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NBD- Nate Mendel Signature Precision

#21
steveinohio said:
I took the script off my Duncan’s with a pencil eraser. It’s also good for taking a bit of shine off the pickup cover.
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The Mendel QP’s are logo free and given the Roadworn treatment (deglossed covers & “dirtied” poles.)
A Dimarzio rep stated earlier in this thread that they’re available to purchase this way thru their custom ordering site for a small upcharge. They look incredible and sound great. Here’s a shot of mine for reference:
E20BF368-7E28-41E0-98DC-FB1F08EBCB06.jpeg

I’ll probably be throwing my set up for grabs in the classifieds once the Model P’s are installed. Or I might hold onto them for use in a future parts bass — time will tell.
 
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#24
simongpaez said:
What about tone? Big difference?
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The difference is quite noticeable- I enjoyed the stock Quarter Pounds but felt that their inherent “baked in” tone simply wasn’t doing it for me.
The Model P seems to do throw out those classic Precision vibes, albeit with hotter output.
I haven’t fine tuned the pickup height and’ve only fiddled around with them installed for 20 minutes or so but I’m digging what I’ve heard so far. Will report back with further input, for sure!
 
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#28
Threw the Mendel’s stock roadworn SPB-3’s on the meter (thinking about selling them, still on the fence though.)
Similar output to the Model P, surprisingly!
6BAF7113-932B-4D6D-B0B3-1490232DDB84.jpeg

Might hold on to these for a future parts bass. I feel like they didn’t pair well with the super light & resonant ash body these came in but might work better in something darker sounding.
A0580969-ED82-4391-AF24-51350930C808.jpeg
 
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#30
jumbo_steelie said:
So this thread, plus some other research inspired me to take one these home from my local music store to test drive it. I couldn't stop playing it for the past few nights so my wife surprised me for my 40th birthday ( a bit early) and bought it for me. Easily the best pbass I've played and owned.

Now I might look for a set of those Dimarzios too...
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Awesome! What a great gift. And happy early birthday- I’ll be turning 40 late next month myself.
For what it’s worth, I’ve heard the newer Model P’s are just as good as the old ones. Something about the ceramic magnets not losing their efficacy over time and being made to the exact same specs ever since production started.
There’s actually a set of creme covered ones in the classifieds as I type this.
Glad you dig yours! Easily the most cozy P I’ve owned.
 
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#31
stefanb said:
Love these - Very faithful 70s reproduction and the only one in the NA fender lineup really.

I wish you could buy those exact SBP-3 pickups somewhere (if you are reading this have stock Mendel ones and are selling lmk) because they don't have the Seymour Duncan script and the pole pieces are roadworn already - which to me is the ideal look, much more subtle.

Have fun!
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Seymour Duncan will make exactly that in fact. Logo delete is no charge common option, and at least on the antiquities no upcharge for aging either.
Can also swap covers on used sets :)
 
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#33
Rabidhamster said:
Seymour Duncan will make exactly that in fact. Logo delete is no charge common option, and at least on the antiquities no upcharge for aging either.
Can also swap covers on used sets :)
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It’s cool that they offer the roadworn option for those who just want the pickups and not the entire bass. I’m mulling over the idea of putting mine up for grabs at some point. Thinking about finally trying out some GZR’s in my parts bass.
 
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#34
cataract said:
Ended up putting the Mendel Quarter Pounds into a parts bass I pieced together from random classifieds purchases.. they’re pretty great but not sure how they’ll hold up in a band mix. The Dimarzios are a whole lot easier to dial in tone-wise on my amp’s EQ. Need to set up my actual board and do some comparisons.
View attachment 3828814
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I think you’ll love the Dimarzios. Look really killer in that bass too!
IMO quarter pounders sound their best when run with the volume knob around 75-80 percent. Then bump it up when you need it for overdrive.
 
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#36
cataract said:
It’s cool that they offer the roadworn option for those who just want the pickups and not the entire bass. I’m mulling over the idea of putting mine up for grabs at some point. Thinking about finally trying out some GZR’s in my parts bass.
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Always happy to see more love for the Nate Mendel Precision. It's one of the best P's I've own or played.

Personally, I would hold on to the QPs. I sold the set out of my Nate Mendel, and then about a year later I wanted to return the bass to stock, so had to score a set from a NM that was parted out on Stratosphere. I recently took them out for a set of Fender PV '63 pickups, but holding on to the QPs in case I decided to change again. Swapped out the BAII bridge as well for a vintage bent plate, the BAII is on my parts Jazz now.

IMG_20200503_130145_HDR.jpg
 
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#37
cataract said:
It’s cool that they offer the roadworn option for those who just want the pickups and not the entire bass. I’m mulling over the idea of putting mine up for grabs at some point. Thinking about finally trying out some GZR’s in my parts bass.
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I'm tempted with the EMG Geezer too, but I've played an El Degas bass with that OG cream Dimarzio and it just sounded awesome. The good thing about pbasses is that it's just one pickup to swap!

cataract said:
Awesome! What a great gift. And happy early birthday- I’ll be turning 40 late next month myself.
For what it’s worth, I’ve heard the newer Model P’s are just as good as the old ones. Something about the ceramic magnets not losing their efficacy over time and being made to the exact same specs ever since production started.
There’s actually a set of creme covered ones in the classifieds as I type this.
Glad you dig yours! Easily the most cozy P I’ve owned.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! My birthday is June 21st, next month too!
 
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#38
jumbo_steelie said:
I'm tempted with the EMG Geezer too, but I've played an El Degas bass with that OG cream Dimarzio and it just sounded awesome. The good thing about pbasses is that it's just one pickup to swap!



Thanks man! My birthday is June 21st, next month too!
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Nice! Looks like you’re a whole 3 days my senior. :thumbsup:
Can’t see myself taking the Dimarzios out of the Mendel, they’re a solid pairing. Thankfully too they usually run $60ish used.
 
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#40
JimHouchin said:
I modified mine to perfection. Added a light bridge (so sue me!) and USA hipshots. The finish on these basses are the winner as much as the pickups. Now 8 lbs, 1 oz of PERFECT balance... it always had the tone. View attachment 3853732 View attachment 3853733 View attachment 3853734
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Looks great! Dig the vintage style bridge- I was thinking about swapping the tuning keys on mine for the same Hipshots you went with but really enjoy the feel & look of the stock roadworns. They’re leaps and bounds better constructed than what’s being used on most non-US offerings IMO. My Classic Vibe hardware was the first thing to go. The stock Mendel tuners are on par with the keys that were on my old ‘83 USA Precision, albeit just as hefty!
 
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