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Curtis Novak Precision Pickups Review (PB-90 and PB-CC)
- Thread starter NKBassman
- Start date
That's a tough question for sure. I haven't really listened to it on a clean DI yet, except through my headphones when I first soldered it up, just to make sure it was working.
Sorry again for the delay on the clips, been super busy last couple weeks.
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PB-CC clips are up, added to the original post.
Same bass and recording chain. I didn`t even touch the gain structure on the preamp and I think the volumes matched up pretty close. Must have set the pickup height by ear pretty close.
I think I have the string-to-string balance set pretty good right now, but the G string may be a little hot in the slap clip. Again, I apologize for my poor attempt at slapping. As a friend of mine used to say, I couldn't slap my way out of a wet paper bag.
After listening to these clips back to back, I think it's safe to say that the two pickups are more alike than they are different. The difference is subtle, but to my ears it doesn't sound so much like the PB-CC is lacking mids so much as it has fatter lows. Either way, I think it sounds great. I think the difference in a mix context is more apparent.
I`ve already made arrangements with Curtis to send the PB-90 back, so no more clips of that one will be forthcoming. But I can do more clips of the PB-CC if anyone is interested.
Same bass and recording chain. I didn`t even touch the gain structure on the preamp and I think the volumes matched up pretty close. Must have set the pickup height by ear pretty close.
I think I have the string-to-string balance set pretty good right now, but the G string may be a little hot in the slap clip. Again, I apologize for my poor attempt at slapping. As a friend of mine used to say, I couldn't slap my way out of a wet paper bag.
After listening to these clips back to back, I think it's safe to say that the two pickups are more alike than they are different. The difference is subtle, but to my ears it doesn't sound so much like the PB-CC is lacking mids so much as it has fatter lows. Either way, I think it sounds great. I think the difference in a mix context is more apparent.
I`ve already made arrangements with Curtis to send the PB-90 back, so no more clips of that one will be forthcoming. But I can do more clips of the PB-CC if anyone is interested.
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For thread posterity, I ended up returning the PB-CC to Novak and getting the vintage-voiced PB-V instead. Really digging it, too! I don't necessarily miss the PB-CC, but it was a very very nice sounding pickup.
I definitely liked the CC better than the Hot, but I liked the PB-Vintage best of the three.
Well, this is going back a few years already, but from what I recall the CC had the general character of a "hot" pickup, but with much better clarity (less muddy) than the PB-90 version. Also the PB-90 had a lot going on in the midrange that I never could get a handle on. I found the PB-90 to be overly hot and muddy. PB-CC was similarly fat but with better clarity VS the PB-90.
PB-V was less hyped in the low end, lower output, and had a more natural treble response (less subdued) VS the -CC. Very much an authentic vintage-style P voice pickup with an open and clear sound.
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I'd definitely try the PB-V again for my current tastes. PB-CC was very cool too but a little too hot for what I'm into right now.
LOL! I've never played that song before in my life, but for some reason that's the riff that came out of my hands as I was recording the clips.
LOL! I've never played that song before in my life, but for some reason that's the riff that came out of my hands as I was recording the clips.
My pleasure!
This is, of course, just my take on it. These days I'm pretty averse to muddy tones, so what I call "mud" some people might call phat. *shrug*
I’ve got a p-bass with Seymour Duncan 1/4 pounder and it just doesn’t sound good to my ears anymore. It was great when I used nickel rounds, but I’m using ti flats now and I want something more dynamic with more of a “classic” p-bass sound. I’m leaning heavily towards the CC, buy wouldn’t be opposed to the vintage, if you think ti would do the job.
I think either one would get you back on track to a more "classic" sound VS the SD 1/4 Pounder. Vintage is obviously "all the way" there. CC is fatter in the low end than the Vintage but still leans more towards that classic voice, so may be like splitting the difference between true classic P tone and what you have now.
I can't speak for him, as my dealings with him were a couple years ago already, but hopefully he offers you the same deal he offered me... try the CC, and if you don't like it, exchange it for something else.
hey man, thanks for doing this a few years ago. It seems like you've landed on the PB-V. I have one as well and love it. Just got a second P to have as a more traditional spec with flats, and my other P i will keep as my main rock-focused bass with rounds--my PBV is currently on this and it of course sounds awesome with fingers or pick. Recorded 13 songs through an SVT with it and it was plenty aggressive. However I'm beginning to ponder moving the PBV over to the flats bass (other options I have are SPB1 and Fender 62orig), and possibly doing something a touch burlier in my rounds bass.. maybe the PB-CC or PB-Fat. Or this could be completely unnecessary. Basically I'm curious about your comparison of the PBV and CC and how they stack up in a more rock/punchy kind of context. thanks dude