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Recommendation Pickup for Road Worn Fender Precision with less high end and more even midrange

LilRay

LilRay

Commercial User
Dec 27, 2007
4,166
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Between my Roscoe and Leather
Disclosures
Owner: Cockeyed Cow Custom Leathercraft
#1
I have a Road Worn Precision (all stock) that I'm looking to change electronics on. Does anyone have any recommendations for pickups as described in the title? Youtube search has a few comparisons, but I don't see much on Fenders new 1960 vintage version. From Youtube alone, I like the sound of the 63 vintage, but I know nothing on Fralin, Nordstrand, etc.

Also would it benefit much changing the pots and wiring?

Thanks everyone!

God Bless, Ray
 
#2
The new 1960 vintage version is a bit more complex than what you currently have in your bass but it still has a lot of highs.
The 63 vintage is very bassy and punchy, it's wonderful sounding but there's a lot of bass on tap. It will check your box on the highs but may add more bass than you want. It's really big sounding and might not check your "more even mids" box.

For less highs and more midrange, I would recommend the Aguilar AG P60 or the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II.

The Arcane Experience 65 and Lollar regular wound are also wonderful sounding options but they will deliver more highs than the two pickups listed above.
 
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#4
Been on TalkBass for many years and read many threads/posts on P pickups. I don't know if there has been a recent change of opinion but for almost all of my 17 yrs on TB, these have been the 3 most recommended P pickups.

(not in this order)

Fender Original Precision Bass Pickup
Seymour Duncan SPB-1
EMG Geezer.

IME, for the P sound that I like, the ohms are my guideline. Around 10.5K. Higher ohms like 12K have a strong sound but lack clarity. Lower ohms like the 10.5K have better definition and balance of frequency range. IMHO

In your case, you might want to try different strings for that sound that you are looking for. Strings are the #1 sound factor. IME

Good luck!
 
#6
ctmullins said:
What strings are you using? Different strings can have quite an influence on tone, and are easier to swap out.
Click to expand...
I'll second that idea. If you manage to nail the sound you want fairly quickly, it is way less expensive and time-consuming than buying and installing a new pickup.

Stainless steel strings can be very "zingy", for example. Another possibility might be D'Addario's discontinued FlexSteel strings. I put a set on a modded J/MM Jazz as an experiment. Sadly, as much as I like their brightness and feel, it lacks the low-end I'm looking to get out of the bass, even with a good John East preamp.
 
#8
LilRay said:
I've got a set of LaBella flats on it. Really going for the early rock 50's and 60's era.
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TIs have a more pronounced midrange and are more articulate than La Bella's. I thought I was all about La Bella's until I got a bass with TIs on it. Now TIs are my flat of choice on everything that gets flats. Tried their Power Bass Rounds and liked them alright, but I'm inclined to try their other offerings for roundwounds. I will say that they've lasted quite a long time.
 
#9
Rickplaysbass said:
TIs have a more pronounced midrange and are more articulate than La Bella's. I thought I was all about La Bella's until I got a bass with TIs on it. Now TIs are my flat of choice on everything that gets flats. Tried their Power Bass Rounds and liked them alright, but I'm inclined to try their other offerings for roundwounds. I will say that they've lasted quite a long time.
Click to expand...


I tried the Labella low tension flats and found them to be too floppy. LOL I can only assume the TI's are similar in tension.

God Bless, Ray
 
#10
LilRay said:
I tried the Labella low tension flats and found them to be too floppy. LOL I can only assume the TI's are similar in tension.

God Bless, Ray
Click to expand...
Couldn't tell you as I've never tried the LTFs. EBCF are also a bit more articulate than DTFs.

As for pickups, I don't like the 63, it sounds boomy to me. Tons of bottom on tap. I too prefer a lower resistance. I would grab an underwound Fralin if it were me. Antiquities are nice as well. And honestly, GZRs are so easy and will easily sell if you don't like it. Might as well just try it and see.
 

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