Not happy with my Jazz. (quarter pounders)

[Garrett151]

I've got a MIM jazz bass (only bass) that I'm running through a Mesa Mpulse 600. I swapped the pickups for Seymour Duncan quarter pounders and was very happy. Until I started playing some shows with a singer named Terry Bradford (sang with Celine Dion, did work on Lion King). Anyway, I'm not happy with how my bass is sounding. I think I'm finding them too harsh and am wondering if i want more midrange. Basically, I'm looking for recommendations on a jazz bass pickup set. Versatility is important as I'm playing everything from modern pop to 80's hard rock. Any advice is appreciated!

[lowendgenerator]

Quarter Pounders are definitely aggressive pickups! There's a ton of choices out there. Good luck!

[Garrett151]

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

Quarter Pounders are definitely aggressive pickups! There's a ton of choices out there. Good luck!

Yeah they're great for the rock band I play in, but I need something a little more versatile.

[__HM__]

I'd go Dimarzio Ultra Jazz or Model J... I've never found a bass pickup that can do more styles than a DiMarzio, especially their Jazz-type models. Just my opinion though. I'm more of a "get one bass for each style" than a "get one bass that does it all" guy, so iunno what exactly my opinion's worth.. lol.

[Nedmundo]

For maximum versatility, I'd suggest Nordstrand's NJ4SV, which I believe has similar voicing to the NJ5FS I use in my Jazz V. It's noiseless, so you can use any pickup blend without hum, and they provide a classic J-bass tone with a bit of a modern edge and lots of clarity. My tastes generally run more toward warmer, chewier vintage tone, but these Nordstrands are probably more versatile. They sound fantastic in a band mix.

[drdunwoody]

If you want versitility, you might also consider a preamp. I have a Carvin with their current J pickups and it sounds very nice. Preamp makes it very flexible. I know a lot of people here like the audere, though I haven't used one..Audere Audio Bass Guitar Preamp with Z-Mode Switch

[Garrett151]

Originally Posted by __HM__

I'd go Dimarzio Ultra Jazz or Model J... I've never found a bass pickup that can do more styles than a DiMarzio, especially their Jazz-type models. Just my opinion though. I'm more of a "get one bass for each style" than a "get one bass that does it all" guy, so iunno what exactly my opinion's worth.. lol.

If I wasn't 16 with close to no income, I would be too! Thanks for the advice, dimarzios are definitely on my list.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Garrett151

I think I'm finding them too harsh and am wondering if i want more midrange.

No, you want less midrange. QPs have a lot of upper mids, which is why they sound harsh.

[NKBassman]

I'm really loving my Geddy Lee jazz now that I put Dimarzio Model Js in it.

[Garrett151]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

No, you want less midrange. QPs have a lot of upper mids, which is why they sound harsh.

Okay maybe I want a more balanced midrange. Because they have quite a significant midrange scoop

[J Schroder]

I play a MIM jazz with Bartolinis and loving it.

John

[sbassface]

I feel like you want more of a 60's jazz tone/vibe duncan's make one that's called something with a Edit:not JB-3 maybe JB-1? in the name. Might be a good option probably a semi good one on the wallet too. There are so many choices as stated above, the Duncan's with the more VINTAGE VOICING was what I chose, and liked, although I didn't do my research. I like Dimarizzo's maybe to aggressive though?

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Garrett151

Okay maybe I want a more balanced midrange. Because they have quite a significant midrange scoop

They actually have a loud upper midrange peak which is obscuring the rest of the signal. Scooping the upper mids would give you a warmer tone.

They aren't my favorite pickups.

[Warfender]

Try flats with the quarter pounders and it is a great match IMO.

[Garrett151]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

No, you want less midrange. QPs have a lot of upper mids, which is why they sound harsh.

Okay, so exactly what frequency band do you recommend cutting?

[Garrett151]

Originally Posted by sbassface

I feel like you want more of a 60's jazz tone/vibe duncan's make one that's called something with a Edit:not JB-3 maybe JB-1? in the name. Might be a good option probably a semi good one on the wallet too. There are so many choices as stated above, the Duncan's with the more VINTAGE VOICING was what I chose, and liked, although I didn't do my research. I like Dimarizzo's maybe to aggressive though?

Thanks for the advice. I think you're referring to the SJB-1's.

[ugly_bassplayer]

Try flatwounds,

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Garrett151

Okay, so exactly what frequency band do you recommend cutting?

The Duncan website lists the resonant frequencies of those pickups as:

Neck: 4.3 KHz
Bridge: 3.9 KHz

So try around 4k.

[fhm555]

Originally Posted by Garrett151

I've got a MIM jazz bass...Seymour Duncan quarter pounders...I'm not happy with how my bass is sounding...I'm looking for recommendations on a jazz bass pickup set. Versatility is important as I'm playing everything from modern pop to 80's hard rock. Any advice is appreciated!

Not trying to derail you, but have you considered trying an on board preamp instead of pups? The hands down most versatile bass I own is a US jazz plus with (stock) lace sensors and a kubicki preamp.

It's livable in passive mode, but click on the pre and it can be the god of thunder or a nice twangy walker, or any number of combination(s) of those two extremes.

I've played a lot of country, blues, and rock with this thing and a peavey TKO 60 and it came across fine. With an SWR basic 350 and a hartke 410XL, wifey calls it aural sex.

[otherclef]

IMHO
I think if you get SD Antiquity II pups or on the cheaper ( $$ wise not sound ) side the Dimarzio Ultra Js you would be a lot happier.