You guessed it... another "keep or sell" (50's Sting Sig.)

[chadds]

Have you tried playing upright style whole side of index finger bent at first joint from knuckle?
My MIJ with original pickup sounds like an upright this way. Did change to a Muy Grande.

Other wise it sounds like it sounds keep it or sell. If you had a Jazz you wouldn’t be saying it doesn’t sound like your single coil or split coil P.

Elixirs give a phatter harmonic content. They made me keep a ‘57 ri. Made it a new bass.
My tech would say put your ear to the horn and also listen to it acoustically. Is that the sound you like. If not, don’t chop, sell. I was posting pics to sell my ‘57 because it failed that test. Then the string change to Elixirs and Voila! It’s a daily player.

 

[stringthrough]

You only own 3 basses!?!

 

[jd56hawk]

So I have a "keep or sell" question. I realize that everything is subjective and personal but I'm wanting to hear your experiences/thoughts

It's regarding my Fender MIJ Sting Signature Bass. It was the FIRST real bass I bought and I played it for many many years.

As I progressed in skill I realized that the bass wasn't giving me the sound that I wanted so I bought a Lolar pickup for it... STILL not the sound I wanted. So the single coil isn't my thing. At all. Ever. It has sat in my closet for about 10 years and the other day I dug it out. LOVE the look. LOVE the feel. Can't stand the sound

If I could find a pickup that made it sound like a big phat thumping pbass (I have Bill Lawrence p's in my 2 other basses) I would play it every day until I die. I can't really afford to go pup shopping and experiment with different pickups. sooooo ...... ?

Have any of you been in a similar situation? What was your ultimate revelation? Regret? Glad you sold? Still have a bass in your 20 year old closet? Sentiment has me by the ****!

View attachment 3108142

Sell it..someone’s bound to like the way it looks, feels and sounds. You just might help someone land the bass they’ve always wanted.

 

[basscapes]

I say keep it. There will come a day when you WILL want a P-bass in your stash. You WILL want that tone.

I learned in a roundabout way that I need a P-bass around the yard.

Just because it's a "Sting" P-bass, doesn't mean a thing. Think about it this way- that was the ORIGINAL WAY Mr. Fender wanted it (at least until someone came up with the idea of reverse winding the coil on the D/G string and creating the P-PUP as we know it).

Heck, just listen to "All This Time" of Sting's The Soul Cages album. Awesome tone (and an OC-2 in there to boot!).

I betcha that if you aim for a tone like that with the instrument (hint given to me when I tried one out- roll the tone control back about 1/2 way for that "Sting tone"), you might feel totally different about that bass guitar.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[thedukeofno]

Ya that’s true. I don’t have a bass that feels 100% correct to me haha.

Well, there you have it, IMO. I also agree with the folks who say you need a p-bass. I haven’t had one in my arsenal for a long time and that’s something I plan to change by the end of the year.

 

[Bass V]

there IS a local luthier who makes a 51 replacement pickup and he swears that it sounds like a pumpin' thick pup

any chance you got his contact info? I'm always looking for good PUs.

 

[LYNCHMAN]

I WOULD ROUTE IT OUT FOR A P PUP AND MAYBE A J PUP AS WELL AND DROP IN SOME EMG GEEZERS....I'M ALL ABOUT THE HOT ROD ASPECT WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING A BASS YOUR OWN!!

 

[Frank77]

If you didn't play it in 10 years, and its tone STILL does nothing for you after playing it again the other day, sell it already. Even if you don't need the money, what's the point in keeping a bass you don't like? Less stuff, less clutter in your life.

 

[cman227]

I have gone through the same thing. I decided to trade it in on something that was of more use to me. The problem with selling or trading in this market is you don't really get anything for it, so if you think you can at least use it for practice then maybe keep it. Otherwise turn it into some cash. Alternatively, you could donate it to a music school.

 

[lfmn16]

Keep it. After you consider paypal and shipping fees it's probably not going to bring in enough to make it worth selling.

 

[wmhill]

Sell it and get something you like- someone out there is jonesing for that toneless slab

 

[fermata]

I don't believe in keeping instruments for sentimental reasons. They're for playing. If they don't get played, they should go. It's a freeing experience. That thing you should like but don't like that's sitting in the closet is probably a psychological drag on you. Take a couple of good photos of your bass and sell it!

 

[2saddleslab]

Hopefully my experiences can help. I have 2 custom Warmoth bass with [neck] TV Jones ThunderBlades in the 51 pu position, a custom Cabronita with a [bridge] TV Jones ThunderBlade centered between neck & bridge, and a 51/55 P bass with a SD Custom Shop stack single.

First the TV Jones ThunderBlades. The pu position has a big impact. Per the suggestion from TV Jones, I used neck position Thunderblade and love the results. Nice round lows, shimmering highs. Very quiet.

Here's the black bass from a recent mix: You Can't Run 11.mp3

I originally bought a TV Jones [neck] ThunderBlade for my custom Cabronita but found the volume lower than my other basses due to pu placement. Decided to go with the hotter bridge ThunderBlade, like those found on the Fender Custom Shop, and now the volume is the equal to my Warmoths. Great tone, very quiet. With the pu placed centered between the neck & bridge there's a bit more punch and clarity, especially when playing over the pu.

The custom Cabronita from a recent mix: Jeff Henry Why Don't You 9.mp3

The 51/55 w/ SD single stack has a throaty, open, biting tone. Great tone. Still kinda noisy but not a real issue. Sorry, no sound clips.

 

[shadven]

I love single coil basses, but I don't like the 12th fret of your bass... Stings signature.

 

[Gizmot]

You'll have to learn this for yourself - but I can tell you that I have SERIOUS regrets about selling any instruments I've ever owned. Yeah - I've had a few dogs with fleas, but I've also sold off some instruments that I would LOVE to have back again.

I always rationalized selling off instruments by thinking about the instruments that that I was going to buy. On the other hand, I don't think there is any reason to keep an instrument that you aren't going to play.

So - you're the one who will live with the ramifications of your decision - so consider everything carefully. Good luck!

 

[Dogbertday]

If you dont play it, dont keep it

 

[petch]

custom Cabronita with a [bridge] TV Jones ThunderBlade centered between neck & bridge

Dude!!

 

[2saddleslab]

Dude!!

View attachment 3108753

Thank you, sir!

 

[J-Bassomatic]

Interesting... that Fralin mentioned is a side-by side humbucking. Again, made to fit your bass without modification.

I put one (Fralin stacked PU) in my Squier VM. Still sounds like a P bass but with a bit more growl

 

[porterbass]

Perfect! @2saddleslab , I knew calling in The Expert would help here! Plus, it gives us a chance to see and hear those gorgeous basses of yours. drool