Odd pickup setup on new p-bass

Depends on the radius of the neck and the setup of the bridge/strings, but it's not unusual to have the pups at an angle (instead of straight). Of course, it's a bit odd if the outside of the pups are screwed all the way down and the inside being up very high.

 

I set my pickups on my Fender P like this as well but tend to lower the two screws on the inside a bit lower than the "factory settings" you described. I guess its suppose to balance the output?

 

Yes, it's supposed to balance the output. You're trying to get the poles to be equidistant from the respective string, although your playing style will likely force you to make some minor adjustments to get the best volume balance.

 

Thats easy enough to fix. Do you haz screwdriver?

 

I don't think they need to be ALL the way down, but ideally, the pickups should follow the curve of the fretboard. Thus, the outsides lower than the insides.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the PO did it because it looked bitchin'.

 

FWIW, here's how I set mine up...Kept adjusting until I got an even string volume. I've since lowered the E side a hair more.

 

Pesaonally, I have never seen one that wasnt set up like that.

I always thought that it was silly...and still debating.
P-basses seem fine to me without makin those strings "more pronounced".

Now the E string....