Dimarzio Ultra Jazz or "USA vintage" (Fender Japan pups)?

[bass349]

Hey guys,

i've recently aquired a new 70's style jazz bass from Ishibashi (the JB75-100US in LAS to be precise).

The question is.. i have a spare set of Dimarzio Ultra Jazz Pickups (in my SX beater). Would you consider these after-market pups to be superior to the stock ones in there at the moment? Please bear in mind that the stock ones are actually USA Vintage, whatever that actually means

It's in getting a fret job and professional setup at the moment.. so not sure if it really needs an upgrade, but having the ultra jazz's in a bass i barely play got me thinking..

let me know your thoughts

cheers!

andy

[basadam]

Why don't you give stock pups a try first? I had that same bass and just for fun I compared them against a Lindy Fralin set I have, they were on par.

[Liko]

+1. Play the bass, get its sound in your head, then decide where you want to go.

The Ultra Jazzes are a more modern-sounding pickup than most stocks; they have wider polepieces and slightly fewer windings, giving a sweeter, less midrangey sound. That doesn't mean you can't coax a vintage growl out of them (just give your amp a little more lower mids and less highs, and/or balance a bit toward the bridge), but a more vintagey pickup will give you more of it more easily. It all depends on what you want; I prefer the UJs for their versatility; being a humbucker, you can dial in your desired pickup balance without worrying about noise.

[Thor]

I am a big fan of the DiM UJ's. One of the best out there.

I don't hear much raving about the MIJ pups.

[hands5]

I have a set that was already in a 97' ( Mexican ) 5 string Fender Jazz Bass that I just bought ( for a real cheap price ) and although they were never really my favorite pickups I must say that they sound damn good.At least in this bass

[groove pump]

I have a set of DiMarzio UJ's in my passive franken-jazz and recommend them with zero reservation. If the swap is a flat fee, keep them handy and try what's in there (unless all this hype gets you too worked up).

[pepsbro]

I put them in my MIA jazz didn't really like them swapped them for Dimarzio 123's way more versatile pickup in my opinion

[bass349]

Awesome thanks guys.. yeah i know they're good pups, turned my SX from a cheap bass into something i could happily gig with. I was more wondering what people thought about them in comparison with the "USA vintage" ones.

Will get the Jazz back from my luthiers early this week, so i'll take your suggestions and give it a play then decide from there. I think it might be a good idea though! thanks to all the replies and suggestions, i'll let you know what i end up deciding..

cheers!
Andy