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PUP recommendation (pick user)

M

Mola Ram

Jan 18, 2010
260
3
Chicago
#1
Ahoy hoy.

Let me start by saying I am not a gear head and I pretty much have just pick up a bass that is comfortable for me to play and I've just used it regardless of stock pickups or amplification.

I've recently been trying to get a better understanding of how I'm making the noise that I am so that I can eventually get to where I want my sound to be.

First step was finally getting a new rig and after much trial and error I went with a GK700RB-II and I'm really enjoying it.

Now here is where I should also say that do to the music I play I'm going for a very specific overdriven sound. I've tried using the famous "GK Growl" on the head itself but yeah...not really as growly as I'm looking for. I'm looking for distortion but at the same time a good seperation of sound so that when my pick hand is going a mile a minute it doesn't turn into a giant blur, especially on the E string. This boss bass over drive pedal definitely puts me in the right ball park, but even when I'm not over doing the over drive I start to get a bit blurry.

I'm using stock BC rich precision styled pick ups, and I'm guessing this is probably no where near the best option out there so I was thinking replacing those might be the next step on my way to where I want to be.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions for a good replacement set? I'm not looking for warmth...I need a quick response, punch, clarity, and definition.

Anyone with info on this? It would be much appreciated!
 
#2
Mola Ram said:
I'm not looking for warmth...I need a quick response, punch, clarity, and definition.
Click to expand...
First, you might try picking/plucking back toward the brigde like Jaco used to do....He could machine gun them 16th notes out and they sounded clear to me....In fact that jazz sound gives me a boner......lol.......wut? Crap, I couldn't resist....Anyway try it....then play near the end of the neck.....mushy eh? dynamics....You might save some $$$
peace
tjm
 
#3
For P pups, I'm a fan of Lindy Fralin's offerings (IMO, YMMV).

For bass overdrive/distortion, there are a bazillion options for great pedals out there, and Boss is towards the crappy end of the list (IMO, YMMV). Spend some time wading around in the greasy pool known as the TB Effects forum.
 
#4
Thanks for responses.

I've thought about playing more towards the bridge but that would drastically change my playing style...perhaps the best idea might be using more of the bridge pickup in the blend? Must try that out.

Also, I'm REALLY partial to this pedal...especially with the weird settings I have on it. But I'll take a look in the effects section for some possible alternatives.

Thanks again!
 
#5
Hot, aggressive pickups? Doesn't get any better than the EMG DC's.

What bass are you using? It's impossible to make pickup suggestions without knowing.

And I agree that you should try to pluck just a bit more toward the bridge, but still within your comfort zone. You'll be amazed how much it affects the clarity and consistency. Couple that with blending the bridge pickup into your tone a bit more and you'll cry tears of joy with your sexy sound.
 
#6
FunkMetalBass said:
What bass are you using? It's impossible to make pickup suggestions without knowing.
Click to expand...

I'm currently using two 5 string BC Rich Zombies, the main one being the neck thru model. Not the Exotic wood one that they have now but the one that just came in black.

I took a look at those EMG DC's and they look interesting...though I'm sure that putting soap bars in a bass that has the recesses for P style pickups wouldn't be the easiest, or least expensive, thing to do.
 
#8
Actually the stock BC Rich P pups are among the best out there imo. I like crunchy rather then smooth sound. The BC Rich ones do it better then most. This goes for both their exposed pole peice P pups and there covered top P pups. For heavy overdrive I like and use a zoom player 2000B processor. Try playing around with listening to to the neck and bridge pups solo'd and adjust for best sound to you. Then do small adjusment as needed to get very good both neck and bridge pups on full. From there experiment with rolling off the neck or bridge pup a little. Most crunchiest growl is often got with the latter. Instead of either pup soloed or both on full, with one or the other rolled off just a little.

Try different overdrives to include two of same kind stacked into each other. If the one you like best is a bit bass shy simply fix that with a good graphic eq to boost bass content back to where wanted.
 
#10
those korean BC rich electronics will be little better than any other generic korean or chinese bass in that price range (in fact, they're likely the same guts).

that thing is active, right? be sure to not boost up too much bass, as that will make for a less clear tone in the mix.

judging by the bass, you're not playing motown on it; you, my friend, are a prime candidate for the EMG x-series P pickups, maybe with the EMG BTS preamp, running the whole thing at 18V. they will be loud, slicing-clear and fast, and will make it through a dense mix.

if you don't upgrade the preamp too, i'd ditch it, running a better pickup without one.
 
#11
walterw....> I think BC Rich preamps are better then some of the other mfg versions in that $500-$700 range. Partly cause they pick a better to me treble center freq, and the bass doesnt get muddy as quickly when boosting bass. But yes your right in that keeping bass flat or just slightly boosted works best.

Without examining his zombie bass in person Id geauss Id end up slightly lowering the neck pups set or slightly raising the bridge pup set as main thing Id do to improve its soiund. Assuming the pups are about the same as factory pup them in the box. The BC Rich P pups and their guitar humbucker pups are more tone tweakable by adjusting pup height and pole peice screws (on the guitar humbuckers) then most P pups. So yes bad adjustment can make them mud prone for neck position pups.

If I was going to upgrade the pups and/or preamp it would be with emg pups and emg or basslines active eq however as you suggest. Not for better sound but rather for a little bit diff equally wonderful sound. But Im weird like that. Lol.
 
#12
Once again, the info and feed back is much appreciated.

Saturday I'll be doing some toying around with the suggestions and I'll let you know how it goes. I mean, I really don't have any other issue with my tone and sound over than what I mentioned so I'm really hoping the slight adjustments will finally put it right where I want it.
 
#15
I'd say get a ATK.

I tried/try out alot of basses on a weekly basis (friends and I are gearheads to the nth degree) and through my experience the pickup ladder is filled with good stuff but, none IMO hold a candle to the ATK triplebucker.

Couple the pickup with it's preamp and three way swtiching and you got a bass that can sound like a P, a J, or a ray. My 2 cents.

I'm also a picker. Mainly Metal, and Punk. Like I imagene you play too.
 
#16
Whomever suggested the SD Quarter Pounders, good call.

Couple that with a nice Aguilar OBP-3 (if you're going to get a cheap-ish EQ, might as well get something worthwhile with a mid control that will help you cut through the mix better) and you'll be set for life.

FWIW, this is what I'm putting on my Squier P-bass project.
 

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