ESP Custom Lab comparable to...???

[ModuMan]

I have an ESP Edwards Jazz bass (E-T-125BZ) that is in need of some repair work. I'm scouting out new pickups and preamp and since I'm doing that I'd like to try to get it as close to the high end version of this bass as possible... if possible. I can upgrade the bridge but the pickups are a challenge. The ESP high-end version of the bass (the Buzz bass, a Tetsu sig model) has:

PICKUPS :
(Front)ESP Custom Lab CL-P-J-1n
(Rear) ESP Custom Lab CL-P-J-1b
CONTROL :
Master Volume
3 Band EQ(ESP Cinnamon)

What is available that would come close to these ESP "secret sauce" pickups and preamp? I know ESP uses a lot of Seymour Duncan stuff so maybe there is something from them that would work?

As for the character of the bass, the pickups are pretty hot (loud) and aggressive so I don't think we're going for a vintage or hi-fi vibe.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[ModuMan]

Bump...???

 

[ModuMan]

The "it's been a year, can anyone help?" bump.

Same bass, still working on it. I tried a set of Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders as well as the SD STC-3P EQ but it didn't work out that well. The first pre was a dud and the second one is okay but it only sounds decent (to me) with the "slap switch" engaged.

I was able to get an ESP Cinnamon pre. I am hoping to upgrade the pickups if I can.

 

[Winton]

Would you like a "it's been 12 years, can anyone help?" bump? lol

The ESP Custom Lab CL-P-J-1 pickups are their high end pickups that pairs really well with their Cinnamon preamp according to their website.

 

[Windreaper]

Would you like a "it's been 12 years, can anyone help?" bump? lol

The ESP Custom Lab CL-P-J-1 pickups are their high end pickups that pairs really well with their Cinnamon preamp according to their website.

The Custom Lab pickups are low-output Alnico II, and kind of vintage sounding. I know the 5-string standard series Amaze had Duncan SJ-5s, not sure what was used on the 4-string model.

Listened to some sound samples, and my OS Amaze sounds very close to this one with the preamp bypassed. So, would give Antiques a shot: Alnico II, kind of neutral tone profile with smooth treble (but a good deal of mids), controlled low end, very similar to the Custom Labs to my ear.

 

[Salem6127]

These pups came stock in two of my basses: One with the Cinnamon pre and the other with an older ESP house preamp from the 90s.

They don't sound necessarily better in either of the basses, so the thing about them pairing best with the cinnamon pre is probably just marketing.

That said, they are amazing pickups with a lovely transparent tone. They really let the natural voice of the bass sing without coloring the sound. Both of the aforementioned basses have very different woods and constructions, and even with the same pickups, strings, EQ and pre-bypass, a blindfolded test makes them sound like they had extremely different pups... That's just how transparent they sound.

And finally, the video above is definitely the closest sound I can compare these pups to. Sounds almost exactly like my one ESP J style bass with similar tonewoods.