What are the fattest J bass pickups?

[Ryan Mohr]

I'm looking for a set of super fat, thick, warm, dark, mellow, smooth, organic, and deep J bass pickups to put in my SX J bass. I'm not looking for grind or aggression, sizzle or shine. Here are some pickups I think might get me there:

DiMarzio Ultra Jazz
DiMarzio Model J
Seymour Duncan SJB-2
Bartolini 9J1

Thanks!

[Jared Lash]

The fattest I've heard are Nordstrand Fat Stacks, but obviously they aren't drop in replacements for standard Jazz pickups.

That said, I would add the Nordy NJ4's to your list.

I'd also think the SD Antiquity would be better than the SJB-2s.

I haven't tried them myself, but Lindy Fralins get a lot of love too.

[Stereo Joe]

I think the Model J's would be what you're looking for. I had them in a jazz bass for a short while and they are the deepest, thickest sounding 'J' pickups I've ever used. I was not too thrilled because I like the more classic jazz sound, but based on what you're looking for, they would probably be perfect for you!

[Demon_Hunter]

How would you describe this tone?

I love it and want it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-txqUgbzI

[newbold]

Wish they made the model J in a 5 string version.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

How would you describe this tone?

I love it and want it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-txqUgbzI

That is the epitome of the active jazz/modern jazz/super jazz or whatever you want to call it. There are quite a few pickups that would work (Sadowsky, Nordstrand etc), generally active with a preamp and using SS roundwounds.

It's also a tone that I would guess is on the other side of jazz tones relative to what the OP is looking for.

[::::BASSIST::::]

Model Js. Hands down.

[Oric]

Seymour Duncan Antiquity IIs are ridiculously fat, it's like putting a pair of truck nuts on your bass.

[JonesKY]

Ditto! Tough to go wrong with the Dimarzio Model J for fat. Great price, too, and humbucking! Everyone ought to have at least one 'fat' bass.

[Lackey]

LOVE the Model J's - phenomenal pickup, sounds great solo and is amazing for cutting through a mix. Really a bargain too, especially now with a lot of these warmed over boutique pickups going for (IMO) ridiculous prices. I know they sound good, but so do a lot of other non boutique pickups as well.

[fullrangebass]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mohr

I'm looking for a set of super fat, thick, warm, dark, mellow, smooth, organic, and deep J bass pickups to put in my SX J bass. I'm not looking for grind or aggression, sizzle or shine.

Thanks!

You have just described Villex pickups. They offer that and whole lot more

www.villex.com

[fuNKmaster83]

the fattest in my oppinion are aero as far as single coils go... but dimarzio and schaller make humbucking js so the y should sound fatter than normal single col j

[Ryan Mohr]

Thanks for the opinions guys! But no love for the ultra jazz or barts?

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

The fattest I've heard are Nordstrand Fat Stacks, but obviously they aren't drop in replacements for standard Jazz pickups.

That said, I would add the Nordy NJ4's to your list.

I'd also think the SD Antiquity would be better than the SJB-2s.

I haven't tried them myself, but Lindy Fralins get a lot of love too.

I have a set of NJ4s and I'm definitely looking for more fatness and thickness.

Originally Posted by Stereo Joe

I think the Model J's would be what you're looking for. I had them in a jazz bass for a short while and they are the deepest, thickest sounding 'J' pickups I've ever used. I was not too thrilled because I like the more classic jazz sound, but based on what you're looking for, they would probably be perfect for you!

The Model Js are definitely a top contender! Bonus: those sweet cream covers.

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

How would you describe this tone?

I love it and want it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-txqUgbzI

The exact opposite oft one I want. It is super grindy, aggressive, sizzly, clanky, clicky, clean, clear. It seems like the action is super low so when he plays a note fingerstyle it sounds like popping.

Here's an example of the tone I want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU5XX...e=channel_page & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca3UWwMNQdA

Originally Posted by fullrangebass

You have just described Villex pickups. They offer that and whole lot more

www.villex.com

Those look awesome but I'm not looking to spend more than $100-120.

[Demon_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mohr

The exact opposite oft one I want. It is super grindy, aggressive, sizzly, clanky, clicky, clean, clear. It seems like the action is super low so when he plays a note fingerstyle it sounds like popping.

Here's an example of the tone I want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU5XX...e=channel_page & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca3UWwMNQdA
Those look awesome but I'm not looking to spend more than $100-120.

Love the tone in that Jamiriquai song too....I just need more basses to satisfy the jones I have..

check out Musicians Friend...they have the Model J's on sale for $99 w/ free shipping
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ELAID=26021682

[The Shredbaron]

I have Ultra J's in my '07 Highway One, along with an Audere JZ-3 preamp.

Had it out to a jam last week, everyone was freaking out about how great it sounded (in all three "Z-modes").

Between being able to blend the pickups in any ratio, have complete hum-cancelling if you go 100% one way or the other, and change the capacitance with the "Z-switch" you can go from earth-shattering low end to bright slap tone - and that's without even getting into the High/Mid/Low EQ cut/boost.

I'm super-thrilled with this bass and the tone, just love the pickups. My buddy has Model Js in his bass, they sound awesome too.

Personally I think the DiMarzios will get you there and do it inexpensively.

[noahw1]

Doesn't the bassist for Jamiriquai use a P-Bass on some songs? The Live From Abbey Road videos show him using a P for one tune and a J for slapping.
Also, Ben Kenney for Incubus uses flatwounds.
Have you tried using flatwounds to find that fat sound you're looking for?

[rdwoody1]

I agree with the Antiquity IIs. I have a set of those in my Jazz bass and I love them. I never knew a pickup change could make that big of a difference in my bass tone. Absolutely awesome!

[Bassamatic]

I put some of the SCN Noiseless Fender Pups in my jazz, and they sound great, quiet and very fat compared with the stock Pups.

[pickles]

In my 5 string testing the fralins were the fattest, though I didn't have any dimarzios to test since they don't make them the right size.

Overall though, swapping J pickups doesn't change your final tone all that much. It is really fine tuning.

[Jim C]

I've tried Lawrence, Lace Sensor, and Model J's

Model J's were the fatest and record very well; they aren't as articulate or detailed although not so sure that super warm and fat can be all things.