Jazz Bass Upgrade

count_funkula · #1 02-20-2001, 10:06 PM

Anybody have any recommendations for some good replacement pickups for a J-bass. I want some humbuckers to clean up the noise. I also want to retain the J-bass sound (good growl, no modern slap stuff). I could use a little more bottom end.

Also who makes a good active preamp upgrade for the J-bass?

What about a combination pickup/preamp upgrade?

Thanks,

Rob W · #2 02-20-2001, 10:10 PM

Why not slap some EMG's in there. They come pre-wired and ready to go.

They aren't humbuckers, but they are pretty clean sounding already.

JimmyThePlumberMan · #3 02-21-2001, 01:06 AM

Id suggest slapping an ABM bridge on there, which would help a lot, and then maybe putting in some bartolini or seymour duncan stacked humbuckers (someone else will have do give you the exact types, im not sure), and then either a bartolini NTMB (?) or aguilar OBM-1 preamp. All of the above would just be killer.

I dont think EMGs, while easier to install, would be a good idea. They dont have the same low end as the others do, and they are probably a bit modern sounding.

Tuomas · #4 02-21-2001, 02:11 AM

I have EMGs (...of somekind) in my -78 jazz and they sound really great. The sound is way more powerful than it used to be and has those rich highs that I like. And the slap tone is awesome because it is NOT modern! It's that huge, heavy and cutting dwang dwang slapsound with powerful mid-frequencies that I had to look years for.

throbbinnut · #5 02-21-2001, 08:21 AM

Dimarzio DP123's. I've got them on both my cheap Jazzes. Humbucking individually, great sound. $90 for the pair.

chris

count_funkula · #6 02-21-2001, 10:49 AM

What about the Moon AC-1 Preamp? Where can I find one of those?

basseddie · #7 02-21-2001, 11:12 AM

I understand there are many pup upgrades for j-bass, and thebridge replacement helps a lot too. For a on board pre amp the j-retro i understand is very good. Check it out at vintagebass.com, I am thinking of doing these upgrades to my mim jazz, as soon as i save up enough money. check out www.fenderforum.com, also for more info.
eddie

Gear_Junky · #8 02-21-2001, 02:35 PM

I have two Fender MIM Jazz basses (one fretless) and I like my Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders for Jazz. I did try the EMGs, but disliked the tone. Maybe you can still find jazz pickup "shootouts" on bassplayer.com

Quarter Pounders are not rated best, but I just like them. And they're not too expensive.

Dude · #9 02-27-2001, 04:15 AM

Hey,

I am the US Distributor of the J-Retro preamps and I just upgraded a MIM Fender Jazz with Dimarzio 123's, Bad Ass II bridge and J-Retro preamp and the bass smokes! (now sold to Dave Siff)

If you want more info on the J-Retro you can check out my website at:

http://www.vintagebass.com/jretro.html

For additional info, reviews and photos go here:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...7760&a=5556278

cassanova · #10 03-03-2001, 02:12 AM

I have a set of emg actives in my hamer and they sound hot, ive thought about swappin them out in my mim jazz bass deluxe. (aint touchin my mia deluxe tho)

Just an idea, the mim deluxe active jazz, has 2 stacked humbuckers in it and an active preamp, and imo is a very good sounding bass. maybe you can order the etronics and pickups for either the mia jazz bass deluxe or mim jazz bass deluxe and slap them in your jazz bass.

zeppelinbass95 · #11 02-07-2009, 11:10 AM

dimarzio dp123's put them on my squier vintage mod jazz(dont be fooled by the price great bass no mods) and it changed the bass. Thinker tone more output. 10\10

The Dave · #12 02-07-2009, 12:16 PM

Plus one or two on the DiMarzio DP123, AKA Model J. They are VERY PHAT and have a good J sound. Read SMASH's J pickup thread. It's sticky'd at the top of the Pickup forum. I found it very helpful.

On the preamp subject, I've heard great things about the J Retro, but I'm kind of a passive guy and I'm thinking about getting a JX5 control plate assembly from Rothstein. http://www.guitar-mod.com/rg_pw_bass1_passive.html Lots of sounds + No batteries + Looks completely stock = Awesome.

Vakmere · #13 02-07-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by count_funkula

Anybody have any recommendations for some good replacement pickups for a J-bass. I want some humbuckers to clean up the noise. I also want to retain the J-bass sound (good growl, no modern slap stuff). I could use a little more bottom end.

Also who makes a good active preamp upgrade for the J-bass?

What about a combination pickup/preamp upgrade?

Thanks,

How much do you want to spend?

Sgtthump · #14 02-07-2009, 12:44 PM

Holy crap! This thread is from 2001.

The Dave · #15 02-07-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgtthump

Holy crap! This thread is from 2001.

Geez! I had to look back and make sure that I didn't accidentally resurrect it somehow.

Of course, the OP may not have found a suitable set of pickups yet... and he may have died of old age...

Sgtthump · #16 02-07-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dave

Geez! I had to look back and make sure that I didn't accidentally resurrect it somehow.

Of course, the OP may not have found a suitable set of pickups yet... and he may have died of old age...

Not that this matters, but this thread was started BEFORE 9/11/2001 when the world was a little different. Kinda neat.

Valerus · #17 02-07-2009, 03:26 PM

Quick! Get the shotgun! There are zombies afoot.