J singles with Hifi Sizle?

[zeb_bass]

I know I know Search is my friend.
Also there is countless threads on J-style replacement PUs already.
However I still havent´t found an satisfactory anwser to the old dilemma traditional grindy single coil tone vs. extended range humbucking PU.

However I want both!

I want a traditional Jazz single coil sound gringy and warm punchy mids.
I very much want the organic feel that traditional AlNiCo PUs give you across the fingerboard, which give a slight boost / emphasis to the notes played up in higher register, which I felt sound more anemic with Humbucking type PUs.
But I would also like to have the Hifi High end sizle.
I feel like that all PUs fullfilling afore mentioned requirements kind of roll off strongly in the high end department above 4KHz.

For example try recording a traditional passive Jazz Bass and you add a boost at around 12 kHz ...bassically the sound doesn´t change at all as there is not a lot comming out at 12 kHz.

But I don´t want that harsh 3-4kHz treble (or at least don´t want to boost it) I really like that more refined sizzle similar to the legendary Glock Pre which boosts at 18 kHz!!

What PUs could fit that bill ?

Or is it an inherent fact that the nice edgy warm mid sound goes hand in hand with sacrificing high end response.

Could someone chime in and shed some light on technical background of this.

I also have been trying to experiment with different values of Pots on my Jazzes in order to change the resonance frequency seeking to open up the sound. But only with minimal success.

What can I do ?

[Nagan60]

This sounds like my EMG Jazz Set which does exactly what you are talking about. It has some nice low-mid punch and it has a decent amount of sizzle to go along with it. Especially if you do funk and occasional slap then you will want these in your bass. These are the only Jazz pickups that I can think of that will have that sizzle other then perhaps some Sadowsky pickups (which I haven't tried).

[Fat K]

I don't know if I could really address your question, but I can share some recent experience in modifying my Fender MM Sig 4

Dimarzio Ultra Js (IMO sound very similar to the Sadowsky Humbuckers)
+
a John East "Marcus Retro"

My objective is a get a more hifi sound from my bass without the harsh sounding hi's. The thing about the John East's preamp, it has this "Pull for Bright" knob which according to the website +8dB at 7kHz, to me it gives me that little "something" and may be that "hifi sizzle" you are looking for. However, with the pickups I used I have kinda "lost" that vintagey single coil sound, but that was not what I want from my bass, so OK with me.

May be a combination of different pickup + the John East preamp may fit your bill. He does a fitted jazz plate version.

Check out http://www.east-uk.com/ Mr. East is also a nice man to talk to.

Hope it helps