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#241
Yvarg said:
Alright, I have finally succeeded in getting some soundclips that don't sound like (total) crap.

[ ... snip ... ]

The only way I could get a decent sound was to record my rig straight into garageband with my laptop's built in mic (that's why the sound level goes in and out in the clip :/ ). The setup consists of a JW soapbar pickup in the bridge position (no tone knob in use) into a Warwick Pro FET 5.2 to a Peavey 18" cab.
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It's difficult to evaluate pickups when there's an amp and cabinet in the mix too. Try plugging your instrument cable straight into your "line in", using a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter, and then tell GarageBand to go mono. Works great - I recorded several songs that way before I got my PreSonus. This will remove any coloration contributed by your amp and cab, and give us a truer impression of the pickups.
 
#242
psychotiger said:
Very interesting sound clips! Thanks for posting those.

A couple of questions:

How far from the bridge did you place ti pick up (and how did you measure it eg. from G string saddle to bridge-side edge of the pup)?

What strings are you using?

Thanks

Clif
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No problem! The pickup sits 2" from the G string saddle and 2 1/8" from the E string saddle. I'm using a custom gage set of D'addario nickel strings; I don't remember what gages they are, but they're way lighter than I normally prefer (helps with the tremolo on the bass). The strings are about a year old. Also, I should probably add that the bass is a 34" scale, ash body with a thin maple top.

t's difficult to evaluate pickups when there's an amp and cabinet in the mix too. Try plugging your instrument cable straight into your "line in", using a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter, and then tell GarageBand to go mono. Works great - I recorded several songs that way before I got my PreSonus. This will remove any coloration contributed by your amp and cab, and give us a truer impression of the pickups.
Click to expand...

I tried that, but for whatever reason all of my basses sound like crap when I do this and there is a ton of noise and it's just bad. I wish I knew someone who had a decent recording set up so I could get a more accurate clip for you guys.
 
#243
Yvarg said:
No problem! The pickup sits 2" from the G string saddle and 2 1/8" from the E string saddle. I'm using a custom gage set of D'addario nickel strings; I don't remember what gages they are, but they're way lighter than I normally prefer (helps with the tremolo on the bass). The strings are about a year old. Also, I should probably add that the bass is a 34" scale, ash body with a thin maple top.
Click to expand...

Awesome. Thanks for the very helpful info. After listening to your clips, I can't wait to get this bass finished. I am thinking I may try a set of TI Jazz Flats against a set of DR Hi Beams. I am still weeks away from completion. Well, that neck won't carve itself so off to the shop! :bassist:

Thanks again,

Clif
 
#244
Alrighty, just got back from the band rehearsal with the new bass and new pickups. First off, the dudes were freakin out about the fact I built my own bass. It probably could have sounded like poo and they would have loved it.

BUT, it sounded AMAZING! Everyone thought it was the best sounding bass I've played in the band, from the Dingwall to the Deluxe P or the lowly parts bass P. I've played P pickups from Standard American P to a Sadowsky to Basslines to a few unidentified ones. My relationship with the P bass is borderline intimate and this is gritty dirty P bass lovin at it's best. Not sure how much I can count for the pickup or the fanned 35-32" scale or anything, but the consensus was that this one is here to stay. Hopefully once I dial in the pickup heights a bit, it'll be even better. I had these things wedged in a poster board pick guard tonight hooked straight to the output jack just so I could hear it with the band. Seriously John, you've done an excellent job.

One word of caution to those wanting a mellower sound, these aren't afraid to bark and bite. Generous use of the tone knob might be required, though I haven't got to try that yet. Also, take in consideration I'm still in the "honeymoon" phase here... I'll give her a few more weeks to let the excitement die down and review my initial thoughts then.

Thanks John, I hope to order a set of J's soon. ;)
 
#246
Ol'Bass'ead said:
I dont know how many p'ups youve run straight to the jack, but that definitely changes the way a p'up sounds and reacts. Try it with at least a volume and see if it still snarls. Oh, and how is the low end?
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Yeah, I know it can change it slightly, but I didn't think it was significant. I may just run this thing straight if the volume knob has any noticeable negative effect. The bottom end was there. I'll refrain from putting adjectives to it as they all mean different things to everyone. Let's just say, it was full.
 
#250
Mine just showed up too. I have two basses that are identical, same make, same woods, same model-could have been on the same assembly line together-just different color. 1 has the Split-P in front and a Carvin stacked humbucking Jazz in the back. The other has an EMG PJ set. I dont ever play the EMG one because when I went to GC to get the pickup set, they didnt bother to tell me that there was a 5-string version (the P5J) and that the 4-string version they sold me would sound like crap. By the time I figured it out it was too late to take it back-so I was screwed.

Anyway, I am installing the Worrell P in the front of that guitar and an NOS Jackson 5-string J (that I picked up on ebay) in the back. Ill be able to A-B them, and have all the same settings on the amp with same conditions and all so it should be a very good comparison.
 
#251
Ol'Bass'ead said:
I dont ever play the EMG one because when I went to GC to get the pickup set, they didnt bother to tell me that there was a 5-string version (the P5J) and that the 4-string version they sold me would sound like crap.
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GC doesn't know what they are talking about. They are the same pickups. If the regular P/J set fit in the bass, than that's what fits. The P5 is longer. But they are the same sounding pickups.

The P unit is a different size. The J is exactly the same. They don't sound different.

The P5J is just like a PJ set, but it's sized for 5-string bass instead of a 4-string. Combining the P and a single LJ unit in a complete assembly...
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#252
I called EMG directly and talked to one of their techs. He told me the reason that I had no low end was because i had the 4-string set-up and that the 5-string set-up was voiced different. In fact, I thing I still have the email he sent me.

Well. I was wrong. You were in deed right they are the same. So much for my memory. I guess I just dont like EMG p'ups for a 5er.
 
#253
Ol'Bass'ead said:
Mine just showed up too.

Anyway, I am installing the Worrell P in the front of that guitar and an NOS Jackson 5-string J (that I picked up on ebay) in the back. Ill be able to A-B them, and have all the same settings on the amp with same conditions and all so it should be a very good comparison.
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That would be great to hear. When do you plan to do it?
 
#256
I got the soapbars soldered in my GSR206 today. Everything fit well except I need to route some more room under my high C for the wires. As it stands, the pickups are a little close.

So far, (even with the pickups not setup right) they sound great. The B definitely sounds much better, punchier and louder. I'm guessing the stock pickups were not even really picking up the B. The sound is much more balanced and deeper with John's pickups. I'm hoping to route the extra space tomorrow to get the pickup height correct.

Overall, great job and a great guy! Highly recommended.
 
#259
karter2000 said:
I got the soapbars soldered in my GSR206 today. Everything fit well except I need to route some more room under my high C for the wires. As it stands, the pickups are a little close.

So far, (even with the pickups not setup right) they sound great. The B definitely sounds much better, punchier and louder. I'm guessing the stock pickups were not even really picking up the B. The sound is much more balanced and deeper with John's pickups. I'm hoping to route the extra space tomorrow to get the pickup height correct.

Overall, great job and a great guy! Highly recommended.
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Thanks Lyle, I'm glad your happy with them. I've started using shorter pole pieces in the last week or so and Ive also started to move the wires to the side as best as I can. Plus now I use regular pickup wire. :)
 

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