Mustang CV upgrade - what would you do?

[primussucks9126]

I put hipshot ultralites on mine along with a stellartone tonestyler, a Duncan CS mustang pickup. I would definitely do it again! I use DR Sunbeams on mine after trying the Labella flats twice and not liking them.

Here's a comparison of the 2 pickups:

 

[Djadja]

I put hipshot ultralites on mine along with a stellartone tonestyler, a Duncan CS mustang pickup. I would definitely do it again! I use DR Sunbeams on mine after trying the Labella flats twice and not liking them.

Here's a comparison of the 2 pickups:

The Duncan sounds very good.

 

[primussucks9126]

I didn't realize it linked to one specific track. There's like 6 in a playlist you can check out I used to have in mix versions up but they got taken down.

 

[Djadja]

I didn't realize it linked to one specific track. There's like 6 in a playlist you can check out I used to have in mix versions up but they got taken down.

I just found you on SoundCloud and listened to the files there. thanks

 

[Djadja]

I ended up deciding on the Serek LZN B90 pup, ordered one, and am expecting to receive it this coming Monday. My tech will be routing and installing it sometime soon.

Then we'll see about tuners... Thoughts about Gotoh resolights vs. hipshots? Any ideas which ones fit the holes better?

and more and more I'm missing the cutout arm rest... if I was better at refinishing it would be a no-brainer for me to take a belt sander to it. I still may.

 

[Djadja]

I've listened to all of the options I could find for a replacement Mustang pup and am still glad I decided to purchase the Serek LZN B90… My tech has installed it and I pick up the bass this afternoon. He is impressed with the pup but, of course, I haven't heard it in person yet. I'm hopeful and very excited.

One unexpected bit was that the pup is smaller than the squared off holes from the stock pup so there is a gap between the pickup and the pickguard. I'll need to decide whether I can live with that or if not (likely), what to do for a replacement pickguard. I've had some conversation with a couple of folk on Etsy who do wooden pickguards. Or I could get a blank pickguard sheet and have my tech make one (he doesn't seem keen on that).

 

[sleddogn]

Measure gaps exactly, get new guard without pickup cutout. Tape new guard, trace old guards opening, then reduce tracing by the gap measured. Then drill and route, get someone who can if you don't have routing capabilities

 

[Mark Karwan]

1) I look forward to your impressions and perhaps a sample recording
2) That blue bass with the bisonic and B90 sounds perfect in all three settings. Wow.

 

[Djadja]

1) I look forward to your impressions and perhaps a sample recording
2) That blue bass with the bisonic and B90 sounds perfect in all three settings. Wow.

I got to play it for a bit this afternoon. Short answer, it sounds amazing. I highly recommend it.

Longer answer: It is fat, muscular, maybe a bit wooly, as one expects from a P90ish pup but still brings a very nice clarity to the party. It is articulate and beefy at the same time. I compared it to my EBMM Short Scale Stingray and was surprised that the EBMM has a bit more signal than the Serek. Of course, the EBMM is also a bit brighter and the low end is not as big. The Serek is wired in series rather than with a switch so I compared it with the EBMM in series. It responds really nicely to the tone control with an entire spectrum of very useable sounds.

It is more like the first B90 video from Xavier Zoli (see below) than the later ones with the two pickups. His is the straight ahead single coil rather than the humbucking pup which also brings a little difference. I think the highs are a bit rounder and more subdued on the LZN vs. the single coil version… not a huge difference but I hear it.

It is interesting how that placement impacts the tone. To my ears, you can still tell it is a Mustang. There is something about the placement plus the short scale that imparts something beyond just the pup.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with the results. This bass is a keeper for sure now. Next week I have a rehearsal and a gig so I'll give it a real workout.

 

[Mark Karwan]

I got to play it for a bit this afternoon. Short answer, it sounds amazing. I highly recommend it.

Longer answer: It is fat, muscular, maybe a bit wooly, as one expects from a P90ish pup but still brings a very nice clarity to the party. It is articulate and beefy at the same time. I compared it to my EBMM Short Scale Stingray and was surprised that the EBMM has a bit more signal than the Serek. Of course, the EBMM is also a bit brighter and the low end is not as big. The Serek is wired in series rather than with a switch so I compared it with the EBMM in series. It responds really nicely to the tone control with an entire spectrum of very useable sounds.

It is more like the first B90 video from Xavier Zoli (see below) than the later ones with the two pickups. His is the straight ahead single coil rather than the humbucking pup which also brings a little difference. I think the highs are a bit rounder and more subdued on the LZN vs. the single coil version… not a huge difference but I hear it.

It is interesting how that placement impacts the tone. To my ears, you can still tell it is a Mustang. There is something about the placement plus the short scale that imparts something beyond just the pup.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with the results. This bass is a keeper for sure now. Next week I have a rehearsal and a gig so I'll give it a real workout.

Thanks for this link as well- yes of course the placement makes a huge difference! I'm glad to hear that you are pleased with the results of your modification!

 

[Djadja]

It is done for now and I'm loving it

 

[Djadja]

So, I did a quick video yesterday for those wondering about the sound of the Serek LZN B90. There's a bit of clack that I think is primarily coming from the strings not liking my technique or my set-up or both. This morning I re-installed a set of Labella 760F-MUS strings and I think the issue is more or less solved. Sometime in the next few days I'll try to make another video and we'll see if the issue is solved when I listen from a position other than with the bass in my lap. In the meantime here is a taste of the pup.

Also, does anyone have any thoughts about the drop in volume with the tone control?

 

[HelpImaRock]

Also, does anyone have any thoughts about the drop in volume with the tone control?

I asked this question in the Mustang thread and never got an answer. I think it's moving the wire from the middle lug to one of the outer ones, but I'm not certain.

 

[Djadja]

I moved to what are normally my favorite strings - Stringjoy Nickels 45-105 - and they're still my favorites. They're staying on the bass. I also adjusted the pickup a bit and played with the set-up and it is playing and sounding really good now.

I still haven't decided whether I need to replace the tuners. There is some neck dive and the bass is heavier than I prefer but whether or not subtracting about 1/4 pound or so is worth it, I haven't decided. And if I do replace the tuners… which ones?

 

[Malak the Mad]

I still haven't decided whether I need to replace the tuners. There is some neck dive and the bass is heavier than I prefer but whether or not subtracting about 1/4 pound or so is worth it, I haven't decided. And if I do replace the tuners… which ones?

The first thing I would do is find out what's the diameter of the headstock holes. Then, I'd review options between Hipshot Licensed Ultralites (the Y-keys are the lightest design) and Gotoh Res-O-Lites.

 

[Ejtibbetts]

I'll try strings before a pickup swap just because of the price difference. Currently it has the LaBella 760F-MUS Deep Talkin Bass strings. As I said, I'm not a flatwound guy so it could be that the muddiness I'm hearing is just how flats are supposed to sound.

Duncan is clearly on the list for a pup possibility. They're in the neighborhood for me and I've got a couple of friends who work there. Aero, Stonewall, and Sentell are interesting as well. They all look to be about $150 (oops Sentell is cheaper). The Nordstrand pup is about $85 so a significantly lower price point. Then there are Lollar and Novak options too. I've found some files of the Lollar and the Nordstrand... but files are only so helpful when there are so many other influences in how something sounds.

Here's a far out option that sounds amazing but involves a lot more cash and intervention.

That B90 is soooooo good!