Thought I might start a thread on Performance basses. First off, Yas at Performance Guitars is very knowledgable and provides great customer service. I've owned 3 or 4 Performance basses. These basses are first rate in construction. They have top notch components and a handmade feel with serious attention to detail.
I think the biggest impact on tone with the YB5 is the pickup placement. It isn't 70s jazz spacing. Rather, the bridge pickup is pushed even closer to the bridge. For me, in thins out the bridge pickup so much that I never solo it, but the piano like clarity and attack it provides for the blended pickup tones is pretty remarkable and provides a unique tone. I find the tone a cross between an Alembic Orion/Epic and a 70s Fender with maybe a touch of MTD. Ultra modern for sure...
I've seen some Performance YB5 basses with a J/P configuration (precision pickup is in the bridge). I wonder if that might help fatten the bridge pickup up a bit. I've actually considered routing the YB5 for either a J/P configuration or 70s J spacing or possibly the Mike Pope/Guy Pratt sliding bridge pickup system.
Either way, these are great basses with a unique tone. I recommend them, but would also love to chat about altering them...
I think the biggest impact on tone with the YB5 is the pickup placement. It isn't 70s jazz spacing. Rather, the bridge pickup is pushed even closer to the bridge. For me, in thins out the bridge pickup so much that I never solo it, but the piano like clarity and attack it provides for the blended pickup tones is pretty remarkable and provides a unique tone. I find the tone a cross between an Alembic Orion/Epic and a 70s Fender with maybe a touch of MTD. Ultra modern for sure...
I've seen some Performance YB5 basses with a J/P configuration (precision pickup is in the bridge). I wonder if that might help fatten the bridge pickup up a bit. I've actually considered routing the YB5 for either a J/P configuration or 70s J spacing or possibly the Mike Pope/Guy Pratt sliding bridge pickup system.
Either way, these are great basses with a unique tone. I recommend them, but would also love to chat about altering them...
