Reed James Neo Pickups

zepolishbassist · #1 10-02-2011, 11:57 PM

For anyone interested in the RJNeos. I've been testing these pickups, and found a few things that have set themselves apart from other higher end pickups i've used. The most noticeable attribute is the tonal range. You can dial in tones, from SUPERRRR FAT lows (almost sounding like using flatwounds) to twangy piercing(almost telecaster) highs. In the middle of that range you are able to dial out any mid tones you like. The great thing about having so much control is being able to dial in just what you want for the technique you use. From twangy Victor Wooten-ish slap tones to growling Marcus Miller like tones. But not just for slapping. There are just as many fingerstyle tones. Sharp and round to the extreme if you want. As a player that utilizes tapping techniques, I have so much use in treble which I get so much out of. I have noticed that my tone is more full and even. I installed them on a Cort Curbow, replacing a Bartolini Mk1. Before it sounded like it was in to way made out of wood. Which its not(Luthite)

. No girth or warmth to my tone. After switching them out my bass sounds sooo much more alive. There is so much more of a body to my sound. I cant imagine the difference it would make on a high end bass.

zepolishbassist · #2 10-03-2011, 12:04 AM

Here is the website! Neodymium bass pickups

zepolishbassist · #3 01-06-2012, 01:08 PM

Ashdown MAG Evo II 600/ RJNeo - YouTube

tubby.twins · #4 01-06-2012, 02:27 PM

Interesting. I just placed an order for a single pickup. When it arrives I'll test it out and share my findings.

SGD Lutherie · #5 01-06-2012, 03:34 PM

Welcome to the party James! They sound very nice.

By the way, that "breakthrough" happened about 5 years ago...

mmbongo · #6 01-06-2012, 03:36 PM

As soon as I saw 'brake through' I closed the browser window. How can I take that seriously?

mixx80 · #7 01-07-2012, 08:43 PM

Had several good talks with him throughout the day and he seem to be very knowledgeable and passionate about what he is doing. So I am having him do a set for me in black walnut I cant wait to hear them in my bass ! He has a lot of killer wood also and a lot of pickups styles to choose from !

mixx80 · #8 01-10-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubby.twins

Interesting. I just placed an order for a single pickup. When it arrives I'll test it out and share my findings.

+1

mixx80 · #9 02-22-2012, 07:25 AM

Please excuse the sloppy playing. I did this in like 15 mins. So here goes ! Smokerz by mixx80 on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
Main groove: 100% bridge Pickup Treble: 9:00 as if you sat the bass flat on your lap Dentent would be 6:00 at that position. Bass: full up Mid: flat
Left Melody : Pickups: Both Settings : Same as above
Right melody: Doubled w/ same settings Pickups : Both
Middle Rhythm : Two parts one bass Eq rolled off a bit and heavy delayed and compressed The other Treble 9:00 Mid: slight cut Bass: Full Pickups: Both
Drums: Battery/Mpc 2000

All bass on all tracks Lakland 44-01 Deluxe Ltd. Trans Blue Glockenklang Preamp 55-01 Deluxe on its way !!

Smokerz by mixx80 on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

phillybass101 · #10 07-26-2012, 10:57 AM

I too have been talking to him and I'm going to have him build me a J/MM set to go in my Brubaker Brute SC to go with a Bart pre. The demo on youtube is very good. They are installed in a Lakland that has the same pickup config. I'd say he's the real deal. I don't mind being the first kid on my block to run these pickups.

Funkinthetrunk · #11 07-26-2012, 12:38 PM

I have a set of JBass....they sound great. He also made me 3 killer spalted maple pickup covers.

Interesting guy, he is. You just have to get thru his rough exterior, but his pickups do sound great. Since he uses wax instead of potting/epoxy, he'll rewind them if you aint diggin' the way it sounds.

diglo · #12 03-11-2013, 05:33 PM

I'm selling the brand new set of RJ neos I have. They are replacements for barts MK1 pups. Never been used. Pm if interested.

bumperbass · #13 03-11-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

As soon as I saw 'brake through' I closed the browser window. How can I take that seriously?

"New Shape The RJ NEO thin soap bar This pickup has a lot of dynamics harmonic dental and articulation.."

^^ Stay away from these! You'll spend a lot of money replacing your fillings!

**mjac28** · #14 03-11-2013, 06:59 PM

Never heard of them just subbed this.

**Montanamike** · #15 03-13-2013, 11:39 PM

I have a set in my RBass, sounds great, just ordered a set for my Benavente. Should be really cool.

fourstringbliss · #16 03-21-2013, 11:01 AM

Are these pickups hot enough to be used without a preamp? I'm putting a set of these into my bass which doesn't have a preamp at this point. I'll probably put a preamp in at some point but not now.

ctmullins · #17 03-21-2013, 11:17 AM

Preamp != Output Gain

Preamp = Tone Sculpting

fourstringbliss · #18 03-21-2013, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Preamp != Output Gain

Preamp = Tone Sculpting

Yup, preamps are good. I'll be installing an Audere preamp in this bass at some point down the line. Are these pickups hot enough to use without a preamp for now?

ctmullins · #19 03-21-2013, 11:25 AM

My point was simply that the concept of a preamp as a gain device is outdated. Most good-quality preamps these days are unity-gain (or nearly so) when flat.

fourstringbliss · #20 03-21-2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctmullins

My point was simply that the concept of a preamp as a gain device is outdated. Most good-quality preamps these days are unity-gain (or nearly so) when flat.

Gotcha! That's how Audere preamps work (not boosting output). These should be fine, then?