Underwhelmed by my Mustang PJ

[Low Spark]

I'm pretty new to bass, and female, and shortish, so last October I put my '83 G&L SB-2 in the case and bought a Mustang PJ. While the 30 inch scale made things instantly easier, I am less-than-impressed with the sound. In a word, it's wimpy. My son's Jaguar Short Scale sounds better to me.

So. Will changing strings help? How about getting the bass set up? What can I do to make this bass sound like a BASS? I find myself playing the old G&L (HOT pickups on that one) more often than the Mustang.

 

[123Nil]

Yep, I was kind of let down..By my Mustang Mikey Way bass..I think some of that thou..Was the sloppy overseas build

 

[Marial]

Different strings, different pickups, can make a huge difference. So can a proper set up.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

You will never get your Mustang to sound like your G&L.
Strings, setup, and pickups may improve the Mustang.
A Kia Rio will never be a Corvette.

 

[ERicks]

What kind of music are you using it to play?

 

[Gorn]

So. Will changing strings help? How about getting the bass set up?

Yes.

What can I do to make this bass sound like a BASS?

New strings and a set up.

 

[rockscott]

I think the japan built are the cream of the crop as far as the mustang basses go. I purchased one 6 months ago, for a small fortune! I had some initial staying in tune issues that have since been rectified, now its just sweet passive fender groove! Factory strings are usually crap, try a set of Dr pure blues with a pro set up, you will probably feel differently about the bass?

 

[pcake]

new strings make a huge difference in guitar and bass tone - but finding the strings that give your bass more of the tone you like may take experimentation. and changing the pickups can make a bass sound entirely different.

 

[darwin-bass]

Short scale is a challenge. It is harder to make a good sounding short scale instrument. String tension is less which can lead to duller tone and reduced sustain. A well done short scale can be very good but a not-so-well done instrument can be pretty lame. For example your Mustang vs. your son's Jaguar.

Your cheapest fix is to swap basses with your son. You'll probably get the biggest improvement in the Mustang by changing pickups. Changing strings can make a small difference but won't fundamentally transform the instrument. Setup will just make it easier to play. Still, they are cheap and easy so they're low risk, though probably low payback. Unfortunately, changing pickups will cost some $ and you run the risk of still not making it what you want because the issue may be more than the pickup.

A year ago I assembled a Warmoth 32" scale P bass. I could just as easily made a 30" scale. Overall price was around $900 with my free assembly labor. That bass sounded better than the American P bass or the G&L LB-100 I had. The Warmoth was fuller, warmer, richer while still being very clear and having lots of sustain. Quality components that fit together well combined with a good pickup yielded some awesome results. Oh, and it weighs 6.7 lbs.

 

[two fingers]

Welcome to TalkBass!!!

I'm leaning toward pickups. Those G&L pickups are HOT.

That being said, have you really tweaked your amp with this bass? You can't expect any two basses to sound the same with the same settings. Forget the numbers on the dials and dial it in with your ears.

In fact, if your son plays bass, have him turn the dials while you don't even look at it. Tell him you want more bass or more low mids.....whatever it takes. Tell him to follow your instructions regardless of what the dials read. Unless your amp is terrible you should be able to dial in something you like.

 

[SonnyBassPlayer]

I never considered Mim standard pickups worth anything
Stings + setup as a cheap first try.
If not enough, pickups.

 

[ZenG]

Welcome to TalkBass!!!

I'm leaning toward pickups. Those G&L pickups are HOT.

That being said, have you really tweaked your amp with this bass? You can't expect any two basses to sound the same with the same settings. Forget the numbers on the dials and dial it in with your ears.

In fact, if your son plays bass, have him turn the dials while you don't even look at it. Tell him you want more bass or more low mids.....whatever it takes. Tell him to follow your instructions regardless of what the dials read. Unless your amp is terrible you should be able to dial in something you like.

^^^^
This.

But the question is:- do most MW Mustangs sound wimpy by nature...or is it just yours?

Strings can make a difference. But as said you might have to try quite a few sets to find the ones that sound good.

Were it me I would change to a better pickup. That way you won't have to spend a fortune and wasted time looking for strings.
I believe the MW is "string through" and takes 'medium scale' strings even though it's a shorty.


(btw ---check the stock pickup height.....try different heights. That can make a difference too.)

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Welcome to TalkBass!!!

I'm leaning toward pickups. Those G&L pickups are HOT.

That being said, have you really tweaked your amp with this bass? You can't expect any two basses to sound the same with the same settings. Forget the numbers on the dials and dial it in with your ears.

In fact, if your son plays bass, have him turn the dials while you don't even look at it. Tell him you want more bass or more low mids.....whatever it takes. Tell him to follow your instructions regardless of what the dials read. Unless your amp is terrible you should be able to dial in something you like.

+1 to this.
Even with my P Select and G&L SB-2T, I have to dramatically change the settings on my amp.
Good catch dos dedos.

 

[Low Spark]

Has anyone changed out the pickups on their Mustang PJ? What did you use? Likewise, can you recommend strings that might suit it? Right now I'm mostly playing out of lesson books, but eventually I'd like to play classic rock, Motown, and maybe some jazz. My main axe is tenor sax, and I know from playing that that it takes a while (a lifetime, maybe?) to nail down your "sound."

 

[Bobster]

Echoing previous comments about strings. I also think a pick-up change, specifically Nordstrand or EMG Geezer Butler P/J set. Both are extremely popular on the board and have an excellent reputation as a high-quality P/J set.

Here's info on the Nordstrands: Bass Pickups Traditional: 4 String Archives - Nordstrand Pickups

Here for the EMGs: Invalid Link Removed

All the best,

Bob

 

[twinjet]

I'm pretty new to bass, and female, and shortish, so last October I put my '83 G&L SB-2 in the case and bought a Mustang PJ. While the 30 inch scale made things instantly easier, I am less-than-impressed with the sound. In a word, it's wimpy. My son's Jaguar Short Scale sounds better to me.

So. Will changing strings help? How about getting the bass set up? What can I do to make this bass sound like a BASS? I find myself playing the old G&L (HOT pickups on that one) more often than the Mustang.

G&L MFD pickups are quite powerful by design. If the issues is your bass sounding weak, even after EQ adjustment, maybe a preamp to boost the signal could do the job.

 

[JIO]

I installed a SD Basslines single in a Squier Bronco, and also new strings, tuners (just to upgrade-no sound advantage), a threaded saddle bridge (way better than the 2 saddle original) and it sounds as good as any decent (single-coil) Fender bass. Sucks that Fender wouldn't have made the P/J Mustangs better sounding right out of the box.

 

[Marial]

Janek Gwidala is pretty happy with his.



If you're used to a G&L, you're not going to get G&L tone out of this bass without some mods, and maybe not even then. It's a very different animal.

 

[shoulderpet]

I'm pretty new to bass, and female, and shortish, so last October I put my '83 G&L SB-2 in the case and bought a Mustang PJ. While the 30 inch scale made things instantly easier, I am less-than-impressed with the sound. In a word, it's wimpy. My son's Jaguar Short Scale sounds better to me.

So. Will changing strings help? How about getting the bass set up? What can I do to make this bass sound like a BASS? I find myself playing the old G&L (HOT pickups on that one) more often than the Mustang.

I love the sound of my PJ Mustang but I understand tastes and expectations etc may be different.
I would try a new set of strings first as its the easiest and cheapest option , if that doesn't work then a pickup swap may be the way forward , Seymour Duncan Quarter pounders are very ballsy , if you are after a more mid focused tone than they offer then Dimarzio Model P & J pickups are meant to be really ballsy also. If you are reluctant to swap out the pickups (and I can understand if you were) then maybe an external pedal may help, I use the Dr J Sparrow DI/Overdrive pedal with the gain backed off and it gives some serious balls to my tone

 

[Badwater]

Short scales have a feel of their own. Not only because the tighter fret neck, but the tension of the strings. And the limit on how hard you can dig in to them. String change may be the solution, as string tension is what gives most short scale basses their unique punchy sound that is praised in recording studios. As for string selection its a lot more limited than long scale. And selecting the right set for your application will be a challenge.