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I'm at a complete loss...!!

R

REDLAWMAN

Jun 14, 2010
257
1
59
Cornwall, England, UK
#1
I've read and re-read just about everything historically on here in relation to this and now I'm completely confused!

My new 2010 American Standard 'P' is too bright, 'glassy'; too much treble, not clear in the lows and, above all, way, way too 'growly'....!! Very different from my other '08 MIA.

I play finger-style, country, rock 'n' roll, 'soft' rock (Bryan Adams/Eagles, etc.).

I want to:-

1. Tame the highs
2. Deepen, clear-up and tighten the bottom
3. Have thick, articulate mids (especially low mids)
4 Lose the 'glassy'/'clanky' thing
5. LOSE THE GROWL

I was going Lindy Fralin overwind, but then I read that they 'growl' and the SD SPB-2 Hot is preferable, because it achieves what I want, WITHOUT the growl of the Fralin.

Then I read that the SPB-2 is a hugely overwound 'Rock' pup!

Then the SD site suggests three others (SPB-1 and two different Antiquity models!).

Then there Nordy; Fender's own ('57 or '62?) and so it goes on and on and on.......

Could someone in the know who may have been in a position similar to me and who achieved the result that I'm seeking, please help me out here?

Thanks
 
#3
REDLAWMAN said:
I was going Lindy Fralin overwind, but then I read that they 'growl' and the SD SPB-2 Hot is preferable, because it achieves what I want, WITHOUT the growl of the Fralin.

Then I read that the SPB-2 is a hugely overwound 'Rock' pup!
Click to expand...

I bet you would like the SPB-2. It is hugely overwound, but no hotter than a stock wind Fralin, and its tone is buttery smooth IMO. It's super fat, but not "grindy" like the Fralin. Sure, the SPB-2 is good for rock, but I wouldn't call it specifically a "rock" pickup any more than a regular split-coil is a "rock" pickup, though it certainly sounds thicker and heavier than a regular vintage-voiced split-coil which might make it better for some old school metal and classic rock. I wouldn't want it for punk at all, because, with the reduced treble, it doesn't have much cut. Without the grind and cut, it's less aggressive than the Fralin or, say, the DiMarzio Model P. IMO, YMMV, etc.
 
#5
REDLAWMAN said:
I was going Lindy Fralin overwind, but then I read that they 'growl' and the SD SPB-2 Hot is preferable, because it achieves what I want, WITHOUT the growl of the Fralin.
Click to expand...

Different people call "growl" different things. I use that term for a lower mid tone (that sounds like a growl). Some people use it for a upper mid tone, which I call "grind".

I'm sure you can ask Lindy for a darker sounding pickup. Just tell him what you want.

Have you tried different strings, and/or turned down the tone control a little? Sounds like you might like flats.
 
#7
I've run the gauntlet on strings, right through to La Bella 760 FM's that are on there now.

Tone control is fully functional and highly effective, without problem.

I'm playing through a Littlemark & a Streamliner, into both a Berg NV412 and a Barefaced Big-Baby (with and without effects).

When I say 'Growl', I really mean 'GROWL' (or GRIND): it's almost in active Warwick-land, I kid you not!

Incidentally, the main reason I want to get this sorted isn't simply a needless affectation: it's the first Fender I've ever played where there isn't one single dead-spot anywhere and I've got the action lower than a grass snake's belly.....!!!
 
#9
REDLAWMAN said:
I've run the gauntlet on strings, right through to La Bella 760 FM's that are on there now.
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest those strings! I love those.
When I say 'Growl', I really mean 'GROWL' (or GRIND): it's almost in active Warwick-land, I kid you not!

Incidentally, the main reason I want to get this sorted isn't simply a needless affectation: it's the first Fender I've ever played where there isn't one single dead-spot anywhere and I've got the action lower than a grass snake's belly.....!!!
Click to expand...

It could be the fact that it has no dead spots. It might just be a brighter sounding bass. Also very low action tends to sound a little brighter and thinner.
 
#12
I'm with the OP on this one, except I have a Roadworn and a CS NOS '59 (with '57 PUP). Both wear Sunbeams (my string of choice).The Roadworn has a thicker tone which I prefer.

I've spent HOURs reading all the P threads, and after a while it is all really confusing. I was leaning towards SPB-1 for the CS bass, but am now leaning even more towards just leaving it alone and just running it through channel 2 of the Tonebone with a little more bass EQ. For all I know, the next time I A/B them, I'll prefer the CS bass tone (we're a fickle lot aren't we?). Sometimes the same bass will sound different from one week to the next for no apparent reason.:hmm:
 
#13
The tone knob isn't messing it up: it functions normally and works exactly as one would expect the passive tone knob to.

I've had the pups up, down, sideways!

The action on my '08 I've got down to just about the same, and no problem. I've even tried it high (and at all stages in between) and it doesn't impact at all.

So, pups.....

Where were we.....?? :)
 
#19
DWBass said:
He asked for suggestions? I gave him a couple. I've had a Bart pickup in my P-Bass and it now has an EMG. Both sound great.
Click to expand...

here were his goals-
1. Tame the highs
2. Deepen, clear-up and tighten the bottom
3. Have thick, articulate mids (especially low mids)
4 Lose the 'glassy'/'clanky' thing
5. LOSE THE GROWL

emg's and barts wont do either of those things. if anything thell exacerbate his issues.
 
#20
narud said:
here were his goals-
1. Tame the highs
2. Deepen, clear-up and tighten the bottom
3. Have thick, articulate mids (especially low mids)
4 Lose the 'glassy'/'clanky' thing
5. LOSE THE GROWL

emg's and barts wont do either of those things. if anything thell exacerbate his issues.
Click to expand...
Really? The Bart that was in mine gave me exactly what he's looking for. Too bad it was the wrong one (Couldn't hear the E string). It was warm and articulate. Nice deep end. Not too much in the high end. It was perfect.

I agree, not so much with the EMG. The highs can be tamed but with the tone wide open, it is kinda sharp! But not glassy at all though. I did a video on youtube using the P with the EMG's. Now it does sound more Jazz'y but only because I used a Zoom B2 (Patch B6/models a SWR rig). Without the pedal, it has more of the typical P-Bass sound.
 

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