I found that on guitar, I prefer to get the sound/gain from lower wound pickups cranked more, rather than higher wound cranked less. Gibson SG for example, I prefer the 490T pickups to the 498T, just sounds better to me.
Right, so assuming those pickups follow the same route as the Precision then they’re scooping mids, so it’s these you’re needing to add in. In your position I’d look at the Fender Pure Vintage 74 Jazz pickups, I had a set in a Squier 77 Jazz and they really improved it.
What year is the Jazz? The series it`s part of can make a fair bit of difference. If the Jazzes follow Precisions in similarity:
2008-12 - very scooped
2013 - 16 - warm, rich bottom end, a tad scooped, and sound very much like Toneriders
Yep, back in the late 80s my then band were recorded for an ITV show. The footage of the other band that played that night went out, ours didn`t. When I saw it I realised why. We were dreadful, those "pints that made us play better" really let us down that night.
I think the only album I bought in 2025 that was made/released in 2025 was God of Angels Trust by Volbeat, so by process of elimination it has to be that.
As you say, sometimes it works. I look at clips of bands like Motley Crue back in the 80s when they were drunk/drugged to the eyeballs and they were great. Look at clips since they’ve gotten sober and, well not so good would be diplomacy at work.
I suppose that’s inevitable, less cash means treat it a bit more seriously, or maybe just a case of if they can’t afford ‘em they can’t buy ‘em. I’m sure there will be bands out there that still partake - I’ve seen a good few on the punk scene - but whether or not they do it all the time or just when gigging I couldn’t say. Never been my bag though.
I have found the D & G a bit lacking with the band with stock pups, I’ve upped string gauge from 40-100 steels to 45-100 nickels to try and address this but did you find this? I ask as have been considering the GZRs if the string thing doesn’t work.
I’m not sure to be honest Dave, but it’s been 3 out of 3 bands where people have mentioned it. Maybe it’s due them not having quite as much warmth & depth as my Precisions & Mustangs and being more modern sounding - which is ironic as all 3 bands have styles which peaked in the 80s.
Just thought I’d mention this, of the many basses I’ve had the only ones that anyone in my various bands have ever said they like the sound of unprompted are my two Sandbergs, a California TT Superlight, and a Lionel.
For the immediate I’d say put in a lot of hours on your fretting and try to change it to avoid using the index finger as much as possible. Might also be worth looking into lowest possible tension strings, just to make it easier in the interim.