P Bass Seems Overly Bright

[wayfarer55]

Hi, new to TalkBass here.
I have a 2005 Fender American Standard P bass that I recently bought. It looks and plays great but the pickup seems overly bright. Were these pickups brighter than usual in this era?
I have fiddled with the amp settings and tone control on the bass, but it still lacks the fat P bass sound that I'm seeking.
This bass has the S-1 switch but I leave it in the up (series) position all the time.
Any advice or suggestions are appreciated!

 

[old spice]

Play it for 6 months, don't change the strings, it'll be darker, probably.

 

[mel0dic.bassist]

Flats

 

[Joedog]

Flats!

 

[jamro217]

Play it for 6 months, don't change the strings, it'll be darker, probably.

Flats

Flats!

Different strings would help. Maybe the pickup is too low into the body cavity. That would cause a weaker, brighter signal. Unfamiliar with a switch on a P bass.

 

[Burwabit]

Not just flats, TI or GHS Precision flats would be my rec.

 

[wayfarer55]

Not just flats, TI or GHS Precision flats would be my rec.

Would you suggest through the body or top-load on flats? Thanks!

 

[Burwabit]

Would you suggest through the body or top-load on flats? Thanks!

String through is fine with either of these I believe. I don't see a big advantage but I would probably string through if the opportunity is there with a new set.

 

[sharkbait130]

With flats , I prefer to string from the bridge. Going through the body can cause a pretty hard bend at the bridge on some basses. Some folks in here have no problem going through the body with flats so this is just my personal preference. As for it sounding too bright , try backing your tone control to about 50%. That's where I run mine (even with flats.) Works well for me. YMMV

 

[wayfarer55]

With flats , I prefer to string from the bridge. Going through the body can cause a pretty hard bend at the bridge on some basses. Some folks in here have no problem going through the body with flats so this is just my personal preference. As for it sounding too bright , try backing your tone control to about 50%. That's where I run mine (even with flats.) Works well for me. YMMV

Thanks for the reply. I've tried the tone control from 0 to 100%. Wondered about the effect of the S-1 wiring and capacitor value (.05 uF)?

 

[mbelue]

Change strings and if you're not satisfied, get a Stellartone Tonestyler.

Great addition to a passive bass. Couldn't love mine more.

 

[sharkbait130]

Thank for the reply. I've tried the tone control from 0 to 100%. Wondered about the effect of the S-1 wiring and capacitor value (.05 uF)?

I'm not a teckie so I wouldn't know about the wiring or capacitor. Maybe someone with more tech knowledge will chime in on this one.

 

[wayfarer55]

Change strings and if you're not satisfied, get a Stellartone Tonestyler.

Great addition to a passive bass. Couldn't love mine more.

Not sure what that is. I just want to plug in and play, no pedals... Thanks!

 

[jasper383]

Lower the pickup away from the strings.

Put flats on, or "age" the rounds by putting hand lotion or Vaseline, etc., on them and wipe off.

Roll the tone knob off.

P Basses are pretty bright and wide range instruments. the thumpy old school sound we associate with the P Bass is just one of their sounds.

 

[wayfarer55]

Lower the pickup away from the strings.

Put flats on, or "age" the rounds by putting hand lotion or Vaseline, etc., on them and wipe off.

Roll the tone knob off.

P Basses are pretty bright and wide range instruments. the thumpy old school sound we associate with the P Bass is just one of their sounds.

Any particular brand of hand lotion for that old-timey sound? JK

 

[wayfarer55]

String through is fine with either of these I believe. I don't see a big advantage but I would probably string through if the opportunity is there with a new set.

When you go to flats, do you use the same gauge as rounds? Never used flats before.

 

[GeneralElectric]

You can also roll the volume knob off some. It will kill some of the highs.

 

[Burwabit]

For a lot of flats, same gauge means higher tension than rounds so you might have to tweak the truss rod to compensate. TIs are lower tension than most if not all flats. Loosely speaking I've been able to replace rounds with TIs without much tweaking (done this twice on a P5 and a Jazz 4). I generally run 45-100 in rounds.

 

[dmac1961]

Tort!

 

[Lobster11]

Any particular brand of hand lotion for that old-timey sound? JK

What's the best hand lotion for metal?

Seriously, here's a question: Are you judging the sound based on playing alone, or have you tried it in a band setting? What sounds "overly bright" in your basement or bedroom might sound perfect in a full-band mix.