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Precision Pickup Paired With TI Flats

#41
REV said:
I'm a big fan of David Allen P Bass pickups. Recently I tried a Nordstrand P Bass pickup that I really like. I have tried TI flats and I like them but I have Labella Low Tension flats on almost all of my basses.
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Lots of good recommendations here.

I was about to post this regarding the David Allen pickups. I use flats on all basses (other than black nylon on the Rob Allen), mostly TIJFs, but Sadowsky Black Label flats on 2 basses. A few years ago, I had a Precision bass I was really struggling with getting the "P bass tone" out of it I wanted. I tried several of the Fender P pickups as well as an SD SPB-1. None of these were right on that bass until I tried the David Allen P 1088 based on some recommendations here. I love that pickup. I think it has the traditional P thump with the TIJFs and also has clarity, presence and great ringing highs with the tone control dime'd.

Aside from that, there are a couple of good threads here on P bass pickups:

Your favourite flatwounds + p pickup combo?

Ultra boutique P bass pickups
 
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#42
MoStevens said:
Currently I have a SDQP in my favorite P Bass. I don't like playing roundwounds and found the QP to be too muddy with flats. This is primarily used for live playing in a TX Country band but may be used some in the studio as well. My live sound is primarily Bass>Cali76CB>JDI to FOH, so it's pretty much just the bass and strings that are being heard; for my amp it's a Mesa Walkabout head into a Mesa Subway 212, but those are just for me and the band. I'm thinking a pickup with some extra character but not too muddy when paired with TI Flats.

I'm contemplating Lollar or Lollar P90, or possibly Novak PBV or PB90/PB90CC. Any thoughts?
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I liked the Novak PBV and PBCC when I tried them (it was a bunch of years ago now). PB90 was too hot and muddy for my taste, and I think would over-accentuate the natural midrange on the TIs. Of what you listed, I'd probably suggest the PBCC. It had a fatter bottom end than the PB-V, and was hotter output without being overly harsh in the midrange. Probably a great fit paired up with TI flats.
 
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#43
@MoStevens check the Wilde P pickups as @ctmullins mentioned. I listened to way to many clips in the deep end of TB, and the Wild P is one of the better P's I've heard, and the people who tried it seem to love it. Cheaper options may be tapewounds with current pickups.

For those of us who may be in N. Texas from time to time... what's the band?
 
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#45
I have 3 P-bass with flats set ups, one with Lollar pickups one with Dave Reimer pickups and one with Pickup Wizard pickups and they all love flats. ... Make sure your controls and cap are the best for your bass.
 
#46
I run TI Flats on my three basses. My 2015 American Precision has had the same strings since the day I bought it. I put in the Geezer pickup when they first came out. Although I will probably never change it, it is lacking something, so it might not be the best choice for everyone. It is better than the original by a lot, but I lost some of what makes a Fender Precision a Fender Precision. While I gained in the all-important midrange, I lost some of the full/round bottom end I love about a Precision. So I'm on the other end of the spectrum; I wish I could dial in a little more mud.:roflmao:
 
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#48
NKBassman said:
I liked the Novak PBV and PBCC when I tried them (it was a bunch of years ago now).
Of what you listed, I'd probably suggest the PBCC.
It had a fatter bottom end than the PB-V, and was hotter output without being overly harsh in the midrange.
Probably a great fit paired up with TI flats.
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.. agreed .
:cool:
 
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#51
MoStevens said:
I was digging through the TI threads but don't see any for TI/P Bass pickups specifically. I love the feel of them and want a pickup for live use when I'm plugged direct into FOH.

Does anyone have experience with a P Bass with a P90 style pickup and TI's? Would it be too much in the mids or would it compliment each other?

I can get Lollars at a great price and was leaning towards them (either vintage style or P90 style) but I'm also interested in Curtis Novak's pickups as well.

For further clarification, I have other P Basses with PV63, CS62, Aguilar 4P60, '75 gray-bottoms and the stock pickup in my '88 57RI. I'd like something "different" and "interesting" but that will still sound great in a mix.
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The Lollar stock wind P pickup is definitely a winner. You might want to check out the Fender Custom Shop '62 P pickup. I have three basses with that pickup and it is a bright, present sounding pickup that works well w/flats.
 
#52
Phaidrus said:
How do you like the PV63? Have it on a Pbass of mine and have tried it with a few sets of flats (currently LaBella 760FS). I like it but would like to know what others think about it.
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According to me it’s the thumpiest weapon of bass destruction readily available .. ideal for a true vintage tone.
I’ve recorded this sample track using LaBella DTF 760FL flats; at a certain point i decided to incorporate in the tune the bass line of “The revolution will not be televised” (Gil Scott Heron, played by the great Ron Carter on the album I believe).
To me, playing skills aside, the sound is almost identical to the one you can hear in the LP, meaning that this pickup is true to its vintage-repro design specifications.

Mixed Funk à-la-Carte
 
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#53
Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati said:
According to me it’s the thumpiest weapon of bass destruction readily available .. ideal for a true vintage tone.
I’ve recorded this sample track using LaBella DTF 760FL flats; at a certain point i decided to incorporate in the tune the bass line of “The revolution will not be televised” (Gil Scott Heron, played by the great Ron Carter on the album I believe).
To me, playing skills aside, the sound is almost identical to the one you can hear in the LP, meaning that this pickup is true to its vintage-repro design specifications.

Mixed Funk à-la-Carte
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Very good! Thanks for sharing. I like your groovy playing in the chill out lounge framework of the track. And the tone is full and punchy! PV63 + 760FL works well, it seems. By the way, do you notice a marked difference between E / A and D / G strings in this set? I do in the 760FS set and it is is quite annoying. E and A are nice but D and G sound thin and metallic in comparison. So much so that I'm looking for another set of flats. Or perhaps they'll even out with time... Not sure what I should do (Galli Jazz flats & Fender 9050M are on my list).

Apologies to the OP for going a bit off topic.
 
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#54
Phaidrus said:
Very good! Thanks for sharing. I like your groovy playing in the chill out lounge framework of the track. And the tone is full and punchy! PV63 + 760FL works well, it seems. By the way, do you notice a marked difference between E / A and D / G strings in this set? I do in the 760FS set and it is is quite annoying. E and A are nice but D and G sound thin and metallic in comparison. So much so that I'm looking for another set of flats. Or perhaps they'll even out with time... Not sure what I should do (Galli Jazz flats & Fender 9050M are on my list).

Apologies to the OP for going a bit off topic.
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Honestly speaking no .. in fact I installed these strings on all my basses, Ps and Js alike :thumbsup:
 
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#55
mrperkolator said:
@MoStevens check the Wilde P pickups as @ctmullins mentioned. I listened to way to many clips in the deep end of TB, and the Wild P is one of the better P's I've heard, and the people who tried it seem to love it. Cheaper options may be tapewounds with current pickups.

For those of us who may be in N. Texas from time to time... what's the band?
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I play in a TX Country band called September Moon!
 
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#57
bassdude51 said:
I don't know if things have changed but I've been a member of TB since 2008 and have read soooooo many threads and posts about P Bass pickups.

Since that time, the 3 most popular P Bass pickups that I have seen here are The Fender Original. The Seymour Duncan SPB-1 and the EMG Geezer.

I have TI Flats with the SPB-1 and the Fender Originals and I get excellent good balanced sound.

IMO and IME P Bass pickups with about 10K ohms give the best sound. Above 11.5K ohms start getting muddy. YMMV
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This....Duncan SPB1 is great....i bought a cheap alnico P pickup at 8.5k that sounds very good as well.....i dont care for hotter P pickups usually.
 
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#58
tvbop said:
QP's are mid scooped and hopeless. Any other PU will do, I have a no name Chinese set in my P, and dead old chromes if you can find a set...mid range cut for days with the amp bass dialed back a bit.
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QPs are muddy compared to a vintage style P pickup.....SPB2 is another Duncan P pickup i dont care for.....stick with SPB1 as they are easy to resell if need be and inexpensive to buy used.
 

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