Nordstrand or Antiquity II in Lakland DJ4?

krovx · #1 01-16-2010, 02:46 PM

I love my Lakland DJ4. It is a skyline version with the ash body and maple/maple neck with black blocks. Just wondering if I can make it better, you know how it is?

The current pups are alright, but I am wondering if I can get closer to what is in my head. I have noticed talking to some of my bass friends that 'higher' output pups or more modern sounding pups might not be for me. I notice that some of these pickups tend not to sound like a J, but something else. Apparently, they claim and I tend to agree, that I play pretty hard, I dig in quite a bit.

After hours of reading and listening to information in this site (wow there is a lot, how grateful I am) I keep coming back to vintage style pickups played with an aggressive style. The ones that have stuck out are the SD Antiquity II's and the Nordstrand series. I am not sure which Nordstrand I would want, but hum canceling isn't necessary since I play with full pups on 90% of the time.

I am just wondering how the Lakland stock pickups compare to these? Mine is an '09. Part of me is skeptical on switching them to only put them back in after trying other things. I am sure many of you know what I am talking about. I tend to use a Sandowsky external preamp to boost a bit, and I am still looking for a compressor I like.

Essentially, I wonder if the Nordys or the SDs will open up the bass more and then through my preamp and compressor get closer to a modern feel. Or if changing them from the stock Laklands will not change much at all.

Here are some recordings I did with the DJ -> Carvin B800 -> Direct out -> Garageband. Nothing fancy, but may help in hearing where I am at?

All comments and suggestions welcomed

BTW, I am using Marcus Miller DR strings. I am digging them more than what I was previously using.

krovx · #2 01-17-2010, 07:16 AM

Anybody?

pickles · #3 01-17-2010, 01:03 PM

IMHO the lakland J pickups are among the very best in the world, and are exactly what you described --> a vintage style pickup with a slightly aggressive tone. Don't swap them out, its a waste of money.

Changing strings or amps would be much more productive if you're not getting the exact sound you want.

krovx · #4 01-17-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

IMHO the lakland J pickups are among the very best in the world, and are exactly what you described --> a vintage style pickup with a slightly aggressive tone. Don't swap them out, its a waste of money.

Changing strings or amps would be much more productive if you're not getting the exact sound you want.

That is what I was wondering pickles. I am actually picking up a L-2000 to compare with my Jazz to see if possibly that is the tone I am looking for. The case of, I have a great jazz tone but maybe it is something different I am looking for?

pickles · #5 01-17-2010, 03:03 PM

Yeah, that'll be a whole other sound, and a great one. I've tried pretty much all the J-bass pickups and the laklands are fantastic.