Snarliest, nastiest J pickups. GO.
 

Well fiirst it's story time. I recently acquired a Made in Korea Fender Active Jazz V 24. It's a rockin bass and I like the active and passive tones, but I want a bit more. First step is to upgrade the preamp, but now the pickups. I'm a stingray guy as well, so I love that chunky, growly, in your face middy bridge PU tone. What ever you want to call it, you all know what I mean! So I'm looking for a noiseless, aggressive and versatile set of Replacement J's. I know all of the tone doesn't come straight from the pickups, and a lot of it has to do with the instrument itself, but I think this is a step in the right direction.

So what are my options for a growly, aggressive, jazz pickup. Help me sort through the thousands of choices!

EMG-J pickups

will those work passive as well?

EMG X series with an 18 volt preamp will destroy the front end of your bass rig!!!!!!! Winner winner........chicken dinner!

I have Nordstrand Big Splits in my five string. The bridge pickup is a work of art when it comes to the perfect amount of upper mid range snarl. Especially when run active. Ermahgerd!!! O.o

I was actually thinking about the nordys...... they seem right up my alley.

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder
Delano JMVC
Rio Grande Muy Grande
Joe Barden J-style

These are all very big sounding pickups with the Delano using a similar magnet to the Music Man.

They're a little pricey, but they're great pickups! The neck pickup is super round and warm and the bridge is as snarly as you would need without being harsh. It really allows you to cut through a mix when needed. I personally love these pickups!

Remember the Big Splits are not J-sized pickups and would require routing. That said they are some of my favorite sounding pickups.

These won't fit the bill. Not IME/IMO. They're more like "civilized & refined", than "snarly, growly, nasty & aggressive". :hmm:

I'm surprised nobody yet has mentioned DiMarzio Model Js. Those almost always come up in discussions like this one. Among J-style pickups I've encountered, DiMarzio Model Js & Delano JMVCs would be the most badass.

If you opt for the JMVCs (a great choice), and they must be noiseless, be sure to get the hum-canceling version. Delano provides both hum-canceling and genuine single-coil variants. :hmm:

MM

I was just going to say DiMarzio Model J ...

Model J, JMVC, and Big splits/singles.

+1 to the Delano's.

Great pups have em in my AMD Jazz with the Delano Sonar pre.

This is true about routing. Stupid me forgot to say that!

My answer will always be Kent Armstrong.

+1 to the Dimarzio Model J's. They gave my Geddy one helluva chip on its shoulder!

Sorry, didn't know you were looking for passive pu's, my bad

+ whatever...dimarzio's model j..

Delano's are blazingly bright and growly! Nordies are as well. I have some Bartolini Classic Series single coil 'brights' in my Jazz! Think Larry Graham!

Wow! thanks for all of the suggestions! I'm definitely not looking to do any routing.... I couldn't mar such a beautiful top on the bass! And noiseless is definitely a MUST. I like the sound of those DiMarzios.... and as always price is a factor for me too.