Aero, Lakland, or Fralin Pickups for a JO5?

Sithian · #1 11-25-2008, 04:42 PM

I have a JO5 and am trying to figure out which pickups to go with - Aero, Lakland, or Fralin's - I am sure there are many opinions out there on this- can you guys please share with me your opinions/feedback on which pickups and why? I am a fingerstyler player and play most styles-

Thanks!

NicJimBass · #2 11-25-2008, 05:22 PM

I have a JO5 with the Fralins, and it's really nice. Great fingerstyle tone. I've heard alot of people say it's like the tone of a pre-CBS Fender, but I can't say for sure myself. I will say this- I was flirting with trading or selling it last week, but the more I play it, the more I dig it. The Fralins have a nice warm tone that is something I love.

Sithian · #3 11-25-2008, 07:19 PM

Do you think the Lakland stock pickups sound more like the Aeros or the Fralins?

NicJimBass · #4 11-25-2008, 08:28 PM

I can't say. I've never played a Lakland-loaded JO.

basadam · #5 11-26-2008, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sithian

Do you think the Lakland stock pickups sound more like the Aeros or the Fralins?

They sound like Fralins on a JO, Aeros on a DJ

Seriously!

When Lakland were equipped with Fralins/Aeros they used to use 500K vol pots. Now with their own pickups they use 250K pots. Try changing the pots if you're after a bit more bite, that's a lot cheaper.

max8899 · #6 11-26-2008, 03:00 AM

bartolinis =)

Sithian · #7 11-26-2008, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basadam

They sound like Fralins on a JO, Aeros on a DJ

Seriously!

When Lakland were equipped with Fralins/Aeros they used to use 500K vol pots. Now with their own pickups they use 250K pots. Try changing the pots if you're after a bit more bite, that's a lot cheaper.

Hmm- so 500k would give more bite than 250k?

basadam · #8 11-26-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sithian

Hmm- so 500k would give more bite than 250k?

It'll give you more treble. Turning that to "bite" is up to you

LightGroove · #9 11-26-2008, 07:17 PM

Fralins def. get my vote. The new Lakland pickups really don't do it for me..

allexcosta · #10 11-26-2008, 07:23 PM

Fralins

4Mal · #11 11-27-2008, 10:05 AM

I found the Fralins, as deliverd in a Lakland JO Skyline to be kinda brite or maybe brittle sounding. For the most part I had to run them with the tone control rolled off a bit all the time- and that bugz the crap out of me... Areo Type 1's as delivered in a Skyline DJ were more 'organic' sounding to me. I could run those with the tone control full up and there was no trace of brittle. They were articulte but still warm.

Both sets were puchased as 'pull's from the original Lakland owner. Both sets installed in the same bass, same 250K v/v/t setup. Same strings (TI SUper Alloy's).

So if you are limited to just those choices IMO the Aero's are way out front for finger style.

If I were to go Falin, it would be a custom order set only.

My personal fav's are a custom set from Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe. Split coil J's, wax potted and foil shielded - alnico mag's to soften things up a little - very traditional J quality to them but none of the noise.

I have 3 sets of Pete's pickups installed in J basses. IMO - he's leading the pack when it comes to the custom guys.

edwinhurwitz · #12 11-27-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max8899

bartolinis =)

I did put Barts and a J Retro into my JO5 and it's a very nice combination, but sometimes I wish I could get more of a traditional tone.

I also like Bobby Vega's tone a lot, so I was thinking about the new 5 string Duncan 1/4 lb'er. Anyone used those? Although, the difference in scale length will affect the tone. I kind of wish the JO5 was a 34" bass. I don't think the B would suffer that much.

Edwin

MarkusBass · #13 11-27-2008, 11:07 AM

Just got my JO with Laklands, and really love the tone. It's absolutely perfect!