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Help with P Bass decision...
- Thread starter 41Hz To Go
- Start date
The split coil is going to be fatter. With a more pronounced E and A string.
The single coil has a completely different sound, but the string volumes tend to be more even (although I think the E and A lack punch).
Others on this board disagree with that assessment (talking about a more pronounced fundamental, etc.) But I’m going by a direct A-B test of a Sting single coil P (with the high gain S-D replacement pickup) with a Warmoth/Fender MIJ reissue Precision neck with Bartolini 8S split coil pickups.
So, if you can, play them both for yourself through the same amp settings and judge for yourself.
Disclaimer: I have played neither of your choices. The closest I’ve come was a Squier 70s telecaster bass that had a single humbucker pickup in it. (With the stock neck, it was really boomy. I think it was almost too resonant, because I bought a Musicraft Tele neck that was much less boomy.)
I’d strongly recommend you try them both before deciding.
The single coil has a completely different sound, but the string volumes tend to be more even (although I think the E and A lack punch).
Others on this board disagree with that assessment (talking about a more pronounced fundamental, etc.) But I’m going by a direct A-B test of a Sting single coil P (with the high gain S-D replacement pickup) with a Warmoth/Fender MIJ reissue Precision neck with Bartolini 8S split coil pickups.
So, if you can, play them both for yourself through the same amp settings and judge for yourself.
Disclaimer: I have played neither of your choices. The closest I’ve come was a Squier 70s telecaster bass that had a single humbucker pickup in it. (With the stock neck, it was really boomy. I think it was almost too resonant, because I bought a Musicraft Tele neck that was much less boomy.)
I’d strongly recommend you try them both before deciding.
BTW, in my opinion, the Tele-shaped and regular Precision basses are so far apart in sound and shape (more so sound, but the classic shapes (slab vs contour, head stocks, pickup configurations, etc.) they shouldn’t have the same names.
I think they’re at least as different as the Precision and the Jazz.
I think they’re at least as different as the Precision and the Jazz.
Try both basses in a store.
Zero hum on my recently purchased Indonesian Squier ‘50s CV Precision. Also, no way do you need to replace the stock pickup, unless you simply get a kick out of changes. The instrument’s quality is surprisingly good, does not need a set up, and the frets/finish are top class. You won’t be disappointed.
I have many much more expensive basses (vintage Fenders, Alembic) and really like my Squier. It’s kind of a reissue Telecaster bass. Love it.
BTW:
It is best to involve your wife or s.o. in any bass purchase. It was my wife who wanted the Alembic and $10,000 upright to come through the door. She loves them, because I love them. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking what the TB folks have to say. Happy low notes!
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You are absolutely correct. In fact, I agree with you 100%.
I will do my best not to involve myself with posts that are about how to make personal decisions.
Probably best if I just let others give advice about how to deal with marital difficulties and such.
I will just read the posts that have to do with music and/or bass playing.
Don't necessarily want to replace but people are speaking so highly of the fralins.Try both basses in a store.
Zero hum on my recently purchased Indonesian Squier ‘50s CV Precision. Also, no way do you need to replace the stock pickup, unless you simply get a kick out of changes. The instrument’s quality is surprisingly good, does not need a set up, and the frets/finish are top class. You won’t be disappointed.
I have many much more expensive basses (vintage Fenders, Alembic) and really like my Squier. It’s kind of a reissue Telecaster bass. Love it.
BTW:
It is best to involve your wife or s.o. in any bass purchase. It was my wife who wanted the Alembic and $10,000 upright to come through the door. She loves them, because I love them. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking what the TB folks have to say. Happy low notes!
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Great track dude... holden it down my dude! Also, fantastic tone.
I would love to have glorious, loud and aggressive. But also would want a wide tonal range for the right hand (plucking at the neck vs bridge).
Seems like the single coil might be just that?
Hypnotic, now that’s an apt description I never thought of. But it is not as articulate as a split-coil and can easily sound muddled, not on the low end but across the spectrum.
I would definitely recommend the split coil first. The single coil makes a nice 2nd or 3rd instrument.
Given the choice of those two, I'd take the 50's model.
The other one screams "I want to look and sound like everybody else!"
No not at all, the single coil p bass pickup is very different from anything else I ever tried, in a class of its own really. If anything the split coil and jazz neck pickup are comparable.
I would even say the single coil precision bass is in a class of its own. Precision and jazz basses are (relatively) comparable.
I wouldn't buy any of them unless you're after "New" bass instead of "Used". I can get a Made in Mexico (MIM) Fender Precision bass for the same price. I'll be selling a Fender MIM P bass soon for $500 shipped when I get my Talkbass subscription renewed.
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I personally am a fan of the 50’s P-bass. I have both (split-coil and single coil basses). I love the look and tone. It can sound modern, or thump with the best of them. I have 10 or so basses, my wife and I have agreed one in / one out. So I am not adding to the number of basses I have. But, I swap them out on occasion. I am always after better examples of what I like.
