Show your "Funk Machine"

[Texican]

The funk brothers… flatwounds on the fiesta red.

 

[BassyBill]

Got my Classic Vibe 60s Squier Precision arriving tomorrow. Apart from the absent bridge and pickup covers, it’s pretty much a Jamerson Funk Machine tribute - or it will be once I put this here set of La Bella flats on it.

 

[Jeff K]

Currently I have 3 really nice P-Basses. (Two Fenders and a G&L.) If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be my 2012 American Special HoneyBurst. But close runners up are my MIJ E-Series Vintage White P and my G&L LB-100 in Ruby Red Metallic. They're all really nice.

 

[dave64o]

Currently I have 3 really nice P-Basses. (Two Fenders and a G&L.) If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be my 2012 American Special HoneyBurst. But close runners up are my MIJ E-Series Vintage White P and my G&L LB-100 in Ruby Red Metallic. They're all really nice.
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I completely agree with your choice of a favorite. That's a beautiful finish!

 

[Jeff K]

I completely agree with your choice of a favorite. That's a beautiful finish!

They all sound really good. The two Fenders are both sporting Seymour Duncan SPB-1 pickups. (I LOVE the SPB-1s. Great vintage P tone.)

The G&L has it's original pickups. I did put a set of Geezers in it, but decided I liked the G&L originals better. Very subtle tone differences from all 3. The G&L is probably just a tad brighter. An audience member wouldn't be able to tell the difference probably. But I really like the neck on the American Special...

 

[tomahawknine]

My hands can't deal with a 34-inch scale anymore. So, unfortunately, no P-bass for me anymore. My funk machine is a Squier Jaguar H. Modifications: lightweight Hipshot tuners, a spacer on the top strap button to get rid of neck dive, a narrowed bridge for my right hand, and the stock pickup actually sounds really good when you change out the cheap guitar pots and tone cap for real 250 kohm audio taper pots and a .047 real tone cap wired 60's P-bass style. Even though a MM style pickup, It has a similar amount of windings as a good P-pickup, and with it in the P-position instead of the MM-position, it has the girth to go with the drive and clarity. And I was able to snag one of the last NOS sets of Labella flats in medium scale 760FL-M (the Jaguar is a 32" bass). I had a gig last night sitting in with a friend's band which plays a wide variety, including '60's & '70's Soul, R&B, & Funk; Motown, Stax, Philly. Perfect. None of my other basses would have sounded authentic. The dance floor stayed full all night.

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Just got the same one. Going to refinish mine in lacquer--maybe a Gibson color like Pelham Blue. Thanks for the modification notes!

I was having a hard time finding the right replacement tuners, but now I got a good lead sounds like. I have a Kluson high mass bridge that looks to have almost same specs as the stock, but it feels heavier, so gonna swap out that, and the nut for real bone.

As for pickups, I was thinking of trying to open it up and see if the design could accommodate switching out ceramic parts for Alnico II or III--I have a handful laying around. Also have good 250K CTS pots I can put in there.

Love the medium scale, but looking for a pair of flats that will work with it. I have some Rotosound 77 short scale flats 40-90 but haven't yet tried them on.

 

[iiipopes]

Love the medium scale, but looking for a pair of flats that will work with it. I have some Rotosound 77 short scale flats 40-90 but haven't yet tried them on.

Pots and caps are much cheaper than pickups. Try wiring the pickup to the traditional P-controls first and see if you like it. If nothing else, you will have them if you do change the pickup. Concerning strings, short scale won't fit unless the winding length is at least 34 inches to account for the back length between the bridge saddle and the anchor. DR flats might do that, but they are too dark toned for me. If you are looking for flats, La Bella does still make their 45-65-85-105 in medium scale, 760FS-M:
.

 

[Matt Dean]

 

[Jinobass1]

Here’s one^_^Roasted Alder body and Roasted Maple Neck with Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard Matching Headstock Fender Custom Precision Bass!

 

[JRT64]

Love the covers on a P-Bass! They look so cool IMHO.

 

[R&B]

Love the covers on a P-Bass! They look so cool IMHO.

Yes, they do look cool. But the pickup cover prevents plucking at the sweet spot. Sort of like a chastity belt for a bass.

 

[Glazenn]

AVRI '62 P, Squier VM P V

 

[DJ Bebop]

Yes, they do look cool. But the pickup cover prevents plucking at the sweet spot. Sort of like a chastity belt for a bass.

"What?"

 

[R&B]

27158969[/URL], member: 29241"]"What?"
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The master! The exception that proves the rule.

One Funk Machine with high action + one-finger plucking technique + endless talent + unique creativity + extraordinary musical knowledge = utter genius. There’s only ever been one.

 

[Pet Sounds]

"What?"
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100%. I'm no Jamerson, but I play basses with covers all the time and don't even think about it.

 

[DJ Bebop]

100%. I'm no Jamerson, but I play basses with covers all the time and don't even think about it.

Yup, I have one bass set up like that...

Covers, sponge rubber mute under bridge cover, La Bella '1954' 50-110 flats, 62 P pick up.

Once I get the tug bar on it, the tone will really improve

I did it to see what JJ was working with.

 

[JRT64]

100%. I'm no Jamerson, but I play basses with covers all the time and don't even think about it.

So do I. Both of my P-Basses have covers and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

For those of you who leave the pickup cover on your P-Bass, do you pluck the strings in front of the cover (like Jamerson) or behind it?

- Steve

 

[muggsy]

 

[JRT64]

For those of you who leave the pickup cover on your P-Bass, do you pluck the strings in front of the cover (like Jamerson) or behind it?

- Steve

When I play with my fingers, I play in front of the pickup cover. If I play behind it, I use a pick. Sometimes I'll use a pick in front as well. Depends on my mood at the time.