what pickups should i get for my desired tone?

[visa]

i've got a standard P/J bass, and the stock pickups aren't really doing it for me.

when i play bass i need two primary tones and a blend of the two- i need a clear, defined tone (i'm guessing this comes from the j- pickup at the bridge?) and a warmer punchier tone (from the p pickup at the neck?)

i've come to love p/j's- i never really love J's because they don't have enough punch for me and i never really love P's because they don't have enough definition.

so i'm hoping to be able to be able to, say, have the ability to roll off my bridge pickup and roll up my neck pickup for a warm punchy rhythm sound and do the opposite for some brighter, high register chord work (and everything in between)

does this make sense, is it possible, and if it is, what pickups should i get to best do the job?

thank you so so much

 

[Z3r0_G]

firstly wads the brand of your bass? sometimes pickups arent worth changing when the build quality isnt that strong enough yet.

but if you're looking for smth really strong, SD quarter pounders both P n J models should fit the bill

 

[audie]

I vouch for that...I own a P Bass fixed with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders...There's definitely the punch you've been looking for.....It's more for 'rock' kinda sound...

 

[AvonRellets]

Visa, you should consider getting a full J bass instead. And maybe an EQ pedal.

 

[Ratboy]

just from reading : )
means no practical experience

If you existing pickups are not extraordinary noisy
i recommend a upgrade to your preamp
something like a Audere
will let you mix the P & J ... actively
as opposed to passive mix knob

sound like wat you need : )

 

[shinobi]

get something sick like a nordy. if it wasn't what you were initially looking for, you'll probably end up falling in love with it anyway (and also falling into debt) <--- useless piece of advice but i'm bored

 

[iverson763]

you got sound samples of the nordstrands? I intend to get them, but i have no idea how the jazz ones sound like. i've only heard good things about them, and descriptions... but haven;t heard them in action b4

 

[OhamtaroO]

It depends on what songs you wana play, you can read up on the band's bassist and see what set up he has and try to get it =)

 

[exin]

firstly wads the brand of your bass? sometimes pickups arent worth changing when the build quality isnt that strong enough yet.

but if you're looking for smth really strong, SD quarter pounders both P n J models should fit the bill

i gotta agree with zero_g ...

each manufacturer has their strong points in their pickups ... sometimes it boils down to a matter of personal choice. i recommend that you narrow down your pickup choice if you are intending to change pickups ... and read up the reviews on them and see which one will fit you better ...

 

[shinobi]

you got sound samples of the nordstrands? I intend to get them, but i have no idea how the jazz ones sound like. i've only heard good things about them, and descriptions... but haven;t heard them in action b4

prob can ask cherns, he brings them in. or you can go to one of the links on his site, www.basstasters.com for samples. they prob got nordstrand samples on various basses and preamps there

 

[rottenramone]

,,

may i suggest getting a preamp, either outboard or onboard.

 

[visa]

thanks for the input guys!

 

[cherns]

i've got a standard P/J bass, and the stock pickups aren't really doing it for me.

when i play bass i need two primary tones and a blend of the two- i need a clear, defined tone (i'm guessing this comes from the j- pickup at the bridge?) and a warmer punchier tone (from the p pickup at the neck?)

i've come to love p/j's- i never really love J's because they don't have enough punch for me and i never really love P's because they don't have enough definition.

so i'm hoping to be able to be able to, say, have the ability to roll off my bridge pickup and roll up my neck pickup for a warm punchy rhythm sound and do the opposite for some brighter, high register chord work (and everything in between)

does this make sense, is it possible, and if it is, what pickups should i get to best do the job?

thank you so so much

I'm a little late jumping in, but I'm not sure I'm hearing you right.

If you're looking for definition/clarity, you should be able to get that with a P pup without the treble rolled off. If you're using an active preamp, cutting your mids while boosting bass and treble will help as well.

But anyways, if you're thinking of changing your pups, I'd highly encourage you to check out the Nordstrands

 

[udjinn]

have you chked out dimarzio's model PJ set? read the reviews. punch for cheap.