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

[portlandguy]

Yeah - try lowering your pickup. I did that with a pbass that I use to have and it did darken the sound. maybe because it is more in the body

 

[treekiller]

I have a 2010 Am. Std. P with a maple board and I guess I don't have that problem. Check the p-up, if it is high try lowering it a bit. Good luck!

 

[SGD Lutherie]

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.

A deep toned Bart would work great. Those are thick and smooth with subdued highs.

EMG not really. They are bright and clingy.

 

[Buxtehude]

I'm surprised that nobody has suggested flats. Instant growl remover.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

I'm surprised that nobody has suggested flats. Instant growl remover.

He's using flats, La Bella 760 FMs. They are rather bright sounding flats, but they don't have that grindy top end.

 

["Q"]

I know exactly what the OP is talking about. I was at a store recently that had a ton of P's in stock and I tried everyone of them through a bunch of different amps thinking that was the problem but, no, the road worn with the 62 RI didn't have the "fizz" and sounded like '62 RI's always do.

The sound was impossible to EQ out too. Seemed like a narrow peak in the 5k region.

FWIW I have the Bartolini (8SU?) in a walnut bodied Warmoth and while it's very clean, it doesn't have that fizz in the highs/high mids. However I find the '62 RI's a bit too "soft" and a lot of ppl on here say they like the SPB-1 just a bit better. Thats what I would recommend.

 

[Turxile]

I think I'll begin this no doubt never-ending and psychosis-inducing quest with a set of SPB-2's: I'll report back in due course.

Thank you everyone.

Well I hope it works out. Would be great if you can post A/B sound samples or a video.

 

[hip63]

On EMGs it depends on which ones you get, they have several models with different kinds of tone.

I know 'cause I use several different models and they sound differently.

I have the EMG DC, EMG CS, EMG X J and EMG X P models

the X J is very bright indeed, the X P is more full on the bottom, definitely not bright

the DC is clean and full with some brightness, the CS is warmer and not quite as bright

Not saying the OP necessarily needs EMGs but just pointing out that is too much generalizing of the EMGs

It's like saying Fender P and Fender J sound alike because they are both Fenders

Also have some Bart DCs in my Ibanez and they are nice and warm too.

hip63

 

[FenderAmpeg]

See if you can detect the differences between your P's unplugged.

I was wondering, I never saw your answer to this question. How does it sound acoustically compared to the other bass?

I have some that just resonate and some dead as a hammer, the same pick-ups (Qtr Pounders) sound different on each one.

Might not be the entire issue but might contribute.

 

[Problemchild]

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

Strings ?- Very important equation in the "Tone Search" !

Sounds like a thicker string set might get you there.


PC

 

[Moe Hickey]

Subscribed.

Great stuff. Redlawn man in a virtual way walks out of the room to go get his SBP-2's. Dwbass and narud stick around and dicker a bit over the advice given. I freaking love talkbass.