SX J Pickup Replacements

[Metal5stringer]

I just picked up a cheap SX 5 string (4 + 1 setup) with two j pickups. Everyone says this is a good platform to work with if you want to tweak everything. What do you recommend for replacing these pickups and also what about the rest of the electronics?

[Mushroo]

My 2 cents, you will have better luck "tweaking" if you can clearly articulate to yourself 1) what could be improved about the current setup, and 2) what you are hoping to get from the upgrade. Play your new bass as-is for a while, and maybe you'll like it as-is, or maybe you'll be able to say "the stock pickups are too polite in the mid-range; I'm looking for a replacement pickup with an aggressive grind."

Good luck and enjoy the new bass!

[Mushroo]

ps do a search for "Essex megathread" and read what other SX owners are doing for replacement pickups. I have an SX 4 string fretless, and so far, I am pretty happy with the stock pickups and electronics. Be warned that 5-string J pickups are not as standardized in size as their 4-string cousins, so you may have to measure carefully to find out what will work.