Re-install the stock pickup.
Put flatwound strings on bass.
Problem solved.
Put flatwound strings on bass.
Problem solved.
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P gets buried live.
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- sixfeetunder
In regards to how you're EQing the bass, I would start a rehearsal with the bass knob at like 10 o'clock on the Ampeg pedal, and then only raise it a little at a time if you need it. Sometimes starting with a lot of bass, it's hard to back it down because it feels like you're sucking the life out of the sound when you do it.
If you need a pickup with a lot of output like the SPB-3 but want to cut through I would recommend the Dimarzio Model P.
If you want more mids and a vintage type tone/output, the SPB-1 is your ticket.
If you want more mids and a vintage type tone/output, the SPB-1 is your ticket.
Your whole rig is scooping mids out. I found the spb3 to be not only scooped but wooly or a little muddy in the lows. Awesome at home and useless live. I'd say swap pickups for almost anything else, spb1, 2, or 4, or geezer or nordstrand, and eq some mids in and some bass out and boost the volume on the ampeg, it may not be pretty at sound check, but showtime I'd bet you it works a ton more when everyone is playing.
I'd suggest either getting the Fender Pure Vintage 63, pick-up or the Bill Lawerance - P46 pick-up
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As stated already, the pickups are mid scooped and you are losing the definition there.
I run a p bass with EMG Geezers, SSRW strings (rotosound 66 or Diaddario Pro steels) and a badassII bridge, and it sits very well an any mix I've played live at. It cuts like a tele compared to a Les Paul if I was comparing to guitars. There are lots of great pickups, but I can recommend these based on real world experience.
Something else I do and try and share with others is eq on the amp. I run my p bass controls wide open. Turn all the amp eq knobs to zero, and bring in the high mids to find the voice of the bass. Bring the low mids in to warm the sound. This is the meat of your sound, and is what the mix needs to be heard. Season with the highs to add sibilance and shimmer, then a touch of lows to add some fullness. Use the highs and lows only to enhance, but not overpower the sound. Run the pre gain lower and post gain higher for a good basic sound that will work well in many mixes. Run the compressor very light to not squash the sound.
Try this and see if it helps with your live sound.
I run a p bass with EMG Geezers, SSRW strings (rotosound 66 or Diaddario Pro steels) and a badassII bridge, and it sits very well an any mix I've played live at. It cuts like a tele compared to a Les Paul if I was comparing to guitars. There are lots of great pickups, but I can recommend these based on real world experience.
Something else I do and try and share with others is eq on the amp. I run my p bass controls wide open. Turn all the amp eq knobs to zero, and bring in the high mids to find the voice of the bass. Bring the low mids in to warm the sound. This is the meat of your sound, and is what the mix needs to be heard. Season with the highs to add sibilance and shimmer, then a touch of lows to add some fullness. Use the highs and lows only to enhance, but not overpower the sound. Run the pre gain lower and post gain higher for a good basic sound that will work well in many mixes. Run the compressor very light to not squash the sound.
Try this and see if it helps with your live sound.
Take advantage of Seymour Duncan's exchange policy, and try an SPB-1, or SPB-4.
+1. May I also suggest a Nordstrand NP4. IMO it aims for the vintage Fender P-Bass tone.
I'm a huge fan of the Dimarzio Model P pickup. IMO it's goal isn't the vintage P-Bass tone, it has it's own thing going on. It's very strong in the lows, and especially the low mids, and midrange. It sounds a little "ugly" by itself, but in the mix it sounds "rude", and it cuts through in the mix like no other passive P-Bass pickup that I've tried.
Zoobiedood
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I am sorry it isn't working for you. However, certainly check if it is installed correctly, as those pickups are pretty massive sounding, and I don't usually come across people who say they can't be heard- usually it is people saying they overtake everything. If you are in the US, you can take advantage of the 21 Day Real World Exchange.
I put a Lollar overwound pickup in my roadworn p bass and it sounds so good live. Has flats on it too. My main gigging bass. Works in any situation
Raga rags. QPs are awesome. What are you guys talking about? I'm just saying. Get rid of the contour knobs and pre shape buttons and reverse the smiley face EQ. Find it's hot point and goose it! MAKE IT FIT!
GOOD MORNING, I NEED CAFFEINE!!!!!!
GOOD MORNING, I NEED CAFFEINE!!!!!!
I would use a tried and true precision pickup like a 62 Custom shop or Pure Vintage (or EMg geezer or SD antiquity, the list goes on) and a light overdrive as well, set to taste.
Pickup swap might be the better option. I'm chiming in late on this as most people have expressed their views on the spb-3 by duncan. I'll give my two cents as well although it might sound very similar to a lot of people before me. Just to clarify, I'm mainly a pick player, although i fingerstyle when necessary, & i usually have my amp with the mids boosted, & the bass & treble are dialed in depending on the cabinet i playe through (not always my own as it's easier to use someones cab & just swap heads amongst bands respective gear).
Many years, my main knock off precision bass was upgraded with these spb-3s. they did the job, worked like a charm & cut through a lot. But at the same time, it was clipping/adding gain when all i wanted was a nice cleaner tone. So i swapped them out with the Spb-2 & i loved the tone right away. Agressive, loud & punchy while still remaining clear & clean. No excess gain/unwanted dirt. Those same SPb-3 are currently in a thunderbird bass i've built, along with some classic stack jazz set pickups acting as a full bridge humbucker. I've also had a set of SPb3 P/j in another p/j precision bass of mine & i swapped out the sJb3 Jazz pickup for an Sjb-2 hot stack jazz. & while the tone was decent with the spb-3 & sjb-2, the spb-3 was way overpowering & my hot stack jazz wasn't getting any use as i'd turn it off & keep only the precision pickup. After a little less than a year of sporting it, i swapped it for a no brand split pickup instead & i gotta say, it as well got clear as day & no excess gain.
On the other hand, my drummer, who plays bass in a blink 182 tribute band, gets good tone form those SPB-3 pickups going through an ampeg svt classic. It's not necessarily his favourite pickup, but it's the Blink tone so he goes with it.
I'd say swap pickups first, keep your amp settings as per usual & you should have a more pronounced tone during live situations.
Many years, my main knock off precision bass was upgraded with these spb-3s. they did the job, worked like a charm & cut through a lot. But at the same time, it was clipping/adding gain when all i wanted was a nice cleaner tone. So i swapped them out with the Spb-2 & i loved the tone right away. Agressive, loud & punchy while still remaining clear & clean. No excess gain/unwanted dirt. Those same SPb-3 are currently in a thunderbird bass i've built, along with some classic stack jazz set pickups acting as a full bridge humbucker. I've also had a set of SPb3 P/j in another p/j precision bass of mine & i swapped out the sJb3 Jazz pickup for an Sjb-2 hot stack jazz. & while the tone was decent with the spb-3 & sjb-2, the spb-3 was way overpowering & my hot stack jazz wasn't getting any use as i'd turn it off & keep only the precision pickup. After a little less than a year of sporting it, i swapped it for a no brand split pickup instead & i gotta say, it as well got clear as day & no excess gain.
On the other hand, my drummer, who plays bass in a blink 182 tribute band, gets good tone form those SPB-3 pickups going through an ampeg svt classic. It's not necessarily his favourite pickup, but it's the Blink tone so he goes with it.
I'd say swap pickups first, keep your amp settings as per usual & you should have a more pronounced tone during live situations.
Exactly. No need to spend money.
EQ is all that is needed.. turn up the mids, turn down the bass. Problem solved.
........Yes becaue no one has ever been heard in a band with these pickups.
