Alternative pickup for P bass?

[Rich]

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

[therealting]

You didn’t say what pickup is in the bitsa at the moment, and what it sounds like. 

[Rich]

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.

[therealting]

So you are looking for something less lively, less loud? Less P like? More vintage P like?

[lownote]

Tonerider

Next!

[Rich]

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.

[therealting]

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. 

[Rich]

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!

[dave_bass5]

Get a Q/strip pedal and have loads of options 😉

[shoulderpet]

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

[TheRev]

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?

 

[fretmeister]

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. 
 

 

[fretmeister]

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!

[therealting]

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!

[fretmeister]

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.

 

[prowla]

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!)

[Rich]

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...? 

[shoulderpet]

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

[Rich]

Yes, indeed! Also an option.

 

[prowla]

I don't know if John East to a pre for a P - I have one in a Jazz and it is huge!

[Chienmortbb]

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 

[Rich]

Jeeves, bring my chisels.  

 

[prowla]

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.

[therealting]

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. 

[prowla]

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