Rich Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 (edited) My bitsa P bass isn't seeing any action at the moment, because it's comprehensively outgunned P-sound wise by my Thunder 1A. So I've been toying with the idea of changing the pickup to get a different sound. But what to try? I don't want anything modern/hi-fi, quite the opposite in fact. And I definitely don't want to swap one P pickup for another slightly different P pickup. So, a mudbucker maybe? A Tbird pickup? Darkstar would be nice but out of my price league. What would you guys suggest? Have any of you done a similar mod, and if so whaddya got? Edited May 11, 2020 by Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 You didn’t say what pickup is in the bitsa at the moment, and what it sounds like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 It's a P bass, it's got a hot-ish Wilkinson P pickup and it sounds like a fairly loud and lively, errm, P bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 So you are looking for something less lively, less loud? Less P like? More vintage P like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 Tonerider Next! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 I definitely want it less P like. I don't need two P basses and as I said, the Thunder 1A does the P job brilliantly. I fancy something completely different, hence my wondering about mudbuckers and Darkstars and so on. I don't just want to swap one P pickup for another P pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 I think the P pickup position is going to give you the P tone to some degree unless you go for something like a single coil pickup. If you’re willing to route the body, as it seems like you are, I’d toy with doing the Billy Sheehan / Callowhill LeFave mod with the humbucker right by the neck, to dial in some low end fundamental... or the Lee Sklar mod with the second P pickup by the bridge. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 Yup, I'm more than happy to indulge in a spot of woodwork -- the body only cost me 20 quid sounds like an idea, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 Get a Q/strip pedal and have loads of options 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 The other option is to try a DImarzio either model p or split p and wire it in parallel but if you are not scared of a bit of woodwork then routing it for something completely different would be a good idea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 I think that P basses with a Darkstar pickup is the second coolest looking thing on earth. The coolest looking thing on earth is a Jazz bass with two Darkstars. That doesn't really help as you've already said you can't afford/justify the cost of a Darkstar but are there cheaper alternatives? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 The Seymour Quarter Pounder doesn’t sound like a P. too much bass and too little mids. Horrible for P sounds, but a good option for others sounds. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 On 08/05/2020 at 20:30, therealting said: I think the P pickup position is going to give you the P tone to some degree unless you go for something like a single coil pickup. If you’re willing to route the body, as it seems like you are, I’d toy with doing the Billy Sheehan / Callowhill LeFave mod with the humbucker right by the neck, to dial in some low end fundamental... or the Lee Sklar mod with the second P pickup by the bridge. Or both. Might as well while the router is plugged in! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 17 minutes ago, fretmeister said: Or both. Might as well while the router is plugged in! It’s crossed my mind! Or do the Stu Hamm Urge thing and have a JPJ setup! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 Just now, therealting said: It’s crossed my mind! Or do the Stu Hamm Urge thing and have a JPJ setup! I’ve got one of them and it’s great. Can do all on, just P, or just J. Js have a balance so by selecting the bridge can have a trad PJ too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 I've got a P and I put a Fender USA pickup on it; it sounds really good! It is a good bass. I did have a Shadow (German) pickup on it, but that got shifted to my Frankenstein. I've also got a very beaten up MIM Precision, but I don't recall what it sounds like, TBH... I did have a Squier, which I sold for £60 - it was surprisingly good; I think it was all stock. That said, when I plugged in my Thunder, I did do a double-take, because it sounds darned good! It is bloomin' heavy, though! If I were starting out from scratch, I'd be looking at the EMG Geezer pickups. (Dunno how I ended up with 3 Precisions - a few years back I'd have laughed if someone suggested I'd even have one!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 1 hour ago, prowla said: when I plugged in my Thunder, I did do a double-take, because it sounds darned good! It is bloomin' heavy, though! Yup, my 1A is the same which is why my P is getting no action at the moment... It's completely outgunned tonally in terms of P sounds. The 1A is a monster. I'm definitely not afraid of a bit of woodwork, I 'routed' out a battery box cavity in my OLP Ray body the other day using just drills and chisels, and the result was better than i could have hoped, so I'm more than happy to have a go at this twenty-quid P body Here's a mad idea...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 Or double mudbuckers 5 minutes ago, Rich said: Yup, my 1A is the same which is why my P is getting no action at the moment... It's completely outgunned tonally in terms of P sounds. The 1A is a monster. I'm definitely not afraid of a bit of woodwork, I 'routed' out a battery box cavity in my OLP Ray body the other day using just drills and chisels, and the result was better than i could have hoped, so I'm more than happy to have a go at this twenty-quid P body Here's a mad idea...? Or double mudbuckers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Yes, indeed! Also an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 I don't know if John East to a pre for a P - I have one in a Jazz and it is huge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 7 hours ago, prowla said: I've got a P and I put a Fender USA pickup on it; it sounds really good! It is a good bass. I did have a Shadow (German) pickup on it, but that got shifted to my Frankenstein. I've also got a very beaten up MIM Precision, but I don't recall what it sounds like, TBH... I did have a Squier, which I sold for £60 - it was surprisingly good; I think it was all stock. That said, when I plugged in my Thunder, I did do a double-take, because it sounds darned good! It is bloomin' heavy, though! If I were starting out from scratch, I'd be looking at the EMG Geezer pickups. (Dunno how I ended up with 3 Precisions - a few years back I'd have laughed if someone suggested I'd even have one!) I loved my old Thunder 1A and wish I had never got rid of it. That deserves another thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 Jeeves, bring my chisels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 17 minutes ago, Rich said: Jeeves, bring my chisels. Sheehan with the neck mudbucker. I've been toying with the idea of putting a Rickenbacker pickup on one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 On 10/05/2020 at 17:11, prowla said: I don't know if John East to a pre for a P - I have one in a Jazz and it is huge! Yes, he does the P Retro. I have one somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 (edited) On 11/05/2020 at 21:13, therealting said: Yes, he does the P Retro. I have one somewhere. I reckon that'd do the trick! Edited May 12, 2020 by prowla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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