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I need some new Precision pickups

prater

prater

Aug 4, 2011
211
24
#1
I'm not quite happy with the sound of my 2014 MIM P bass. It's all stock and feels great, looks great, but since I got it I haven't added it to the live rotation because I just can't get used to it's sound. My main bass is a Jazz and while I like it there are some songs I want to sound smoother, warmer, and rounder.

I've decided the P bass is too thin sounding, not enough low end and too trebley, almost scooped sounding.

I use fuzz (swollen pickle) 75% of the time. My band is a heavy alternative three piece so standing out in the mix is paramount to me.

I've considered having a J pickup added to make it a P/J but I want to try to solve my issue without routing a new cavity.

So far I'm looking at the EMG GZR pickup, but I've never really liked EMG or signature model anything really.

The other one I'm considering is the Fender Original 62 P pickup.

I've never played either of these or heard them playing my style, (think QOTSA) so I'm not sure how to make the most educated decision.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
 
#6
IMG_1943.JPG
Mv Atlas, they took two seconds to solder into my existing p's place and sounds JUST as massive as my active basses now. I want them in all my basses and want to try a jazz set cause these are just amazing.
 
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#8
Sounds almost like your pickup is wired in parallel, but that is easy enough to confirm by looking at the wiring. MIM pickups aren't always up to snuff though.

Perhaps a seymour Duncan SPB3 quarter pounder or SPB4 Steve Harris (yes I know it is a signature model). You will probably like the fender CS 62s, and all you have to do is get to a fender dealer and try out one of the american standards before they are all gone. They come with that pickup since about 2012.
 
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#10
prater said:
...

..., almost scooped sounding.

...
I've considered having a J pickup added to make it a P/J but I want to try to solve my issue without routing a new cavity.
...
Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

The thing is that the P pickup, being a split coil rather than a full-width humbucker, will always have that scooped character - the coil not producing signal acts like a filter/choke on the signal being produced by the other coil.

In your position I would (and have in the past) go with the P/J option...

Me With P-Bass.JPG
 
#11
Dimarzio model P? Or perhaps even G&L MFD? Dimarzio can be found for less than $50 used, but even new they're like $70 and $80, so fairly low cost. Dimarzio is a classic, and I think would fit what you're looking for. You can mess with pots and caps while you're at it, that can give you sounds more to your liking.

The other answer is of course strings and setup. That's perhaps the first answer. If too zingy, try nickel rounds, half rounds or even flats. You can further mess with pickup height and try setting it a little higher (not too much, that can mess with the sound in other ways).
 
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#17
ubernator said:
Sounds almost like your pickup is wired in parallel, but that is easy enough to confirm by looking at the wiring. MIM pickups aren't always up to snuff though.

Perhaps a seymour Duncan SPB3 quarter pounder or SPB4 Steve Harris (yes I know it is a signature model). You will probably like the fender CS 62s, and all you have to do is get to a fender dealer and try out one of the american standards before they are all gone. They come with that pickup since about 2012.
Click to expand...

I would think the SPB-3s (QPs) would be a perfect fit for getting the QOTSA sound. I used to rock them in my P when I played in a big local stoner act, everybody loved my tone. Granted, the big ole SVT probably helped.
 
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#18
Have you tried rolling off the treble on your Jazz? I know the QOTSA bassist plays both p and j basses and they sound pretty consistent. Just a thought and it would save you from buying new pick ups.

Also, isn't the SP you are using a guitar pedal? You may be losing some low end with that engaged. You may consider a bass specific od/distortion. I have a DG b3k and it is extremely versatile with no loss of low end.

Good luck on your quest.
 
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