Marky L Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Wotcha! I want to change out the pups I have on my bitsa P bass fretless for something that gives me a bit more middle and maybe a little more of the mwah I'm missing. I have Quarterpounders in there at the mo and they're just not right, much too phat and not the right definition, either too toppy or too muddy. EQing hasn't helped. What's a fair low priced option to try? It only really get's a bit of use at home so I'm chucking a bunch of cash at it Thanks Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 DiMarzio model P. Will give you want you're looking for. 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted February 26, 2021 Author Share Posted February 26, 2021 2 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said: DiMarzio model P. Will give you want you're looking for. 😎 Ooh thanks! I'll look in to those 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Either those or, if lacking in low mids, the good old Bartolinis. However on a fretless, the lack of a bridge pickup may also explain the sound missing some mwaaah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 7 hours ago, Sven said: Either those or, if lacking in low mids, the good old Bartolinis. However on a fretless, the lack of a bridge pickup may also explain the sound missing some mwaaah I've actually removed Barts from my Pedulla and replaced them with Alembic Activators. Not that I'm recommending Activators, they're too expensive for what they are but they did get me more mids than the Barts and are fairly flat response. A set of EMG's could probably achieve the same objective although the classic EMG's have this kind of sterile high end that I'm not fond of for bass. Maybe that's changed given how many models are offered now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 SPB-2 will give you a tonne of mids, the tone is love it or hate it though as they are pretty dark sounding 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 11 hours ago, shoulderpet said: SPB-2 will give you a tonne of mids, the tone is love it or hate it though as they are pretty dark sounding Ok thanks. Maybe I'll try and pick up (pun intended) some 2nd hand ones for a try. I'll have a search for some sound clips first though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Try the ToneRider, dirt cheap and excellent pickups : https://tonerider.com/product/precision-plus/?v=d3dcf429c679 That said, the typical Jaco tone on a fretless comes from the bridge pickup. A P-Bass won't get you that tone. The strings and almost no neck relief is important too. No bloody flats on a fretless if you want it to sing (except Thomastik Jazz Flats). Boost the 800 Hz on your amp, cut the highs and put the basses just a bit above the center click, that will help achieve the mwah. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Marky L said: Ok thanks. Maybe I'll try and pick up (pun intended) some 2nd hand ones for a try. I'll have a search for some sound clips first though. This is a good video that compares the SPB-2 to the Emg Geezer, gives a really good indication of its tone [YouTube] Edited February 28, 2021 by shoulderpet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 As @Hellzero said, strings are one part of the sound. If you use (or at least try) roundwounds, nickel gives more middle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 1 hour ago, itu said: As @Hellzero said, strings are one part of the sound. If you use (or at least try) roundwounds, nickel gives more middle. Strings are the BIGGEST part of the sound of any stringed instrument. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 Thanks for all the help folks. I'll throw some rounds on it and see what occurs. I am quite liking the demo's of the Dimarzio but I'll check out the EMG and Toneriders. I totally appreciate that a P won't give me that bit extra in sound but any improvements can only be good. My ears are not that good any more so I can't discriminate many of the subtleties, which I suppose in a round about way is a benefit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamlunt Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 On 26/02/2021 at 10:47, hooky_lowdown said: DiMarzio model P. Will give you want you're looking for. 😎 I went from a Seymour QP to a Dimarzio Model P years and years ago, and immediately I had all the mids I needed. Its how a P should sound, really. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 (edited) This is the description of the DiMarzio DP122: ”Heavy sound with midrange emphasis. Aggressive sound designed to cut through dense tracks and loud situations.” Edited April 4, 2021 by ezbass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 I've put some roundwounds on it and it's OK but not really there. I'm def going to try the DiMarzio when I find a used pair for sale and see what occurs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 21 minutes ago, Marky L said: I've put some roundwounds on it and it's OK but not really there. I'm def going to try the DiMarzio when I find a used pair for sale and see what occurs. I would buy 2 or 3 different sets used and try them and sell on the set that you don't use. Another option is a series/parallel switch, that should get you some extra mids 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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