Fender 62 RI vs Custom Shop 60s vs the new Original Fender Pups

[dagrev]

I have a MIM Jazz that has none of the typically mentioned problems--but I would like to replace the Pups. I've done a bunch of reading various posts but would like a comparison (especially tonal) of Fender 62 RI, Custom Shop 60s, the new Original Fenders. I know Fender does odd things and I trying to sort it out before a purchase.

Reasons why users prefer one (over the rest) would be helpful and welcome as well.

Thanks

Donnie

[luknfur]

FWIW:

you just have to read reviews for the pups of interest and draw you own conclusions and take a stab. You can read mine in FAQ Dimento's J Pup Experiment. Never had the originals.

Good luck trying to figure out what Fender does. What they do best is keep you in the dark for the most part.

There could be a myriad of reasons why a player would prefer a given pup but you know they're at least going to be satisfied with the tone. Again you would probably get a myriad of different answers to what tone if you could ask them independently. One of the downsides of reviews is they're probably not independent: we all tend to repeat what we hear and hear what we're told. Maybe why Fender keep us in the dark - the less we know the more we may actually hear.

[dagrev]

luknfur

Thanks for the info. I appreciate your review. Apparently I read everything but that post.

I would still like to have a head to head comparison if anyone has that info.

DG

[luknfur]

Originally Posted by dagrev

I would still like to have a head to head comparison if anyone has that info.

DG

+1

I don't know what your definition of head to head is but if you can get any closer than the Dimento Pup stuff to one I'd like to see it too!

FWIW:

The Dimento reviews are probably as close as you’re going to get to an A/B. If you read the intro you’ll see the only variable is the pups and acoustic properties of the bass (the acoustic properties of the bass are mentioned at the beginning of the review and are comparatively minimal regardless and in fact practically null if both are mid range basses - which most reviews were). And the fact is, you CAN’T do A/B evaluations simultaneously in the same bass cause you can’t have both pups in the same place in the same bass at the same time, and placement of the pup IS a critical factor. The pups were ran straight to the jacks (no onboard controls to interfere), same strings, same gear, played to the same tunes the same way. These are all significant factors.

One of the most valuable aspects of the Dimento reviews is they are done under like conditions so all the pups can be compared to each other knowing the only variable of real consequence besides me is the pickup.

The only thing lacking was a conscious simultaneous comparison - which I’ve done with MM’s and Rics.

It’s also possible (given the Fender obscurity) that Fender originals are what they use in the Marcus Miller bass and there are review on those. I haven’t had the originals I know of as such to compare to the MM pups and there’s no such references to be found on the net - as compared to say numerous references that ‘62 re-issues are what’s in the Geddy Lee Sig.

[4Mal]

I'm a fan of the MIA 62 RI pickups as loaded in my 62 RI but ... I would have to question why these three models ?

In comparison to your original MIM Fender pickups you'll find the 62 RI to be less hot, with more detailed mids and a less harsh hi-end - that's what I hear anyhow ...

The 62 RI J is a very classic J bass pickup. It wouldn't suprise me to find that they are the same as the C Shop pickups.

Three other set's that I would look at.

Bill Lawrence J-45. Clean and clear. Very quiet. Yes youhave to wait two weeks for them but - they're very, very good. Kinda of a modern take on a classic sound.

Duncan SJB-1 - pretty close to the 62 RI sound. Close enough it would be very dufficult to tell which was which IMO.

Duncan SJB-2 higher output version for the 1. Not a real h/o pickup but it is hot enough that the upper mis and hi's are more laid back, a common tonality with high output pickups IME. This provides the appearance of an emphasis on the lower mids and low's. So the pickup has a more or less vintage character but with a darker overall tonality.

I just swapped a MIM Fretless where I had the SJB2's loaded. I thought they woirked really well in that bass. The recipient got the bass and took it to rehersal that night. He's apparently done a couple of gig's with it so I guess he would agree.

There are lot's of choices in J pickups out there. Lot's of different tonal characteristics. IMO - you should identify the tonality you're after and then think about which pickup best suits your needs. YMMV

[gingerbeer]

i have only try the CS so i can't argue ,what i can say is that they are overwound ,there's so much copper inside that it's touch on the covers and they are hot, more than my active bass pickups (EMG HB) .