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Post subject: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-Base
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:27 pm
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I made all of the changes for aesthetic reasons, but there was a sound change side-effect that I think is a positive. The bottom end of the tone control was not that useful before (with the factory strings) because it was dull and a bit muddy. I have seen posts that claim the sound does not change with this bridge upgrade, but it is overall brighter. Maybe because the way I did my setup, maybe cause the new bridge; don't know for sure. The tone control now has a fully useable range now. It still sounds like a p-bass.

Note: the ability to adjust the string position on the saddles is moot. I had to put them closest to the intonation screws for the right position for these pickups.

Let me know what you think.


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:02 pm
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Did you put new strings on it or restring the factory ones?

If you put on new strings, could that explain the newly found tone?


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 9:45 am
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I put the factories back on since the guitar was practically new, only had it a couple of weeks.
I should have done a before and after graph of the EQ. The best that I can explain is the level for the higher frequencies appears to be higher across the range of the tone control giving the instrument an overall brighter tone; before the mod, I would say control of the highs (at least the frequencies perceived as bright) were about gone for the bottom 1/3 of the tone control, so setting the control at 1/3 or all the way down really just added muddiness, imho.

Tell you what, I'll see if I can get some screen shots a several points on the tone control using Logic's Match EQ with the preamp set flat. Wont be scientific or anything because there is no before and after, also because there is a preamp in the Roland Quad-Capture, but hey could be interesting to see what it shows.

FYI: I see lots of recommendations on the forum for strings; I may try something else when it is time for a new set. This is the first bass I have owned, I've been around music and band a long time but play keyboards and piano.


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 10:10 am
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I have that same bridge on my Jazz and like it very much. You were smart to make the swap. How much more mass would you say it is? How much heavier did it feel in your hand?

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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 10:41 am
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I tried to look up the weight on amazon, weight is listed but does not look accurate. Probably somewhere on Fender's site. It is a lot heavier, probably more than double the mass.


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:29 am
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I took the screen shots from Logic's Match EQ, but I am hesitant to post them because they may be misleading. First problem, I need something to strike the string in exactly the same was every time. Second problem is that Logic's Match EQ does not allow me to screen shot all the frequency components (some drop off before I can get the screen shot) so more subtle harmonic frequencies are lost from the graph. Finally, testing needs to involve more than just the open E string.


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:30 am
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One thing I did notice (testing open E string, 41.204 Hz), is the level for frequencies below 150hz stay constant across the tone control. I believe this is "as advertised" for the Fender Greasebucket tone circuit. One third adds more harmonics, 150 to 200hz; two thirds brought harmonics to a higher level in the 150 to 200hz range; tone all the way up added in 200 to 500hz harmonics.

In simpler terms, you do not lose low frequencies when you turn the tone control up, it just adds highs. What I believe the bridge did for me is increase the level of higher frequency harmonics for the instrument overall so that these are more noticeable near the bottom of the tone control range.

I am not an expect, so someone can probably rip my analysis to shreds, but I do have a pretty good understanding of sound from years of playing with analog synths and filter. I am happy with the sound I have now.


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 12:43 pm
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nvilmer wrote:
I tried to look up the weight on amazon, weight is listed but does not look accurate. Probably somewhere on Fender's site. It is a lot heavier, probably more than double the mass.


OK that's good. I firmly believe that the higher mass bridge yields better tone; a stronger attack, and greater sustain.

Here's a link to my 37 year old hot rod Precision. I did so many mods all at once, but man does it ever rock! Atomic Attack and sustain that rivals 'The Big Bang'. 8)

http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=87066

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2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:06 pm
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really really nice, love the pick guard.


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:30 pm
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nvilmer wrote:
really really nice, love the pick guard.


Thanks, man, but your P is super cool too! I liked your slideshow. Would've been a whole lot easier if you had taken the strings off first. :wink:

Are you going to stay roundwound or go with flats?

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 5:15 pm
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Thanks for the compliment. Amazingly the pick guard was easy to remove without the taking the strings off and both the original and black one still had the plastic protectors on them, so no scratches. But, yeah, if I had to do it again, strings would come off.

I also found out it is really important to take the strings off when you replace the neck plate.

Strings are something I am going to need to research. I definitely want to try out some flats to see how they play and sound.


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Post subject: Re: Sharing slide show of customizing to American Special P-
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 5:22 pm
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Here's the 'flat' side of the string story

http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=81712

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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