J pup to compliment a fender 62 P in a PJ configuration

[deliciouspesto]

Hey folks,
I'm looking for a Jazz pickup to compliment the sound of fender's "original" 62 P-bass pickup for use in a PJ configuration. I know I can go either very different, like dimarzio model J, or I could go something more classic sounding. What would you guys suggest? Anybody have a mixed/matched set of tone types and can offer any advice? If I were to lean towards a more classic J sound, which pickups should I be considering? Thanks.

[bassybill]

This is a tricky one, because "classic J" sound generally means single coil pickups and one of these in your bridge position just won't work at its best with your conventional P pickup. This is why I think some folks miss the point when they say a PJ setup is "best of both worlds" - they're not considering how well two J pickups work in combination in a way that a P plus a J won't.

If I were making your choice for you I'd go for a humcancelling J shaped pickup in the bridge position, something like a Nordstrand NJ4SV or maybe the Fralin equivalent. This will get you close to the tone you're after even if it's not quite 100% classic J.

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by bassybill

If I were making your choice for you I'd go for a humcancelling J shaped pickup in the bridge position, something like a Nordstrand NJ4SV or maybe the Fralin equivalent. This will get you close to the tone you're after even if it's not quite 100% classic J.

I agree about going noiseless, and the Nordstrands and Fralins are excellent. I use both, Fralins in my 2003 four, and Nordstrand NJ5FS in my five. For a lot less money, DiMarzio's Area J is also outstanding. I just got a set in my G&L JB, and quality-wise they're in the same ballpark.

[deliciouspesto]

thanks for the tips, sounds like area-j may be the ticket.

[screaminglucy]

The dimarzio ultra jazz is what went with because the impedance is 12k -very close to a typical p pickup.

[deliciouspesto]

Originally Posted by screaminglucy

The dimarzio ultra jazz is what went with because the impedance is 12k -very close to a typical p pickup.

Hey Lucy,
Thanks for the suggestion, I measured low 10k on the P pickups so the ultra J would probably fit better with its 12k output over the 8k area j but I haven't done enough research to clearly select one over the other. I have read that the Ultra J is a bit more scooped sounding, which is something i'm not exactly looking for. Would you describe it as such? Thanks.

[walterw]

the area J is gonna sound more like the real thing, and visually it fits nicely with the vintage P. (it's also got staggered magnets to follow string radius, which the ultra J doesn't.)

as for output, no J in the bridge is going to compete with a P pickup, but it's not supposed to. the J is just there to "modify" the sound of the P, scooping out mids and adding highs as it's rolled in. the area J does that beautifully.

[screaminglucy]

The ultra jazz could be described as scooped I guess. Not like the model j at all. I havent heard an area j. To me the UJ complements the mid heavy nature of the p pickup. Together with the 62 it is like a thicker J sound. The UJ also had higher output than a typical J pickup which along with the 12k impedance means you hear a more balanced sound with p+j full on. ...just IMO of course.

I do wish it had staggered magnets.

[screaminglucy]

Also if you go with dimarzio you have 30 days to try it out and if you change your mind they'll switch it out