my Stingray vs. my new P Bass

[phatduckk]

so i put my p bass up against my ray this weekend. i have to say that i like the p a lot and im very impressed by that bass. it definately kiks the crap out of my jazz ... but its not a stingray.

im sure most of you have/had a pbass so ill skip the comparison stuff ... but here's the deal ... im thinking that i wanna get a bit more bite and some better highs out of the P to bring it closer to the tone that my ray has rotten me addicted to. i was thinking that some new pickups would do the trick.

can any of you recommend any pickups for the p so it can bring its attitude level closer to that of a ray? i still want it to do the the "pbass thing" ... but would like to add some of the bite of an MM

 

[Morrow]

sounds like you might be trying to make the Pbass into something it isn't.You might be happier with another Stingray. Pbasses do not have the same bark but they can sound great in a band context.Pbasses have that classic old school bass sound.I tend to prefer the single coil Pbasses to the split humbucker. I think Leo got it right the first time.

 

[phatduckk]

ya i didnt want it to come off like im trying to get the pbass to be a stingray. i know its not a ray (i already have a stingray that sounds like a stingray ) ... i just want the p to have a tad more (ray-like) bite and was wondering if any of you had any recommendations

 

[Mobay45]

I put active EMG's in my P a long time ago. I sure adds some punch that the original passive pups are missing.

 

[skabassist13]

leo quan badass II and a seymour duncan pickup.

 

[cgworkman]

Upgrading pickups is probably the only way to achieve the "bite" you're looking for. If your leaning towards the growl of a Ray, I would probably look at some EMG's. Allot of your aftermarket pup manufacturer are aiming at replacing the original stock pups, but still delivering that "vintage" tone. So be careful there.

Good luck though...

 

[ynot]

I had a P-Bass back in the early and late eighties and that was my bass of choice for the music that we were playing, but, as fate would have it, I soon was G.A.Sing for a Sting Ray and it was many moons until I finally purchased one. I still would like to have a P-Bass within the arsenal but first I need to get another 'Ray (preferably a White SR5 Fretless w/matching headstock and black P/G) . As mentioned within the previous post the P-Bass has that definative old shcool sound that stands alone. Definatley a good bass to have.

 

[Morrow]

Did you notice any difference with the badass bridge? I ask because I don't notice any at all with mine.( I have a badass on an old fretless Pbass). When I first started playing everyone was putting in brass nuts, Dimarzios, heavy bridges , and using rotosounds. Now when I see basses from that era they all seem to be magically original. EMG's have a different colour than the stocks do.......but I prefer the stock ones.I use my amp's eq if I need a little more brightness (rare) or bottem.A passive Pbass will not have the same kind of bite you get from a Stingray but they can nicely slide under the mix.

 

[skabassist13]

i dont personally, but my instructor does. he has a mim Fender p-bass with a badass and compared to the way it was it has tons more sustain and it also seems to be louder acoustically. i havent heard his bass before it had the badass, but compared to mine( a squier version loaded with SD's) it has more articulation, sustain, and volume.

 

[tkarter]

I sold a p bass. It had Badass II bridge and Seymour Duncan quarter pounder on it. It was better than the average P in some ways some others not. BTW, adding the Badass II was just money spent as I don't think it done anything for the sound or sustain.

I doubt you ever get one to sound like a MM.

IMHO

tk

 

[cgworkman]

I used to have a BAII on a Jazz bass that I used to have. I noticed a difference. More growl than normal. Plus, a BAII looks cooler!

 

[tkarter]

I used to have a BAII on a Jazz bass that I used to have. I noticed a difference. More growl than normal. Plus, a BAII looks cooler!

Got one on my Jazz too. No growl like the the SR 5. Only reason the Jazz stays home is it was my first bass and I still do like to play it. Just won't gig it. Gotta have the EBMM sound now.

tk

 

[phatduckk]

thanks for the input guys ...

 

[tkarter]

The SD quarter pounder was just a bit hotter but sounded pretty much the same as the stock p pup. It always seemed to be the choice of my mentors that play Fender's


tk

 

[Mobay45]

The SD quarter pounder was just a bit hotter but sounded pretty much the same as the stock p pup. It always seemed to be the choice of my mentors that play Fender's


tk

I have a P copy that I put the SD Quarter Pounders in. I agree completely with your statement that they are a bit hotter but sound pretty mych the same as the stock pups.

 

[cgworkman]

Got one on my Jazz too. No growl like the the SR 5. Only reason the Jazz stays home is it was my first bass and I still do like to play it. Just won't gig it. Gotta have the EBMM sound now.

tk

I do both. My SR and my Jazz get equal play. It's all about loyalty.

 

[phatduckk]

i have a usa jazz with one of those new s1 buttons and i dont really like it very much anymore. the button helps give it some balls, but its still not enough. im keeping it cuz i like having a passive bass around (the p will most likely go active soon). my P is pretty cool and i dig it a lot but my sr4 and sterling are my main players

 

[TheAntMan]

Fender AeroDyne

Not sure how you feel about the neck. I play a jazz with BAII bridge. I tried the Aerodyne and loved it. It has the PJ pickup config. Very reasonable price - $500 to $600. This may be an option. I plan on getting one as soon as I finish getting my Bongos. I'd like to have the Aerodyne just cause it is so nice - not a Bongo, but nice.

 

[johans]

i have a usa jazz with one of those new s1 buttons and i dont really like it very much anymore. the button helps give it some balls, but its still not enough. im keeping it cuz i like having a passive bass around (the p will most likely go active soon). my P is pretty cool and i dig it a lot but my sr4 and sterling are my main players

if you are up to a budget ...

i've tried a passive bass that i think is the best ... has a perfect tonal control ...

fender roscoe beck V ..
it rocks!

 

[johans]

passive
made in usa
deluxe tweed hardcase (gold lining )
string through body
gotoh bridge
dunlop fret
hipshot tuner

it really really good ...