It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
But if you like the idea of a Fender pickup you could get the S1 kit and just not use the S1 pots. Do you know what pickup is with that? Presumably just been removed from a Fender?
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Either pickup would be fine. The S-1 pot/switch can become unreliable.
Series/parallel switching of a P pickup gives a choice of two sounds but that second, thinner, sound is only useful in combination with a bridge position Jazz Bass pickup. (I did this with a Bartolini 8S/9JL pair.)
I have the DiMarzio Model P's close cousin, the DP146 Will Power Middle. An aggressive-sounding pickup with prodigious low end - to the extent that, under the E string, the pickup top barely rises above the pickguard surface.
The Fender outfit has probably been removed from an American Standard P Bass. I cannot remember whether these have fibreboard bobbin plates or moulded plastic.
If I were being a spiv, I would hawk my Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound pickup.
My recommendation for an easily reversible upgrade that sounds great is the EMG-GZR.
Plastic. I had to resolder another one last week .
What I forgot to say earlier is that given that choice I'd go for the DiMarzio.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Me too.
Overall, I would combine the DiMarzio with roundwound strings for Rock music or a "vintage-correct" pickup with flatwound strings for "proper" P bass thump.
I had it 1mm from the strings when fretting at the 21st fret. Then compressed the crap out of it.
Just like Mr Sheehan would.
It was epic, but not remotely subtle.
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
CAUTION:
The extent of the sunburst coverage over the forearm contour of the bass in the video strongly suggests that it has something to hide constructionally. i.e. Plywood. In my opinion, this places a finite limit on how far the Westfield can be usefully upgraded before it becomes wiser to put your money towards something else.
Not always the kiss of death though, I know someone with an old plywood Aria bass that sounds great.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
In passive mode it almost acts like a boost that tightens the sound with a volume drop.
However, with a decent active circuit the two settings can have two very unique and very usable tones dialled in quite easily. It works very well with a good preamp.
Was this of a reputable brand? Since you are going to end up with a Bitsa, it might be wiser to begin from parts of roughly equivalent quality.
Yes.
I was unsure whether to retain the S1 if I went with that option as internet research has given the opinion that likely pickups are either 56003/4 or 61276/7 which are considered inferior to post-2008 standard pickups or the current vintage options.
I am presently considering the Dimarzio, although if @Funkfingers would be Will to part with the SDs for £50 or less I might choose that instead.
I play in a cover band which do a variety of styles with my VM Jazz but might introduce a P-style for a change occasionally or for my originals project that I've been toying with for 20 years.
The Westfield is single wood, though I had a ply P bass for years previously that was ply. I only stopped using it when I realised the intonation issue was nothing to do with the neck's wrung truss rod, but the fact the instrument had long scale neck on short scale body.
I shall PM you tomorrow morning.
I will probably get some CTS pots and do the pickup and bridge replacement project at the one time.