Replacing pickups in my fretless Warwick - which ones to go with?

[kolossvs]

Hello Basschat.

New user here.

I currently (amongst other basses) own a Warwick Corvette Std. Fretless. It's a very nicely playing bass and my first fretless. My only problem with it is the tone. It's very dull and muddy. Not a lot of low end, the output feels weak and I'm having quite a hard time getting any sort of "mwah" out of it. It sounds great unplugged, but I can't get it to sound good otherwise. I've read a fair bit of bad stuff about the MEC's and so I am looking at replacing the pickups. The bass is just a standard passive JJ configuration; no active preamp either.

So, Basschat, which (passive) pickups would you choose for a fretless Warwick Corvette (bubinga body, ovangkol neck, ebony fretboard), in order to maximize mwah, definition and clarity, while also retaining a thick low end?

I am currently looking at a set of used DiMarzio Ultra Jazz' - would they suit my needs? From what I can gather they're a bit mid-scooped; how does that affect fretless basses? I'm quite new to the world of bass gear and entirely green when it comes to fretless stuff.

Also - just because I know you guys are all on here for the gear porn, here's a few poorly edited shots of the bass in question:

Edited March 7, 2013 by kolossvs

[geoffbyrne]

Generally speaking, on a fretless, mids are good. Instead of Ultras, I'd go for the old Model J (if you like DiMarzios).

G.

[mentalextra]

Wow that bridge pup looks high?

[paul_5]

I put a pair of GFS Jazz pups in my fretless Jazz and they're lovely. Cheap as chips too!

[leftyhook]

if the MEC pups are the same as those on the Warwick Rockass... they are indeed weaker that a week in Weakville.

My Rockass fretless streamer has a superb fretless sound, but yes, very low ouptut.

I simple bought a Boss G-7 ( bass version) and boosted the volume from there.

you could also push the mids on a graphic pedal, play with your plucking hand nearer the fingerboard.............mmmmwwwaaaaaa..... job done!

I think sometimes ppl jump onto changing pups, addin onboard eq etc when a simple job post bass can do it.

Edited March 7, 2013 by leftyhook

[kolossvs]

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1362687579' post='2003454']
Wow that bridge pup looks high?
[/quote]
Yeah I was trying to get a higher output out of it, but it still sounds pretty weak.

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1362687061' post='2003446']
Generally speaking, on a fretless, mids are good. Instead of Ultras, I'd go for the old Model J (if you like DiMarzios).

G.
[/quote]
Ah, that's the sort of information I was looking for; mids are good in fretless pickups. DiMarzios are not a must, however. I'd be just as willing to look into Basslines, Bartolini or Delano etc etc.

Anyone have some specific experiences with different pickup types in fretless basses they want to share?

[throwoff]

A lot of CS and special run Wick fretless basses come with Barts, always found that to be a nice rich woody sound.

[bigsmokebass]

I'm a Seymour Duncan man at heart so I'd prob shop there but I know my friend who plays fretless swears by these in his many fretless collection

www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Lindy_Fralin.html

Also, check YouTube, now and then you come across the odd video demonstrating bass pickups.

I wish i could assist you further but I'm sure someone could explain a better pickup for you.

BSB

[geoffbyrne]

Nice thing about the old Model J's is that they are effectively a P pickup, but in a straight line, with the coils linked in series which both boosts the mids (with respect to a single coil or wired in parallel) and makes each individual pickup humbucking.

G.

[sexy666]

What kind of strings do you use? I see it's Daddario, but which one?

[Jimmi Clarke]

If your wanting more of the 'mwah' tone you'll need to adjust the action of the bass down to just up a bit from buzzing. That's where that meah sound lies. Most of your tone is actually the way you play, there's more tone in your fingers than any pickup. I'd encourage you to practice unplugged to get the 'mwah' vibe happening. Pretty much all the pickups listed above will do a great job!!

[leftyhook]

[quote name='Jimmi Clarke' timestamp='1363221255' post='2010201']
If your wanting more of the 'mwah' tone you'll need to adjust the action of the bass down to just up a bit from buzzing. That's where that meah sound lies. Most of your tone is actually the way you play, there's more tone in your fingers than any pickup. I'd encourage you to practice unplugged to get the 'mwah' vibe happening. Pretty much all the pickups listed above will do a great job!!
[/quote]
yes indeed. may have been said, but your plucking hand near the end of the fingerboard gets more of a "mwaa" technique is more important than electronics.

[kolossvs]

Hey!

Thanks for all the replies.


[quote name='sexy666' timestamp='1363034834' post='2007458']
What kind of strings do you use? I see it's Daddario, but which one?
[/quote]

Those are just regular 45-100 D'Addario Flatwound Chromes. I think their model name is ECB 81 or something like that.

[quote name='Jimmi Clarke' timestamp='1363221255' post='2010201']
If your wanting more of the 'mwah' tone you'll need to adjust the action of the bass down to just up a bit from buzzing. That's where that meah sound lies. Most of your tone is actually the way you play, there's more tone in your fingers than any pickup. I'd encourage you to practice unplugged to get the 'mwah' vibe happening. Pretty much all the pickups listed above will do a great job!!
[/quote]

I'll look into raising the action a bit. I find it's probably a tad low at the nut -- good thing Warwick have the just-a-nut system!
About playing unplugged, my problem is that i get tonnes of 'mwah' playing acoustically, but through any kind of amplification, it all just seems to disappear into this bland porridge of mediocre tone. I don't think anything is broken, however. I just think that the pickups are bad as they are.

[sexy666]

If you want badass sound, use elixir strings. They not damage your fretboard, and souns more like an electric bass! D' ECB strings sounds like an upright!