Switching out MEC pups on Warwick too . . ?

#1 03-13-2010, 09:07 AM

Thinking of switching out the stock MEC pickups on my passive Warwick Corvette standard to something else. I really like the MEC sound, but they're just too noisy for me.

I haven't been considering the route of converting a passive bass to an active bass (although I'm not completely averse to the idea), so I'm really just interested in a set of J pups that will sound good and be less noisy. Don't really know much about electronics, so . . . any suggestions?

If it's not too much hassle, I would convert to an active 2 band setup with a stacked treble/bass configuration. Hmmm . . .

Heard good things about Seymour Duncan and Basslines. Not considering EMG's, and especially Bartolinis, which I thoroughly dislike.

TKS

#2 03-13-2010, 09:08 AM

BTW, I meant 'Seymour Duncan Basslines.' I'm aware that Seymour Duncan makes these.

grue · #3 03-13-2010, 01:21 PM

I just did the same thing a couple weeks ago for the same reason. I really liked the tone I got out of the MEC passives, but I am getting ready to do some recording and they are just too noisy to be usable.

I put in DiMarzio Model Js. When I first put them in, I didn't care for them, but the problem was mainly the pickup heights and the fact that I was using them in series. Now that I have them set up the way I like, I'm very into them. They keep the growl and have a nice "angry" sound. If anything, they have more of the low Warwick growl than the MECs do. Where they are different is that they have a bit more midrange, and the high end is not quite as raw sounding. Still good though. They are split coils, so they're dead quiet.

#4 03-13-2010, 01:50 PM

Revamped question. I've decided to have an Aguilar OBP-2 preamp installed. What J-pups would go good with this, especially for getting ride of the noise?

fleabee · #5 03-13-2010, 01:58 PM

Look at Nordstrand's, very hard to find someone that doesn't rave about them. I LOVED them

tonymcbony · #6 03-14-2010, 04:12 AM

I just took the MEC's out of a Streamer LX 4.

It has a PJ setup so half will be useful to you.
I used nordstrand for the P pickups (sound awesome! grindy and full)
and a dimarzio model J at the bridge.

The Model J is growly and fat, and I think it really brings out the Warwick growl whilst also bumping up the bass that the MEC's lacked.

I was always extremely unimpressed with how anaemic the MEC's sounded. I now run the bass with then new pups through an aguilar Tonehammer (OBP-3 in a can) and I've had fantastic results. If you want fat and growly, go the model j's, if you want a vintage vibe with a bit of bite, I'd start checking out the nordie J's. If they're anything like their P pups, they're a very fine choice.

goyin108 · #7 03-14-2010, 04:24 AM

I put Delano's in my corvette, great sound, quiet, very happy.

#8 03-14-2010, 09:04 AM

Not the first time I've heard about the Dimarzio Model J's. Have to look into that. Tks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymcbony

I just took the MEC's out of a Streamer LX 4.

It has a PJ setup so half will be useful to you.
I used nordstrand for the P pickups (sound awesome! grindy and full)
and a dimarzio model J at the bridge.

The Model J is growly and fat, and I think it really brings out the Warwick growl whilst also bumping up the bass that the MEC's lacked.

I was always extremely unimpressed with how anaemic the MEC's sounded. I now run the bass with then new pups through an aguilar Tonehammer (OBP-3 in a can) and I've had fantastic results. If you want fat and growly, go the model j's, if you want a vintage vibe with a bit of bite, I'd start checking out the nordie J's. If they're anything like their P pups, they're a very fine choice.

#9 03-14-2010, 09:07 AM

Doesn't look like Dimarzio makes a model J for 5 string. Is there a 5 string equivalent?

bertbassplayer · #10 03-14-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleabee

Look at Nordstrand's, very hard to find someone that doesn't rave about them. I LOVED them

+1 I have Nordstrands in the Warwick FNA Jazzman I just recently got, it's paired with an Audere. Sounds great.

Rumblefisher · #11 03-14-2010, 09:26 AM

Nordstrand all the way. While you are at it change the electronics.

For what you pay with Warwick, they ought to do better than MEC pups and electronics...to me, they are pretty average.

Rumblefisher · #12 03-14-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goyin108

I put Delano's in my corvette, great sound, quiet, very happy.

Excellent choice if you wanna keep it all European.

#13 03-14-2010, 09:28 AM

No doubt. If the MEC's weren't so noisy, I'd stick with them. You should get something a little better than that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFclef

For what you pay with Warwick, they ought to do better than MEC pups and electronics...to me, they are pretty average.

Rick Auricchio · #14 03-14-2010, 10:38 AM

I too wanted to get rid of the single-coil hum, so I installed a pair of DiMarzio Model Js in my passive Corvette fretless. Kept it passive. Love it.

For your five-string, it looks like you'd need either the Area J or Ultra Jazz models. Both seem to have a bit more top end than the Model J, but you can roll that off.