Lakland jazz pick-ups in an '08 Darryl Jones 5 string...

jebo · #1 11-21-2009, 08:23 PM

I'm a little un-happy with how the bridge pick-up sounds in my Lakland DJ 5-string. I like the neck PU though. I think the bridge doesn't sound enough like a jazz bass, it has a really punchy sound...at time it almost sounds musicman-like.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement 5 string jazz bass P-U? I'm looking for a single coil with a vintage jazz bass jaco'ish sound.

pickles · #2 11-22-2009, 09:09 AM

I tried a bunch of pickups in my USA JO5 and thought the Lakland pickups were the best by quite a bit. They have a very honest, classic single coil sound, so I'm confused by your assessment. You might need to just try different strings.

Is your bass passive or do you have a J-retro or something?

pickles · #3 11-22-2009, 09:11 AM

Nordstrands, Duncans, Fralins in a Lakland USA JO5 (Clips)

jebo · #4 11-23-2009, 08:49 PM

weird. The bass is completely stock (passive) w/ lakland pickups. I just dont think the bridge pickup sounds enough like a jazz bass pick in certain combonations.

ghoulbug · #5 11-24-2009, 05:26 AM

I have little experience with true single-coil jazz pups (or anything vintage for that matter), but I personally think the Laklands sound great. Deep, strong lows and accentuated highs fit the bill for what I need the bass for.

However, I can see how you may not like them. The laklands do seem a little harsh, and I always have to make a cut at around 800hz so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

Not sure if that's the problem you're having, though... Never thought they were too punchy at all. I was actually considering swapping to split-coils that had less harsh highs and MORE punch...

dave_bass5 · #6 11-24-2009, 06:07 AM

Ive replaced both pups in my DJ5 for split coils.
One thing i noticed is the bass still has a certain tone. I changed the bridge pup for a Nordy NJ5FS but there isnt a great deal of different to my ears.
Ive not really played a JO5 but i have a feeling that even though the pups are the same there is something about the DJ5 that makes it sound different to a normal Jazz bass.

MarkusBass · #7 11-24-2009, 07:27 AM

Maybe the body size, or the pots?

dave_bass5 · #8 11-24-2009, 07:39 AM

Could be but i would think it has the same pots as the JO5.
Im pretty sure the body wood is different so maybe that, combined with the different size is where its happening.

basadam · #9 11-24-2009, 09:08 AM

If we're talking about Skylines: I agree with dave_bass5. All DJs (swamp ash) I've tried sounded consistently different from JOs (ash) even with the exact same pickups. I attribute this to the wood since everything else is the same, and I happen to like "DJ sound" more than "JO sound". IMHO/IMHE JO sounds like a J-bass, while DJ sounds in-between a P and a J.

pickles · #10 11-25-2009, 07:42 AM

If you're looking for that 60s jazz bass sound, you're going to need an alder body. I'm sure you could get someone to trade you for an 08 Fender Jazz 5. Get some headphones and listen to those clips of the lakland pickups in my USA JO5. Put that through a warm amp, and its channeling JPJ. They sound a LOT like the Fralins, but with a little more presence and a little tighter, its a 60's J-bass sound all the way.