Pickups for a vintage J bass clone?

i_got_a_mohawk · #1 08-26-2009, 04:18 AM

Have a '77/'78 Japan built Aria Pro-2 J-bass clone.

The pickups sound decent enough, but the pole pieces are a bit all over the place. Heights vary quite a bit. I've tried to push them down, but it doesnt work.

Not only does it give a completelly uneven response, but when digging in, the E string comes into contact with the poles.

Must admit that I'm pretty set on some Nordstrand NJ4 or NJ4SV, just from reviews and reputation.

Just wanting to see what other people think these would be like, or if there is anything else that anyone would recommend? Just looking for the stereotypical J sound

Cheers,

- Will

73jbass · #2 08-26-2009, 05:16 AM

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II's. I have a set on my 73 jazz and couldn't be happier.They are a bit hotter than a standard J pup,more low end and mids.

narud · #3 08-26-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Have a '77/'78 Japan built Aria Pro-2 J-bass clone.

The pickups sound decent enough, but the pole pieces are a bit all over the place. Heights vary quite a bit. I've tried to push them down, but it doesnt work.

Not only does it give a completelly uneven response, but when digging in, the E string comes into contact with the poles.

Must admit that I'm pretty set on some Nordstrand NJ4 or NJ4SV, just from reviews and reputation.

Just wanting to see what other people think these would be like, or if there is anything else that anyone would recommend? Just looking for the stereotypical J sound

Cheers,

- Will

if you want the stereotypical j sound, the nj4 would be more appropriate than the split vintage set.

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 08-26-2009, 09:12 AM

From what i've read it is pretty close, just thinking of the humbucking for recording with it tbh.

Will also look into the SDs

76JazzRay · #5 08-26-2009, 09:18 AM

I put in the Fralin dual coils in my 76 Jazz and love 'em!

+1 for the Fralin's.

Ray

depalm · #6 08-26-2009, 09:36 AM

Nords for sure!

Can't go wrong with them.

Spinal Tapper · #7 08-26-2009, 10:05 AM

I've got Fralins in my 62 RI - LOVE the vintage tone from them. Also, consider replacing the pots and use cloth wiring

TrevorOfDoom · #8 08-26-2009, 10:07 AM

coin toss between the Fralin's and the Nordies...

tough call.

narud · #9 08-26-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

From what i've read it is pretty close, just thinking of the humbucking for recording with it tbh.

Will also look into the SDs

reading is one thing and actually hearing those humcancelling sets is another story.

i_got_a_mohawk · #10 08-26-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narud

reading is one thing and actually hearing those humcancelling sets is another story.

I have no doubt of that, which is why I'm looking for advice. Is there really that much of a difference sonically between the NJ4 and NJ4SVs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

I've got Fralins in my 62 RI - LOVE the vintage tone from them. Also, consider replacing the pots and use cloth wiring

Was already planning on changing the wiring too, tho I must ask, why cloth wiring?

narud · #11 08-26-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

I have no doubt of that, which is why I'm looking for advice. Is there really that much of a difference sonically between the NJ4 and NJ4SVs?

Was already planning on changing the wiring too, tho I must ask, why cloth wiring?

the sv's are more modern and scooped sounding. some people seem to think they sound just like single coils. i dont.

Quadzilla · #12 08-26-2009, 11:45 AM

I gotta say, I've tried almost every Jazz pickup out there and keep coming back to the Fender Custom Shop 60's (NOT the "Original 60's" pickups). Very rich and 3D sounding. Nice strong lows and the high end, while agressive and gindy, is not clanky and thin sounding.

Lots of growl too. I've had lots of people come up to me at gigs and ask me what kind of pickups are in the bass because they loved the tone so much....

jmattis · #13 08-26-2009, 01:34 PM

I'm with narud here. I've got a set of nordstrand split coils in my Lakland JO5 that I am very much looking forward to replacing with some standard single coils. These are the only split coils I've played, but they seem to kill a lot of the character/ grit you get with standard J pickups. It surprises me that so many people seem to really like them. I guess they're just not my bag.

depalm · #14 08-26-2009, 02:57 PM

I think splits are for people who prefers to play with the bridge PU.
I use to play with both full all the time so hum isn't an issue.

Just my opinion of course.

i_got_a_mohawk · #15 08-27-2009, 06:37 AM

Cheers guys. Def. some food for thought.

Will probably go for the single coils then. Will also look into the SDs, Fralins and Fenders

Grissle · #16 08-27-2009, 06:43 PM

"I gotta say, I've tried almost every Jazz pickup out there and keep coming back to the Fender Custom Shop 60's (NOT the "Original 60's" pickups). Very rich and 3D sounding. Nice strong lows and the high end, while agressive and gindy, is not clanky and thin sounding.

Lots of growl too. I've had lots of people come up to me at gigs and ask me what kind of pickups are in the bass because they loved the tone so much...."

+1000! The CS '60s are hands down the most authentic vintage sounding Jazz pups I've ever heard so far. The Nordy's and Fralins are fantastic pups but for the real deal sound I have yet to hear anything closer than these CS '60s