pick ups for jazz bass for reggae?!

MattParasite · #1 10-28-2011, 03:09 PM

Hi there,

I have a fender mex jazz bass, but needs pick ups. I want to use it for a reggae project. What pickups do people reccomend i put in it? Have not got a massive budget but willing to pay for quality, if that's not too contradictory!

Thanks!

StayLow · #2 10-28-2011, 03:20 PM

Does it have pickups already? Most Mexi pups are pretty good. I play reggae & I'd leave them stock.

A lot of times I use basses that people here say are modern, bright and sizzly. New stainles rounds, no problem. Tone rolled off a bit on the bass, amp with all EQ 'flat' ... it sounds like reggae and people dance.

The cats you idolize in the genre play a lot of cheap, often no-name basses. Those guys ain't rich or having access to big music shops.

Reggae isn't a gear list, it's style and technique.
Spend your time & money on lessons and you'll sound legit.

MattParasite · #3 10-28-2011, 03:24 PM

It doesn't have any pick-ups in it.

I usually play fast aggressive hardcore punk so I know nothing of what to gear up with. I could probably use my Fender P which i use for the punk for the reggae, but this Jazz I have is such a nice set-up for reggae it just felt right to use that for it.

4StringTheorist · #4 10-28-2011, 08:05 PM

StayLow has it where it's at: The bass will be adequate with a decent set of Jazz-y pickups. What you need is the right technique to get that tone coming off of your hands. Your touch is key. Roll off a bit of tone on the bass, and keep the amp flat. Resist the urge to crank the amp's bass knob.

A set of these should do you great, and be findable at nearly any music shop. Or if you really want the individual pickups to be hum-cancelling, these will be good. Both are great pickups at a solid value.

rojo412 · #5 10-29-2011, 01:43 PM

Dimarzio Area J.
Warm, fat, noiseless, easy to find.
The ultrajazz are good, but not great for Reggae. I've had both and would definitely opt for the Area.

Get some flatwound strings as well. Practically a must!

(And as for rolling papers... I like EZ Widers, but your tastes may vary...

)

kellyrojo · #6 10-29-2011, 01:51 PM

I would just solo the neck PUP and dial back the tone knob on a standard set of PUPs. Also some flats will help. I don't know much opf anything about buying pups but I like what the first dude wrote about all the legends having some simple gear...its all in the fingers babymon! It sounds like you are going to have some fun good luck.

FunkMetalBass · #7 10-29-2011, 03:00 PM

Many reggae bassists I've seen have varying instruments, from MM Bongos to P-basses. The one thing they all seem to have in common, though, are flats. I'd say just buy a set of jazz pickups that are stacked (so you don't get the single coil hum) and a set of flats. You should be good to go from there.

Also, don't bother with the Ultra Jazz pickups. They're scooped and will suck the mids right out of your tone.

Lesfunk · #8 10-29-2011, 03:47 PM

I would think inexpensive stock fender pickups would work fine. As previously stated Reggae isn't about gear. It's about feel.

markanini · #9 10-30-2011, 08:03 AM

Run the pickups in series with 500k pots. Don't tell anyone.

MattParasite · #10 10-31-2011, 10:19 AM

well looks like if got the advice i was after! Thanks guys!#

oh and rojo412, Rolling papers..always silver Rizla King Size ;P

kevteop · #11 10-31-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markanini

Run the pickups in series with 500k pots. Don't tell anyone.

+1. I've got a Squier Jazz I use for reggae stuff and I rewired it with 500k pots and put a series switch in it. It sounds immense.

I also strung it with flatwounds. Which helps. Massively.

Nedmundo · #12 11-01-2011, 08:51 AM

For reggae (and just about anything else) on a J-bass, I like to roll off the bridge pickup a bit, which means noiseless pickups are a huge plus. DiMarzio's Area J p'ups are excellent, and a serious bargain compared to the boutique brands. Look no further IMO. If you don't mind the hum or like to run both pickups on full (or wired in series, which is a good option), then any decent single coils will work fine: Duncan SJB-1, Fender, Fralins, etc. But for reggae, in which you'll probably roll of the treble a bit anyway, IMO you don't need the extra high-end "air" and "sparkle" from single coils, and will do just fine with something noiseless like the Area J. It's darned close to singles tone-wise anyway.

FunkMetalBass · #13 11-01-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattParasite

...always silver Rizla King Size ;P

There are none better, good friend. A wise choice indeed.