If you are sold on TI flats, stay away from P-pickups. I have a friend who gigged that combination. I mixed his sound. We both agreed that at the amp and out front the TI's didn't have enough articulation to properly slot the mix. He changed strings on the P-bass and problem solved.
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Precision Pickup Paired With TI Flats
- Thread starter MoStevens
- Start date
I’m thinking I’ll go with the Lollar. It seems like the safe bet and I can get one at a great price.
- Apr 18, 2008
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Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Before I replaced the stock p'ups with Quarter Pounders, I found my '73 P way too zingy and lacking in fundamental. I'm and old guy who doubles on DB, and plays a lot of jazz and R&B. I abhor zinginess, finger noise, and fret clatter. Quarter Pounders and TI Jazz Flats give me a sound that's pretty consistent with the qualities I get on my other basses (also strung with TI flats), whether passive or active, four or five strings. There are likely other p'ups that I'd also enjoy, perhaps more than QPs, but I'd rather spend my time playing bass than experimenting with p'ups.
Not cheaper, but almost the same price. I know the Lollars will be one-and-done, I'm not familiar with Wilde.
As it turns out I had an extra pickup from one of my 2006 Highway One's. My tech put it in today and now I wait for another set of TI's to get in there. For now I've got some DR Legends laying around that will go back on.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,011
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
In case you weren’t aware, Wilde is Bill and Becky Lawrence’s operation. Bill is a huge name in pickup design, going back quite a few decades now.
Not saying the Lollar is a bad choice at all. And not saying that name recognition will result in a tone you like. Just wanted to put that fact out there for ya.
Not saying the Lollar is a bad choice at all. And not saying that name recognition will result in a tone you like. Just wanted to put that fact out there for ya.
Now you've got me wanting to put a Novak PB-CC back into my P with TIs...
... well , i did it again today !!
took my 2012 Fender Precision MIM to my tech ...
installed PB-CC pickup and Emerson P-Bass wire harness !!
while he was at it , did a quick fret job ...
... ready for this weekends gigs !!
Prices went down on Amazon a little for the TI's so I've got a second set ordered. Looks like they're coming from Europe (free overseas shipping) so we'll see what I end up with but it's a step in the right direction.
I should hope so, given that they're made in Austria!
In all seriousness: the Lollar standard is the one I'm most curious about for myself, but it sounds like you've got several traditional P setups in your collection already... why not try the Precision 90 for some variety? Or, given that you're somehow getting them at half price, both the standard and the p90? Curious to hear your results either way.
I'd be concerned pairing any pickup that touts an emphasized midrange for use with TIs. I find TIs quite strong in the midrange to begin with. If anything I'd want to prop up the bottom end a little more.
- Apr 18, 2008
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
… which makes me wonder how the TIs would pair with a DiMarzio Split P (the DP127 , not the more usual DP122 Model P) …
I’ve had a set of TI flats for several years now but they’ve had very little use and have spent most of their life back in the packet!
I initially bought them for use on either my American Fender Pro Jazz Bass or my CIJ P Bass. I tried them on my Jazz Bass and wasn’t particularly impressed, and the P Bass has an EMG GZR pickup and I’m not totally sure whether that combination is a very good match? I only had them on the P Bass for a very short while and quickly put the round wounds back on.
I do like to hear other people’s basses with flats but perhaps they’re just not for me as a player, or maybe like I said the Geezers aren’t a good match with TI’s, perhaps they’re better with more vintage voiced pickups?
I initially bought them for use on either my American Fender Pro Jazz Bass or my CIJ P Bass. I tried them on my Jazz Bass and wasn’t particularly impressed, and the P Bass has an EMG GZR pickup and I’m not totally sure whether that combination is a very good match? I only had them on the P Bass for a very short while and quickly put the round wounds back on.
I do like to hear other people’s basses with flats but perhaps they’re just not for me as a player, or maybe like I said the Geezers aren’t a good match with TI’s, perhaps they’re better with more vintage voiced pickups?
My Fender Highway One P with TIs and SD Antiquity II pickup is my second choice bass after my newish Dingwall Super P5 with rounds. Of course it's a totally different vibe between the two basses, but they both sound fantastic in their own ways. I love the sound of that bass with TIs and have no desire to change anything on that bass (except maybe trying a PB-CC again), but the string that made me fall in love with flats in the first place was GHS Precision Flats. Totally different vibe from TIs, but also a very lovely sounding string.
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Might sound good, based on the "Tone Guide" on their website. Tough to say for sure without trying it. It's been a LONG time since I tried a DP127, and back then even considering trying flatwound strings was the absolute last thing on my mind.
Honestly I'm surprised that these are considered "darker" in the treble spectrum than the Model P (rated a 6.0).
I can recommend both Fralin and Lollar stock wind pickups paired with TIs. The Fralins have more booty but an extended top end and a nice raw midrange while the Lollars are tighter down low and a bit more mid-forward and aggressive. They both work well with flats in general much better than the Quarter Pounder, though even with the QPs TIs will have more detail and accentuation than the DR Legends
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I replaced an SPB-1 with a Wilde P46 on my P with TI flats bass. I like the response (dynamic as well as overall tone) of the P46 better than the SPB-1.
TI strings sound great with many pickups. In general, I like pickups which emphasis the highs a tad since there's not a lot of it for starters with flats in general and old TI in particular.
From there there's two directions you can select:
1. A more modern tone with Wylde P46 or DiMarzio Moldel P.
2. A more vintage tone: SD SPB-1, Arcane Experience 65 (my favorite) or Lollar P.
From there there's two directions you can select:
1. A more modern tone with Wylde P46 or DiMarzio Moldel P.
2. A more vintage tone: SD SPB-1, Arcane Experience 65 (my favorite) or Lollar P.
I really like the stock Fralins with LaBellas. Not sure if that would be my first choice for country, but it's a great match nevertheless.
