thewalruswaspaul

[quote name='BassBod' post='119062' date='Jan 12 2008, 11:33 AM']It reminded me of the old Trace Elliot "pre-shape" switch? Sorry if that's not a very good description... BB[/quote] Don't worry I know exactly what you mean by that

[quote name='BassBod' post='119028' date='Jan 12 2008, 10:27 AM']Just another recent experience - I changed a SPB3 for a DiMarzio P. Less aggressive, a bit warmer and a more traditional Pbass tone, but more power than a standard P pickup. I didn't think I'd like it (it was a leftover from another bass) but having used it for a few weeks I think its a keeper. I also put a SPB1 into a 73 Pbass a year or two ago (when the original finally died) and it was fantastic - very close to the "real" thing. The Kent Armstrong is also very good for the money, but doesn't look as "authentic" as the SPB1 on an old bass (slightly grey platic cover and raised polepieces). In fact, now I think about it..the SPB3 is the only P pickup I haven't liked (including the EMG)! BB[/quote] What was it that you didn't like about the SPB-3 , my problem with it is that its very bright and scooped , which means that when I roll down the tone control which I always do , all im left with is the bass frequencies and no mids , however I love the thump from the pickup

[quote name='nick' post='118991' date='Jan 12 2008, 08:04 AM']Personally, wouldn't go for SPB-2 Hot if you're after 'thump'. You'd be better off keeping QP's on your bass. I went from Quarter Pounders to Hots, & then settling on SPB-1 Vintage. I found the SPB-3s OK, what I think is a modern tone, but too lively for me. Didn't like the SPB-2 at all,output way too hot,muddy sounding, not a nice tone (to my cloth ears),with no definition. I was happy with the Vintage, it does have plenty of 'thump'...warm. However, I do understand that all this is down to personal choice,style of music,etc. & there are also other good makers such as Wizard,Kent Armstrong etc Good luck with your search[/quote] Thanks for the advice , I think I will try the SPB-1 , last thing I need is less thump and 'warm' sounds good to me

Hi, Im thinking of swapping out my Spb-3 quarterpounder on my P for a Spb-2 Hot Pickup , What I want to know is does the Spb-2 have as much thump as the quarterpounder as I have heard that overwound pickups sometimes lack in thump ?. Anybody?

Thanks for the input guys , have also seen a P Pickup made by G&B Pickup co for cheap , anybody heard of them?

[quote name='thumb4bob' post='110436' date='Dec 29 2007, 03:14 AM']ive got some in a P i made myself, but its fretless with nylon strings. They sound phat and warm but most of that will come from the bass/strings so i don't really know. Erm good value for money and loads better than the unbranded stock p ups that were in before. Sorry this isnt very helpful By the way check on ebay, i picked mine up for about £15[/quote] Thank you, I actually use Nylon Tapewounds myself on my p bass special so that is actually quite helpful , how is the treble response? , I am after slightly rolled off treble

Hi , I am on the hunt for some pickups to replace the pickups in my Squier p bass special, Im on kind of a tight budget and wondered if anybody has used Wilkinson pickups before? Basically I have Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickups in P/J config at the moment , however im not happy with the tone , I am after a tone similar to the stock Squier pickups (which I found to be rounded and balanced sounding) but a little stronger sounding.

Get a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz

Fantastic idea , That would be awesome

[quote name='Dodge' post='71555' date='Oct 9 2007, 01:50 PM']For passive pickups, try www.wizardpickups.co.uk - fantastic quality for peanuts. If you fancy going active, sent a pm to gareth here on the boards, he might still have his active Duncan APJ-1 set for sale. CHeers.[/quote] Im thinking of going with Wizard Pickups, Not sure whether to go for the thumpers and 84's or the trad pickups and 64's

Im going to be swapping out the pickups on a cheap no name P/J Bass and will be replacing bridge etc as well. Her is my dilemma , I am after a set of P/J Pickups but dont know where to start , I am after something powerful sounding but with balanced frequency response , balanced is the key word , I am not after anything scooped sounding, I need something that is balanced across the frequencies. Any suggestions

Thanks for the replies , scuse my stupidity, i have no tech or electrical knowledge but I have heard that the bridge acts as a ground for the pickup wiring , is this true and by swapping the bridge do I risk doing the electrics in my bass any harm , again apologies for the dumb questions , you are probably reading this laughing your a**es off

Hi , Ive been thinking about changing the bridge on my bass to get a little more sustain etc on my p bass special. My question is, is this as simple as taking off the strings , unscrewing the old bridge and screwing in the new bridge , is there anything i need to be aware of so as not to make a pigs ear of things , I have very little technical knowledge which is why I have posted this. Thank you for any comments

[quote name='thewalruswaspaul' post='63538' date='Sep 21 2007, 12:46 PM']In my opinion I think it will be well worth it to fit the J Retro Preamp or upgrade the pickups , the quality on the VMJ is very high and I would think that with a little modding you will be able to get the bass to sound just as good as a fender mia jazz bass (I know somebody's going to slate me for this, bring it on). A lot of people have actually said that they prefer the Squier VMJ to the mim fender jazz. I think with a Bad Ass 2 and a pickup upgrade you will have an absolute killer tone[/quote] Actually looking at your posts it looks like changing pickups might not be the solution for you. If they sound good to you as they are then shielding is probably the best, cheapest solution to the single coil hum

[quote name='steve' post='60952' date='Sep 15 2007, 07:58 PM']hello all so i went into Soundcontrol in Salford yesterday to try out some squier vintage modified jazzers - I've been gassing for one for a while now - and walked out of the place with one. I'd phoned up in advance to see if they had any in stock and that I wanted to try one, and when I got there, there were three of them set out for me to try. After swapping between them for a bit I settled on one that had a two piece body and a fabulous grain in the maple neck. Pictures will follow..... All three had a pretty nasty action in the shop, but after some tweaking and waiting last night, I've got the action on mine to quite a nice level,I still need to tweak the saddles again and the intonation but so far so good. Anyway.... I have a few ideas for mods, and was hoping I could benefit from the experiences of other forumites to help guide me... - I like the idea of going retro with the chrome pup covers, but how do they impact playing? - How beneficial is a badassII, (which would, I believe, stop me being able to fit the bridge ashtray cover)? - I'll probably replace the pups, anyone got any to sell? - J-Retro, is it worth it on a (albeit wonderful) £200 bass That's my thoughts for now, I'm really impressed with the stock bass, especially the maple neck (my first), but I'm wondering how far I can take it... oh yeah, and Rob from Soundcontrol deserves a mention, he was a top chap, very helpful but not too pushy.[/quote] In my opinion I think it will be well worth it to fit the J Retro Preamp or upgrade the pickups , the quality on the VMJ is very high and I would think that with a little modding you will be able to get the bass to sound just as good as a fender mia jazz bass (I know somebody's going to slate me for this, bring it on). A lot of people have actually said that they prefer the Squier VMJ to the mim fender jazz. I think with a Bad Ass 2 and a pickup upgrade you will have an absolute killer tone

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='62659' date='Sep 19 2007, 01:10 PM']Absolutely. They do quite a rich tone as well, if that's what you want. They're great strings.. I use the FLs.[/quote] Sounds good , there not bright like the Daddarios are they? I am after an oldschool sound and am into warm sounds rather than crystal clarity

Hi, Ive just recently been turned on to flatwounds and have definately been converted , Im using chromes at the moment and love the thump but am after something more old school and much less bright. I think that the Jamerson Labellas will fit the bill but Im kind of a light gauge flats kind of person and imagine the Jamersons to be like playing cables rather than strings. I was thinking maybe the Labella Deep Talkin Flats extra light 760FX set (39 56 77 96) , will these give me the fat old school tone I am looking for?

Has anybody tried the elites flatwounds? , i have heard they are made by GHS.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='56742' date='Sep 6 2007, 10:52 PM']Doesn't float my boat aesthetically, but it's a huge mistake to make assumptions about cheap instruments because they're cheap. It's surprisingly uncommon to find any budget instrument with a ply construction these days - in fact the branded cheapos - Epiphone & Peavey for example, are more prone to being ply than unbranded, probably Chinese stuff such as this. Realistically, if the body & neck are decent, the generic components mean it would be eminently upgradeable. For my sins, I admit I'm rather taken by this, from the same seller: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260156407782"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260156407782[/url] Jon.[/quote] That is a nice bass , im intrigued by this one [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260155125906&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=260156407782&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget#ebayphotohosting"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...bayphotohosting[/url] like the see through look and although it no doubt sounds like pants, but for 139 euro who cares

Looks quite nice too me