Maybe you might like the DiMarzio Model P then, if you liked the tone you got from that Cortez. But a Model P is more like "P-bass on steroids" than a classic P-bass tone and it doesn't sound like that's where you wanna go.
An Indonesian CV really should sound like a P-bass. The pickup isn't the best you'll ever find but it's definitely not junk. You shouldn't expect more than subtle differences from a different P-bass pickup, unless you get one of the more extreme ones (like the DiMarzio Model P). Better tone? Yes, definitely. A completely different tone? Not really.
If your Indonesian CV "sounds more like a Rick than a Fender" I think it's perhaps time to look at the rest of your signal chain. Or your choice of strings. Or maybe even your playing style.
You say you make records and want the tone from "classic records". Don't forget that the bass you hear on those records was processed and the signal was run through analog studio gear and recorded to tape. Youtube videos are often heavily processed too.
Running the bass through a transformed based micpre that's pushed "into the red" can color the tone a LOT more than changing between two similar types of pickup. Do you record in a studio with a good selection of analog gear or at home with a more simple setup? If it's the latter you might get closer to what you're looking for if you invest in a top quality DI box (the DI input on audio interfaces is usually junk) and a transformer based micpre. Maybe a Neve-style micpre. The tone of a Neve with the input pushed into saturation is THE classic bass tone for me. Of course, other stuff can help to, like classic analog compressors (1176, LA-2A...) and eq's (Pultec...). As good as plugins have become they don't QUITE deliver the magic of the analog gear they're trying to emulate. Also, playing into analog gear can actually affect your playing in a different way than recording clean and doing all the processing afterwards, "in the box". Especially playing into a compressor.
But by all means try a new pickup. You will almost certainly like it better. Just don't expect a massively DIFFERENT tone, unless you go for one of the more extreme P-bass pickup models (which might not be the right choice when you seem to be looking for a classic P-bass tone). If your P-bass sounds like a Rick I honestly don't think the pickup is the problem. I might be wrong of course.
There's also another possibility (and anyone who think tonewoods don't matter can stop reading now...). Maybe your CV simply simply isn't a good, resonant instrument. The Indonesian CVs can be superb but unfortunately they are also a bit inconsistent. Installing a better pickup in a poor sounding bass may not give you the tone you are hoping for. If you tap the back of the neck with your knuckles and just get a dull thud you probably won't get a great tone no matter what pickup you use. Tapping the back of the neck is the first thing I do when I'm testing a bass I consider buying. If the neck doesn't pass the tap test I'm done, no need to even plug it in. A poor quality neck will eat definition and clarity out of your tone. Have you ever had an instrument where the strings seemed to go dull a LOT faster than normal? That's a typical syndrom of a poor quality neck. And yes, it's the wood.
Whoa. Lot of assumptions going on in that reply.
You seem like you're trying to help and didn't mean it that way, so it's cool.
The Ind CV was a quick, spur of the moment buy.
The neck is straight. No cosmetic or mechanical defects and the price was super sweet.
I've found the Squier Jazzes useful for delivering a classic Jazz tone so I assumed the Squier P would deliver a similar performance.
The strings could be part of the issue. The dude at the shop close to me would not stop pushing the DR Sunbeams rather than my preferred strings.
I kept medium gauge GHS Bass Boomers on the Cortez. Sounded great.
The few occasions when I played the Cortez live, it didn't let me down and it recorded effortlessly.
Can you tell I miss that bass?
DR strings don't really ring my bell but I said what the hell, I might get surprised.
When I get the pickups put in, I'm going to put La Bella tapewounds on it. Kind of a halfway point between my preferred rounds and flats.
Let's just eliminate my playing style as a factor. LOL.
I'll conclude that if I liked the DiMarzios in my Cortez and was satisfied with using the Cortez whenever I needed a P sound, I'm not worried about them sounding like "P bass on steroids."
I think you guys may be talking about output or other sonic factors, but I'm talking about a specific tonal character that's consistent throughout the examples I've posted in this thread.
But again, my preferred instrument is a Jazz and that's what I usually play, so the nuances of P basses is new territory for me.
I never had to worry about a P before because the Cortez did the trick.
There are some Model Ps from the 70's online but the general consensus here is that the new and old ones sound the same.
You guys also said that DiMarzio's stance is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and they haven't messed with the design since bringing it to market.
I'm gonna pull the trigger on the Model Ps and see how it works out.
This is part of the fun of being a bass geek.
