I recently acquired a 2016 Fender American Standard Precision V. I'm hoping to find an old-school Jamerson/Duck Dunn P-with-flats sound. I put on a set of Chromes, but the sound is way too clanky, with weird out-of-tune overtones. I ordered a set of TI Jazz Flats, but's going to take a couple of weeks to get them. Is that all I need? There aren't that many different flatwound 5 string sets available. Do I need a different pickup? Again, I don't think there are a lot of 5 string split pickups around.
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Vintage sound from a modern 5 string Precision?
- Thread starter Neon Scribe
- Start date
Most strings, even flatwounds sound too zingy when brand new. Flats will mellow out quite nicely and maintain a good usable tone far longer than roundwounds tend to do, rounds seem to lose more sustain and character when they go dead IMHO. Flats just mellow out and have a great bloom to the notes and can be more percussive (aka punch or thud) as well.
Chromes are indeed quite harsh out of the pack but you should give them a little time.
The strange out of tune overtones don't sound normal though, this could be that your pickups are too close to the string. This can cause a chorus-y effect that is displeasing for sure. That or the string has a twist in it from installation. Always be sure to allow the ball end of the string to spin at the bridge if you have the habit of winding the first wraps on the tuning peg.
Another thing.... did you string through the body? That too can cause problems with flatwounds, they are not made to make the sharp bend at the bridge.
Welcome to the world of flats though, they really are satisfying to play. I am a bigger fan of the TI Jazz Flats but Chromes a very good too.
Chromes are indeed quite harsh out of the pack but you should give them a little time.
The strange out of tune overtones don't sound normal though, this could be that your pickups are too close to the string. This can cause a chorus-y effect that is displeasing for sure. That or the string has a twist in it from installation. Always be sure to allow the ball end of the string to spin at the bridge if you have the habit of winding the first wraps on the tuning peg.
Another thing.... did you string through the body? That too can cause problems with flatwounds, they are not made to make the sharp bend at the bridge.
Welcome to the world of flats though, they really are satisfying to play. I am a bigger fan of the TI Jazz Flats but Chromes a very good too.
I should mention that a proper set up should accompany any switch of string brand and or gauge. The different tension will almost always require a truss rod adjustment. If the neck doesn't have enough relief you can experience clanky string noise. The Motown sound usually calls for kind of high action too which eliminates alot of fret noise.
Also the intonation may be off...that could be the out of tune-ness you're hearing.
Also the intonation may be off...that could be the out of tune-ness you're hearing.
Aero Pickups Type 1 Did the trick for me. Nothing wrong with the Ulyate pups that my wilkins came with. They sounded good but I was going with another sound.
I believe the stock Fender pickup in the American Standard should easily cop a good Motown sound. Just roll the tone back at least 3/4 of the way and work on your palm muting technique... or use a piece of foam under the strings at the bridge to dampen or mute the strings.
Yes, rolling back the tone. Still too much clank and not enough thump. I haven't found a mute that doesn't mess with intonation.
I would exhaust all efforts to nail the technique and find a string you dig before swapping out any electronics in the bass. Your Fender was made for the stuff your aiming for.
Yeah, I don't really dig a fixed mute. I like to be in control and use muting when appropriate, often a song calls for muted and non muted playing for different sections.
MDBass
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- Nov 7, 2012
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"the sound is way too clanky"...that's what the tone knob is for
Chromes are pretty bright out of the box, but rolling off the tone should get you what you're after: you definitely don't need a new pickup.
Backing your pickup off (toward the body) will reduce high end while reducing output—and will eventually remove the magnetic interference which may be troubling you. Fret on the last fret and lower the pickup until the chorus-like warbling stops. That's the best position for full frequency sound, but some folks back further off still to remove brightness.
As to the strings, D'Addario Chromes are bright flats by design which, while very useful on many instruments (especially after ageing a bit), aren't necessarily ideal for that old school tone. You'll get closer with GHS Precision Flats or La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats, both of which veer toward thump in a pleasant way. It'll be interesting to see what you make of the TI Jazz flats. They have a mid-range forward character which is very attractive and they don't take much by way of breaking in (sounding the same seemingly forever afterwards). I've had them on my '68 P for at least 20 years—same set—but I don't think of them as sounding particularly old school.
As to the strings, D'Addario Chromes are bright flats by design which, while very useful on many instruments (especially after ageing a bit), aren't necessarily ideal for that old school tone. You'll get closer with GHS Precision Flats or La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats, both of which veer toward thump in a pleasant way. It'll be interesting to see what you make of the TI Jazz flats. They have a mid-range forward character which is very attractive and they don't take much by way of breaking in (sounding the same seemingly forever afterwards). I've had them on my '68 P for at least 20 years—same set—but I don't think of them as sounding particularly old school.
MDBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 7, 2012
- 8,590
- 14,892
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Dingwall-Fender-Bergantino-Dunlop-Tech 21-Darkglass-Nordstrand
With the tone all the way off there is no possible way for there to be too much "clank" unless it isn't functioning properly.
As far as mutes go, the Nordymute is excellent and doesn't effect intonation at all:
NordyMute
The TI Jazz flats will go great on that bass for the tone you are looking for, recently installed a set on my Fender P5 and love it to death!
The TI's will sound great.
While you're waiting, put some foam under the strings until they mellow.
While you're waiting, put some foam under the strings until they mellow.
I'll say it too, TI flats are what you're looking for coupled with a bit of good hand control.
Yes, I did roll back the tone, but I’m getting a muffled tinny sound"the sound is way too clanky"...that's what the tone knob is for
Chromes are pretty bright out of the box, but rolling off the tone should get you what you're after: you definitely don't need a new pickup.
I'll just have to be patient! I've had the TI's on a four string, so I know what to expect. A gentle touch is essential!
Try Labella Deep Talkin' Flats. I don't know how the B would sound but the E thru G are perfect on my P Bass.
I've got the same bass but a few years older. I've got D'adarrio Nylon Tapewounds on them. No clank-might be what your looking for and a lot cheaper than TIs.
