60's Fender J pickups for active bass?

Yazzman · #1 01-17-2008, 09:29 PM

Hi I am new to the forum and I am really wondering something, I want to get a Fender Deluxe Active J-bass, its the $650 one. Will putting 60's custom shop fender J pickups on it make it sound considerably better? Can you even put these pickups on it even though the bass is active?

here are the pickups:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...et-?sku=301640

here is the bass:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ss-?sku=511595

how will the pickups change the tone, will it make it growlier? THANKS!

Yazzman · #2 01-18-2008, 11:15 AM

**WoodyG3** · #3 01-19-2008, 05:40 PM

I have a MIM Deluxe and really like the pickups that came with it. I also have some '60s pickups that were in a Jazz bass for a while, and are now waiting to go in another Jazz bass that I am repainting. They sound great, too. I guess the '60s pups have a little more single coil zing. They also have a little hotter output. If that's what you are looking for, they are nice pickups. Be aware, though, that these guys will hum significantly if one or another is favored with the pickup selector knob.

I'd just try the stock pups for a while and really get to know all the tones you can get from them before making any decisions. Like I said, these are nice sounding pickups. (All in my opinion disclaimer!!!

)

4Mal · #4 01-20-2008, 10:48 AM

sage advice that. Use the stock pickups for a bit and decide what it is that you want out of the upgrade - if you actually want the upgrade...

kcwm · #5 01-27-2008, 07:54 PM

I recently traded into a bass that has the 60s pickups in it and the above description is pretty much right on. The bass also has a bad ass II bridge.

It's a very hot, somewhat bright, output. I love the way it sounds through my cheap-o Peavey Microbass 20 amp. I can only imagine it'd sound better through a much better amp. I haven't experienced the buzz, but then again, I'm playing through a small amp at low volumes in my apartment.

But, buzz, hot/bright output, and everything else considered, this blows away the stock p-bass i traded for it along with the jazz bass I traded for that same p-bass.