Hmmmm Hard choices between jazz pups!

PanDeVida85 · #1 11-19-2008, 07:14 PM

Hey everyone with all the modding I'm doing to my 5-string, I've decided to drop a neck pickup. I've been listening to a lot of vintage fenders and i LOVE the tone coming from them. I play a lot of different styles but I love the tone that sting rays and fenders put out so wanting to mix best of both worlds and being able to transition between the two, I already have a EMG MMTW on the way and now I want to know what kind of jazz pick up I should aim for.

Should I stick with EMG brand and just grab a EMG active jazz? Their pickups are either in sets or just bridge pickups alone and I worry that it might not work out to well for my bass if I place that bridge pickup in the neck. I emailed EMG about it and I've yet to receive a reply.

I was also looking into Fender Jazz pickups, DiMarzio Model Js, or the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II. I checked the write up on this forum before posting but I wanted to ask for the users opinions on here. What are your experiences with these pickups and what would you guys consider is the best bang for the buck? I'd be particularly interested in anybody who's messed around with a similar setup as I'm doing.

No plans on a preamp just yet. I'm putting together a rack for my bass (i.e. 31 Band EQ, and Stereo Compressor which I got both for free so I really cant complain) so preamps are destined but not anytime soon.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

Jaydin Nathan · #2 11-20-2008, 01:18 AM

Nordstrand make very good pickups, and have had great reviews.

www.nordstrandpickups.com

PanDeVida85 · #3 11-20-2008, 04:49 PM

I've seen that alot lately. Throughout the forums i've noticed alot of users tend to recommend and use Nordstrand if they can afford it. I on the other hand cant

But thanks for chiming in with a reply

Jaydin Nathan · #4 11-20-2008, 05:00 PM

It's alright. Just as a note, EMG make the polar opposite to vintage pickups, its a very scooped sounding, modern pickup.
At www.bestbassgear.com the Nordstrand pickups cost about $5 more than SD Antiquity II's.

PanDeVida85 · #5 11-20-2008, 08:42 PM

Would the Nordstrands work with my active setup? I was looking that the NJ5 and NJ5F but not sure what to aim for. What really inspired all this was the last trip i made to Sam Ash. I picked up the new Squier Jazz bass and I was amazing by the sound and punch it had! The pickups where Duncan Designed so it inspired me to add a jazz neck pickup to my bass. I know I probably wont get the exact same tone as a fender jazz but I'll be satisfied with being able to come close