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P Standard and P Deluxe sound very different

#21
Again, I don't want them to sound the same, and I don't think they can.
I do want the Deluxe to get that characteristic P-bass midrange grunt instead of sounding generic-modern.

In comparison with the standard, it sounds scooped now. I don't like scoop. I can deal with it, getting the tone I want with fingers and eq, but I want the default P voice to be just a bit different than it is. Although I don't want the same sound out of both, that characteristic is something I want in both. Keep in mind that the "grunt" is not going to sound the same on both instruments.

I just switched the Badass V back to the stock bridge, I'll record a sample and put it up for people to compare. The bass actually feels a bit lighter now, that is one big chunk of metal!

Here's the samples:

American Standard Precision 5 (alder/rosewood):
http://sumitdas.net/P5s/P_STD.mp3

American Deluxe Precision 5 (ash/maple):
http://sumitdas.net/P5s/P_DLX.mp3

American Deluxe Precision with stock bridge:
http://sumitdas.net/P5s/P_DLX_BRDG.mp3
 
#22
smeet said:
Again, I don't want them to sound the same, and I don't think they can.
I do want the Deluxe to get that characteristic P-bass midrange grunt instead of sounding generic-modern.

In comparison with the standard, it sounds scooped now. I don't like scoop. I can deal with it, getting the tone I want with fingers and eq, but I want the default P voice to be just a bit different than it is. Although I don't want the same sound out of both, that characteristic is something I want in both. Keep in mind that the "grunt" is not going to sound the same on both instruments.

I just switched the Badass V back to the stock bridge, I'll record a sample and put it up for people to compare. The bass actually feels a bit lighter now, that is one big chunk of metal!

Here's the samples:

American Standard Precision 5 (alder/rosewood):
http://sumitdas.net/P5s/P_STD.mp3

American Deluxe Precision 5 (ash/maple):
http://sumitdas.net/P5s/P_DLX.mp3

American Deluxe Precision with stock bridge:
http://sumitdas.net/P5s/P_DLX_BRDG.mp3
Click to expand...


I've been listening to the last two clips for the past 5 minutes now, and I was baffled at why a huge Badass bridge would give a softer, pillowy attack while the stock would have a shorter, sharper attack (maybe even "harsher")

Had I been fooling myself this entire time? Different fretboards, different body woods, fret size, fret material, neck screw type... was it just a figment of my imagination, and I was being stupid?

Turns out I was right on that last part.
I JUST realized the badass bridge clip was the one in the MIDDLE, and had confused it for the stock bridge clip.
man, was I RELIEVED.
 
#24
Oh yeah, I just realized I might have left out one of the more important differences - strings! :hiding:

The Standard is wearing Dunlop Nickels.
The Deluxe has Boomers I think.
They are both relatively new sets.

I don't know the boomers, are they scooped sounding strings? Maybe I should change those out and then do another clip.
 
#27
I've never liked the deluxes, not sure if was that they were active, or that they didnt feel quite right, the necks have more frets? IDK Kinda cool to have a P/J pick arrangment tho, I did like that.

I'm so glad there are passive P 5ers out now that are super nice. I'm lovin mine.
thought about routing for a P/J thang but this baby don't need it...



http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9999586&highlight=#post9999586
 
#28
I actually love the P Deluxe, it seems like a great middle ground between vintage and modern, P and J. It also feels and sounds great acoustically. And I really like the extra frets!

I'm definitely going to replace the preamp with a John East U-Retro though, since that's the weakest part of the instrument. That will give me a passive option too. At that point I MAY want to replace the P pickup, since it seems to have less personality than I would like, so I would probably go with the Nordstrand or the Fender 62.

Ghoulbug, I'm thinking about what you said, I might like the I've already put the Badass up for sale and I have somebody interested, but I might want to take it back now... :hmm:

The only real issue I have with it is that I can't get the action really low with the badass, even with the saddles bottomed out. Does anybody know if I need to shim the neck, or is there another way?
 
#29
Greetings from the North,

You might try the P-Retro in the P5 first because it will provide all of those sounds that you are seeking without losing that P root sound & vibe. It's pretty awesome and that way you will have your cake & eat it too. Happy New Year...

Rezdog
 
#30
I already have the P-Retro in the Standard P5. It's great, and that bass is all set with its own range of tones.

I want something different for the Deluxe P5, which the P-Retro is not quite right for, since it's a two-pickup modern-ish instrument. That's why I've settled on the U-Retro for that bass.

But you're right, I'll stick with the original bridge until after I get the preamp in there, and then decide if I want to switch the bridge back out.
 
#33
Some people are telling me I'm trying to get a passive P-bass sound out of this active bass.

One more time, I'M NOT.

BOTH BASSES ARE ACTIVE!!! The P-Retro is just quite transparent. You were hearing the standard with the preamp on but set flat. You couldn't tell, and nobody would be able to either without careful A/B'ing.

I'm not looking for a passive tone out of this bass. I'm looking for the grunty lower-mid thickness of a P-bass when the neck pickup is soloed. Those are NOT the same thing, and a good preamp can preserve that if it's in the pickup. Also as I've mentioned, the U-Retro has a passive mode if I need it.
 
#35
smeet said:
I want something different for the Deluxe P5, which the P-Retro is not quite right for, since it's a two-pickup modern-ish instrument. That's why I've settled on the U-Retro for that bass.

But you're right, I'll stick with the original bridge until after I get the preamp in there, and then decide if I want to switch the bridge back out.
Click to expand...

i like the deluxe with badass bridge, sounds better :bassist:
how the u-retro sounds comparing with the stock deluxe preamp?
if you don't mind, please post the latest pic of your deluxe (with badass bridge and u retro) I'm excited!! :hyper:
 
#36
One of the reasons I got rid of my Sadowsky was that although it's a very high-quality preamp, I don't like the scoop. I almost always want to boost midrange, not cut it.
Click to expand...
I recently let go of a Zon Sonus that was probably the sweetest playing bass I've owned (Joe Zon's necks are soooo nice to play and so warm sounding.). But the proprietary preamp couldn't give me enough mid to bark and growl when needed. Preamps without a really good mid control never stay in my stable. I've always avoided Fender Deluxes for that reason.
What's worse is that passive basses often lack the mid content I like. I've been playing a Warmoth with Villex pickups and the rather unique Villex passive mid control. It's not like an active mid boost, but it definitely adds a lot more mid than any other passive set up I have.
 
#37
SPYD3R #9 said:
i like the deluxe with badass bridge, sounds better :bassist:
how the u-retro sounds comparing with the stock deluxe preamp?
if you don't mind, please post the latest pic of your deluxe (with badass bridge and u retro) I'm excited!! :hyper:
Click to expand...

I like the U Retro, but I have to switch again... I got his "flat" version (no coloration when set flat) but there was something wrong with it, so he sent me the regular model which I'm going to swap in when I get some time. I like the East preamp a lot, but it's so much cleaner than the stock Fender I actually miss some of that midrange mud. I hate to say it, but now that I have a good clean pre in there, I'm thinking about swapping the neck pickup for either a Nordstrand or a Fender 62 RI or something, to get more midrange grunt. It sounds good, but when I compare it to my American Standard P5, I realize the Deluxe is much more modern sounding, I want a sound to the classic P when I solo the P pickup.

Sorry man, I sold the badass... The action can get much lower with the stock bridge, and it sounds a bit more organic to me. But I'll post a clip of the stock bridge and U Retro soon.


bassman10096 said:
I recently let go of a Zon Sonus that was probably the sweetest playing bass I've owned (Joe Zon's necks are soooo nice to play and so warm sounding.). But the proprietary preamp couldn't give me enough mid to bark and growl when needed. Preamps without a really good mid control never stay in my stable. I've always avoided Fender Deluxes for that reason.
Click to expand...

Agreed. My four main basses (P5 Deluxe, SB5000, fretless Peavey Cirrus, and P5 w/ East P-Retro preamp) all have sweepable mids, and I use the mid control a lot (pretty much always boosted a bit).

There is something I really like about the Deluxe, I want to keep that and add in the raunchy fatness of a standard P and it will compliment my other basses beautifully.
 

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