Active Pickups for DJ4

[captain bass]

Hi there,

I have a Lakland DJ4 and I want to get active pickups with a 3 band eq. I play funk/jazz almost always, fingerstyle mostly but also some slap, tap and chordal stuff occasionally. I also want to be able to switch from passive to active.

I sometimes find the DJ4 to be a little shy in the low end, so a little bit more beef would be good, but I still want that punchy/in yer face DJ sound.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Basshoofd]

I think you want a preamp, not active pickups.

The most popular ones are from Aguilar, Audere and John East (J-retro). I had a Lakland DJ4 with the J-retro installed, it sounded amazing!

[KJung]

+1 to the above... don't mess with the pickups, they are fine.

I believe the East J-Retro preamp is a direct drop-in for the DJ... just unscrew the top plate and replace with the new top plate, which comes with the preamp already installed. Very easy!

[captain bass]

Yeh, I've just been looking at that, and you can leave the original pickups in. Looks good.

Has anybody else any experience with modding a DJ4.

Thanks.

[Basshoofd]

Originally Posted by KJung

+1 to the above... don't mess with the pickups, they are fine.

I believe the East J-Retro preamp is a direct drop-in for the DJ... just unscrew the top plate and replace with the new top plate, which comes with the preamp already installed. Very easy!

Just make sure you have the right version. The standard J-retro 01 will fit normal jazz style basses, for a Lakland DJ you will need the DJ-retro 01.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Basshoofd

Just make sure you have the right version. The standard J-retro 01 will fit normal jazz style basses, for a Lakland DJ you will need the DJ-retro 01.

Good info! Wasn't sure about the specific models. Excellent.

[captain bass]

Yes, thanks.

I forgot to mention (and it's quite a big thing), I want minimum noise. My DJ4 has horrendous noise/hiss at times to the point where I stop playing, it's can be just unusable when recording.

Will it be any quieter with a DJ-Retro along with the Lakland Pups? Or will that noise just be getting amplified?

[Basshoofd]

It will probably be amplified, but the bass shouldn't be that noisy. When putting in the preamp, I recommend you shield all the cavities with copper tape or shielding paint. It should get rid of most of the audible hiss.

[captain bass]

Hi again,

I'm thinking of getting some Dimarzio Ultra J's along with a DJ Retro.

I've heard of these pups not fitting some basses, does anyone know if they will fit into the DJ?

Many thanks.

[narud]

Originally Posted by captain bass

Hi again,

I'm thinking of getting some Dimarzio Ultra J's along with a DJ Retro.

I've heard of these pups not fitting some basses, does anyone know if they will fit into the DJ?

Many thanks.

if you like the tone of you bass now, be prepared for a tone thats at the opposite side of the spectrum with that setup.

[captain bass]

Yes, I do like the tone, but there is something about the sound which is not quite right for me, I always end up scooping this out when it's recorded. I want more flexibility to change the bass sound at the source. I really feel like the low end is lacking too.

I'm gonna get a flat DJ Retro so it won't be overkill with the Ultra J's aswell, and then I can dial it up.

[narud]

Originally Posted by captain bass

Yes, I do like the tone, but there is something about the sound which is not quite right for me, I always end up scooping this out when it's recorded. I want more flexibility to change the bass sound at the source. I really feel like the low end is lacking too.

I'm gonna get a flat DJ Retro so it won't be overkill with the Ultra J's aswell, and then I can dial it up.

if you scoop out the tone, youll probably really enjoy that setup then.

[captain bass]

Duran - Nice chops!

[captain bass]

I've got my DJ Retro on the way (it is a normal model, not flat). I'm now thinking of either the Ultra J's or Model J's.

Has anybody any experience with this set up?

Or any ideas for some other hum cancelling pups, around the same price region if possible?

Because the Ultra J's are a little scooped I'm a bit unsure of pairing them with the J Retro (which is also a bit scooped). Maybe the Model J's could be better. I definitely want more bass, my DJ is quite bright and alive anyway. It's really punchy unplugged.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks.

[captain bass]

A little bump...

[captain bass]

Maybe the Area J's to go with the J-Retro?

Any thoughts?