Panos Bobolas Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Hi! I am searching for a vintage-sounding pbass with fat bottom lows and growling mids (I hit hard with my fingers when needed). I already have an American Standard 2011 (60th Anniversary). Sounds awsome but it's very 'modern' for my taste. Even with the Custom 60s pickups that I fitted it with. Any thoughts? Thanks -Panos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 what amp or pedals or preamps do you have? What strings do you use? What Cab do you have? All these can affect what is going on. How vintage are we talking? If we are talking Motown, well the signal was a bit compressed and often it went straight into the mixing desk, but you will get artefact from how it was recorded. Some of the bass lines were recorded in normal tuning faster and slowed down, to give it the appearance t is played a half step down and a little fatter. Live the sound would be from a limitation of what amplifiers and cabs were around at the time, which affect the signal, so for sure nowadays you will have a clearer sound, which is not a bad thing, its technology advancing. It would be interesting to speak to the vintage musicians at the time, as I have a feeling they were searching for more clarity that we have now, and we are trying to retrofit our sound for less like they did then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 I am using an ampeg combo and/or an old trace elliot. No pre amp (I need something like Tech 21 VT bass, but no money no honey) Strings rounds 45-105. Music style: old school garage punk, let's say something like Radio Birdman, Long Ryders, Wipers etc. Funny thing: I tried a Sting Precision (Japan 2001) in the last rehearsal and it gave me that vintage 'boom'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Spicer Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 25 minutes ago, Panos Bobolas said: Hi! I am searching for a vintage-sounding pbass with fat bottom lows and growling mids (I hit hard with my fingers when needed). I already have an American Standard 2011 (60th Anniversary). Sounds awsome but it's very 'modern' for my taste. Even with the Custom 60s pickups that I fitted it with. Any thoughts? Thanks -Panos This is my take on vintage and fat. Anywhere near what you're aiming for? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbowskill Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 (edited) Crank some dimarzio model p pickups on your bass....70s fat punk heaven :-) Clear lows and punchy as Hell mids. My absolute fave in a p bass Edited February 18, 2018 by danbowskill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Spicer Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 1 minute ago, danbowskill said: Crank some dimarzio model p pickups on your bass....70s fat punk heaven :-) This is a good call! Love the model P on the Yamaha Attitudes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 6 minutes ago, TJ Spicer said: This is my take on vintage and fat. Anywhere near what you're aiming for? Great sound! Is this the mexican?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Spicer Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Just now, Panos Bobolas said: Great sound! Is this the mexican?? Yes! Mexican Classic 50s, stock pickup. I dig it, sounds very vintage-y with round wounds too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 You have a great bass and set up already, so a change of pick ups may be in order, and would be relatively cost neutral if you move your existing ones on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 Thanks for all the replies, guys! So, Model P pups (not so expensive as i checked) and flats is a combination i have to try... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Spicer Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Just now, Panos Bobolas said: Thanks for all the replies, guys! So, Model P pups (not so expensive as i checked) and flats is a combination i have to try... I think that combination will get you there no problem. I would suggest some flats first, as those with the custom 60s pickup are renowned for vintage tone! I would suggest Tomastik flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 And here is an alternate opinion on flats! I was not a fan of the tension on the flats, so I would plump for LaBella flats, the white tapes are awesome, even the black Deep talking bass ones. i can’t Argue with @TJ Spicer too much, he is in the south west of England like me and we are always right down here! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Flat/tapewound strings are your first port of call. But you’ve said that a ‘Sting’ bass gave you what you want.....so get one of them?! Si 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 Yeah that ugly "Sting" is stiil on my ears. And on my mind. But it's difficult to find one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Like others have said, flats, roll off the tone a little, and also a bone nut will add a little thump to your sound! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinson Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Panos Bobolas said: I am using an ampeg combo and/or an old trace elliot. No pre amp (I need something like Tech 21 VT bass, but no money no honey) Strings rounds 45-105. Music style: old school garage punk, let's say something like Radio Birdman, Long Ryders, Wipers etc. Funny thing: I tried a Sting Precision (Japan 2001) in the last rehearsal and it gave me that vintage 'boom'. Wipers, good taste! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Can't agree about the Thomastiks if you have a heavy playing style (like me). Thomastiks respond well to a more delicate touch ... they're wasted on me. LaBella FLs are the best but they're bloody expensive. GHS Baby Boomers or the Lakland branded strings offer a cheaper alternative that's almost as good. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Any comments on price I find difficult to swallow with flats a little.......put them on....leave them on forever, that's why I like them vs roundwounds. Flats just get better lol Si 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 +1 for flats. Rounds if you want a modern sound. Flats if you want vintage. Although I’ve read old rounds can sound like flats and won’t need replacing - like flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share Posted February 19, 2018 8 hours ago, stinson said: Wipers, good taste! thanks mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share Posted February 19, 2018 2 hours ago, Happy Jack said: Can't agree about the Thomastiks if you have a heavy playing style (like me). Thomastiks respond well to a more delicate touch ... they're wasted on me. LaBella FLs are the best but they're bloody expensive. GHS Baby Boomers or the Lakland branded strings offer a cheaper alternative that's almost as good. you mean that ones? http://store.ghsstrings.com/ghs-bass-precision-flats/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledum Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 13 hours ago, Happy Jack said: LaBella FLs are the best but they're bloody expensive. No they're not. Actually they're the the cheapest strings because you need to buy them only once in your hole career... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 I have an aggressive playing style and don't find TIs a problem in the slightest. Tried the LaBella FLs for a while, meh. The TIs were back on within a few weeks! This just goes to show, horses for courses. Try everything you can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) 13 hours ago, Happy Jack said: LaBella FLs are the best but they're bloody expensive. 13 hours ago, Sibob said: Any comments on price I find difficult to swallow with flats a little... put them on... leave them on forever Yes, La Bellas will get you the classic old school sound on a P. While it's true they're not cheap, you can basically fit them and forget them - for the rest of the life of the bass and indeed for the rest of your life - and the life of whoever gets the bass next... and so on... historical La Bellas, Mmmm... I too tried TIs and found them way too 'floppy'. Of course this is very subjective and you will see a range of opinions on them. Edit: Such as that above ^^ Edited February 19, 2018 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 10 minutes ago, Tweedledum said: Actually they're the the cheapest strings because you need to buy them only once in your hole career... You leave my hole career out of this. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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