Getting a modern tone from a P-bass

[zelig.audio]

First, define modern: I'm thinking something less honky than typical P-bass sound, somewhat more "flexible", perhaps a bit scooped and more hi-fi. A couple examples that show the range of modern-ish tones I'm thinking:





So, what would y'all do make a P-bass with rounds work "idiomatically" in situations like these?

 

[5StringBlues]

I'd start with stainless rather than nickel strings.

 

[ahbass2500]

After strings, I would say preamp. I would do one of these two.

East: P-RETRO | East UK

Underhill: One Pickup - Filter and Treble Boost | Underhill Bass

I am running the Underhill on a G&L Tribute Fallout Bass. Was amazed how much more "modern" the bass sounds to me with the preamp even when set flat (snappier, more high end content).

 

[TheReceder]

I've got a vintage jazz that I've modded (some would say upgraded, I wouldn't) I added an active system many years back and it changed the bass to a "modern" sounding bass.
To a degree I think ( I strees the word I) that trying to get modern tones from a pbass is counter-productive. Pbasses are known for a paticuliar spectrum of tones.
Adding steel strings isn't huge, you can always go back. Adding an active system is.
For the record, I added an active EMG system to my only Pbass, but if the studio called and said bring a Pbass, I'd probably tell them I'd bring something that could get close to a pbass tone, but I wouldn't bring that hot rodded Pbass.

 

[ahbass2500]

I've got a vintage jazz that I've modded (some would say upgraded, I wouldn't) I added an active system many years back and it changed the bass to a "modern" sounding bass.
To a degree I think ( I strees the word I) that trying to get modern tones from a pbass is counter-productive. Pbasses are known for a paticuliar spectrum of tones.
Adding steel strings isn't huge, you can always go back. Adding an active system is.
For the record, I added an active EMG system to my only Pbass, but if the studio called and said bring a Pbass, I'd probably tell them I'd bring something that could get close to a pbass tone, but I wouldn't bring that hot rodded Pbass.

The nice part of the East Option I mentioned is that you can just go back to passive P bass tone with it. Also no need to add a battery cavity.

The Underhill filter pre can get pretty close to passive sound by turning off the resonant peak (pushing the knob in) and rolling the frequency back a bit.

 

[zelig.audio]

Thanks for the replies so far. I appreciate the recommendations, but I was more asking what you would do in terms of non-invasive measures, from strings to EQ or using pedals like an external preamp, for example. FWIW, I have a minimal pedalboard with an HX Stomp, a 10-band EQ and a DI, and I can also throw in a JHS Colour Box and an SP Compressor if needed. The plan is to eventually buy an active 5 string, but I got this modern-begging gig right when I just sold my modern-ish bass and haven't yet bought a new one, so I'm stuck with only a P-bass at the moment.

 

[Bodeeni]

I would not have guessed this and I was not trying but my Fender Player classic sunburst precision with a highway one rosewood neck and an old Fender Japan PU with Super Bright stainless steels is sounding surprisingly modern these days. I have had it up against my Stingray all week. Not quite the same but both have that "modern" sound. That is direct dry into the DAW. Definitely a bass to bass thing, all my P basses sound different

 

[Stacks]

When I think “modern” in bass terms, I’m with you, less of that mid-honky P thing, more extended lows/highs, a bit scooped or at least more neutral through the mids, and just overall more hi-fi and flexible.

To me that usually means active EQ, humbuckers or soapbars, and something that can go from clean and tight to a little aggressive without fighting you. Brands like Sadowsky, Dingwall, or even some higher-end Ibanez stuff kind of live in that space.

Also, stainless strings + a clean pre/DI and a touch of compression go a long way toward that “modern” thing, even on a bass that isn’t super hi-fi on paper.

 

[ThudThudThud]

In other news: How to make chicken taste like lamb.

I agree with what's been said above. Why try to change a P-Bass? It is what it is. I personally buy a Precision to sound like a Precision.

Sadowsky SPB-1 pedal? Non-invasive.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Thanks for the replies so far. I appreciate the recommendations, but I was more asking what you would do in terms of non-invasive measures, from strings to EQ or using pedals like an external preamp, for example. FWIW, I have a minimal pedalboard with an HX Stomp, a 10-band EQ and a DI, and I can also throw in a JHS Colour Box and an SP Compressor if needed. The plan is to eventually buy an active 5 string, but I got this modern-begging gig right when I just sold my modern-ish bass and haven't yet bought a new one, so I'm stuck with only a P-bass at the moment.

I would think with the HX Stomp you could dig around in there and find or make a modern sounding patch

 

[brianrost]

 

[MartinB]

To my ears, a big cut around 700 Hz takes out a lot of the characteristic P bass honk

 

[zelig.audio]

In other news: How to make chicken taste like lamb.

I agree with what's been said above. Why try to change a P-Bass? It is what it is. I personally buy a Precision to sound like a Precision.

Sadowsky SPB-1 pedal? Non-invasive.

I imagine you missed the part where I wrote "The plan is to eventually buy an active 5 string, but I got this modern-begging gig right when I just sold my modern-ish bass and haven't yet bought a new one, so I'm stuck with only a P-bass at the moment."

 

[zelig.audio]

I would think with the HX Stomp you could dig around in there and find or make a modern sounding patch

Yea, me too. Actually, I was exactly looking for guidance in doing things like creating such a patch when I started this thread

 

[Jack]

Yea, me too. Actually, I was exactly looking for guidance in doing things like creating such a patch when I started this thread

In our defence you created it in 'basses' and not 'effects'. OK. Stainless steel, light, strings. Play soft and close to the bridge. Compression, a mid scoop, amp sim if you want but no cab sim.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Yea, me too. Actually, I was exactly looking for guidance in doing things like creating such a patch when I started this thread

I don't have one or even know what it is capable of doing. There might be some preamp models in there to try messing with.

I see you have an external 10 band eq, maybe try that tip from MartinB's suggestion of cutting around 700 hz might help.

Other than that, I got nothing right now.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Thats a tough ask. The Pbass really does what it does so well, but as a result it can't really get that type of modern clarity you are looking for. That's why Fender invented the jazz bass and brands iterated on that.

 

[JazznFunk]

Steel strings, Sadowsky Outboard preamp. Done. That said, a P-Bass is a P-Bass.... it's hard to get that baked in sound totally out, but the Sadowsky pre can beef things up and sculpt it for sure. If you need more mid control to scoop elsewhere, an Aguilar Tone Hammer could be a good option. Same bass and treble frequency points as the Sadowsky, but with a sweepable mid.

 

[ctmullins]

The DiMarzio Split P pickup (NOT the Model P) claims to do this.

I’ve never tried one.

Split P™ | DiMarzio

Widen the sound of your gear with a Split P™ pickup. Each half of this unique double-blade P-style pickup is a complete humbucker. Split P™ pickups are EQ’d to expand the range of your bass by extending both low- and high-end response: a great way to get a broader contemporary sound from...

www.dimarzio.com

 

[Ric Vice]

When I think Fender Precision Bass, I'm not usually thinking "modern sound" It's kinda like asking a Stradivarius Violin to sound like a Zeta Electronic Violin. What I do know is that the "RedEye Twin" preamp from FireEye Development improves the sound of any Double Bass or Electric Bass I use it with. Just my take however. There are lots of less expensive active basses that will get you a modern sound.