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Pickup replacement advice?

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Moloch666, Apr 22, 2012.

  1. Apr 22, 2012 #1
    Moloch666

    Moloch666

    Apr 22, 2012
    Been playing guitar for a while and recently picked up myself a bass of my own. Saves borrowing a friend's while I play fill-in bass for his band. Managed to get a BC Rich Warlock (Platinum Series) with twin split-P pickups and having trouble dialling in the sound I'm after.

    As far as bass sounds go, I really love the sounds of Geddy Lee, Chris Squire and John Entwistle. I like that bright, chunky and crisp slightly overdriven sound. Find that it works with just about everything that I play bass on - the black/thrash band I play for, or fooling around on the computer with my doom or grindcore or punk projects.

    Currently running stock pickups with a set of flatwounds on, going to restring with some Roto Swing Bass roundwounds next pay. The flatwounds just don't feel right to me, have played roundwounds in the past that agree with me a bit more.

    The amp and pedal I'm using are the property of aforementioned friend and he insists on running the amp EQ flat and I'm not allowed to screw with the settings on his MXR Blowtorch - also set fairly flat but a bit of mid scoop. Been trying to introduce my Boss CS-3 Compressor/Sustainer to the rig to try and thicken the bass sound as well but haven't had a lot of time to experiment and get it sounding just right.

    Looking for suggestions that aren't going to cost a fortune and give me a much more brighter sound. I'd prefer to stay with passive pickups - control cavity on the Warlock is already pretty tight and I don't want to carve up the body.

    Anything and everything is appreciated!
     
  2. Apr 23, 2012 #2
    Moloch666

    Moloch666

    Apr 22, 2012
    Hello?
    Is this thing turned on?
     
  3. Apr 23, 2012 #3
    joeyl

    joeyl

    Jun 3, 2006
    El Paso TX (formely New Orleans, LA)
    changing the flatwounds to rounds will be the biggest step in the right direction. See how you like the sound and you may not have to change anything else. Also get a better friend if he won't let you fiddle with knobs on his stuff, that mid scoop is probably hurting you since the people you mentioned have great midrange tone.
     
  4. Apr 23, 2012 #4
    Moloch666

    Moloch666

    Apr 22, 2012
    Thanks man!
    I've seen a lot of references to basstringsonline.com on here, so I'll hit them up and hope shipping to Australia isn't too bad.

    I'm the FNG in the band, and it's his band - so I've got to suck eggs for the time being. Plus I wouldn't want to replace this guy, he's stuck his neck out more than once for me! :D
    Looking at getting my own OD pedal shortly anyways so it'll be my own I gear I fool around with.

    Cheers
     
  5. Apr 23, 2012 #5
    96tbird

    96tbird PLEASE STAND BY

    Dec 13, 2010
    Turn left at the gopher.
    Hey, if you are on a budget, go to the bassstringsonline thread and ask Jason what he suggests for rounds. Rotosounds are not known for holding their crisp tone for long. They never did for me but when they're fresh they're sublime. I have good luck with roundcore nickels for longevity. At any rate you want rounds not flats for the music style you play; not enough snarl in flats.
     
  6. Apr 24, 2012 #6
    Moloch666

    Moloch666

    Apr 22, 2012
    I have noticed that on my guitar the Roto strings do seem to go dull fairly quick, just thought it was my playing style. But when they're bright they're amazing!

    I'll shoot him an email and see what Jason reckons.

    Thanks.