P-Bass upgrade shootout

[PrestiaRules]

Well thanks to bholder I am getting an Essex P-Bass....

I also just won a Greco P-Bass off of ebay

 

so I am going to check out two different sets of upgrades and have a mini shootout if you will of pickups and bridges...try each in all the different combos between the two basses....

 

so I am thinking of an Original P bass pick up from Fender vs a Bill Lawrence P pickup vs. a Kent Armstrong P (tempted to try a Duncan though) thoughts? What about Rio Grande????

 

Bridges: Bad Ass II vs Gotoh 203 (or is it 201 I forget now)

any other thoughts? Hipshot?? etc???

 

Lay it on me guys....

 

EDIT: (if you know good deals on your suggestions link them please)

 

Edit 2: I guess I should have specified that it is not the end result of the basses I am most interested in. It is the different aspects of the components. Neither will be my first or gigging bass (at least I don't plan it that way)

 

checks to see that T-Bird is still in its case...

[J.]

As far as pickups go, it's a toss-up between the Bill Lawrence P-46 (keep in mind that his pickups are in high demand and you'll have to wait to get one) and the DiMarzio DP-127 Split P.

[Craig Vecchione]

BOALG, 'cuz as my momma always said, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

[Thunderbroom]

Maybe you should play them first before considering upgrading them. The pickup on my kids' SX P bass is just fine as is the bridge.

[beam]

Rio Grande

 

[lug]

BAII...it's just the right thing to do to a Pbass.

[MageZ]

DiMarzio offers two P-bass pickups, both very good.

[pbass_groovin]

I love my SD quarter pounder in my P

[Gaui]

I have played a bass with dimarzios, it was a j set but the sound was great. As for bridges, I can tell on monday when I put on my BA II.

[PrestiaRules]

Originally posted by Craigv BOALG, 'cuz as my momma always said, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

 

I have no delusions of creating a Sadowsky out of either of these basses....I am more interested in experimenting with the different components to see their similarities and differences. Consider it more of a project than a dream....

 

The T-Bird, for now, will remain my first bass. This is something to do from an interest point and to be able to provide some wisdom and advice to other interested forumites etc. instead of just some second hand knowledge or heresay

 

Edit: Speaking of your Mom was she made in America?

[PrestiaRules]

 

Originally posted by Gaui I have played a bass with dimarzios, it was a j set but the sound was great. As for bridges, I can tell on monday when I put on my BA II.

 

 

I have put Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pick ups in a few J basses and liked them. So perhaps the P will be added to the list

[PrestiaRules]

 

Originally posted by Thunderbroom Maybe you should play them first before considering upgrading them. The pickup on my kids' SX P bass is just fine as is the bridge.

 

 

yeah it is more out of interest in the various components than in actually value/upgrade ratio in terms of improving the basses performance. Neither will be my main bass on gigs or anything...I am just curious about how the different parts perform in each different combo and instrument. I imagine the Greco would be fine as is as well....I believe in the early 80s Greco came out of the Tokai Gakki Factory and those Tokai P basses had (IMHO) pretty fat sounding pickups.

[oldivor]

Originally posted by lug BAII...it's just the right thing to do to a Pbass.

 

Unless it is a string through.

 

You sir, suck.

 

 

[zenfascist]

Originally posted by lug BAII...it's just the right thing to do to a Pbass.

 

+1. Got it on my jazz and it has served me well....unless you want string-through.

[Thumper]

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P-Bass (double coil).

 

Bad Ass II bridge.

 

Both will go a long way to improve tone and get rid of any factory-induced iniquities.

 

TWO P-Basses!!?? You lucky, lucky b@st@rd....

[lug]

Originally posted by mxpxfan Unless it is a string through. You sir, suck.

 

There is always the BA III

 

********

Leo Quan Badass III bass bridge. This new design is a direct replacement for most string-through Fender American Series and Deluxe basses with 3 bridge mounting screws. All of the tone and sustain of the Badass II design, plus it's convertible for stringing through the body or top load. Includes mounting screws and allen wrench.

********

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_leoquan.htm

[beam]

Originally posted by lug There is always the BA III ******** Leo Quan Badass III bass bridge. This new design is a direct replacement for most string-through Fender American Series and Deluxe basses with 3 bridge mounting screws. All of the tone and sustain of the Badass II design, plus it's convertible for stringing through the body or top load. Includes mounting screws and allen wrench. ******** http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_leoquan.htm

 

 

So it's a BAII that can do string-through?

[lug]

 

Originally posted by beam So it's a BAII that can do string-through?

 

 

Yup. Only 3 screws though. I'm wondering if the new string-thru fender brideges are 3 screw...anybody? Personally, I think the need for a high mass bridge kinda goes away if you are using string-thru.