Pickup poll for MIM Fender Jazz upgrade

walknbluez · #1 06-17-2009, 03:54 PM

Upgrading my pickup and just looking for some sort of consensus (if that's even possible on TB). I read the ENTIRE "J" pickup thread and no closer to a decision.

Gear:

MIM Fender Jazz with flatwounds
Peavey VB-2 all tube amp
Avatar 2x12
I will be purchasing a MIA Fender Precision soon

Tone desired: classic rock, anywhere from Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble) to Roger Waters on the Wall to the bass line on "Run to You" (Bryan Adams) to John McVie on The Chain.

Comments on why you chose what you did are appreciated.

Craig_S · #2 06-17-2009, 04:47 PM

Sadowsky hum canceling J set. They're designed to get "as close to a single coil sound as possible". I just put a set, in my Jazz. I bought them from a fellow TB member. The bass has never sounded or blended better. I highly recommend them.

P.S. No, they're not the same thing as DiMarzio Ultra jazz. I have both.

ugly_bassplayer · #3 06-17-2009, 05:19 PM

I think you are going to get praise for all those PUs.
I all depends what you want , IE vintage , modern , hum cancelling etc....budget........
But for me, from I have used, (I play a jazz bass almost 99% of the time for the past 14 years) ......Fralin split coils....they are simply KILLER!!
They sound good for everything, And I mean everything recorded or live
But someones killer PU are somone else's P-O crap.

my 2 $$, IMO IME.

trial and error my friend

ugly_bassplayer · #4 06-17-2009, 05:22 PM

forgot, SEARCH BUTTON dude, use it
You are gonna get tons of info on jazz PUPs

Jo6Pak · #5 06-17-2009, 05:22 PM

Craig S -

Are those drop in replacements? I might have to give them a try...

walknbluez · #6 06-17-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

forgot, SEARCH BUTTON dude, use it
You are gonna get tons of info on jazz PUPs

I know, trust me I did. And I'm no closer to deciding which is why I posted the poll but in the end I still think there isn't really a consensus (i.e. what you said). Trial and error sucks with pickups, it would be nice to get it right the first time.

walknbluez · #7 06-17-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

Craig S -

Are those drop in replacements? I might have to give them a try...

What are drop in replacements? Does that mean no soldering.

I was going to have them installed by a guitar tech who quoted $60 labor.

Jo6Pak · #8 06-17-2009, 05:30 PM

A 'drop in replacement' generally means no routing and/or drilling required.

walknbluez · #9 06-17-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

A 'drop in replacement' generally means no routing and/or drilling required.

Ah, I see but still needs to be soldered.

Jo6Pak · #10 06-17-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walknbluez

What are drop in replacements? Does that mean no soldering.

I was going to have them installed by a guitar tech who quoted $60 labor.

Would be cheaper/educational/more rewarding to buy a soldering iron from a dollar store and give it a whirl yourself. All you have to do is match up the new wires to the existing ones. Read up on soldering techniques on the internets and then have at it...

Jo6Pak · #11 06-17-2009, 05:34 PM

I know, I make it sound easy, but it actually is and yes, my 'go to' iron cost me a buck...

walknbluez · #12 06-17-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

Would be cheaper/educational/more rewarding to buy a soldering iron from a dollar store and give it a whirl yourself. All you have to do is match up the new wires to the existing ones. Read up on soldering techniques on the internets and then have at it...

Sure but then there the proper distance from the strings etc. Everyone always says to have a proper setup done by a tech or if you don't know what you're doing its not a good idea. I'm not very handy, I'm more of a desk jockey.

Jo6Pak · #13 06-17-2009, 05:42 PM

Well, if you are talking about a complete setup and you are 'not very handy', then I guess $60 isn't a bad deal.

walknbluez · #14 06-17-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

Well, if you are talking about a complete setup and you are 'not very handy', then I guess $60 isn't a bad deal.

No it would not be a complete setup. It would be whatever it takes to put in the new ones properly, including the distance from the strings which is what I really wouldn't know how to do.

Jo6Pak · #15 06-17-2009, 05:51 PM

I understand. Keep in mind, Fender setup specs are here, if you ever need them:

http://www.fender.com/support/basses.php

walknbluez · #16 06-17-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

I understand. Keep in mind, Fender setup specs are here, if you ever need them:

http://www.fender.com/support/basses.php

Great, thanks.

DanGouge · #17 06-17-2009, 06:49 PM

Anything will be a big step up from MIM stock IME. I love my SD Antiquity IIs as I do my Bartolini 9W4Js, just try something and go for it, adjust as required.

Craig_S · #18 06-17-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

Craig S -

Are those drop in replacements? I might have to give them a try...

No routing required.

Yeah, Mr.Sadowsky definitely knows what a bass should sound like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanGouge

Anything will be a big step up from MIM stock IME.

I don't know about that. I have a MIM P pickup that sounds better (nice output with a good growl) than most, IMO. The MIM pickup production might not be consistent, though.

Jo6Pak · #19 06-17-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

Yeah, Mr.Sadowsky definitely knows what a bass should sound like.

No doubt about that. I'm almost finished with my latest project (modding an 05 MIM P) and will soon move on to my BP MIA Jazz. Might just start with those pups. Thanks for the info...

DanGouge · #20 06-17-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

I don't know about that. I have a MIM P pickup that sounds better (nice output with a good growl) than most, IMO. The MIM pickup production might not be consistent, though.

If that's working for you sweet, but every time I've replaced stock Fender PUP (and I've done this in MIM, MIJ, and MIA basses), there has been a noticeable improvement.