I actually like my turquoise precision stocked but DiMarzio are a good start.
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Fender Precision pickup question
- Thread starter lowendblues
- Start date
I've had so many nice basses through the years. I really regret not keeping some of them. But... when you have kids, and have to pay the bills......
A really nice Candy Apple Red '65 Pbass really haunts me to this day.
A really nice Candy Apple Red '65 Pbass really haunts me to this day.
For waking up a "tame" P-Bass, my favourite pickup is the DiMarzio Split-P.
It's a significant upgrade, yet not very expensive. I always try to get the black pickup covers, I don't like the white ones.
Split P™ | DiMarzio
It's a significant upgrade, yet not very expensive. I always try to get the black pickup covers, I don't like the white ones.
Split P™ | DiMarzio
I saw a really good comparison vid over on youtube about the Split P vs the Model P and I gotta say, the Model P still sounded like a real P but the Split P made it sound...modern. Humbucker-y? I can’t explain it with words enough.
Here it is:
I gotta pick the Model P all day long in this video. That's what I'm talking about.
I've had the Model P in a few basses in the past. To me, it's got a dirtier sound. Almost a grind to the tone that doesn't dial out with the tone control. But still not as brash as the Will Power.
The Split P is actually a dual-humbucker. So there's some phase issues going on where the Model P doesn't have those. That can create a slightly modern tone to the pickup as it cancels some frequencies out by design. But, it's still a loud pickup - and quite far away from polite.
The other option would be the Will Power pickup. It's perfectly usable on its own but it's even louder, and "throaty." I'm not even a heavy rock player, but I find these pickups all work well for people who have a light touch in their plucking hand. Notes seem to leap out more easily, and there's just enough grind in there to give you "tone" with that light touch.
I’m not sure what will do it, but the goal to get tone like Dave Hope is an excellent goal.
Well, my choices precluded active circuitry. If you're going to go active, you might as well step into something like an EMG PCSX pickup with either the Active Tone Control kit or one of the B64EQ control sets. That'll screech and groan until the cows come home.
I've had a Dimarzio model P pickup in one bass or another for about 40 years now. Still, I don't think the pickup is anywhere near the majority of the tone of a good P bass - the fingers playing it, the strings, and the rig it's hooked up to will vary things much more than most pickup swaps can ever hope to do.
I have experience with and strongly suggest Fender Original '62. Responds to your touch beautifully. Sweet, agressive, punchy, rich. about $55 with careful shopping. I've tried many these are my favorites. Alnico 5 magnets, 10.5K ohms. I'd install one in my wife if she'd let me.
Dimarzio DP122. I have two P's with the original Dimarzio PAF's. Very similar to the DP122 (Model P). I also have a P with EMG's which has a tendency to be a little darker sounding. The "Dave Hope" sound is easily acquired with these, some round wounds and a pick. Creme is my favorite color for these.
Add the Fralins and forget it. Possibly overwound if you wanna get crazy. Email them. Prob some delays with all this going on but they will answer and provide or even make exactly what you want.
just a pic of recent build ... for the creme 70's vibe thing ...
Mess with your pickup heights and amp settings. There's no reason any reasonably decent Fender P pickup can't be adjusted to give you a wide spectrum of tones.
I'd say, get a set of the Fender Pure 63 pickups, and string up a set of sunbeams, will get pretty punchy/agressive, and it won't cost a lotta money
The Model P PAFs rule. Turned my Mendel Signature into a gnarly vintage tone monster! The new ones allegedly sound exactly the same.. Highly recommended.
I bought a 2013 USA Lakland "Bob Glaub" precision here on TB last fall and the previous owner had dropped some Fralins in there. Not sure, but I suspect they were overwound. While they sounded fantastic for that super thuddy, 200Hz focused sound, from my personal experience with them, they are not the tone you are after. They are strong at 200Hz and 800Hz, but were lacking clarity in the upper registers.
I dropped a Moollon pickup in there a few days ago and its everything I ever wanted this bass to be. With this pickup you could get 70s P slap all day. That said, I remember reading that Freddy had an EMG in there back in the day.
I dropped a Moollon pickup in there a few days ago and its everything I ever wanted this bass to be. With this pickup you could get 70s P slap all day. That said, I remember reading that Freddy had an EMG in there back in the day.
DiMarzio Will Power pickup is ”even more of the same” and can be had with very little money from Ebay.
Love that bass- just getting GASsy looking at it- I don’t have “just a pbass”...
That would look great with cream covers-
My vote is for the DiMarzio Model P. Can get funky, and still get you to the vintage tone you want- that’s where a preamp/DI box can help get you there when you’re “almost” there...
Just for looks- cream pickups, that maple fretboard would really pop with some black nylon tapewounds!!
That would look great with cream covers-
My vote is for the DiMarzio Model P. Can get funky, and still get you to the vintage tone you want- that’s where a preamp/DI box can help get you there when you’re “almost” there...
Just for looks- cream pickups, that maple fretboard would really pop with some black nylon tapewounds!!
