Fender Custom Classic V pickup swap?

[DJJazzV]

Fender Custom Classic V pickup swap?

I just bought a new Fender Custom Classic Jazz V but I'm not thrilled with the pickups at all. They sound "thin" to me. I have an American Deluxe Jazz V that had the same problem. I had Quarter Pounders installed, and it sounds amazing. The main difference between the two basses is the Deluxe has an Alder Body, and the Custom Classic has Ash. A/B-ing them with exactly the same new strings acoustically, they are somewhat similar. The Ash body seems only slightly brighter but has more projection.

When I A/B the basses plugged in, it's a world of difference. The Deluxe bass with the Quarter Pounders sounds beefier, punchier, warmer, and meaner.

Anyone think I shouldn't have the pickups changed from the original Fender Noiseless to the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders?

Reason to change them:
1. Tone that's much better to my ears.

Reason not to change them:
1. Simply the fact to leave the bass original.

Thank you!

[luknfur]

FWIW:

I've had all the Fender Noiseless J pups and in recall none struck me as thin - with or without the Deluxe pre (see FAQ Dimento's J experiments). Haven't had the 1/4 J's but had the P and it wasn't much different than a number of P's I've had including Fender but that's a different animal.

Nobody wants to play a tone they don't like regardless of what it is so I don't know why anyone would keep it that way. The same exact pups that came in the bass aren't what make it original, it's the same type/model/period (ie Noiseless in this case) and that's really only of much consequence in resale - primarily vintage. Stick the oringials in a drawer and put them back in later if that's a concern. The bass is original but you didn't have to put up with it that way - and you've got the 1/4's for another bass transplant.

I don't buy the wood theory myself - for lots of reasons (search "tone is in the neck?" thread in the luthier forum). One amusement I've ran across is the the Alembic site where you'll see LOTS of pretty pictures of woods but they refer you to a Federal Parks Brochure if you want to check out tone of woods. Basically wood is simply not a very tone controllable substance.

Interesting logo.

[Philbiker]

Goregeous bass! A drop-in replacement pickup swap is an easily reversible mod. Go for it!!!!

[Blues Bass 2]

If you like the 1/4 pounders go ahead and put them in,no sense spending all that money on a beautiful bass that doesn't sound good to you.Lindy Fralin and Norstrand both have pickups that are direct replacements for the Noiseless.I have a set of Norstrand single coils coming to replace the Noisless pickups in my American Deluxe Jazz 5 in the next couple of days.Do a search in the pickups and electrinics threads on Nordsrands and Lindy Fralins Jazz 5 pickups to see what people say about them.I don't think the Noisless sound that bad but I did want a little more output on the B string and a warmer sound.The quarter pounders would be a good pick too but check out your options first.

[DJJazzV]

Originally Posted by Blues Bass 2

If you like the 1/4 pounders go ahead and put them in,no sense spending all that money on a beautiful bass that doesn't sound good to you.Lindy Fralin and Norstrand both have pickups that are direct replacements for the Noiseless.I have a set of Norstrand single coils coming to replace the Noisless pickups in my American Deluxe Jazz 5 in the next couple of days.Do a search in the pickups and electrinics threads on Nordsrands and Lindy Fralins Jazz 5 pickups to see what people say about them.I don't think the Noisless sound that bad but I did want a little more output on the B string and a warmer sound.The quarter pounders would be a good pick too but check out your options first.

Thank you all for the replies and comments. After doing lots of A/B-ing all weekend between my Am Dlx Jazz V with the Quarter Pounders, and the above Custom Classic V, it would make the most sense to just do the swap. It's easily reversable, and it's the tone I favor the most. Yes, it will be professionally done.
Thanks again!