P pickup with burly punchy mids?

[Lackey]

UPDATE: I'm awaiting a used Model P to arrive. I've deeply appreciated the input, I have a list of alternatives if this one doesn't satisfy. I've also been tweaking the action and got some balanced d'addario nickel rounds on the way. Playing nicely already!

 

[Freuds-Cat]

Strings then different value Tone cap before changing out pickups. Cheap and easy solutions first. Then If your still not happy, go to the EMG Geezer Butler (PASSIVE, and most likely to give you what you describe) alternatively the DiMarzio P and if none of that floats your boat try the Seymour Duncan Quarter pounder P's. If you cant get to where you want to by that stage, time to start looking at a different bass. The Fralins are good pups too but My order would be as above if if it were me.

 

[cataract]

Strings then different value Tone cap before changing out pickups. Cheap and easy solutions first. Then If your still not happy, go to the EMG Geezer Butler (PASSIVE, and most likely to give you what you describe) alternatively the DiMarzio P and if none of that floats your boat try the Seymour Duncan Quarter pounder P's. If you cant get to where you want to by that stage, time to start looking at a different bass. The Fralins are good pups too but My order would be as above if if it were me.

I moved the stock QP’s from my Mendel signature over to a parts P & replaced them with a set of vintage PAF Dimarzios— the Model P pickup sounds great! Like vintage Precision tone on steroids great.

The Quarter Pounds are decent enough but I’m having a hard time finding a decent “oh I love this” tone, even in the new bass, which is why I yanked ‘em out of the Nate.
I think I’m gonna swap ‘em out with some Geezers. The parts bass could use a fresh wiring harness anyhow, so it seems like two birds with one stone at this point.

 

[shoulderpet]

Nobody has mentioned the Seymour Duncan SPB-2 "Hot" pickups yet I think? Been doing my own digging of course and these seem like they might work as well. Good price new, hard to find used, which might be a good thing?

The SPB-2 is extremely mid focused, insane amount of mids but more smooth mids rather than growly

 

[eddiemac]

The SPB-2 gives the impression of deep bass.

 

[Dan55]

Lakland sells their USA P-bass pickups direct. $100. Just dropped some into a Road Worn P, replacing the '62 Originals I had in there. Hotter, punchier, more mids. Sounds like a Lakland 44-64.

Dan

 

[PotsdamBass8]

UPDATE: I'm awaiting a used Model P to arrive. I've deeply appreciated the input, I have a list of alternatives if this one doesn't satisfy. I've also been tweaking the action and got some balanced d'addario nickel rounds on the way. Playing nicely already!

I was just about to suggest finding a used Model P. They’re cheap, easy to find, and considering the pickup that’s in there now, it’ll almost definitely get you where you want to be. Or at least very close. Don’t forget to try it with the volume down to 70-80% as well, they seem to have a different sound backed off a little.

 

[JimmyM]

I was just about to suggest finding a used Model P. They’re cheap, easy to find, and considering the pickup that’s in there now, it’ll almost definitely get you where you want to be. Or at least very close. Don’t forget to try it with the volume down to 70-80% as well, they seem to have a different sound backed off a little.

Ya, probably my second favorite P pickup of the ones I've tried, but a bit specialized in low mids and midbass. At least it doesn't scoop the higher mids by much, though.

 

[cataract]

Ya, probably my second favorite P pickup of the ones I've tried, but a bit specialized in low mids and midbass. At least it doesn't scoop the higher mids by much, though.

This is a great thread, also kinda crucial for me because I’m only just now paying so must attention to the innocuous nature of a “P” pickup— my vintage Model P’s sounds SO GREAT! But I’m also curious (and going) to try out some EMG GZR’s at some point. (Thank YOU for that!)
Whenever the nostalgia bug hits me & I do a deep dive on my early band’s recordings I’m always blown away by how great my early 90s Precision sounded on tape, sans effects & preamps etc.
Between the Quarter Pound & the Model P I’d certainly agree, they are indeed similar but also different enough to notice. They’re both great and an upgrade from stock IMO.

 

[Lackey]

I'm pretty happy with the Model P. More punch than the Split P. I threw some Balanced D'addario rounds on as well and dropped the action, killer little bass!

Thanks y'all.

 

[Standalone]

Hi all, just picked up a sweet little BB300, with a DiMarzio Split P in reverse position. Love the bass, but the tone seems a little too glassy and not growly enough. I like to roll off the highs a bit and play fingerstyle, and the mids aren't super great, and harmonics really don't ring out unless I keep the tone knob at 10. Makes me think the upper mids are super low... I really rarely slap and don't like fret clank so mids and bass > treble for me.

Any suggestions? This is my first P type bass ever. I could try a Model P instead, but looking for alternatives in general as I have no idea. I'd rather not put the most expensive thing out there in it, but it's a super solid instrument so...

A Dimarzio with no mids? I don't believe it. I have several vintage japanese basses with this pickup and they slay. I'm not alone in liking this pickup, it's well regarded.

First I'd think about technique and where I'm playing the string. Then look at the gain structure and EQ of how I'm running my amp Then I'd think about string choice.

If that wasn't happening, I'd replace the pots and put a different value on the tone capacitor, like try an orange drop .047mF.

I really just can't imagine a Dimarzio cream P pickup not having hot, meatball-grindy mids. Something else is causing the tone to suck, I'm almost sure.

 

[Lackey]

A Dimarzio with no mids? I don't believe it. I have several vintage japanese basses with this pickup and they slay. I'm not alone in liking this pickup, it's well regarded.

First I'd think about technique and where I'm playing the string. Then look at the gain structure and EQ of how I'm running my amp Then I'd think about string choice.

If that wasn't happening, I'd replace the pots and put a different value on the tone capacitor, like try an orange drop .047mF.

I really just can't imagine a Dimarzio cream P pickup not having hot, meatball-grindy mids. Something else is causing the tone to suck, I'm almost sure.

You are probably talking about the Model P, not the Split P...

 

[Standalone]

You are probably talking about the Model P, not the Split P...

Yes, I think you're right.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

I just replaced the stock V-Mod pickups in my American Professional with Curtis Novak PB-90s. HUGE difference. The PB-90s could slice through brick wall, while at the same time can be very smooth and round as you roll the tone knob back. The V-Mods were a bit too low output, especially with the E and A strings. The PB-90 is exactly what the doctor ordered. Two thumbs way up.