup is capable of and you can consider upgrades from there. CTS and Bourns are good choices and an orange drop or boutique cap will get you in the zone. The EMG GZR and the Fralin P could be great starting points and perhaps starting with the sadowsky preamp might get you closer as well. Good luck and let us know what you decide.:thumbsup:
 
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