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P Bass Mods

B

bassetrox

Jul 18, 2010
11
0
North East, UK
#1
Hi peoples, my first post here at talk bass though I've read the forums for advice on many an occasion.

I'm a proficient electric and fingerstyle guitarist who's gradually growing in his love for bass.:)

I currently have a Fender MIM P-Bass, I picked it up used for about £180 - I'm pretty happy with as a basic instrument, but I'd like to improve it. I don't own a bass amp but I gig reasonably regularly on bass, by scrounging an amp, using house equipment or running into the desk.

What I'm after is a bit more consistency in my sound when Im going through all these different systems. I'd like to do a pickup change and get a nice natural sounding preamp either onboard or in a nice outboard DI unit.

The bass has stock MIM pups (I presume). I'm no stranger to a soldering iron, modded many guitars and basses to my own and others requirements.

The problem I have is that I don't really know benchmarks for certain sounds in the bass electronics world. I've looked at bartolini pickups and sadowsky, cos theyre big names. Also the big names from the 6 string world, SD and DMz, but I dont really know what I'm looking for.:confused:

What good aftermarket P-bass pickups are out there?

Im looking through Dr. DIMENTO’S ONGOING “P” PUP EXPERIMENT but its always good to get other recommendations. And I'd like some advice about combining pickups with preamps too.

I play Motown and Disco type stuff as well as R&B, and play with a big jazz band (whenever we don't have an upright player). I'm a fan of Pino Palladino, Guy Pratt, James Jamerson, the kind of guys who sound good, but arent really about taking the solo spot. I don't necessarily want to emulate their tone either!

I should emphasise, I'm not overly interested in slap bass. I do a bit of it, wouldnt want a rig that sounded s*** doing it. But I focus more on bass grooves... I'll never be Marcus Miller!

Thanks guys,

R
 
#2
The sound/signal coming out of your P-Bass is consistent. What is problematic is that you have no control what happens after that. Borrowed amps can be anything from great to horrible. Stock P-bass pickups sound great, Jamerson, Carol Kay, Chuck Rainey and million other players have found that to sound great in pop recordings.

If you are solo player, maybe a different choice would work better for you. Regardless, get your rig. Changing pickups is not your answer.
 
#3
Dbassmon said:
The sound/signal coming out of your P-Bass is consistent. What is problematic is that you have no control what happens after that. Borrowed amps can be anything from great to horrible. Stock P-bass pickups sound great, Jamerson, Carol Kay, Chuck Rainey and million other players have found that to sound great in pop recordings.

If you are solo player, maybe a different choice would work better for you. Regardless, get your rig. Changing pickups is not your answer.
Click to expand...
well, agreed with all that, except the pickup in a mex P-bass is nothing like the pickup that's on all the great records. it's way under-wound (like to 4 or 5KΩ, instead of the normal 10-11KΩ of a "real" one), and it has steel slugs with cheap ceramic magnets glued to the bottom instead of actual separate alnico rod magnets.

the OP needs a good non-overwound vintage-style replacement, from the likes of duncan or fender (or for a bit more coin, fralin, nordstrand, lollar, too many to list). it's the one upgrade the otherwise decent mexican standard basses really benefit from.
 
#10
The SPB-1 is straight vintage P and absolutely nothing else. Therefore, I changed it out. I like the ability to coax out more than one sound. It might be just what you need though...
 
#11
Check out the East P-Retro preamp. Fits in without soldering, has active/passive modes and the features are well thought out and designed specifically for the Precision. If you're playing through the PA often instead if an amp, get yourself a VT Bass pedal!
 
#12
,someone needs to lay down the virtues of readily availlable pickups for the `P',,obviously some one who's thumped a few various pups

i just bought a MIM P and ahem!,the PuP is weak,my MIM J is hot,no idea if it was swapped out(well i held the neck pup in my hand she had some wire!,the bridge PuP not yet but i'm planning a pickguard swap and then i will),,so

like the seymour duncan 1's 2's 3's antiquity's etc.,,,someone needs to run it down(yeah the dirty lo down:D),i've read(on here) where folks said the quarter pounders sounded like mud(more than once),,,,,,clarity is needed,,,,

myself i'm not looking for active or a router i just know what a dif hot(r) PuP's make and `squier' level PuPs DON'T MAKE:crying:
 
#13
Dbassmon said:
The sound/signal coming out of your P-Bass is consistent. What is problematic is that you have no control what happens after that. Borrowed amps can be anything from great to horrible. Stock P-bass pickups sound great, Jamerson, Carol Kay, Chuck Rainey and million other players have found that to sound great in pop recordings.

If you are solo player, maybe a different choice would work better for you. Regardless, get your rig. Changing pickups is not your answer.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, Sorry I should have been more clear in my OP, I don't expect changing pickups to give more consistency. My hope is that when combined with a decent preamp they will. The logic being that A decently sculpted sound at the player end means that a decent techy just has to tame it rather than faff with the tone.

I more want to change the pups whilst I'm under the hood as I know as walterw said they're usually the main low point of a MIM (they always are in the fender guitar world). Thanks for your suggestions, looks like the big names (lollar, fralin) are pretty much the same as the guitar world.

Buying a bass amp and full rig is just not an option for me in my current house (one room in a shared house). :( Ive already got my 6 string rig taking up the space!

johnk_10 Thanks for the SPB-1 rec, I'll look into it. :)

christw. What did you change it out for? What did it give you that the SPB1 didnt? I would say I'm after versatility too.

dannybuoy said:
Check out the East P-Retro preamp. Fits in without soldering, has active/passive modes and the features are well thought out and designed specifically for the Precision. If you're playing through the PA often instead if an amp, get yourself a VT Bass pedal!
Click to expand...

Cheers dannybuoy. Just checked out the East. Wow. It looks great on paper. In fact it looks fantastic on paper. A tonegeeks wet dream. The catch is that its about £200... I wasnt looking at spending that much on pre alone... Probably worth it though... hmm... :confused:

By VT pedal do you mean the tech21 one? I'd looked at their BDDI and ParaDI. Also the aguilar 924 (no DI out Only 2 band EQ) and the sadowsky Bass DI.

Got dsome great pup recs, I'd appreciate any other suggestions anyone has for a good onboard pre??

Cheers anyone else I havent thanked!
 

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