Mark Hoppus's new sig has the pickup placement you are referring to. It is his new customs though not the sig available to the pubilc.
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The P pickup is the wrong way around!
- Thread starter Bootzilla
- Start date
I think that a big part of what a P-Bass is, is the location of the D-G strings pickup. It gives you more bite, growl, and definition than a pickup placed closer to the neck (as in a Jazz Bass, a reversed P, or single-coil P-Bass) which might capture more bass, but it's often undefined and farty. The signature P-bass sound is in part due to that sweet location if the D-G strings pickup.
The Spector on the Right has a unbelievable tone! I can't say I would attribute it to the reversed P PUPS. My P Bass sounds good too! (Edit - both Spectors sound great)
So did my old Conklin Rocco Prestia edition. I should have kept this bass
How would you characterize the sound of this bass? I've been contemplating putting a P pup in the neck position on my Jazz (I love the way it feels and plays, but I guess I'm just a P guy at heart), but I've been waffling on whether or not I want the reverse-P. That one looks like the P pup would be in about the same position as it would be on my bass.
Oh man........I was looking at those pictures FL Knifemaker posted with the reversed P-pups and I was thinking to myself......
"***......those are not reversed.......the one on the right is up, on the left down...........did I misunderstand? Are we talking about something else? Is this guy just a moron?"
I was SO confused!!! No idea what was going on. I went and reread the whole conversation, looked at the pictures a few more times.
And then I realized......I'm left handed and my bass is a reverse of his and I am the moron here! lol.
"***......those are not reversed.......the one on the right is up, on the left down...........did I misunderstand? Are we talking about something else? Is this guy just a moron?"
I was SO confused!!! No idea what was going on. I went and reread the whole conversation, looked at the pictures a few more times.
And then I realized......I'm left handed and my bass is a reverse of his and I am the moron here! lol.
I like my P pickup the traditional way.
It's good to play with the difference in tone between EA and DG.
It's also makes a nice spot to pull strings when slapping.
It's good to play with the difference in tone between EA and DG.
It's also makes a nice spot to pull strings when slapping.
ok so according to you all, like this is the reversed p?
and this is standard correct?
.
on the Charvels, they made them BOTH ways.
and this is standard correct?
.
on the Charvels, they made them BOTH ways.
ok so according to you all, like this is the reversed p?
and this is standard correct?
.
Other way around.
ok so according to you all, like this is the reversed p?
and this is standard correct?
.
on the Charvels, they made them BOTH ways.
Completely wrong, actually.
My Yamaha BB300's had the reversed. I think it works better (The E and A have more mid definition, the D and G have more fullness), but I like my P-Bass to be a P-Bass, so I wouldn't change it if I were Fender. If I'm trying to make a "P-Bass", keep to the standard. If I'm just using a P-Bass pickup in a bass, reverse it.
If I were to get a five string P-Bass I'd probably have it swapped to get the mids out of the B string.
KO
If I were to get a five string P-Bass I'd probably have it swapped to get the mids out of the B string.
KO
I voted keep it the way it is. -Don't mess with tonal perfection IMO. 
When I want a P/J sound (with a reverse P), I use my Spector.
My only complaint with my 2002 MIA P-Bass is that it has a "B" width neck. I miss having that big ol' wide "C" width neck.
When I want a P/J sound (with a reverse P), I use my Spector.
My only complaint with my 2002 MIA P-Bass is that it has a "B" width neck. I miss having that big ol' wide "C" width neck.
you say wrong?, but you left out the "why" part....unless you were referring to the mixup I put in the titles of the pics?
So did my old Conklin Rocco Prestia edition. I should have kept this bass
I voted for agreement (I think) that the P pup seems backwards. I guess you could make an argument for each one obviously, but I have always thought this too. And as for the quote, that thing just looks awesome. Sorry you had to part with it FL, hope I can find one.
ok I got it now....well then at least one thing is correct from my post, my Charvels have them both ways
I flopped the pickup on my '74 P so that the DG section was forward of the EA section. Had to route the body and get a custom made pickguard for the change.
However, it didn't make nearly as big a difference as I thought it would in the sound. I personally wouldn't bother with it again. I will say though, I found the original pickup in that bass to be rather anemic, it's possible a hotter pickup would have made more difference.
However, it didn't make nearly as big a difference as I thought it would in the sound. I personally wouldn't bother with it again. I will say though, I found the original pickup in that bass to be rather anemic, it's possible a hotter pickup would have made more difference.
I was just wondering why the P pickup is always placed with the DG side towards the bridge instead of the neck. I have one bass (ibanez gsr 190) which has a "reversed" P and it sounds really good.
It gives the D and G strings a bit more bottom and warmth. This also balances the strings more making the change from the E/A to the D/G string smoother.
The only reason I see for putting the D/G side towards the bridge is to give you more tonal options (bright strings brighter, bass strings bassier) but that is IMO not what the P bass is about.
I just want that thumping, warm, bottom heavy tone on all my strings and if I want more treble I will pick up a Jazz or a PJ.
So is fender keeping the P pickup as it is because it is tradition, because everything used to be better, because it wont look like a vintage fender and of course Leo is always right?
Or is there another reason to make the D and G string more trebly instead of bassy?
I realize that in the old days there were probably good reasons to put it in like this (old amps with flatwound strings might be better served with a regular P)
but nowadays I think that the reversed P actually gives the top strings a more vintage vibe that everyone seems to go for these days.
So what do you all think about reversing the P?
BTW. I'm not suggesting to turn it around as in putting the EA part forward and the DG part backwards.
I suggest to just place the DG part at the neck side of the EA part and leaving the EA part in the same spot.
It is impossible for the Reverse P to give a more vintage vibe, because Vintage P's did not have it that way. If you like it, and think it sounds better, then great. There's some people who like better the classic position. You're trying to make it sound as if moving the pickup 10 centimeters will make a completely, improved and vast difference; it won't. It will certantly -slightly- change the sound, yes, but it's nothing you can't EQ.
Anyhow, it annoys me when people want to suggest Fender how to do things, and suggest every other company to do the same. Fenders offers a classic placement, Ibanez brings an alternative. That's why diversity exists. If you want a alternative P, buy the Ibanez, but if you just want Fender to change pickup placement, so you can have the logo in the neck, then I am afraid I find that silly.
Sorry if I sound like I'm attacking you; I'm not. It's just that people need to understand that there's a bass for everyone, and Fender doesn't have to be all.
