66' P-bass not cutting it

[cchown]

Hey guys, I'm a guitar player who only plays bass when working on demos... I've got a beautiful 66' P-bass all original in amazing shape. Thing is it doesn't sound great, I've now tried changing the pots, new strings but it still sounds fluffy and rings out sort of distorted. Am I going to have to get a new pickup?

[Rax Jaggr]

Are you using a pre-amp of any kind, or recording direct to disk thru a di or mixer? A good pre-amp makes a world of difference to my ears. Having said that, I don't know how good pickup technology was in 1966, so replacing them might be the only option.

[dlh]

Yes, try a preamp.
Made a world of diffence on mine.

[Vulconizer]

If the bass is giving you problems, I'd gladly take it off of your hands to save you any further frustrations. No fuss, no bother, no sweat.

[jastacey]

Here is what I'd do ... get your self a Seymor Duncan Quarter pound pick-up, and remove the old ones and install the new ones, sheild the control compartment with some good foil ... remember ... you can replave the old pick-ups when you sell the bass .... what you'll get is a fat.... rich ... **** .... sounding bass ... it works for me !!!