Hi. I bought a Gretsch Electromatic (G2220) bass about a month ago and while I really like it, I'm wondering why the pickups sound "hollow" (very midrangey) regardless of the tone setting or the pickup selected.
I know the background about the pickups that @LowEndLobster uncovered and while kudos to him and everyone who helped, it's settled so I'd prefer to not rehash that topic here.
What I'm wondering is 1) why do pickups sound like this and 2) what would y'all recommend if I wanted to get a fuller sound?
I've listened to the TV Jones sound samples of their various replacement options and they also have that hollow tone so probably not what I'm looking for (take a listen to Nordstrand Big Blades Warm & Wooly set on the passive setting (e.g. this around 1:00)). Sadly Nordstrand isn't licensed to make Gretsch replacements so they're out.
The cheapest approach to this so far has been to adjust my amp settings - I've a TC RH750 and its 3 presets are perfect for this - by dropping the high mids a bunch and bumping the low mid & bass a bit. Works well enough but I'm still curious (and frankly kinda in the mood to mod) - why do these pickups have this hollow/"tin can" kinda sound and are there pickups or other audio chain components that I could swap in to give me that warmer, fuller sound?
I know the background about the pickups that @LowEndLobster uncovered and while kudos to him and everyone who helped, it's settled so I'd prefer to not rehash that topic here.
What I'm wondering is 1) why do pickups sound like this and 2) what would y'all recommend if I wanted to get a fuller sound?
I've listened to the TV Jones sound samples of their various replacement options and they also have that hollow tone so probably not what I'm looking for (take a listen to Nordstrand Big Blades Warm & Wooly set on the passive setting (e.g. this around 1:00)). Sadly Nordstrand isn't licensed to make Gretsch replacements so they're out.
The cheapest approach to this so far has been to adjust my amp settings - I've a TC RH750 and its 3 presets are perfect for this - by dropping the high mids a bunch and bumping the low mid & bass a bit. Works well enough but I'm still curious (and frankly kinda in the mood to mod) - why do these pickups have this hollow/"tin can" kinda sound and are there pickups or other audio chain components that I could swap in to give me that warmer, fuller sound?
