PJ Replacements!

[Josh Pelican]

I am going to be buying a Fender Aerodyne Jazz after Christmas and want to replace the pickups. I've been doing a lot of research and have narrowed it down to couple of choices. I MAY put an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp into it, but I may decide against that depending on the pickup choice.

Who wants to help me make up my mind?

I know there was a thread about someone owning an Aerodyne EMG-X PJ set and he said it was amazing. I'm hoping he posts some clips up 'cause I'd love to check it out.

THE CONTENDERS:
EMG PJ-X
Seymour Duncan APJ-2
Seymour Duncan QP-PJ
Lindy Fralin PJ
Villex VPJLH
Nordstrand NPJ4

I was considering DiMarzio DP126 PJ but it didn't seem to have as high of a rating as the other six.

All six of these sets seem to have really nice tone but I just cannot make up my mind.

I've heard many good things about Vilex pickups and am getting a set for my six-string (strung in F#) with an Audere preamp. I am kind of leaning towards another PJ set just so I can try out different pickups on different basses.

The EMG/Aguilar as well as the Nordstrand/Aguilar combos always seem to get such high reviews so I'm really leaning towards one of those. Hopefully someone can post some nice comments about either combo.

Please, if you have sound clips, post as many as possible!

Thanks in advance!

-Josh

 

[chalie]

Hi,
My post was a day ago about related issue.
I am putting SD Quater Pounder "P" and STK-J2 to my P/J bass along with Bartolini NTMB as all of these parts is from my stock but it was not a good idea as the "P" found to be heavily hissing. I think mainly is due to NTMB is not suitable with typical P pickup.
On my generic Jazz bass I use OBP2 and no problem so if you wanted to be safe with the preamp I am certain that OBP3 will not disappoint you with any pups.
I found SBP3 is to fat for general P or P/J unless you have the posittion of P closer to bridge then might be OK. On STK-J2 also not so nice as I use to tried it with my Jazz and seems to be not as hot as it was designed. You expect it to be hot and willing to sacrific the clearity (both ends) but that doesn't seems to happen. I have some basic SD pups on my other basses and they all seem to be well.
I was told that Lydi Falin is the best for vintage so it would be my first preference.

 

[smo]

I recently replaced some MIA P-bass pups with some Brierleys.
He may do what you're asking, as he's pretty good with custom jobs.
Just be sure you're very specific about what you need, as he hand winds every pup he makes.
I asked for a better bass response and the killer low mids.
He delivered!
He's an aussie, so your exchange rate might help a bit, check it;
http://www.brierleyguitarpickups.com.au/

I haven't tried the contenders you've listed tho.

 

[bassplayer7770]

The EMG/Aguilar as well as the Nordstrand/Aguilar combos always seem to get such high reviews so I'm really leaning towards one of those. Hopefully someone can post some nice comments about either combo.

Actually, if you go with the Nordy pickups, I would highly suggest a Nordy pre to go with them. You can read my initial thoughts in my "Big Singles + Nordy 3-Band Pre = ???" thread in this forum.

 

[bassophile]

I would put Dimarzio DP 126 set in your list.

Good Luck

 

[Josh Pelican]

I considered that one, but it didn't seem to get as high of a rating. As it stands, I'm really learning towards Nordstrand or Villex, and possibly forgetting the Aguilar preamp.

I will look into the Dimarzio again and read more reviews.

 

[Josh Pelican]

I have narrowed the list down to these five:
EMG PJ-X
Seymour Duncan QP-PJ
Lindy Fralin PJ
DiMarzio DP126
Nordstrand NPJ4SV (or SE)

It's a tough call!

 

[southernrocker]

I own the emg set and it has been great for me. There is no negative thing about it, as long as you like that modern bass sound. Great pups!

 

[bassyboy]

I'm the guy who said the pj-x's in my areodyne are amazing and they are, nice open organic warm tone, very clear and articulate, i dont have soundclips or pics but i got the ivory covers and they are a great match with the cream binding, i had Michael Dolan do the pickup install with the 9 volt battery box, i also put on a black badass 2 bridge black hipshot ultralites and a black tusc teflon impregnated nut and black kurled volume and tone knobs
a set if TI jazz bass flats 43-100 and wow!! a great looking and sounding jazz bass, now i can retire my 66 jazz and not worry about it at gigs, again the pj-x's new preamp is pure genius!!!! works really well with the aerodynes basswood body.

 

[Josh Pelican]

I'm glad to hear from the man himself! Is it nice and quiet? How are the mids/lows? Can you get a nice growl from it? I still have lots of time to decide, but I'm glad to hear more people with the EMG-X pickups.

I decided to add the Fralin set back up. I read a review on the P-bass pickup (5% overwound) and it was apparently amazing.

 

[bassyboy]

emg dead quiet, clear mids like a blanket has been removed from your cab and the growl on the aerodynes stock or otherwise is amazing i like the tone of the basswood it very resonant and captures the growl even with the flatwounds, i think I'm gonna put a Px series in my p bass
i love the clean modern sound of emg's

 

[walterw]

I vote for a nice vintage-style P like a Fralin or Duncan, paired with a dimarzio ultra-jazz bridge. they really play nice together, don't hum, and look stock.

 

[Josh Pelican]

I was reading a nice review about the DiMarzio DP126 set and the guy was recommending them highly... then at the end he said the only pair he would select over them would be EMG (or possibly Bartolini).

Really learning towards the EMG PJ-X set now! I think a nice creme (cream) set would like nice on an Aerodyne, esepcially with the Aguilar OBP-3 backing it.

 

[bassyboy]

putting on the badass did wonders for the aerodyne, it improved the sustain and i could really dial in the action and intonation. i love the neck on these aerodynes fast and no silly dots on the fretboard.

 

[Josh Pelican]

putting on the badass did wonders for the aerodyne, it improved the sustain and i could really dial in the action and intonation. i love the neck on these aerodynes fast and no silly dots on the fretboard.

I'm glad to hear that, man. My Aerodyne is going to be pretty modified.

Custom pickguard (black with creme binding), gold control plate, Badass II bridge, Aguilar OBP-3 with the following controls: volume; volume; mid; bass/treble stack pot, mid-frequency selector switch, and an active/passive switch.

I'm thinking about chucking the creme EMG PJ-X pickups because of all of the creme binding I'll already have.

Any recommendations on strings?

 

[bassyboy]

where do you get the aerodyne pickguards, the ones on ebay? if not do you have a link to the ones your getting,
the strings i have on now are thomastik jazz bass flats 43-100
the best flatwounds out there IMO except for maybe the pyramid's

 

[Josh Pelican]

I'm looking at Link Removed!

 

[mrpackerguy]

In all honesty, I've never tried anything but the Lakland and Fralin P pups. I prefer the Fralin if you are looking for an older school thump and tone, the Laklands if you want something a little more aggressive and modern sounding.