Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.)
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The Praise and Worship Band Bassists Club
- Thread starter j-raj
- Start date
Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.)
That’s pretty versatile in tone. I like it better when they do all the variables with one bass so you can really hear the difference without throwing the differences of the basses into it.
As for myself, I’m using the SansAmp VTDI fairly close to the SVT settings and use a TC Mojo Mojo pedal for added grit when I need it.
OK...I need this group’s help in getting off a mental hamster wheel. You all are uniquely qualified to speak.
The Question: Should I replace the pickups in the P Bass I play in worship? If so, which pickups would you recommend?
The Background: I play the Squier Debut Precision Bass, strung in BEAD, with Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Yes, this is the low-cost P Bass sold only via Amazon. It has a J Neck on a P Body. I got it in June and it’s my go-to bass for Worship. The flats work well. The neck is golden and I really enjoy the feel of it, even better than either of my two MIM Fender Jazz basses. I like the bass very much. So, it is staying.
My bandmates and WL are very fine with the way it sounds now. Yet, I have this nagging sense that it could be even better with some better quality pickups vs the stock (low cost) pickups in this $130 bass from China. I would really like to settle the matter...it’s occupying too much space in my head.
I posed the matter to the two other guys in our band who know gear best, both very experienced musicians. Their point to me: Yes, it will sound different. But, will it sound better? That’s subjective. One put it simply...”Joe, it’s a $100 decision...just try something and you can easily go back if you don’t like it and then sell the PU.”
I can handle a $100 decision, even a $100 mistake.
Your thoughts to my question above? Thank you for your counsel!! Iron sharpens Iron!!
The Question: Should I replace the pickups in the P Bass I play in worship? If so, which pickups would you recommend?
The Background: I play the Squier Debut Precision Bass, strung in BEAD, with Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Yes, this is the low-cost P Bass sold only via Amazon. It has a J Neck on a P Body. I got it in June and it’s my go-to bass for Worship. The flats work well. The neck is golden and I really enjoy the feel of it, even better than either of my two MIM Fender Jazz basses. I like the bass very much. So, it is staying.
My bandmates and WL are very fine with the way it sounds now. Yet, I have this nagging sense that it could be even better with some better quality pickups vs the stock (low cost) pickups in this $130 bass from China. I would really like to settle the matter...it’s occupying too much space in my head.
I posed the matter to the two other guys in our band who know gear best, both very experienced musicians. Their point to me: Yes, it will sound different. But, will it sound better? That’s subjective. One put it simply...”Joe, it’s a $100 decision...just try something and you can easily go back if you don’t like it and then sell the PU.”
I can handle a $100 decision, even a $100 mistake.
Your thoughts to my question above? Thank you for your counsel!! Iron sharpens Iron!!
Last week's service I pulled my in ears out and realized my bass was off in the house for the opener Praise that a track is used on. Was tempted to unplug and leave. Rest of the songs we played live. Thinking, what's the use anymore.
I have a Mex P Bass In fact it's this bass:
Fender Player Precision Bass Maple Fingerboard Limited-Edition Guitar Ocean Turquoise | Guitar Center
Shop for the Fender Player Precision Bass Maple Fingerboard Limited-Edition Guitar in Ocean Turquoise and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.
I really appreciate how good the pickup is on that bass It's hard for me to make it sound bad.
Given what used/ stock fender pickup would run, it might jut be a good/ cheap solution for you. Sleuth out what that pickup is, and buy it new/used form someone who "upgraded" to something else.
I have Nordstrand pickups in two of my basses - Dual Coil 5's and P/MM and the only thing I have played that was equivalent was the Lane Poor pickups that are no longer made! BTW, both basses are made by Devon (Smullen) and are just amazing. Both have Nordie 3 band EQ and are the J5 body shape. Nice enough that I sold my NYC Sadowsky and my MTD 535.If you decide to swap, I highly recommend the Nordstrand NP-4a with alnico V magnets.
I have that same bass, except the American version as found here.I have a Mex P Bass In fact it's this bass:
Fender Player Precision Bass Maple Fingerboard Limited-Edition Guitar Ocean Turquoise | Guitar Center
Shop for the Fender Player Precision Bass Maple Fingerboard Limited-Edition Guitar in Ocean Turquoise and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.www.guitarcenter.com
I really appreciate how good the pickup is on that bass It's hard for me to make it sound bad.
Given what used/ stock fender pickup would run, it might jut be a good/ cheap solution for you. Sleuth out what that pickup is, and buy it new/used form someone who "upgraded" to something else.
American Performer Precision Bass® | Electric Basses
American Performer Precision Bass®, Maple Fingerboard, Satin Lake Placid Blue
I love the of this bass. However, I’ve had the same questions about replacing my pick ups. I see a lot of guys using Lollar and Norstrand. Based on my research, I will probably replace these pick ups with Fralin.
P-J Set
P-J Set by Lindy Fralin is comprised of our P-Bass Neck and our noiseless Split Jazz Bridge. You're guaranteed 100% noiseless tone in all positions.
www.fralinpickups.com
These are all expensive options though.
What are you hoping to achieve by changing the pickup and what isn't the pickup you have now giving you that you want? If you don't have something in mind you might end up somewhere tonally that you won't like. For example, if you want vintage but the recommendations point you toward a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder you're going to be disappointed.
IMO, if you're happy with the sound and are just chasing tone it's not worth it. Just because it's an inexpensive bass doesn't mean the pickup is junk.
Yes it doesSweet!
I have had 2 bases with Fralin Pickups. Both were PJ. I think that's a great solution. I actually posted somewhere when I had the Fralin P in one bass, and the Fender P pickup in the other. I for about a second or two, was going to swap the Pickups because the one with the Fralin was a medium scale bass I wasn't playing a much. I decided to sleep on it and agreed with myself to not do it bacause the juice just wasn't worth the squeeze. They were, in broad strokes, that close.
I have a Zoom B1 Four and was playing with the different compressor models on these two basses. They Dyna Zoom model makes the P bass with the fender pickup sound great.
One of my old churches was heavy into tracks and they always played to synth tracks usually and once figured that out, I would just start playing high along with the synth part but more melodic and it worked out. I ended up talking to sound about it and they’d let me know. I started playing one ear out so I could hear it better, then I adjust my volumes to better match the ambient.
Devon makes some incredible basses with some very innovative touches that are very cool and are of great quality. That being said, I’ve never actually played one, but maybe someday! I follow his builds, and they are impressive!
I REALLY like the rounded edges on the fingerboard - it is amazing how comfortable it makes the neck. His build quality is nothing short of amazing - the only builder that is on the same level is Ken Lawrence! And, I have had a ton of high end/expensive basses to compare. My DC 5'er is on for this weekend!
He has a refreshed 5'er (P and MM Nordstrand pickups) on his site that is just SO tempting!!!!!
They are beautiful basses. I just can't wrap my head around all the knobs. The hidden/receased input can be limiting for cables, but it's cool. I love the magnetic cover. Everyone should do that. Battery compartments as well.
I can only tell you my experience.
Decades ago. I bought an Ibanez Mikro. Currently $199 everywhere. Back then, less than $150. My plan was to make it a high end piccolo bass with EMG preamp and pup combo and a Babicz bridge. After installing them, I tried it out with the bass strings on it. It’s still a bass and it’s in regular rotation with my two other basses. It compares well with some high end basses. I say go for it. As others have said, if it’s not what you want, change it back and sell the stuff.