Affinity JV replacement Pups

[Dr. Cheese]

I couldn't resist a sale and I snagged a new Affinity J 5 cheap. I just love how they play and set up. I think I will eventually have new pickups and pots installed. What do you guys suggest?

[jallenbass]

I guess I'll be the first to ask - What kind of tone are looking for?

They are nice basses.

[Dr. Cheese]

I love the tone of a passive Jazz. I like little high sizzle and I want strong midrange punch when I turn up the bridge pup and turn down the treble.

[Dr. Cheese]

Any suggestions?

[jallenbass]

For midrange punch I like Bartolini. I don't know if the Classic Bass series would have enough highs for what you describe as sizzle but they are not dark.

[Dr. Cheese]

A Jazz being a Jazz, it will generate some sizzle. If I have to chose between midrange and sizzle, I will take mids.

[narud]

i had samarium cobalt noiseless, an american standard 5 set, lakland pickups,and duncan 67/70's in my affinity 5 when i had it and the duncans with 500k pots were my favorite. it thickened up the low mids which the cheapish squier was lacking acoustically. the 500k pots extended the treble some since they were the grindiest of all the single coil sets i tried and therefor lacked some upper air presence in the highs.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by narud

i had samarium cobalt noiseless, an american standard 5 set, lakland pickups,and duncan 67/70's in my affinity 5 when i had it and the duncans with 500k pots were my favorite. it thickened up the low mids which the cheapish squier was lacking acoustically. the 500k pots extended the treble some since they were the grindiest of all the single coil sets i tried and therefor lacked some upper air presence in the highs.

Thanks!

[Bobster]

I had Lollar single coils in mine Doc. I'm a huge fan of them, great vintage sound and actually pretty quiet for single coils. I've actually moved those pickups over to my new Jazz VM 5 and am considering my options with the Afffinity. Maybe P/J?

Bob

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Bobster

I had Lollar single coils in mine Doc. I'm a huge fan of them, great vintage sound and actually pretty quiet for single coils. I've actually moved those pickups over to my new Jazz VM 5 and am considering my options with the Afffinity. Maybe P/J?

Bob

Lollar is a new one for me. I will check them out. For my Affinity, I just want to change pickups, upgrade the pots, and shield it as much as possible.

[Doug Parent]

Have you checked the TalkBass classifieds?
Squire Affinity uses the same pickup size as Fender American V

[TBGFRED]

I like the Affinity V as well and, wishing to acquire an understanding of the J sound, experimented with:

• Fralins new and 1996
• Nordstrand Single Coils
• Nordstand Big Singles (with rout) [Made me think of Peavey Super Ferrites]
• Aero (Type 1s?)
• Bartolini SCs
• Some sort of stock pup from a genuine Fender

then

• Fender SamCobs Noiseless
• Bardens (not SC)
• Large-pole Suhrs (not SC)

and on a Squier Deluxe V

• Dimarzio Area J
• Dimarzio Ultras

They all sounded nice in their own ways. Strengths and 'weakesses' .... But the one that stopped the techs down at the luthier's shop cold was...

... Rio Grande Vintage for J 5s.

They have the same 3.9/4.1 widths as the Affinity. I'll spare everyone the descriptors, but the real bassists down at the shop looked up and asked to touch when the Rios went live.... I kept this one.

btw, side by side, I liked the sound of the stock pups pretty well also...... I enjoyed the whole exercise, but in hindsight, could've been happy with the stock ones. Shoulda bought a veteran some new shoes and a winter coat - and used the time I spent practicing.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by jallenbass

For midrange punch I like Bartolini. I don't know if the Classic Bass series would have enough highs for what you describe as sizzle but they are not dark.

They absolutely will. I put Bartolini Classic Series Single Coil Brights in my jazz. Think Larry Graham! Now I also have a Bart pre in there as well. If you're gonna run Barts passive, they have medium output and will need a little boost.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by DWBass

They absolutely will. I put Bartolini Classic Series Single Coil Brights in my jazz. Think Larry Graham! Now I also have a Bart pre in there as well. If you're gonna run Barts passive, they have medium output and will need a little boost.

That's cool. There's nothing wrong with cranking up the amp!

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by TBGFRED

I like the Affinity V as well and, wishing to acquire an understanding of the J sound, experimented with:

• Fralins new and 1996
• Nordstrand Single Coils
• Nordstand Big Singles (with rout) [Made me think of Peavey Super Ferrites]
• Aero (Type 1s?)
• Bartolini SCs
• Some sort of stock pup from a genuine Fender

then

• Fender SamCobs Noiseless
• Bardens (not SC)
• Large-pole Suhrs (not SC)

and on a Squier Deluxe V

• Dimarzio Area J
• Dimarzio Ultras

They all sounded nice in their own ways. Strengths and 'weakesses' .... But the one that stopped the techs down at the luthier's shop cold was...

... Rio Grande Vintage for J 5s.

They have the same 3.9/4.1 widths as the Affinity. I'll spare everyone the descriptors, but the real bassists down at the shop looked up and asked to touch when the Rios went live.... I kept this one.

btw, side by side, I liked the sound of the stock pups pretty well also...... I enjoyed the whole exercise, but in hindsight, could've been happy with the stock ones. Shoulda bought a veteran some new shoes and a winter coat - and used the time I spent practicing.

That's intriguing. I'll have to look up those Rio Grande Vintage J 5s.

[zackthompson]

Sorry to hijack his thread, but would fender custom shop 60s pups fit in an affinity?

[KTFunkAlive]

Originally Posted by zackthompson

Sorry to hijack his thread, but would fender custom shop 60s pups fit in an affinity?

Yup