Aero vs Lindy Fralin Jazz Pickups

jzbass6 · #1 10-12-2006, 10:09 AM

I'm looking for some help on the possibility of swiching out my Aero pickups on my Lakland DJ5 to Fralins. I played a 4 string Skyline JO with Fralins and loved he sound it seemed to have more growl, presense and bite than my DJ5 with the Aero's, unfortunatly I didn't have my DJ with me to compare the two.
Can anyone related thier experience with to two, I've also found that 4 string versions of some pickups sound a lot different than the 5 string version.
Thanks

Poon · #2 10-12-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzbass6

I'm looking for some help on the possibility of swiching out my Aero pickups on my Lakland DJ5 to Fralins. I played a 4 string Skyline JO with Fralins and loved he sound it seemed to have more growl, presense and bite than my DJ5 with the Aero's, unfortunatly I didn't have my DJ with me to compare the two.
Can anyone related thier experience with to two, I've also found that 4 string versions of some pickups sound a lot different than the 5 string version.
Thanks

I honestly always liked the sound of the Fralins better than the Aeros. I owned the DJ5 and the JO5 at the same time. Both Rosewood Board too... I think a lot of people will disagree with me, but I actually found the Fralins to have more growl, presence, and overall for it to sound more "aggressive" than the DJ5 with the Aeros. It could have just been the one that I owned though. The DJ5 sure is pretty though.

jzbass6 · #3 10-12-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poon

I honestly always liked the sound of the Fralins better than the Aeros. I owned the DJ5 and the JO5 at the same time. Both Rosewood Board too... I think a lot of people will disagree with me, but I actually found the Fralins to have more growl, presence, and overall for it to sound more "aggressive" than the DJ5 with the Aeros. It could have just been the one that I owned though. The DJ5 sure is pretty though.

Good, then I know I'm not imagining things, not knocking the Aero's, but the Fralins have a more as you put it a more aggresive sound.
Thanks Poon

jady · #4 10-12-2006, 01:09 PM

hmmm, food for thought, i have a set of type1 Aeros in an FBB Custom, I really like the tone but I havent checked out many other Pups. Maybe I'll have to swap out the pair & see which ones I dig better.

Modern Growl · #5 10-12-2006, 02:18 PM

I've owned both. In my experience the Fralins have a more raw/growly bottom, and much more midrange punch then the Aero's.

Aero's are more 'polite' sounding IMO.

I'm also partial to the 60's bridge pickup position. That adds greatly to the tone diff as well.

blmeier7 · #6 10-12-2006, 07:14 PM

I had always heard the Aeros were very aggressive but after installing them into my geddy lee jazz and then tried them in my marcus miller jazz I thought they were fairly tame. I also didn't think the Aeros were as clear as some of the other pickups I've tried and thought they had too much in the mids. I haven't owned the Fralins so I can't compare the two.

FYI I ended up going with the Nordstrand NJ4's and have been happy with them. They are worth looking at if you are wanting an aggressive tone.

4Mal · #7 10-13-2006, 03:21 PM

To me the Aero's are aimed at the 50's / 60's classic Fender sound. A little raw, as in unrefined. Punchy but not hot. Hot bass pickups really didn't exist back the. Pretty much that all started with Dimarzio in the mid 70's.

IMO the growl is on your hands and your amp, your string choice and then your pickups.

gingerbeer · #8 10-14-2006, 09:53 PM

aero have different brant type 1 is alnico 5 and sound like 60 pickup ,type 3 is alnico 2 and is much more like a 75 pickup .

Poon · #9 05-04-2007, 12:17 AM

I now have the Aero's the Fralins and the Nordstrands all in different basses right now. So far my favorite is the Nordstrand, but that's just from initial impression and granted these are in different basses which can yield different sounds.

basswave · #10 05-13-2007, 11:39 AM

I'm going to change the pickups on a Geddy Lee Jazz.

I think the stock sound really thin.

I have a set of Villex in a Modulus GVJ and I like them.
However I'm on the fence on what to go with.

I have narrowed it down to the following.

1. Fralins
2. Villex
3. Basslines (something in that SD family just not 1/4 lbs)

Any input appreciated.

Jim Carr · #11 05-13-2007, 11:49 AM

I like the Fralin's I put in my Jazz, but they are split coils, which it seems most people are afraid of...

...leaving can of worms on shelf.

Seriously, the Nordstrand and Fralin single AND split coils are all really fine pups.

bassman10096 · #12 05-13-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

I have narrowed it down to the following.

1. Fralins
2. Villex
3. Basslines (something in that SD family just not 1/4 lbs)

I just put a Basslines Vintage PJ (not JJ) set in one bass and a pair of Fralin single coil J's in another. They share a full, vintage sound with plenty of punch, low end and musical highs. I'd say the Fralins are a bit higher output and a little more "alive", but still similar. I've listened to several clips of Villex J's and been very impressed. I'd have to say they sound like the could be a better all around J pickup than Fralins or Basslines. Those who've reviewed them have liked them a lot. Let us know what you decide.

basswave · #13 05-13-2007, 06:42 PM

Hey thanks Jim and 10096

This is a tough call but I'm leaning towards the Villex.
Very "musicial" tone.

I have tried the Villex before in a in similar set-up before and it was great.

I have had the Fralins before but it was in the wrong bass (Walnut body with a Moses graphite neck) it needed tweakign and was a little to bright.

I have SD 1/4 lb-ers in a nice mongrel that I have had for a long time and its way to low mid barky for my tastes. I leave it in case somebody might want that sound. (Its not my first choice).

Tough call.......I will let you folks know.