Fender Ultra Precision bass

[Nebadon2000]

Are those with who like Passive with Flats actually Gigging live? [Cover Band]

I had a 75' Precision and a long time ago I tried Flats gave it 6 months; almost every gig I had to fight to Blend/cut in the mix [Rock Music]consistently having right hand plucking near or at the bridge. [Such a relief to go back to rounds]

With Ultra Passive on Gig/Rehearsal it is fine with 60's/70's 'Fossil/Dead Horse Song's' was with 75' P with rounds [still use Active on many]
But with playing most 80's song to current Active works better in mix live for my taste.

I use Passive mostly for bedroom solo practice live amp or with headphones and it does sound excellent.

With NPS Rounds like Fender 7250's [came with Ultra] and now my MarkBass NPS Ultimate's there is no zing or harshness and great definition and clarity maybe a little to 'Grindy' for Gianni

 

[TrevorG]

[To Nebadon] My Ultra P seems to sit really well with my Markbass K1 but I haven’t gigged with flats yet. I’m not surprised to hear your findings but already imagined passive with flats to be perfect for recording. Not surprised the active circuit did the job though a Jazz with rounds could be the other option.

 

[Nebadon2000]

already imagined passive with flats to be perfect for recording.

That may be true when monitoring input but then Recording Engineer [even if it's you] will then use Active EQ to get tone and have it sit properly in mix I kid

When we listen to a recording not hearing Bass Players input tone but extremely manipulated one

Just listen to a few Soloed bass tracks and then full song mix and difference in Bass Tone

I understand wanting pleasing preferred tone on Stage mix and recording input but when I started caring about what Audience heard and what my preferred tone input recording sounded like well.... I had to make a decision to Vet the situation.

Live I decided to tolerate less than Ideal on stage[not to much less as in bad] for better sound out front

And recording I did the same so as to have less manipulation and time to get good result in mix.

I now know how to quickly set my stage sound for best result in Venue and proper input tone when recording so as just to tweak in mixing process.

PS; I am not trying to 'Push' my experience I am of the Live and let live type; also I would much rather have
'My Tone' on stage and not worry about Audience; same with recording and let someone else sort it out.

This is all in situations without FOH; With FOH is another can of worms but lets you have Stage Sound as you wish. Passive, Flats and cab with no tweeter
Also Soloed Bass tracks 'are' manipulation to find good tone and blend similar to what player/engineer may have wanted in the mix. Most soloed tracks sound awful to me.

 

[TrevorG]

That may be true when monitoring input but then Recording Engineer [even if it's you] will then use Active EQ to get tone and have it sit properly in mix I kid

When we listen to a recording not hearing Bass Players input tone but extremely manipulated one

Just listen to a few Soloed bass tracks and then full song mix and difference in Bass Tone

I understand wanting pleasing preferred tone on Stage mix and recording input but when I started caring about what Audience heard and what my preferred tone input recording sounded like well.... I had to make a decision to Vet the situation.

Live I decided to tolerate less than Ideal on stage[not to much less as in bad] for better sound out front

And recording I did the same so as to have less manipulation and time to get good result in mix.

I now know how to quickly set my stage sound for best result in Venue and proper input tone when recording so as just to tweak in mixing process.

PS; I am not trying to 'Push' my experience I am of the Live and let live type; also I would much rather have
'My Tone' on stage and not worry about Audience; same with recording and let someone else sort it out.

This is all in situations without FOH; With FOH is another can of worms but lets you have Stage Sound as you wish. Passive, Flats and cab with no tweeter
Also Soloed Bass tracks 'are' manipulation to find good tone and blend similar to what player/engineer may have wanted in the mix. Most soloed tracks sound awful to me.

Out of interest what are you playing through? I have a Markbass K1 with 102P. Only issues (in a limited number of rehearsals)I've had is alongside "ridiculously' loud guitarists but even then the P sat in the mix well. Most of my experience is in theatre where there are plenty of sound guys and front of house is always pretty good so I bow to your knowledge of other gigs.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Are those with who like Passive with Flats actually Gigging live? [Cover Band]

I had a 75' Precision and a long time ago I tried Flats gave it 6 months; almost every gig I had to fight to Blend/cut in the mix [Rock Music]consistently having right hand plucking near or at the bridge. [Such a relief to go back to rounds]

With Ultra Passive on Gig/Rehearsal it is fine with 60's/70's 'Fossil/Dead Horse Song's' was with 75' P with rounds [still use Active on many]
But with playing most 80's song to current Active works better in mix live for my taste.

I use Passive mostly for bedroom solo practice live amp or with headphones and it does sound excellent.

With NPS Rounds like Fender 7250's [came with Ultra] and now my MarkBass NPS Ultimate's there is no zing or harshness and great definition and clarity maybe a little to 'Grindy' for Gianni

I’m trying to adjust my amp setup to the design of the instrument; I didn’t use it much and my judgement is somehow biased by the fact that I come from the AO ‘60s P plus LaBella flats territory.
Anyway the bass can sound sweet! Quite right for modern R&B and, however, very well built

 

[Nebadon2000]

I have a Markbass K1 with 102P. Only issues (in a limited number of rehearsals)I've had is alongside "ridiculously' loud guitarists but even then the P sat in the mix well.

always

When using Flats?

I to have had no problem with Passive P blending/cut with Loud Guitarist and Drummers in a Rehearsal or 'Stage Mix' Live with NPS Rounds. Using a variety of Amp's through the years; presently I use Markbass CMD 121P with same Combo Cab as extension. [Amp in second CMD 121P is backup; thought it was smart]

I now take advantage Active gives me on a variety of Music

What's that popular acronym here on Talkbass? YMMV

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

When using Flats?

I to have had no problem with Passive P blending/cut with Loud Guitarist and Drummers in a Rehearsal or 'Stage Mix' Live with NPS Rounds. Using a variety of Amp's through the years; presently I use Markbass CMD 121P with same Combo Cab as extension. [Amp in second CMD 121P is backup; thought it was smart]

I now take advantage Active gives me on a variety of Music

What's that popular acronym here on Talkbass? YMMV

Yesterday I had to change the batteries .. the guy using the bass before should have used it extensively in active mode since it was practically new … he’s a pro bass player so I can imagine that he was draining them substantially

 

[pbass6811]

Hey. I just got one of the Ultra PBasses and I'm hoping you guys might be able to point me in the right direction. I dig the bass, but I'm a black hardware guy, so I'm already looking to replace the chrome hardware that it came with. I need help finding the stacked knobs and I'm not sure what size the tuners are. If anyone can help me out with some info/insight, I'd be most grateful. I've only had one other Fender bass and that was many years ago, so I'm just not too familiar with Fender specs. Thanks!
*pic for posterity*

 

[Nebadon2000]

Yesterday I had to change the batteries .. the guy using the bass before should have used it extensively in active mode since it was practically new … he’s a pro bass player so I can imagine that he was draining them substantially

Even in Passive Mode it will drain batteries; Keep an eye on it TrevorG has said his Ultra P eats batteries faster than normal; I have no such problem with mine. Yes a Pro Player most likely spends lots of time with Bass Plugged in more than most.

FYI If Ultra P was only Passive I would still be extremely happy; plenty of great tones for any Music in Passive Mode and the combination of 'D' neck, 10-14 radius, new contours, rolled edges and light weight[8lbs 9oz] make for excellent playability and comfort. Build and finish quality on mine is excellent also

 

[TrevorG]

Hey. I just got one of the Ultra PBasses and I'm hoping you guys might be able to point me in the right direction. I dig the bass, but I'm a black hardware guy, so I'm already looking to replace the chrome hardware that it came with. I need help finding the stacked knobs and I'm not sure what size the tuners are. If anyone can help me out with some info/insight, I'd be most grateful. I've only had one other Fender bass and that was many years ago, so I'm just not too familiar with Fender specs. Thanks!
*pic for posterity*
View attachment 4945069

Didn’t realise the headstock was painted on these. Truly jealous! Congratulations.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Even in Passive Mode it will drain batteries; Keep an eye on it TrevorG has said his Ultra P eats batteries faster than normal; I have no such problem with mine. Yes a Pro Player most likely spends lots of time with Bass Plugged in more than most.

FYI If Ultra P was only Passive I would still be extremely happy; plenty of great tones for any Music in Passive Mode and the combination of 'D' neck, 10-14 radius, new contours, rolled edges and light weight[8lbs 9oz] make for excellent playability and comfort. Build and finish quality on mine is excellent also

Thanks for the info @Nebadon2000 .. I’ll then take the batteries out as I use it in passive mode only

 

[TrevorG]

Thanks for the info @Nebadon2000 .. I’ll then take the batteries out as I use it in passive mode only

I use 800 milliamp rechargeable batteries. They last a long time and work out cheaper.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I use 800 milliamp rechargeable batteries. They last a long time and work out cheaper.

I'll look into them when I'll become sufficiently accustomed to the onboard preamp to use it (I'm basically a passive guy!)

 

[Nebadon2000]

Hey. I just got one of the Ultra PBasses and I'm hoping you guys might be able to point me in the right direction. I dig the bass, but I'm a black hardware guy, so I'm already looking to replace the chrome hardware that it came with. I need help finding the stacked knobs and I'm not sure what size the tuners are. If anyone can help me out with some info/insight, I'd be most grateful. I've only had one other Fender bass and that was many years ago, so I'm just not too familiar with Fender specs. Thanks!
*pic for posterity*
View attachment 4945069

Got the SE one Great looking Bass
Black Hardware will look good on it

 

[RobertAuCoin]

27171998[/URL], member: 62632"]Got the SE one Great looking Bass

Looks really great. Does the ebony fingerboard on the LE make a noticeable difference in tone or feel, compared with rosewood or maple?

 

[RobertAuCoin]

*pic for posterity*

Great looking bass. I’d love to see a photo of the neck, bass-side, with the dot side markers on that one.

 

[pbass6811]

Got the SE one Great looking Bass
Black Hardware will look good on it

Thanks! Yeah, if I can get some guidance on what'll fit, I'll make it happen, LOL! Fender had me on hold for 15+ minutes, but Best Bass Gear emailed me back and asked for some pics to verify some stuff, so maybe I'll know later tonight?

Looks really great. Does the ebony fingerboard on the LE make a noticeable difference in tone or feel, compared with rosewood or maple?

Thanks! I dig it. Ebony is closer to maple in tone because it's much harder wood than rosewood. I believe that ebony & maple are pretty close, in terms of hardness, so they should be reasonably similar.

Great looking bass. I’d love to see a photo of the neck, bass-side, with the dot side markers on that one.

Here ya' go...

yeah, they're actually kinda hard to see. Not sure why they didn't just put black dots on there...

 

[Nebadon2000]

I'll look into them when I'll become sufficiently accustomed to the onboard preamp to use it (I'm basically a passive guy!)

When you have time, turn tone controls down on active preamp equally to about 10 O'clock so volume when switching from Active to Passive is perceived the same.

This will give you ability to easily compare them just by using toggle switch. I find the 'General' tone similar but different

You most likely will not like it at First; Like always putting Salt & Pepper on your food and now just tasting Food as is.
try suffering thru Active for a week or two [no passive] then re-compare

Might still prefer Salt & Pepper but might also find Active may have a place on some songs especially Live or practicing with tracks at home through Amp or Headphones.

Being a 'Passive' guy myself from 1975 till got EBMM Reflex in 2013 Active/Passive ended up using Active on Gig's 75-80% of songs.[only got bass because it could be used passive]

My first time using active was around 2001 when filling in with my friends band temporally[had just took a hiatus sold my Bass] I used his; a 90's Fender Jazz Active hated it and swore off Active; unnatural sounding to my ears and uncomfortable to listen to for long periods needed to Gig.

Both preamps in EBMM and Ultra P Sound much better than that Jazz, natural, smooth and no harshness.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Thanks! Yeah, if I can get some guidance on what'll fit, I'll make it happen, LOL! Fender had me on hold for 15+ minutes, but Best Bass Gear emailed me back and asked for some pics to verify some stuff, so maybe I'll know later tonight?

May be off the wall suggestion

But get hardware painted like they use for Aluminum Car Wheels

 

[RobertAuCoin]

Both preamps in EBMM and Ultra P Sound much better than that Jazz, natural, smooth and no harshness.

I’m wondering if the preamp in the Ultra Jazz today is the same as the Ultra Precision. Anybody know this?