adding bassline Pups to SR300

cthulu · Not So Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 9

I would like to try to get more of a P-bass sound out of my passive pickup SR300. I am thinking of replacing the stock p-ups (just the split Ps not the J pup) with Bassline 1/4 pound pups. Will improve the sound over the stock pickups and is it worth the expense, which is only about $50?

SRXThunder · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 8:03 am Post subject:

Oh yeah!

1/4 Pounders have awesome tone. They are by far my favorite aftermarket pups.
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cthulu · Not So Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 9

well I installed the Bassline P-pups into my SR300, a tight fit as the Basslines are a hair larger than the stock P-pup. Anyway, whats the optimum height to set the pup? I want a real clanky p-bass sound so is there an optimim setting?

SRXThunder · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 1:00 pm Post subject:

cthulu -

I'm actually waiting on a reply from a guy I know who works at Fender to see what the exact specs. are on there P set-ups. Until then, I did find this...It's written for guitar, but the theory is the same. As soon as I hear back from Fender I'll let you know.

String output, relative volume between pickups, and treble/bass balance are the main issues in pickup adjustments. Some manufacturers actually include instructions including precise measurements of the distance between the strings and the pickups. This is very helpful, a reflection of intensive R&D, but ultimately, our ears must determine what sounds good.

One important note: string gauges play a big role here. The heavier the string, the greater force it exerts on the pickup magnetic field, and subsequently the greater output and fatter tone it yields. Also, the relative output between pickups will make a difference, especially in hot-rodded guitars such as my Tele-style Frankenstein with a '60s Teisco Del Ray neck pickup, middle lipstick pickup and Fender Lace Sensor (Red) bridge pickup. It took a bit of tweaking to get these puppies sounding good together, but it was worth it.

Generally, the following suggestions are good for single or double coil (humbucking) pickups.

It is common practice to set the relative pickup heights with the bridge pickup closer to the strings than the remaining pickups. The string vibrations near the bridge are less profound, so the pickups need to be a little hotter, and also this is what many of us use as our "lead sound." Try starting out with your bridge pickup anywhere from 3 to 5/32s from the E string on the treble side as a beginning point. Set the neck pickup a bit lower and split the difference if you have a middle pickup. I like to have the treble side of the pickup a bit closer than the bass side. This seems to help the balance between bass and treble.

If the pickups are too close to the strings, the sound can be harsh and abrasive. On Strat-style instruments, the magnetism of the pole pieces can literally pull the string toward the pickup, creating a weird, chorus-like out-of-tuneness which also makes the instrument nearly impossible to intonate properly. It was a big relief to learn that fact in my early days, after struggling with Strat intonations for a while.

Play your guitar through an amp, probably with a clean sound unless you just never use a clean sound. If you use one pickup much more than the others adjust that to a height that sounds good to you, and then adjust the others accordingly. Try to hear the difference in sound and volume between the different pickups, and adjust them up or down to balance them. A good way to do this is just to do a 1/4 turn on each screw, going up or down incrementally.

If the pole pieces are adjustable, here is a procedure for adjustments, taught to me by jazz guitar great Herb Ellis. Set the high E closest, drop the B down, drop a plain G down further, and a wound G up to the height of the E. The D goes to about the height of the B, the A goes down and the low E about the height of the A to start. Then, play a G (note, not chord) on the high E, and compare the volume with the G on the B string and the G at the octave of the G string. Adjust until they are the same to your ear. Now play a D on the B string, G string and at the octave D, adjust. Try an A on the G, etc., continually tweaking the pole piece heights to get a uniform response. Try other notes across the fretboard to confirm what your ears are telling you.

If you achieve a good balance between the individual pickups, and they are reasonably well matched, your combination sounds should be reasonably pleasing. If you get a very thin trebly combination sound with a significant drop in output, it could be your pickups are wired out of phase.

Play some familiar stuff, use your effects, and then maybe put the guitar down for a while and come back to it with a little distance and perspective to make sure you are hearing what you think you are hearing. It's not rocket science, it's experimentation with a bit of patience, and it's great to familiarize yourself with your instrument in this way.
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SRXThunder · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 3:28 pm Post subject:

OK, I got the info from Fender. It's basicly just highlighting what I posted previously. It looks like something you're going to have to just mess around with until you find what's comfortable for you. Good luck.
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cthulu · Not So Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 9

Well I started out with the pickups pretty low and raised them to pretty close to the strings@ 3/32" It sounds great, really booms and the D & G in particular are much nicer sounding than the stock pups. The one thing about having the pups higher though changes the feel of both finger picking and using a pick, I use both picking techniques. I am lowering them a bit mainly because of this and hopefully the great sound will still be there. These really do beef up the sound of this bass, I may have to replace the J pup with a bassline also.

One thing I noticed when I plugged in my DOD Death metal box to the bass the distortion was just way more than before, I had to tone the box controls down alot to make it usable.

But I appreciate this info, looks like your right, i will have to esperiment until I find the right combo of sound and palying feel.

SRXThunder · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 8:14 pm Post subject:

Those pups are great. I love the qp's. If you have to lower the pups and you loose some of the tone, check out this. The SADDI has a remarkable effect on your tone. If you're interested in getting it talk to VWall first, I believe he can get a hold of 'em.
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cthulu · Not So Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 9

I lowered it a small amount last night and didnt notice any major loss in tone or volume. Sounds good, I think I will leave it at this height and get used to the physical feel of the pup for a rest etc.

The qp really improves the sound of this bass, I was debating getting a P-bass in some form but may hold off now I have a much fuller sound with this qp in my SR300. Not bad for a bass i paid $150 for used and now with a $55 qp, I have a bass that sounds like a much more pricey bass.

I have heard about the Sansa Amp bass driver and all good things, I may pick one up sometimes, you can get a pretty decent overdive distortion of those also cant you?

SRXThunder · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 9:02 pm Post subject:

I don't know, to be honest. I've always used my to fatten the tone, not to mention it makes life easy when you're playing out and need a direct-in. I'm not much one for a lot of effects. I like a crisp, fat tone that can cut through the drums and guitar, yet still have a warmth and presence, and the SADDI give me that.
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