JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
I think I want an active set for my P/J Yamaha. Something versatile, where I can get a preamp with the mid scoop switch.
Blackouts? EMG? Dragonfire? What say ye?
Blackouts? EMG? Dragonfire? What say ye?
P/J set
- Thread starter JB_From_Hell
- Start date
Re: P/J set
If you like something more vintage sounding, check out the Lightnin' Rods. You get a vintage tone, just a lot louder.
If you like something more vintage sounding, check out the Lightnin' Rods. You get a vintage tone, just a lot louder.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: P/J set
Those certainly are interesting. I'm not opposed to spending a few bucks on the pickups, since the bass was virtually free. I play a lot of basses regularly, and don't think I'm gonna be upgrading anytime soon. This Yamaha plays really good, sets up very well, and sounds killer in its stock form.
I'm definitely putting the Lightning Rods at the top of the list for now. $175 isn't chump change, but it's about what any active P/J set seems to cost.
Those certainly are interesting. I'm not opposed to spending a few bucks on the pickups, since the bass was virtually free. I play a lot of basses regularly, and don't think I'm gonna be upgrading anytime soon. This Yamaha plays really good, sets up very well, and sounds killer in its stock form.
I'm definitely putting the Lightning Rods at the top of the list for now. $175 isn't chump change, but it's about what any active P/J set seems to cost.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: P/J set
Passive with a preamp would be cool.
What I’m really after is something really clear sounding plus the scooped mids funk tone. I don’t need 100 knobs, so maybe I’ll look into the slap-switch first.
Passive with a preamp would be cool.
What I’m really after is something really clear sounding plus the scooped mids funk tone. I don’t need 100 knobs, so maybe I’ll look into the slap-switch first.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: P/J set
Just having two pickups in parallel with separate volume controls will give you several ways to dial in a mid scoop, notch filtered type of thing. Don't dwell too much on needing the pre-amp and/or active pickups to get it. Dudes "back in the day" that defined that tone basically just did it with Js and Ps, and great album production. An outboard e.q. unit goes a long way too.
That said, if you need the output, and the onboard boost and cut, active is good. Just make sure you have an amp with plenty of headroom, or it will turn to mush.
Just having two pickups in parallel with separate volume controls will give you several ways to dial in a mid scoop, notch filtered type of thing. Don't dwell too much on needing the pre-amp and/or active pickups to get it. Dudes "back in the day" that defined that tone basically just did it with Js and Ps, and great album production. An outboard e.q. unit goes a long way too.
That said, if you need the output, and the onboard boost and cut, active is good. Just make sure you have an amp with plenty of headroom, or it will turn to mush.
Last edited:
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: P/J set
Hmm... considering that I’m using a Fender Rumble 15 for the foreseeable future, I suppose I’ll stay passive.
Perhaps an EQ pedal would be a better investment.
Hmm... considering that I’m using a Fender Rumble 15 for the foreseeable future, I suppose I’ll stay passive.
Perhaps an EQ pedal would be a better investment.
Synapsys
Well-known member
Re: P/J set
I'm currently saving for a set that will go into my Fender Deluxe Active P-Bass Special, along with a few mods and upgrades.
I'm currently saving for a set that will go into my Fender Deluxe Active P-Bass Special, along with a few mods and upgrades.
Last edited:
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: P/J set
Most of the setups can run off one power source.
Most of the setups can run off one power source.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: P/J set
I think so. It's the most powerful and versatile effect there is.
The Rumble 15 is truly a "bedroom amp." It has almost no bottom end, almost no headroom, and very little volume. The Rumble series starts sounding like "real" bass amps at the 40 watt one. And even that one is barely gigable (I have one, and I've done it, but it's rough, and you need the right venue).
Point being, the Rumble 15 has its uses, of course, but I wouldn't make a lot of serious gear choices based around it. It won't be the amp you end up using to achieve "your sound."
I think so. It's the most powerful and versatile effect there is.
The Rumble 15 is truly a "bedroom amp." It has almost no bottom end, almost no headroom, and very little volume. The Rumble series starts sounding like "real" bass amps at the 40 watt one. And even that one is barely gigable (I have one, and I've done it, but it's rough, and you need the right venue).
Point being, the Rumble 15 has its uses, of course, but I wouldn't make a lot of serious gear choices based around it. It won't be the amp you end up using to achieve "your sound."
Last edited:
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: P/J set
I have a Dimarzio P/J set in a Yamaha Attitude bass. The Model P is great but I don't care for the Model J. I'm thinking of replacing the Model J with something hum canceling around 13K+ resistance to see if I can get more guts out of that position.
I have a Dimarzio P/J set in a Yamaha Attitude bass. The Model P is great but I don't care for the Model J. I'm thinking of replacing the Model J with something hum canceling around 13K+ resistance to see if I can get more guts out of that position.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: P/J set
I think I'm pushing my focus towards tuners and a better amp. The Rumble 15 is definitely a living room amp in my case, but it sounds clear and full, and has plenty of low end for the volume I'm playing at. A friend perma-loaned me a Squier P-Bass today, and after messing with it, the Yamaha's pickups sound really good. They're still gonna get upgraded eventually, just not until I have an amp that's not limiting my choices.
I'm gonna keep looking at pickups, but I kind of feel like it'd be silly not to go EMG, since all my favorite players (Les, Freekbass, Victor Wooten) use them, and they all have that clear, hifi tone that I really dig.
I think I'm pushing my focus towards tuners and a better amp. The Rumble 15 is definitely a living room amp in my case, but it sounds clear and full, and has plenty of low end for the volume I'm playing at. A friend perma-loaned me a Squier P-Bass today, and after messing with it, the Yamaha's pickups sound really good. They're still gonna get upgraded eventually, just not until I have an amp that's not limiting my choices.
I'm gonna keep looking at pickups, but I kind of feel like it'd be silly not to go EMG, since all my favorite players (Les, Freekbass, Victor Wooten) use them, and they all have that clear, hifi tone that I really dig.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: P/J set
See if you can find a Peavey TNT-130 at a pawn shop for small money. The only thing that it lacks is a horn, but it does come with a 15" Black Widow and it's ported. Sounds good at bedroom levels but would definitely do a small room at gigging level. Oh and it has crossover outputs and an effects loop.
But I still think a QP P-bass pickup with a Hot Stack Jazz bridge would sound fantastic. Passive or active.
See if you can find a Peavey TNT-130 at a pawn shop for small money. The only thing that it lacks is a horn, but it does come with a 15" Black Widow and it's ported. Sounds good at bedroom levels but would definitely do a small room at gigging level. Oh and it has crossover outputs and an effects loop.
But I still think a QP P-bass pickup with a Hot Stack Jazz bridge would sound fantastic. Passive or active.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: P/J set
It's kind of weird that I don't care about single coil buzz in a guitar, but it's driving me f-ing nuts on this J pickup. I may even just look for a deal on a noiseless J for the moment.
It's kind of weird that I don't care about single coil buzz in a guitar, but it's driving me f-ing nuts on this J pickup. I may even just look for a deal on a noiseless J for the moment.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: P/J set
The great thing about EMGs/actives is that your volume control is very transparent when used. Therefore it doesn't matter if the pickups are really hot. You can just turn them down if you want low output. Do that with passives, and it radically alters your tone. With actives, I am all over my onboard controls. With passives, I almost always have my volume at 10. An exception would be with 1M linear pots, which make your volume control much more transparent.
I haven't used EMGs for bass, only for guitar. My active basses are a G&L and a Music Man, which have proprietary pickups.
The great thing about EMGs/actives is that your volume control is very transparent when used. Therefore it doesn't matter if the pickups are really hot. You can just turn them down if you want low output. Do that with passives, and it radically alters your tone. With actives, I am all over my onboard controls. With passives, I almost always have my volume at 10. An exception would be with 1M linear pots, which make your volume control much more transparent.
I haven't used EMGs for bass, only for guitar. My active basses are a G&L and a Music Man, which have proprietary pickups.
Last edited:
