Fender V-Mod P bass pickups

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Check whether the E is aligned exactly between the two pole pieces - My Am.Pro Precision was suffering with huge overtones from the E and the same lack of definition. After changing the pickup height seemed to make no difference, I noticed the string was too close to the second pole piece. I just detuned the E and moved it across to the next rung on the saddle, perfectly aligning the string between the pole pieces and problem solved. Much more definition and clarity on the E.

It's a pity because the V-Mod (particularly on the Precision) is really very good - the highs are sweet and not too harsh and the mids have been tamed a bit. Just needs a bit more definition at the bottom end.

Personally I've done this right at the beginning when installing the strings ... strings are perfectly aligned over the pickup poles and the tone is the BEST P bass tone I've ever experienced whereas the instrument is super light and the finish superb ! I won't give it back for a Lakland honestly although the Lakland is also a good P bass

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Personally I've done this right at the beginning when installing the strings ... strings are perfectly aligned over the pickup poles and the tone is the BEST P bass tone I've ever experienced whereas the instrument is super light and the finish superb ! I won't give it back for a Lakland honestly although the Lakland is also a good P bass

Good to hear. Apart from my excellent Am.Elite Dimension, this new Professional Precision is the first Femder I've loved in years.

Still pondering swapping the pickup for the Fralin or Aguilar 60's, though...

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Good to hear. Apart from my excellent Am.Elite Dimension, this new Professional Precision is the first Femder I've loved in years.

Still pondering swapping the pickup for the Fralin or Aguilar 60's, though...

To me having chosen Alnico 2 for the poles of the outer strings has been a good idea ... the bass tone is never harsh and this is what I was looking for in a P bass ... for comparison the Alnico 5 EMG GZR I have on a MIJ PB70 is a more powerful pickup and somehow slightly brighter but the tone of the V-mod is clearer and more even which is the same effect i later on found when listening to guitars equipped with Alnico 2 and 5 pickups over YouTube ... Alnico 5 seems to be characterised by a higher output but the overall tone is dirtier, has got less definition ... somebody however stated that this feature is only good in studio or home conditions whereas it can't be really exploited in a live mix ...

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

To me having chosen Alnico 2 for the poles of the outer strings has been a good idea ... the bass tone is never harsh and this is what I was looking for in a P bass ... for comparison the Alnico 5 EMG GZR I have on a MIJ PB70 is a more powerful pickup and somehow slightly brighter but the tone of the V-mod is clearer and more even which is the same effect i later on found when listening to guitars equipped with Alnico 2 and 5 pickups over YouTube ... Alnico 5 seems to be characterised by a higher output but the overall tone is dirtier, has got less definition ... somebody however stated that this feature is only good in studio or home conditions whereas it can't be really exploited in a live mix ...

Quite true. You can't hear it live, but the new mix seems to give a vintage gruff tone on the bottom strings and a clear top end which is sweet & never harsh. Excellent result and a great compromise.

 

[Pbassmanca]

I played an american professional jazz bass last week, and I thought the pickups sounded fantastic. I'll have to try the Professional Precision again, but when I played it a couple times , the tone wasn't quite what I was looking for in a P bass. I was however , a huge fan of the previous American Standard series with the Custom Shop 60's Precision pickups. In fact this reminds me , I need to order a set of those pickups, or just buy an American Standard P bass as they can be had for a decent price now days.....

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Should I try the Am. Pro. jazz body and Am. Std. jazz fretless neck then? Now looking for 6th Fender in my stable which has to be a fretless jazz ... or for a more Jacoish tone should I go for a Road Worn 60s loaded jazz bass body instead? How do their tone compare?

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

When I bought the American Professional Precision I did have a bit of a go on a Flea Roadworn Jazz. Obviously we're not comparing like for like here, but the V-Mod Precision blew the Flea jazz away for pure tone. I've always traditionally favoured the Jazz bass too. I'd go to some stores and find an Am.Pro Precision or Jazz that you really like the feel and sound of. That's always the best way.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

When I bought the American Professional Precision I did have a bit of a go on a Flea Roadworn Jazz. Obviously we're not comparing like for like here, but the V-Mod Precision blew the Flea jazz away for pure tone. I've always traditionally favoured the Jazz bass too. I'd go to some stores and find an Am.Pro Precision or Jazz that you really like the feel and sound of. That's always the best way.

Nice advice to be accounted for... maybe I'll go for a Squier VM body with a full Am. Pro. Jazz Bass harness and an Am. Std. fretless Jazz Bass neck ... don't have much money to spend this time ...

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Nice idea, Gianni. I keep thinking of doing a bitsa bass - Classic Vibe 70's Precision, Aguilar 60's pickup, the tall vintage Fender tuners & Thomastik Jazz Flats.

 

[Linnin]

Invalid Link Removed
Although not mentioned in the title, bass pickup designer/engineer Michael Bump is in the article.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Invalid Link Removed
Although not mentioned in the title, bass pickup designer/engineer Michael Bump is in the article.

Micheal is a member here .. hi Mike ... thanks for the P bass pickups ... I'd define their tone a luxury tone, voluptuous ...

 

[6and5]

Just picked up a used AmPro P V. Like others, I have the same lackluster performance from the E (and the B, in my case). Curiously, the A sounds more like the D-G, even though it's on the same coil as the B-E. Thought it was just a setup issue, but I've adjusted string height, pickup height, playing technique, pick/fingers, EQ, strung through the bridge instead of the body...nothing is bringing it to life.

So she gets a new P/Up. For what I paid for it ($900, and it's a 2017 in almost mint condition), I'm not going to complain about having to replace it. I like the innovative thinking, just not quite down with the results in this case.

 

[jimmerk]

So she gets a new P/Up. For what I paid for it ($900, and it's a 2017 in almost mint condition), I'm not going to complain about having to replace it. I like the innovative thinking, just not quite down with the results in this case.

Regret hearing that the V has the same issue. I'd love to know if the new pickups make a difference for you. I did some recording with my P4, and it actually sounded great in a mix, but I couldn't get over the E string so I sent it back. Admittedly, I'm having second thoughts.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Bah.. it seems that a lot of users are experiencing a variety of issues with the V-mod pickups... I did a few house recordings playing over backing tracks and to me the tone was warm and very clear ... I've got 3 P basses, one is a MIJ PB70, the second one is a MIA Elite end the third is a MIA Pro. ... the last one sounds the best (I proudly installed EMG GZR on the PB70 ... different tone)

 

[6and5]

I bought this one specifically because I've started playing a few of my band's songs with a pick and a bit of overdrive, and P's have always sounded great to my ear that way. The E and B sound...I guess "pillowy" would be the best description I could give them, with very little bite, even with the OD. And after playing it more, I can definitely tell the attack is less defined on all 3 of the strings on the low P/Up, though much less so on the A.

Got a good deal on an open box Nordy NP5F, which will be here on Monday. I'll update once I've had a chance to try it out. I hope it fixes the problem because I really want to love this bass. Everything else about it is so damn good. It'll be a really nice contrast to my Kiesel IC4 and IC5.

 

[Linnin]

OK, my review of my 2017 Fender American Professional Precision is up. The VMod pickups have their very own post. NBD: Fender American Profesional Precision

 

[joebar]

Mine seems to be just fine
We record our rehearsals and DI'd from my amp to board sounded perfect with my P5.
The low notes were very deep and balanced

 

[6and5]

So...interesting happenings. I had to adjust the truss rod a bit to compensate for tuning down a 1/2 step and putting lighter gauge strings on. In getting things set back up again, I tweaked the pickup and string height a little more, and, somehow, ended up finding the butter zone! Seems to be a bit tighter spacing between the P/Ups and the strings than the factory recommended. I'm actually really happy with the way it sounds now. Took it to rehearsal tonight and got rave reviews all around. So no need to even install the Nordy I bought, though I might try it out just for s***s & grins, since 2 solder connections is well within my abilities.

Sum of comment: Happy to report I was wrong.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I knew they could sound ok

 

[flametop]

Can anyone compare them to the 60CS?