JamesBass Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 So my MIM P just isn't cutting it sonically anymore, I'm becoming more and more frustrated by the tones I can and can't get from it, and yes I've tried all other ways of sorting this, new strings, EQ et al. Current electronics are stock and just give either a horrible boomy tone or a very glassy top end. I'm looking for that more vintage tone, that nice pre-CBS vibe, lots of bass-bass mids and a nice top end that doesn't become glassy. What pickups are out there that get me near this, and what wiring sets are the best? I'll be replacing the pots as well as mine are starting to crackle occasionally. Quote
HowieBass Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Entwistle pickups are inexpensive and seem to get good reviews - the PBX might be worth looking at. Quote
discreet Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 If you want a 'vintage' tone, Seymour Duncan's SPB-1 would do you. Quote
andydye Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Kiogon wiring loom, look no further Spb-1 is good, antiquity 2 is also lovely Quote
Paul S Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 I'd add Wizard Trad and Fender 62 reissue Original. Always subjective but these are the two that do 'vintage P Bass' tone for me. Quote
theyellowcar Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1406221890' post='2509517'] Kiogon wiring loom, look no further Spb-1 is good, antiquity 2 is also lovely [/quote] These were the two things that popped to my mind, the Duncan Antiquity 2 P/Up is modelled after an early 60's tone, the SPB-1 is based on a '57 so they are quite different. Quote
Lozz196 Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Kiogon wiring loom and Fender Original/62 would be my choice for vintage tone. Quote
skej21 Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Aguilar AG4P-60? Modelled on Dave boonshofts pre CBS Fender pickups and sounds beautiful. Quote
Grangur Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) WD sell Kent Armstrong P bass pups. These are designed for a vintage tone similar to the SDP-1 but for about £49 Edited July 24, 2014 by Grangur Quote
Chiliwailer Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 I see you have a Ricky too, which is a lovely top quality bass. If you're used to the good stuff then a new pickup may not be the answer. Each bass has it's own natural tone, and if that tone isn't a good one, a better pickup will only highlight that more. Sorry for the negative post, but it can be like putting a Ferrari engine into a Ford Focus - yes it'd make a difference but you wouldn't get the full potential of the pickup and it may highlight weaknesses in the bass. Quote
JamesBass Posted July 24, 2014 Author Posted July 24, 2014 Cheers for the suggestions! Has anyone had any experience of the Bill Lawrence P46's or the Kent Armstrong Pickups? What about UK "boutique" builders? Such as the creamery, or BareKnuckle? Just been browsing TalkBass and came across a thread that mentioned these http://www.mvguitars.com/P-Bass--3-8--Pole-Split-Humbucker-Replacement-Pickups-.html as being the best the guy had ever used, anyone ever used these? James Quote
miles'tone Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 The Bareknuckle '58 P bass is freaking amazing! I've had a Lindy Fralin and that was incredible too. The Bareknuckle will go the distance with the Fralin and it's cheaper. Another very happy camper here with my KiOgan wiring harness. Buy with confidence, buy British! Quote
DarkHeart Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Ive got an Spb2 with harness including push pull series/parallel that im going chuck in the for sale section very soon, ive swapped that out for an Entwistle pbxn and i have to say im very impressed with the entwistle. Quote
geoham Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 I had exactly the same problem, and resolved it with a Tonerider from Amazon - £35 delivered. Much better tone and responds well to the tone control. Flatwound strings are also a must for a proper pre-CBS tone. Quote
JamesBass Posted July 24, 2014 Author Posted July 24, 2014 Some good suggestions in here! Liking the Aguilar's and the antiquities! Though finding decent soud samples of bass pickups is extremely hard! Even Seymour Duncan have a sh*te varitity on offer! Quote
molan Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1406225311' post='2509574'] Aguilar AG4P-60? Modelled on Dave boonshofts pre CBS Fender pickups and sounds beautiful. [/quote] I've used these before and they were great, in fact I may have a new, unused set, kicking around in my music room! Quote
JamesBass Posted July 24, 2014 Author Posted July 24, 2014 Does anyone know what components KiOgan uses in his wiring sets? Quote
miles'tone Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) [quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1406245036' post='2509839'] Does anyone know what components KiOgan uses in his wiring sets? [/quote] All top quality components with solderless connections to make it a doddle to change. Send him a PM, he's very nice and really helpful. He'll build you whatever you need and offers great advice too. Edited July 25, 2014 by miles'tone Quote
Grangur Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 [quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1406226618' post='2509601'] Cheers for the suggestions! Has anyone had any experience of the Bill Lawrence P46's or the Kent Armstrong Pickups? What about UK "boutique" builders? Such as the creamery, or BareKnuckle? Just been browsing TalkBass and came across a thread that mentioned these http://www.mvguitars.com/P-Bass--3-8--Pole-Split-Humbucker-Replacement-Pickups-.html as being the best the guy had ever used, anyone ever used these? James [/quote] I've got a set of Kent Armstrong pups almost as new, boxed. Maybe you can have them on approval? pper Quote
Paul S Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 At the end of it all it is going to be your ears that will decide which pup is *the one* - a Kiogon wiring loom has screw terminals that make changing pups very easy - probably best to do what I did and just keep buying the various pups on here secondhand so you can compare them in situ after living with each for a while. Move them on if they don't suit - usually for the same or a very slight reduction in money - until you find the tone you are looking for. On paper many of those mentioned seemed ideal yet when fitted to my bass they didn't do it for me. Quote
allighatt0r Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 [quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1406245036' post='2509839'] Does anyone know what components KiOgan uses in his wiring sets? [/quote] If you drop John a PM, he will give you options for which components you would like (From memory, I think he offers either CTS or Alpha pots, and will also advise on which cap you would like.) Here's a link to the man himself: http://basschat.co.uk/user/7835-kiogon/ Quote
Grand Wazoo Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 [quote name='jimijimmi' timestamp='1406213998' post='2509396'] check out Jason Lollar pick ups. [/quote] YES and then get this kit: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WIRING-KIT-FOR-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-HIGH-QUALITY-/271556380948?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3f3a058914 Quote
eddiehoffmann Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1406223520' post='2509544'] Kiogon wiring loom and Fender Original/62 would be my choice for vintage tone. [/quote] Precisely what I use on my American Special and it sounds just as good as my vintage P. Another very important thing to keep in mind is the right strings to achieve the sound you want. I use D'addario Chromes and with the tone control full up I still get a lot of growl and enough presence to cut through any mix finger style, with a pic or slapping. Tone control rolled off to taste and you can have as much Motown as you want. Ah... And a proper set up too. Quote
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