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Fender V-Mod P bass pickups

#81
Here's a short comparison I made between the V-mod pickups in my Am Prof V and my Am Orig 60s P with the pure 63 pickups. Don't want to say too much but I think it's pretty clear that the new V-mods sound more hollow, especially on the lower strings where the Alnico 2 magnets are. I raised the pickup height on that side in order for compensate for the loss of output but volume in db is one thing, sound that carries is another. I hope this helps some of you and I want to point out that I think both these P's sound good.. also the fact that the Professional is a 5 string probably changes the sound a bit too.
 

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#82
mickebas said:
Here's a short comparison I made between the V-mod pickups in my Am Prof V and my Am Orig 60s P with the pure 63 pickups. Don't want to say too much but I think it's pretty clear that the new V-mods sound more hollow, especially on the lower strings where the Alnico 2 magnets are. I raised the pickup height on that side in order for compensate for the loss of output but volume in db is one thing, sound that carries is another. I hope this helps some of you and I want to point out that I think both these P's sound good.. also the fact that the Professional is a 5 string probably changes the sound a bit too.
Click to expand...
Would you do us all a favor? Please switch the two halves of the VM pickup so the Alnico V is under the EA strings and the Alnico II is under the DG strings, and record and post sound samples. Others in similar threads have said on their basses this improved the tonality overall.
 
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#83
iiipopes said:
Would you do us all a favor? Please switch the two halves of the VM pickup so the Alnico V is under the EA strings and the Alnico II is under the DG strings, and record and post sound samples. Others in similar threads have said on their basses this improved the tonality overall.
Click to expand...
iiipopes said:
Would you do us all a favor? Please switch the two halves of the VM pickup so the Alnico V is under the EA strings and the Alnico II is under the DG strings, and record and post sound samples. Others in similar threads have said on their basses this improved the tonality overall.
Click to expand...

Sorry can’t do since my Professionsl with the V-mods is a five string unfortunately. But the consensus from my part is the Alnico 5s have a fuller more punchy sound. Then the idea with the Alnico2 on the B-E-A strings I guess is to make them softer, less powerful to match the D-G strings. But I’m not sure wether this will be a winning concept.
 
#84
iiipopes said:
Would you do us all a favor? Please switch the two halves of the VM pickup so the Alnico V is under the EA strings and the Alnico II is under the DG strings, and record and post sound samples. Others in similar threads have said on their basses this improved the tonality overall.
Click to expand...
It should be a thing worth trying .. still got my set in a drawer at home :thumbsup:
 
#85
mickebas said:
Sorry can’t do since my Professionsl with the V-mods is a five string unfortunately. But the consensus from my part is the Alnico 5s have a fuller more punchy sound. Then the idea with the Alnico2 on the B-E-A strings I guess is to make them softer, less powerful to match the D-G strings. But I’m not sure wether this will be a winning concept.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that may be the rationale, but all it does is turn the lower strings to mush. Output can be adjusted with pickup height. Others have done it to good results; I was hoping to hear it for myself on soundclips. Sorry I did not understand your bass was a 5-string. Thanks.
 
#87
Now I’ve had the chance to evaluate the V-mod pickups some more. I bough another Am pro P-bass, the limited edition 4 string PJ model, and I must say in this bass the V-mods sounds really good. Also in my Am pro 5-string P I think I’m getting the idea behind the slightly different voicing on the Alnico 2 on the B-E-A strings compared to the Alnico 5 on the D-G strings. Especially if you tweak the pickup height differently than what’s usual on a P-bass. You get more even string response, more attack and less boominess on the lower notes. So I figure it’s a lot about not expecting the soundblance to be exactly the way it usually is. Lower the pickup under the D-G strings and you will hopefully see what I mean. My new Am pro Limited edition P really sounds and feels great. No lack of punch or power from the E-string as some have said. It’s actually louder and more punchy than my other P-basses but still very balanced. For the moment I’m very happy.
 
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#88
mickebas said:
Now I’ve had the chance to evaluate the V-mod pickups some more. I bough another Am pro P-bass, the limited edition 4 string PJ model, and I must say in this bass the V-mods sounds really good. Also in my Am pro 5-string P I think I’m getting the idea behind the slightly different voicing on the Alnico 2 on the B-E-A strings compared to the Alnico 5 on the D-G strings. Especially if you tweak the pickup height differently than what’s usual on a P-bass. You get more even string response, more attack and less boominess on the lower notes. So I figure it’s a lot about not expecting the soundblance to be exactly the way it usually is. Lower the pickup under the D-G strings and you will hopefully see what I mean. My new Am pro Limited edition P really sounds and feels great. No lack of punch or power from the E-string as some have said. It’s actually louder and more punchy than my other P-basses but still very balanced. For the moment I’m very happy.
Click to expand...

As I've asked for the opinion of some other TBers, I have a 2008 AmStd Pbass with Original 62 pup strung with DR Legend flats for dub-reggae (purpose: super smooth/fat tone) and a 2017 AmPro Pbass with stock V-Mod pup strung with D'Addario Pro Steels for funk, slap etc (purpose: aggressive/tight sound). Have I got it completely wrong? Should I perhaps switch strings and have the 2008 AmStd with Original 62 pup strung with bright rounds for funk/slap and the 2017 AmPro with V-Mod pup strung with warm flats for dub-reggae? Or even, on top of swapping strings, reverse the V-Mod pup to have the Alnico 5 part for E and A strings and the Alnico 2 part for D and G strings - so that, with flats, I have punchy lows and subdued highs for a dub tone)?
 
#89
My personal recommendation would be to replace the v-mod with a new pickup, the pure vintage 63 or similar. I swapped out the pickups in my 2 Am Pro P's after a lot of first trying to tweak the sound and understand the philosophy behind them, and it was instantly a big improvement.
 
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#92
When I bought my AO 63 P a couple months ago, I A/B tested it at the shop with an Am Pro with the V pickups, same settings, same 112 GK amp, and, man, the difference was huge... The PV 63s have a huge output, the depth and lows difference of the sound output between the two basses was really big. So though I maybe liked the pro neck better, having been a JB player most of my life, I had no doubt the sound was in the AO.
I'm to this day surprised at how low I have to set my amp's volume, playing that bass, maybe also cut bass eq a bit.
 
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#93
obieito said:
When I bought my AO 63 P a couple months ago, I A/B tested it at the shop with an Am Pro with the V pickups, same settings, same 112 GK amp, and, man, the difference was huge... The PV 63s have a huge output, the depth and lows difference of the sound output between the two basses was really big. So though I maybe liked the pro neck better, having been a JB player most of my life, I had no doubt the sound was in the AO.
I'm to this day surprised at how low I have to set my amp's volume, playing that bass, maybe also cut bass eq a bit.
Click to expand...

Yes, the AmPro has a fast Pbass neck.
 
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#94
obieito said:
When I bought my AO 63 P a couple months ago, I A/B tested it at the shop with an Am Pro with the V pickups, same settings, same 112 GK amp, and, man, the difference was huge... The PV 63s have a huge output, the depth and lows difference of the sound output between the two basses was really big. So though I maybe liked the pro neck better, having been a JB player most of my life, I had no doubt the sound was in the AO.
I'm to this day surprised at how low I have to set my amp's volume, playing that bass, maybe also cut bass eq a bit.
Click to expand...
Playing both AO ‘60s P and J basses .. there’s a difference but not dramatic .. there’s more difference to me between the Am. Std. J neck I put on an Am. Pro. P-bass body and the above two ..
 
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#96
obieito said:
Could you please explain a bit more, in what way do you find that bigger difference?
Click to expand...
Didn’t take any measurements but, overall, the Am. Std. J neck seems easier to play than the other two, hence you can play faster on it although not necessarily better; the neck’s response to the strings’ induced tension seems to be influenced by the kind of strings you want to use, much mire than in the case of the other two necks I mentioned.
Don’t know if this is actually due to the neck’s section properties or to the selection of wood material Fender makes for the various production lines they have.
This, notwithstanding the presence of carbon rods into it .. in a way, thus, properly setting up the Am. Std. neck seems to be a bit more difficult task
 
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#97
Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati said:
Didn’t take any measurements but, overall, the Am. Std. J neck seems easier to play than the other two, hence you can play faster on it although not necessarily better; the neck’s response to the strings’ induced tension seems to be influenced by the kind of strings you want to use, much mire than in the case of the other two necks I mentioned.
Don’t know if this is actually due to the neck’s section properties or to the selection of wood material Fender makes for the various production lines they have.
This, notwithstanding the presence of carbon rods into it .. in a way, thus, properly setting up the Am. Std. neck seems to be a bit more difficult task
Click to expand...
I see now, thanks for the answer.
When I played both precisions at the store they were both pretty well setup so I wouldn't tell a difference there.
And my (almost) all-time bass has been the Am. Deluxe JB from 99, that neck is really sweet and nice to your hand.
I think I've never played a recent standard JB!
 
#98
obieito said:
When I bought my AO 63 P a couple months ago, I A/B tested it at the shop with an Am Pro with the V pickups, same settings, same 112 GK amp, and, man, the difference was huge... The PV 63s have a huge output, the depth and lows difference of the sound output between the two basses was really big. So though I maybe liked the pro neck better, having been a JB player most of my life, I had no doubt the sound was in the AO.
I'm to this day surprised at how low I have to set my amp's volume, playing that bass, maybe also cut bass eq a bit.
Click to expand...

I, just like you, have been a jazz bass player most part of my life but with age and (over-)maturity I’m getting more and more into the simplicity of the P-bass. Not that I would go into the discussion on P or J since i find it necessary to own both, preferably with the vintage specifications. They have their respective fields of excellence.
Coming back to the neck dimension issue I think the Am original 60’s P has the beefiest neck I ever played but in spite of that I still felt it was not hard to play and get around on. I almost felt it was a part of the sound having that chunky neck matched with the really meaty Pure V 63 pickups.
I’ve played and owned lots if different jazz- and P-basses and my conclusion is it’s not much about hand size it’s more about the whole package, the sound and feel you get on the instrument and playing anyone of them for a week, doing the right type of string-crossing exercises will make them feel at home. It’s more a matter of deciding what instrument you want to dedicate yourself to IMHO.
The only thing I prefer is the vintage 7,25’ radius and the older vintage frets over the new 9,5’ radius and vintage tall frets, that to me more seems to be a production simplified process than the improvement Fender proclaim it is. Not to me anyway, but I’m not a note-bender and prefer the smoothness of the vintage specs.
Anyway, I say go with the bass you feel you get the best sound out of and mostly want to pick up and play. The wider nut or the more meaty neck might just make you play different and give you new inspiration. It did to me anyway and the Am O 60’s P was the opening port into that for me :)
 
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#99
I have a 2020 Am Pro Precision V, and I am happy with the V-Mod pickup. I was somewhat disappointed at first, because the B string was warbly and hollow, especially the open B. But happily, changing the crappy OEM strings to my usual D'Addario EXL170-5s fixed the issue. The B string is now fat and solid, and fits in well with the others.
 
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#100
Hi guys, I have an American Professional and I started modding it but now I cannot tell which coil is the Alnico V and which one is the Alnico II. I have seen that in the 5 strings the bass coil has the two white wires. In my 4 strings I have the high coil with two white wires and the bass coil with one black and one white wire.
Did I mount it incorrectly? Anyone that owns this bass and could check what is the right orientation? any other ways to tell the two coils apart? Thank you!
 

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