Conan

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1385242396' post='2286116'] I use mine (DHA VT1 EQ) to get some valve crutch into my tone. My amp (SWR SM400) just won't do 'dirty'. It was tons cheaper to get a pre pedal than to buy a 400W valve head just for certain gigs. [/quote] Exactly! My LH500 just won't break up (which is one of the reasons I like it). I use my Behringer BDI21 (which cost less than thirty quid!!) to get a bit of grit when I want it. It alters the tone too, and although it does suck the mids (which is frustrating) I like the sound it gives. Add a cheap pedal or buy an expensive replacement amp? Bit of a no-brainer really.

Sound is very subjective. You may well hear a difference, but whether you think it is an improvement depends on your own personal taste! I have a Mex J bass, and I must admit that I love its tone - one of the best-sounding Js I've heard. I did originally think about taking a set of Wizard Hammers out of my fretless J copy and popping them into the MIM J, but I honestly can't see how the tone would get much better than it currently is. Maybe I was just lucky with this particular bass... As you say, a Stingray has very much it's own sound. That's not to say that a similar pickup from another manufacturer couldn't change/improve that. You'd probably notice the biggest difference in the Squier, as the standard Squier pickups are known for being a bit nondescript. But, being a Squier (depending on which model) you may well find that, having upgraded the pickup, you discover the next weakest link in the chain (bridge, tuners, pots, etc) and start on a never-ending modfest. Cool, if you like that sort of thing! To my ears, I tend to find Bartolinis a bit "polite" although they are "warm" too. Others love them for that very characteristic! They can probably calm and tame a very aggressive-sounding bass though. Barts are certainly not the cheapest replacement pickups, although you can get more expensive ones too. There are lots of threads on here about changing/upgrading pickups. Opinions vary massively, as you might expect! So there really is no easy answer!

[quote name='Iheartreverb' timestamp='1385543610' post='2289398'] Its worth mentioning that the silly loud Marshall's aren't ours either. One guitarist uses a Fender twin, the other a Selmer head. [/quote] Using unfamiliar gear is always likely to cause sound problems. Is there a good reason why the guitarists can't bring their own? That said, one of the guitarists in my band uses a Fender Twin, and they can be [i]seriously[/i] loud - especially if you stand right in the throw of the speakers (which is quite narrow and directional).

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1385514295' post='2289294'] The neck pickup alone, especially into a typical Ampeg-style 810, gives you a lot of upper-bass/low mids, [/quote] Yes. Low-mids may be great for "thump", but they are hard to hear in a dense mix. I much prefer "mid-mids" (if you know what I mean!). They can sound shouty and harsh in isolation, but are very audible in most band mixes IME. But whatever sounds you are using, too much volume can only be a bad thing

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1385409295' post='2287976'] ....bedroom bassists who squeeze their assets into skimpy tops whilst pressing them squidgingly against their basses for all to see on youtube [/quote] Damn. I thought I'd deleted that one.

I'd go for plan B if I were you...

[quote name='clauster' timestamp='1385376929' post='2287426'] The guitar should be locking in with the rhythm section not the other way around. [/quote] In general, yes. Sounds like syncopation might be an issue. maybe all three of you (bass, drums and guitar) are syncopating, but doing it slightly differently... Music like that needs to be as tight as f*** - long before the singer gets anywhere near it! Maybe practise those two tracks instrumentally, but with a critical ear. Maybe then you'll be able to hear what the singer is referring to.

[quote name='TLBX' timestamp='1385224649' post='2285804'] ...been of a smaller stature the jazz looks hilarious in me. [/quote] Well, I'll admit that I never thought of [i][b]inserting[/b][/i] one...

My own particular favourite (and one of the all-time great set openers...) [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgZle69Ed3w"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgZle69Ed3w[/url]

[quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1385235257' post='2286005'] One last thing - I had Neovins when they were first launched. They didn't stay long.[/quote] Thanks for your input - very interesting! But what didn't you like about the Neovins?

Hmmmm.... so many options!

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1385168325' post='2285363'] Could, instead of spending £100 or £150 on pickups, spend the money on a guitar with buckers. The Yamaha Pacifica 120H is seriously good bang for the buck - £200 to £220. [/quote] We weren't looking to spend anywhere near that much ideally, especially as it is only one pickup we are looking to replace. The reason he got this guitar is because he saw it in a music shop, played it, and decided it was the best guitar he had ever played. He may only be (nearly) 16, but he has been playing guitar since he was 8 and has played loads of good guitars in that time. He is a good player, despite his tender years. Everything about this particular Strat is perfect for him, with the exception of the bridge pickup. He is even happy with the neck and middle pickups! Unlike a lot of us bassists, he is being very specific about what he wants, but just doesn't know how to find it. What he wants is the sound of a Gibson P90. He is all for routing out the guitar body and fitting a full-size humbucker... My advice was the compromise situation of getting a humbucking pickup in a single coil sized package. That way, if he ever wants to sell the guitar he can return it to its original state very easily. He has played Yammy Pacificas at school, and although they are great for the price, they are nowhere near the quality of his Strat. So thanks for the advice, but I was quite specific about what we were looking for, and a different guitar ain't it! Particularly as he traded a Gibson LP to get the Strat - and they aren't known for their lack of humbuckers!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1385149036' post='2285124'] IIRC swimming pool routes have been around since the mid 80s era of the super-Strat. They aren't on every version so the only way to know for sure if yours has it is to look. [/quote] Had a look and definitely not! Beautiful accurate routing for single-coil pickups only. I was expecting that and it fits with my experience of MIJ/CIJ Fender basses.

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1385150488' post='2285147']The little Guitar Shop. [url="http://www.thelittleguitarshop.com/tlgscustompickups.html"]http://www.thelittle...tompickups.html[/url] Jazzyvee [/quote] Cheers for that - looks interesting!

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1385060992' post='2284067'] I'm only vaguely curious about this, I reckon I'm all 'Rush live albummed out'. [/quote] There is a nail and a head in there somewhere...

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1385149036' post='2285124'] ....the only way to know for sure if yours has it is to look. [/quote] Heading toolbox-wards as we speak!

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1385148180' post='2285105'] I'd buy a clean example of a used MIJ/CIJ, then put whichever pickups, Fender or aftermarket, into the carcass suited my tastes. You'd be left with a chunk of change from your budget, and I'm betting there's a whole bundle of others on BC who'd do the same. [/quote] Me too. But there are others for which the MIA stamp carries more weight. For me, the build quality of a Japanese bass has the edge - but the pickups can be changed fairly cheaply if you find the Jap ones a bit "polite"

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1385146886' post='2285077'] You might well be better off selling your Spector privately. [/quote] Yeah - good luck with [i]that[/i]! Nobody seems to want Spectors at the moment - as I know to my cost!