Was waiting for someone to say this. Playing closer to the bridge=more treble
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How to get more treble from the Pbass..
- Thread starter FishDub
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Was waiting for someone to say this. Playing closer to the bridge=more treble
D
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I use LaBella Low Tension Flats specifically because I don't like a bright tone - this might be your problem!
Honestly, it sounds like you just don't like P basses. 
You kind of want it to do something it won't do, have a burpy tone on the G string. Changing to roundwounds or changing to 500k pots won't give you a burpy tone, it'll give you a clanky and zippy tone. Burpy is all about a single coil pickup close to the bridge, so if that's what you're looking for, you'll have to either add a J pickup or trade for a J bass. If you can't do either of those things, then you'll likely just have to learn to like the P sound. If you need help with that, I can definitely help - I recommend listening to some Bob Daisley (Ozzy's first two albums anyway), some Andy Hess with Gov't Mule, some early Sabbath, anything featuring Otis Redding, the Blues Brothers or in particular Duck Dunn, or pretty much any 60s-early 70s tune by the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, or Aretha Franklin. There are lots more, of course.
You kind of want it to do something it won't do, have a burpy tone on the G string. Changing to roundwounds or changing to 500k pots won't give you a burpy tone, it'll give you a clanky and zippy tone. Burpy is all about a single coil pickup close to the bridge, so if that's what you're looking for, you'll have to either add a J pickup or trade for a J bass. If you can't do either of those things, then you'll likely just have to learn to like the P sound. If you need help with that, I can definitely help - I recommend listening to some Bob Daisley (Ozzy's first two albums anyway), some Andy Hess with Gov't Mule, some early Sabbath, anything featuring Otis Redding, the Blues Brothers or in particular Duck Dunn, or pretty much any 60s-early 70s tune by the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, or Aretha Franklin. There are lots more, of course.
I would try using a GHS Brite flat on the G string I use them on my G and D strings
We're having this conversation in another thread about high end tube amps... I use a brass nut, 500k or even better, NO pots or a bypass switch... but first and foremost, remove the stock pot and put in the Fender TBX tone circuit for 20 bucks... it'll sound like you're doubling your treble.
He's using it at an exaggerated setting so you can hear it, but it does less also. I always thought the Steel Leather was the perfect pedal for Precision bass in a punk or 2 guitar rock setting for cutting through and it's cheep. But if you're using flats and a change to bright sustaining round wound anythings is yet to be tried... I find many P basses to be annoyingly bright and upper mid bright too, and I like to use a Solid Gold Beta bass drive, standard, to soothe what to me is too much upper mid brightness, to get that Motown/Ampeg 15" lofi grit. Your amp has allot to do with a P bass sound and if Entwistle was using a P on Live at Leads--which I first heard broadcast in full on wbcn Boston, very early 70s, and I've probably heard 1000 other times, I was never aware it was a precision because of the amp type & settings he was using, that just sounded like Entwistle, full freq. with some high volume feedback bloom, an ideal for overdrive for years to come...
I’d suggest trying some outboard EQ. Either a graphic EQ or a parametric.
Dime your tone knob, leve your amp’s EQ completely flat and see if you can dial in what you’re looking for with the outboard EQ. If the sound you’re looking for is anywhere to be found in that bass, that’s the most direct way for you to zero in on it.
If you can’t get the sound you’re after with a graphic or parametric EQ, then the bass doesn’t have what you’re looking for. And if that’s the case, bite the bullet get yourself a Jazz like you’re thinking of doing and be done with it.
If you want to save some money and time, forget about messing around with pickups and strings and electronics and grab yourself a used Squier CV Jazz for around $300. Cheaper than blowing dollars on things trying to make a PB into something it’s not.
FWIW, I’ve got a light gauge (45-95) set of GHS Precision Flats on a Squier 60s CV Jazz. That’s the Inca Silver one that was so popular a few years back. It’s got plenty of punch and a good treble edge despite having flats. My VVT settings for it are 85%-85%-between 30% to 70% depending on what I’m playing.
Luck!
Dime your tone knob, leve your amp’s EQ completely flat and see if you can dial in what you’re looking for with the outboard EQ. If the sound you’re looking for is anywhere to be found in that bass, that’s the most direct way for you to zero in on it.
If you can’t get the sound you’re after with a graphic or parametric EQ, then the bass doesn’t have what you’re looking for. And if that’s the case, bite the bullet get yourself a Jazz like you’re thinking of doing and be done with it.
If you want to save some money and time, forget about messing around with pickups and strings and electronics and grab yourself a used Squier CV Jazz for around $300. Cheaper than blowing dollars on things trying to make a PB into something it’s not.
FWIW, I’ve got a light gauge (45-95) set of GHS Precision Flats on a Squier 60s CV Jazz. That’s the Inca Silver one that was so popular a few years back. It’s got plenty of punch and a good treble edge despite having flats. My VVT settings for it are 85%-85%-between 30% to 70% depending on what I’m playing.
Luck!
15 years ago when I set out on the same quest, I started with strings, but I too was hooked on a specific gauge by then... and the same goes for picking/ vs. finger style, where you play... those are all hard habits to break. Stainless strings really chew your fingers and frets too.
Brass nut helped, so did pot values, so did pickup swaps, and removing or bypassing pots. Then one day I played a Fender Duff Mckagen Bass, and once I heard that TBX circuit, I was hooked.
I put those suckers in everything now, and I no longer need the brass nuts or bypasses. Don't know if it was mentioned, but DMarzio makes an adjustable pole piece pickup for the P, and then you could easily add more bite on the G as well
Brass nut helped, so did pot values, so did pickup swaps, and removing or bypassing pots. Then one day I played a Fender Duff Mckagen Bass, and once I heard that TBX circuit, I was hooked.
I put those suckers in everything now, and I no longer need the brass nuts or bypasses. Don't know if it was mentioned, but DMarzio makes an adjustable pole piece pickup for the P, and then you could easily add more bite on the G as well
This. Or even a set of Chromes will produce more treble than your current flats.... if you can handle the tension. I love how tight they feel personally.
But strings are your best bet for sure.
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I use them on my '85 Fender Performer, nicely balanced set tonally, long lasting, and I like how they feel.
rounds. I particulary like DR Pure Blues for a brighter sound.
