Should I replace the pickups in my bass?

I just got a bass. It's a MIM p-bass from the mid-90s. It's got the stock pickups in it. I'm wondering, if I replaced the stock pickups with the Fender Original Precision pickups, would that be much of an improvement? Or will they sound about the same? Thanks!

What don't you like about the stock pups? Improvement is a pretty subjective thing. I have a mim p and I also have a 62 p. In a giging situation I couldn't tell much difference in the tone.

Just change the pots and caps. Leave the pup stock

honestly, i don't know what i'd change about the sound. i just want to make sure, if there IS a simple and affordable upgrade that improves the sound, to do it. seems like it's a good idea to change out the pots and caps, for sure. el hefe, would be able to give me a pots and caps recommendation, for a classic p-bass sound? thanks!!

honestly, i don't know what i'd change about the sound. i just want to make sure, if there IS a simple and affordable upgrade that improves the sound, to do it. seems like it's a good idea to change out the pots and caps, for sure. el hefe, would be able to give me a pots and caps recommendation, for a classic p-bass sound? thanks!!

Yea anything fender. And maybe some orange drop caps.

many thanks

If you know someone who can do a proper setup, that might be worth the money. Strings make a big difference also on sound. Amp to for that matter.

For my wife's birthday, I upgraded the pickups in her 1993 MiM Jazz Bass to DiMarzios and it made a dramatic difference, so much so that she stopped teasing me about my "tone hound" tendencies (okay, teased me a lot less). :razz:

I would definitely upgrade to the Fender 60's Split P RI; a great bang-for-buck pickup. Possibly upgrade the pots and wiring while you're at it. Your tone will thank you.

cool. good to know about the dimarzios and the F split p ri. thanks!

My Fender Roger Waters P-Bass came stock with one of those Seymour Duncan "quarter pound" pickups. I like it a lot. If you can find that specific P-Bass in a store, and like the sound -- that pickup would would be something to consider.

I'm not much on pickup changes, myself. I have a real cheap Yamaha bass, with an imitation p-bass pickup in it, and that one sounds just fine.

i'm not a big fan of blowing money on swapping pickups either. i think i'm going to have the pots and caps replaced next time i take it in for a setup but just stick with the stock 90s mexican p-bass pickups, at least for now. i'll mostly just use the bass for recording, anyway. and the tone of the bass is always so malleable, i find. plus i use flat wounds and play in a carol kaye w/ the beach boys kind of style and i think these pickups will cut it. i do wonder about these pickups, whether they are ceramic magnets or actual alnico tho.

I have a stock '00s MIM P-Bass and it sounds just fine for recording and gigging. A better pickup would probably improve it but I find I can get all the sounds I need out of it by adjusting the volume and tone controls on the bass and/or the tone controls on the amp. I use roundwounds and if I want a more classic tone I roll back the tone control on the bass and vice versa for a modern sound. I have to say though that when I had flatwounds on it I absolutely love the way it sounded, and especially, recorded with a pick (that classic Joe Osborn sound) so I might go back to flats.

i'm not a big fan of blowing money on swapping pickups either. i think i'm going to have the pots and caps replaced next time i take it in for a setup but just stick with the stock 90s mexican p-bass pickups, at least for now. i'll mostly just use the bass for recording, anyway. and the tone of the bass is always so malleable, i find. plus i use flat wounds and play in a carol kaye w/ the beach boys kind of style and i think these pickups will cut it. i do wonder about these pickups, whether they are ceramic magnets or actual alnico tho.

Alnico. The stock pickups will give you a traditional PBass sound. If that's all you're after leave them in there and put a good set of flatwounds on it and you're ready to play Jamerson or Carol Kaye or Duck Dunn or any other 60's era studio bassist. For the $$$ spent the right strings will so more for you than anything.

I put a set of his Jazz p/u's in a MIJ '75 RI and it made all the difference in the world. Wound to a true '62 spec if I remember correctly. New pots and a cap [.47 I believe] and output jack should complete the package for getting a vintage sound - if that's what you're looking for.

While you're at it you might consider this kit (http://www.guitarupgradesonline.com/product/precision-bass-wiring-kit-toneswitch). For a nominal fee he can put the wiring kit together for you if you like.