American Vintage Jazz 75 Pick Up Set - Good?

Sugar McGuinn · #1 03-21-2013, 11:11 AM

Hi Fellow TB'ers,

I bought one of these basses from AMS (Online), and the neck pickup lead was pinched at the pick up case... I've well waited out any chance of returning it for repair, and I really like the bass... My question...

Are these decent pick ups?

I was going to just swap them out for Nordy 70s wind, but thought I should at least see what opinions folks on the forum have and what the comparison might be...

Thanks

walterw · #2 03-21-2013, 08:10 PM

"pinched at the pickup case"?

got pictures? chances are it can just be fixed.

anyway i'm sure they're good pickups; heck i wonder if they're really any different from the regular vintage "original" Jazz pickups.

ultra60 · #3 03-22-2013, 06:02 AM

I have an AV '75. Compared to my '08 Am Std Jazz, I find the pickups to be slightly lacking. They don't sound bad, but don't seem to have nearly the same output, or aggressive tone.

The '75's have raised pole pieces. The Am Std don't. Perhaps getting a flat pole pickup closer to the strings contributes to a more full sound?

aproud1 · #4 03-22-2013, 06:13 AM

Yes they are good pickups and yes they can be fixed. You (or someone else) can simply resolder a new wire to the base of the pickup body. I would try to fix before swapping them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultra60

I have an AV '75. Compared to my '08 Am Std Jazz, I find the pickups to be slightly lacking. They don't sound bad, but don't seem to have nearly the same output, or aggressive tone.

Sounds like something might be up with your bass or electronics my friend. The two 75's I've played were both growly beasts. Much more so than any stock standard jazz I've played.

ultra60 · #5 03-22-2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aproud1

Sounds like something might be up with your bass or electronics my friend. The two 75's I've played were both growly beasts. Much more so than any stock standard jazz I've played.

The '75 growls.. the '08 growls a bit more. Could also be the difference in pickup placement between the two. I've owned a few dozen Jazz's over the last 30 years, and with the '08, I think I got a really good one.

aproud1 · #6 03-22-2013, 10:37 AM

Thats the painful thing about jazz basses.