Hey guys--

I have a 2005 MM 4 string. I've read a lot of threads here, but I can't seem to nail down what exactly the MM pups are:

same as the USA stock pups on a '75 or '62 Jazz reissue, or an inferior version.

I am planning on doing a passive tone mod on the bass, and don't want to spend around $160 for new pickups if the stock pups are the same as the USA ones.

Anyone have any comments on this?

Thanks!

Andy

I am planning on doing a passive tone mod on the bass, and don't want to spend around $160 for new pickups if the stock pups are the same as the USA ones.

Why not do the passive control conversion with the original pickups and see if they work for you? You can always change the pickups later.

just do it the pups r fine... i a/b mine with my usa 60th anny jazz (which has the vintage reissue pups not the ones they put in the usa stds) and its pretty danm close.... also they make a sweet active pre that in passive mode has a tone knob..from john east i believe....check the other MM sig bass threads..... heres the info fromthe fender site.... they r the same..

.Fender’s stylish Marcus Miller Jazz Bass guitar is soulful and astounding, too. It has an ash body, distinctive black pickguard/control plate and one-piece C-shaped maple neck with a 7.25”-radius maple fingerboard featuring white binding, white pearl block inlays and a satin finish (gloss finish on the headstock, plus Miller’s signature). Tonal magic comes from a pair of vintage-style Jazz Bass single-coil pickups; the two-band active EQ has an active/passive mini-toggle switch. Other features include a chrome neck pickup cover, knurled chrome dome knobs on the volume controls and black Jazz Bass knobs on the tone controls, a Badass® Bass II™ bridge and a three-bolt neck plate

I think they are Japanes reproductions of vintage 70's pickups. I put SD Antiquity II's in mine and the difference was very, very subtle. Maybe more subtle than I care to admit since I shelled out a lot of money for the upgrade. I think the passive tone mod would be good. If you want a better active sound, I'd definitely swap the preamp. I put an Aguilar OBP-1 in mine and it made a huge difference.