cLepto-bass Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 I am currently exploring the idea of modifying the sound of my (old (and better) shape) Sandberg JM5 with stock Delano pickus. Overall, I love the sounds of the bass. Its capable of pretty much any bass sound I can care to imagine... but with one notable exception, that straight up gnarly P bass sound. Therefore I am thinking of making some kind of change. My first thought was to purchase the Delano P shape pickup but I am not 100% convinced by rerouting the body and having to replace the pickguard etc.. This leaves me with option B, a P bass sound in a Jazz bass shape... Does such a thing exist? I have read a few product descriptions online but I am hoping to tap into the collective wisdom of the Basschat community. Does anyone have any direct experience on this kind of thing? Option C would be to buy a new P bass flavour bass but hoping to avoid that for the time being. Any help would be greatly received. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Ah, this old problem. I would have thought that a split coil affair in a J housing would get you pretty close. Of course the size of a P pickup is part of that tone, so getting that tone from a J sized p/up is always going to be hard, but something with chunky poles might help, like these perhaps http://www.delano.de/products.html?&cHash=54bcaec391&tx_smtdelano_pi1[cat]=1&tx_smtdelano_pi1[series]=5&tx_smtdelano_pi1[strings]=5&tx_smtdelano_pi1[system]=34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 (edited) 37 minutes ago, uzzell said: ...I love the sounds of the bass. Its capable of pretty much any bass sound I can care to imagine... but with one notable exception, that straight up gnarly P bass sound.... May I be the first to suggest the only way to get a gnarly P-Bass sound is with a gnarly P-Bass? Probably not what you wanted to hear. Option 'C'. Edited December 29, 2017 by discreet Consistency Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cLepto-bass Posted December 29, 2017 Author Share Posted December 29, 2017 2 minutes ago, discreet said: May I be the first to suggest the only way to get a gnarly P-Bass sound is with a gnarly P-Bass? Probably not what you wanted to hear. Option 'C'. Generally, I am finding myself in agreement. The issue (as always) is finances... I recently played a Fender American Elite P and it blew me away. As did the price tag. Since when did basses become so pricey?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 (edited) 25 minutes ago, uzzell said: The issue (as always) is finances... Since when did basses become so pricey?! Aye, there's the rub. There are good examples to be had at different price points, though. But as you already know, the trick is to get out there and play them, which can be easier said than done depending on location, time, etc. Some of the Squier Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe instruments can be very good if you spend time getting the set-up just right, fit your choice of strings and so on. If you're looking for an occasional P hit rather than your 'number one' instrument, they're a great option. The Fender Classic 50s basses are excellent, even more so the Road Worns. Don't be put off that they're Mexican, the Road Worns in particular play as well and sound as good as anything from the US and are a real bargain, particularly if you can pick one up second hand. Edited December 29, 2017 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 A well worn discussion, if you could get a P sound from a Jazz they wouldn't bother making P's but the nearest I've got is to fit a push pull switch to make the pickups in series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Not sure how the DiMarzio Model J is, but if it`s like its P-Bass cousin, as in it adds mids and removes some highs then I`d say this would be getting nearer, but as above pickups in series or buy a Precision is the real way. The Seymour Duncan Hot Stack pickup is hum-cancelling and adds in a lot of "size" to the sound so that may also be a way of getting more from the neck pickup position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Solo the neck pickup, tone knob to suit. Add some mids on the amp and turn the treble down slightly - pretty much there. Played in rounds help as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Aside from what people have said, and the obvious get a P bass, you may get closer with a pick up change. Delano’s are quite HiFi sounding. Sandberg’s own pups are more vintage, Haüssel which they also use have more oomph and more mid range push. Ulyate pick ups, Joe Barden or Lindy Fralin’s are 3 other great makes aside from the usual bandits which may give you what you need. Dropping them in is a darn site better than routing a bass. if you like Sandberg’s (and I do) then look out for a passive VS4, great bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted December 30, 2017 Share Posted December 30, 2017 23 hours ago, PaulWarning said: A well worn discussion, if you could get a P sound from a Jazz they wouldn't bother making P's but the nearest I've got is to fit a push pull switch to make the pickups in series Not necessarily. Jazz bass shape offers alternative aesthetic and there are significant differences in the neck, nut width etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 30, 2017 Share Posted December 30, 2017 There is always the Mark Hoppus bass if you're committed to a P sound with the aesthetics and ergonomics of a J... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 30, 2017 Share Posted December 30, 2017 If you've got a great Jazz bass the only thing you are certain of doing, if you chop and change the pickups, is to mess up the reason for you liking this bass in the first place. You can get Jazz basses with P and PJ pickups but IMO the better option is to get an equally good Precision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cLepto-bass Posted December 30, 2017 Author Share Posted December 30, 2017 Yeh, cheers for all the insight people. I think in the interest of balance I will save the pennies for a suitable second hand P Bass. I was hoping to avoid the possibility of having to transport multiple basses but it looks to be the most suitable way, especially given that my bass as it is is all I need it to be and dont want to risk negatively affecting it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted December 30, 2017 Share Posted December 30, 2017 The first thing I would try to get a more 'precision' type sound out of a bass with jazz-style pickups would be to add a series parallel switch (like the fender S1 switch) with the original pickups. This might give something approaching the kind of sound you're after when the pickups are in series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cLepto-bass Posted December 31, 2017 Author Share Posted December 31, 2017 14 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said: The first thing I would try to get a more 'precision' type sound out of a bass with jazz-style pickups would be to add a series parallel switch (like the fender S1 switch) with the original pickups. This might give something approaching the kind of sound you're after when the pickups are in series. Interesting. Do you know of any online reseources showing how this can be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 13 minutes ago, uzzell said: Interesting. Do you know of any online reseources showing how this can be done? I did it to my Jazz, plenty of info online about it and the push pull volume pots a easy to come by, you'll need a soldering iron though, just google it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cLepto-bass Posted December 31, 2017 Author Share Posted December 31, 2017 6 minutes ago, PaulWarning said: I did it to my Jazz, plenty of info online about it and the push pull volume pots a easy to come by, you'll need a soldering iron though, just google it Okay, thats good information. I will have a search now. One further quick question... my J & M style pickups are run by an active 2 band preamp (as is the way with active Sandbergs). Is this likely to complicate the matter when it comes to adding series/parrellel switching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 5 minutes ago, uzzell said: Okay, thats good information. I will have a search now. One further quick question... my J & M style pickups are run by an active 2 band preamp (as is the way with active Sandbergs). Is this likely to complicate the matter when it comes to adding series/parrellel switching? can't help you there I'm afraid, mines a passive, maybe someone else will know or email Sandberg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 If you ask an electric bass player which bass sounds like a double bass you'll get dozens of suggestions. Ask a double bass player which electric bass sounds like a double bass they will say non of them. Same with the Precision. You can fiddle around with the pickups and pre amps on any bass as much as you like but only a P is going to sound like a P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 Why not build a Bitsa P? Mine cost me around £250 - bought a used Squier cheap and upgraded pickups, tuners, bridge and wiring. I agree with others that nothing does P bass like a P bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 Location, location, location. Unless you’re prepared to take a router to the body... save up and buy a P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 2 hours ago, uzzell said: Okay, thats good information. I will have a search now. Contact John (KiOgon on here), who will advise you and supply everything you need. And you may not even need a soldering iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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