Not 100% happy with my new SJB-1

oli · #1 11-02-2009, 05:26 PM

Today I changed the pickups in my passive Fender Jazz Bass (USA, 2004). The stock pickups sounded nice to me but the string balance is quite uneven (E-string the loudest, D-string the weakest). So I installed the Duncans today.

What I like about the SJB-1:

- better string to string balance
- stronger low end, more "body"

But what I don't like:

- less clarity and articulation than the stock pickups
- less high mid "snap"
- overall less "alive"

Can you recommend a good alternative here? Maybe an Aero?

Oliver

walterw · #2 11-02-2009, 06:45 PM

try 500k pots first.

all your complaints sound like the result of the slight "dulling" effect that the stock 250k pots have. this darkening is good for lower-wound pickups, but can choke off some of the highs of hotter pickups like the duncans (their "vintage" j bass pickups are like 9.5k each).

you would want two 500k linears for the volumes and a 500k audio for the tone.

oli · #3 11-03-2009, 02:06 AM

Thank you Walter! I think I will try this.

I am just wondering what pots the SJB-1 users noramlly use. In the official wiring instruktions the pots are labeled with "250k" (no sidenote that it could be useful to change them)...

eyecandy · #4 11-03-2009, 04:04 AM

thats unusual, i think the sjbs would do well with the 250k pots..
500k will make them harsh and brighter
and depends on what tone you're looking for...
good slap tone, nice mids, scooped mids, bright or deep sounding..
You should try Fender Custom Shop 60's, or maybe Nordstrand NJ4

oli · #5 11-03-2009, 04:43 AM

I listened to the samples at "basstasters". Both the Fender Custom Shop 60's and Nordstrand NJ4 sounds nice but I like the Aero samples even better (great clarity). Sadly there are no SJB-1 samples there to compare.

I am also curious if the Antiquity I or the Lindy Fralins would give me more clarity and articulation (but still a solid low end)?

pickles · #6 11-03-2009, 08:30 AM

SJB-1s are a lot like the Duncans I used in my 5 string set:

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

They have what I always call a "stripped down rock sound", which I think is a phrase bass player used for duncans a decade and a half ago. They are balanced, punchy, and solid. If you want more top end zing, nordstrand hum cancelers would be the call.

depalm · #7 11-03-2009, 09:16 AM

I replaced the SJB-1 on my CAR JB for Lollar JB.

Audio clips of both. They sound very similar with Lollar wining on the vintage vibe.

Lollar JB vs. Duncan SJB-1

Nordstrand NJ4 are not the brightest PUs around but are very even. Fender Originals are bright but not very well balanced.

oli · #8 11-03-2009, 10:54 AM

Thank you both for the links! The clip with the sj5-67/70 sounds indeed similar to my sjb-1 (too dull for me). Seems that both the Fralins and the Nordstrands provide better clarity and articulation than the Duncans. Out of this two I like the Nordstrans better (more solid low end). The Lollars sounds nice but too "smooth" for me.