Fender Classic '50s P bass pick up Q

[Cyrene]

Hi. I've had the '50s a few weeks now. it replaced my CV 60s Squier which had a real thick, round sound to the bass with nothing added on the tone control.
Withe the Fender, with tone at 0, there is still a hint of edge, which increases massively (obviously) as the tone is added.

Problem is, I like the thick round sound, with no 'top' on it at all.
Now, it's not so much a factor on the Ashdown combo; i can increase the bottom and adjust the mids/highs to take it off. But I'm now thinking is it areplacementpup job? is this representative of the '50s or MIM's in general?

Anyone with anything to offer?
Cheers

[Big Bass Man]

hello there
I've the same bass as you - it's awesome and my favourite bass ever!

I had the same issues to be honest - I've a feeling it's something to do with the maple neck.

I've just fitted some La Bella flat wound strings and this has remedied the problem - on full tone it's not as clanky and with tone all the way down, you get a lovely deep rich Motown sound that makes me smile

Hope this helps dude

[Cyrene]

Hi. I've had flats fitted!
The neck is gorgeous -- that's why I traded the CV.I was starting to think it was because the bass is still new, and it might 'mellow' a bit. Pups seemed the obvious reason but then I'm thinking if I trade the Ashdown and go for an Ampeg or Orange Bass terror, that might change the sound.

[Cyrene]

and the Jamerson sound is what i am indeed going for...failing that, i'll be happy with a Duck Dunn sound.

[Lozz196]

The spec for these states they are the same pickups as in US Standard P-Basses. I`ve seen a copy of an e-mail from someone at Fender - think his name was Rick - that confirmed this. There are however several other posts that state the pickups are MIM.

I had one of these basses, and I could get a very good JJ Burnell sound - extra clanky - so it sounds to me like the pickup in yours is the stock pickup. 50s pickups were a bit more shrill, in comparison to the more thuddy 60s.

[Cyrene]

Right. That sounds plausible. I' might have a word at the shop tomorrow evening.
Advice on which pup next then...?

[gjones]

If you want the Jamerson sound get some foam and stick it under the strings at the bridge. The top end will go away and you'll have instant Jamerson thump on tap.

[Cyrene]

isn't that cheating? Excuse my ignorance, I've heard about itand assume we're not takling about a whole car sponge! Do Fender make a special type?

[Grand Wazoo]

[font=comic sans ms,cursive]Change the tone and volume pots for 500K CTS Pots and fit a vintage paper/oil capacitor to give you that extra warm muffled sound once the tone is fully rolled off.[/font]

[font=comic sans ms,cursive]I recommend you get one of these capacitors[/font]
[font=comic sans ms,cursive][url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAPER-OIL-PIO-Vintage-Capacitor-Fender-Precision-Jazz-Tele-P-Bass-0-047uF-/300599159438?pt=AU_Instrument_Accessories&hash=item45fd1b2a8e"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item45fd1b2a8e[/url][/font]

[font=comic sans ms,cursive]and these pots:[/font]
[font=comic sans ms,cursive][url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Genuine-Fender-500K-Solid-Shaft-Pot-Volume-Tone-/300627863009?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item45fed125e1"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item45fed125e1[/url][/font]

Edited December 12, 2011 by Grand Wazoo

[Cyrene]

hi. Again, excuse my ignorance, is that an expensive or laborious job?

[Cyrene]

hi. Again, excuse my ignorance, is that an expensive or laborious job?

[Cyrene]

hi. Again, excuse my ignorance, is that an expensive or laborious job?

[Cyrene]

hi. Again, excuse my ignorance, is that an expensive or laborious job?

[geoffbyrne]

I think you're excused............



G.

[Cyrene]

Ha! Basschat for mobile phone issues!