I'll bet it's not the bridge. Snug up the bridge and neck screws and see if that helps, before you buy a bridge.
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Grand Theft Precision
- Thread starter Engine207
- Start date
I actually think the problem is a few things. The original strings probably hadn't been changed in years. It's also likely that it hasn't enjoyed a good set-up in as long.
I think I'm going to order the Gotoh from Warmoth (it's only $37.50 shipped, after all) and slap in in myself. Then I'll hike up to The Bass Place and have them do their thing with the neck and bridge. I've seen those guys do some nice work, and I'm betting this will be no different.
I may also get really crazy and try some D'Addario chrome flatwounds. I've never had flats under my fingers before, so this will be different!
I think I'm going to order the Gotoh from Warmoth (it's only $37.50 shipped, after all) and slap in in myself. Then I'll hike up to The Bass Place and have them do their thing with the neck and bridge. I've seen those guys do some nice work, and I'm betting this will be no different.
I may also get really crazy and try some D'Addario chrome flatwounds. I've never had flats under my fingers before, so this will be different!
+1 for the Gotoh 201B. Put one on my new MIMP, and it's solid as. I found that it took just a little of the sparkle out of my jazz bass, but it should have less impact on the P.
c-
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Well, after dropping hints like rabbit pellets for two straight weeks, I opened my last gift and there was no KSM Foundation bridge anywhere. I found one installed on a really sweet G. Gould bass, and it's the bridge for those who have a hundred bucks for such hardware.
Unfortunately, firemen don't have that kind of scratch...especially after christmas. So I went with the Gotoh 201 from Warmoth for a scant $37.50.
Though I've never heard a bass with one installed, the 201 seems to be a solid, high mass, hunk of metal that should improve the tone and sustain of my Grand Theft Precision. Not to mention the looks. I'll revive this thread and comment after I slap it on and get a good set-up done.
Thanks everyone for all of your great takes and stay low in '09...
Unfortunately, firemen don't have that kind of scratch...especially after christmas. So I went with the Gotoh 201 from Warmoth for a scant $37.50.
Though I've never heard a bass with one installed, the 201 seems to be a solid, high mass, hunk of metal that should improve the tone and sustain of my Grand Theft Precision. Not to mention the looks. I'll revive this thread and comment after I slap it on and get a good set-up done.
Thanks everyone for all of your great takes and stay low in '09...
I have this one (Hipshot Vintage) on all 6 of basses -
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=15
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=15
Well, I'm finally getting around to my follow-up on the Gotoh 201 that I put on after Christmas!! I've been so busy playing it, I haven't thought to write about it.
I'm really very happy with the looks, sound and ease of adjustability (is that a real word?). Aside from the price, I didn't want to pick up the alleged brightness of a BadAss II. I was really just after a bit more sustain and, to be honest, the bent-metals just looked cheap.
I really haven't noticed any change in tone or brightness, but I can hang tied whole notes all day long. I also really like the nice looks without being too ostentatious.
Next up for me is a black/red/black pickguard, which is on order from Warmoth. I saw TBer boabski2k's P-bass and I knew right away that Grand Theft Precision would soon look like his:
I'm really very happy with the looks, sound and ease of adjustability (is that a real word?). Aside from the price, I didn't want to pick up the alleged brightness of a BadAss II. I was really just after a bit more sustain and, to be honest, the bent-metals just looked cheap.
I really haven't noticed any change in tone or brightness, but I can hang tied whole notes all day long. I also really like the nice looks without being too ostentatious.
Next up for me is a black/red/black pickguard, which is on order from Warmoth. I saw TBer boabski2k's P-bass and I knew right away that Grand Theft Precision would soon look like his:
The Gotoh 201 is an absolute no-brainer for a drop-in replacement/upgrade. Doesn't look all that different from the stock, either.
get a Hipshot Vintage, few people use em and they are GREAT! but not a high mass like all the others..
get black hardware
kills
get black hardware
kills
I've used a few 201s and I happen to have changed to the RI bent-metal bridge completely (beauty is as beauty does).
Engine207, if you want a second 201 for your J, PM me and I'll send you one of mine gratis.
Uh, you meant to say "Jazz Bass," right?
No, I meant Precision. Do you have a different experience with Fender tone?
My Jazz is much brighter sounding than my Precision. I'd have to do a ton of EQ to get my P-bass to sound as bright as my J. That said, my Jazz has much better low-end than my Ric, so it's all relative.
Engine207,
I bought a Fender Jazz Bass Special long time ago (in 1988) that sounded good but needed that little improvement in the sustain department.
I replaced the bridge with a Ken Smith IV, and the nut with a graphite impregnated version. The sustain is amazing, and the sound very deep, even though it has a Japanese P pickup that not even close to the American version spec.
I bought a Fender Jazz Bass Special long time ago (in 1988) that sounded good but needed that little improvement in the sustain department.
I replaced the bridge with a Ken Smith IV, and the nut with a graphite impregnated version. The sustain is amazing, and the sound very deep, even though it has a Japanese P pickup that not even close to the American version spec.
Yes. My Jazz is a...well, a Jazz. I use my P-bass mostly for slap. That's it's modus operandi, IMO.
I just never heard a P-bass characterized as that "deep. almost upright sound." As far as I know, that's never been its raison d'etre.
Interesting...the old Motown sound made popular by James Jamerson was all Fender Precision. With my D'Addario Chrome flats, it's all low-end thump, thump, thump. I love it!
If I remember correctly, bass guitars were initially popularized because players wanted to stop lugging their uprights around and they were having trouble being heard over the new electric instruments. The P-bass was the first to successfully address these issues.
On the other hand, I must admit, I don't slap at all. For me, without a bridge pickup, it's pretty difficult to get any top-end to speak of. And that's just fine with me, as I have other basses to "get high with"
I've tried many bridges but I keep going back to the '62 RI style bridge with the serrated saddles for P and Js with 5 mounting screws and my DIY builds.
+1
or a badass...
Jamerson's strings were dead-dead-dead. He stuffed foam-rubber into the bridge-cover. He did a lot of "preparation" to get that "Motown sound." Why do you think it is HIM comes to mind when you think of "that sound?"
When I think "P-bass," I think "slap/pop."
Now, if you have a FRETLESS P-bass with Jazz flats on it, you're going to have a far different "tone" than you have with fretted and roundwound strings. So talking about "that Fender tone" is kind of pointless, IMO.
