Putting Ps in a Jazz bass?

wdinc01 · #1 05-29-2009, 11:18 AM

I was thinking about picking up another Jazz Deluxe V for various of reasons, but figured that if I do, I'd like to put P pick up in the neck position. But I've got a few questions

Has anyone tried this, or done something similar? I'd like to hear some experiences.

Do I need to worry about the pre amp? Or would just about any pick up do?

And can I get some recommendations for pick ups to look at? Since this is a fiver, Ps aren't as common as J pick ups. Would it also be a good idea to replace both pick ups?

Thanks in advance.

wicked_child · #2 05-30-2009, 10:36 AM

One thing that I can say is that be sure that the 2 pickups interact in a pleasant way. I tried installing a SD P and a dimarzio J on my bass and it just didnt work.

gimmeagig · #3 05-30-2009, 10:48 AM

I've done it many years ago to a 77 Jazz and regretted doing it.I don't like the combination of the two pickups.If I had not done that to my bass I would probably still have it and be totally happy.
There are a lot of basses out there with that PU combination.Just try one of these before you do surgery to your bass.

ghoulbug · #4 05-30-2009, 10:50 AM

I found the J pickup on a PJ usually only detracted from the signature Precision sound. When there was enough J dialed in to add growl, there was too much change in the tone for my liking. This remained true even after I swapped pickups twice (Quarter Pounders one time, and a Bartolini set the next)

I prefer to just use my Jazz when I need growl.

dmusic148 · #5 05-30-2009, 11:26 AM

With an active bass like the Deluxe, pickup balance won't be nearly the issue it is when doing this with a passive bass-there may even be trim pots on the pre to balance the pups better(P pickups are usually a lot louder than J's). Or, buy a matched set and avoid the issue, but they usually don't quite sound as good-they dumb down the output of the P to compensate.
If you do it and don't like it, a new pickguard will hide the P rout.

wdinc01 · #6 05-30-2009, 05:46 PM

Well I've already got a deluxe J bass, so I don't want to just switch back. I guess I should just looking for a deluxe P 5er, but I really like the shape of a jazz bass.

DavePlaysBass · #7 05-31-2009, 02:56 PM

I was thinking about doing this to my Sadowsky RV5. According to Roger Sadowsky, if you place the P pickup in the standard location, the coil for the D and G string will not fit within the pickguard. Not sure if that's the case on a true Fender J, but that is a possible complication.