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Soundclips - Seymour Duncan Antiquity II for Jazz Bass

Ryan Mohr

Ryan Mohr

Oct 23, 2007
3,032
26
#1
This is a clip of my modded SX J Bass. I have installed Seymour Duncan Antiquity II pickups, a Bayou Audio wiring harness with 250K pots and a Mallory 150 .047uf cap, a Gotoh 201 bridge, and Warmoth hardware. I have a new pair of DR Nickel Lo-Riders on. To hear what it sounded like before the mods check out this thread: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=507886

In the clip, both pickups are on full and the tone is on full as well. The recording signal path was SX J Bass->direct out (pre eq) on Fender Bassman 150->Behringer mixer->Behringer interface->Dell. I didn't use any compression or eq on Audacity. The song is is When You Gonna Learn by Jamiroquai. Pardon my bad playing.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/558486829babb4b7/

If you have any requests for certain configurations (solo'd bridge pickup, solo'd neck pickup, tone rolled off etc.) let me know and I will try to post more clips ASAP.
 
#4
emjazz said:
So, are you happy with the pickups?
Click to expand...

narud said:
so how do you feel about the upgrades you made? happy with the changes?
Click to expand...

Overall, I would say I am happy with the changes I made. The pickups do sound better, but I am still getting used to EQ'ing them to get them to sound great. They are a little lower in output compared to the SX pickups; my input gain is now at 12 o'clock or 1 o'clock as opposed to 11 o'clock. There is noticably more bass and fatness. I really like the character of the pickups too, very vintagey.

Now for the negatives. When I went to band practice today, my bass could cut through at all. You could hear the bass, but my tone was lacking clarity and punch. My guitarist kept telling me to turn up but I had the master set how I always do at band practice. Turning it up more didn't do much. I had the EQ flat with a little bump around 200 Hz.

Although I do love the sound of these by themselves, if they can't cut it where it counts I might have to try another pair of pickups.

What did you guys think of the soundclips?
 
#6
It sounds to me like an improvement of tone for sure.

Try adjusting the pickup height. I found that little adjustments of height with these pickups really made a difference. Set the pickups a bit closer. That may give you some more midrange.

Also, I'm not sure of what your amplification is, but start with your eq flat on the amp and adjust accordingly while playing with the band. What kind of music are you playing? If it's very loud and aggressive you may need a different pickup...something like Dimarzio Model J's.
 
#8
GlennW said:
Those pickups will sound very good in series, if you want a fuller tone with more bottom...louder too.
Click to expand...
I'm sure they would but I these pickups have a ton of bass already, I'm just desiring a little more mid punch/warmth.
emjazz said:
It sounds to me like an improvement of tone for sure.

Try adjusting the pickup height. I found that little adjustments of height with these pickups really made a difference. Set the pickups a bit closer. That may give you some more midrange.

Also, I'm not sure of what your amplification is, but start with your eq flat on the amp and adjust accordingly while playing with the band. What kind of music are you playing? If it's very loud and aggressive you may need a different pickup...something like Dimarzio Model J's.
Click to expand...

Ok that's a good thing haha

I have them set 1/8" on the E string and 3/32" on the G string. I will try setting them a bit closer though.

I'm using a Fender Bassman 150. I don't need a new amp, but I would like more headroom and a better tone. This amp is a little dull sounding. I'm playing alternative rock I would say. Do you know Dispatch? We play similar music to them. The song in my myspace link if from awhile ago but gives you an idea. We also do some pop punk stuff. Definitely not loud and aggressive, my guitarist is using a small Fender combo.
 
#9
AqueousView11 said:
I'm sure they would but I these pickups have a ton of bass already, I'm just desiring a little more mid punch/warmth.


Ok that's a good thing haha

I have them set 1/8" on the E string and 3/32" on the G string. I will try setting them a bit closer though.

I'm using a Fender Bassman 150. I don't need a new amp, but I would like more headroom and a better tone. This amp is a little dull sounding. I'm playing alternative rock I would say. Do you know Dispatch? We play similar music to them. The song in my myspace link if from awhile ago but gives you an idea. We also do some pop punk stuff. Definitely not loud and aggressive, my guitarist is using a small Fender combo.
Click to expand...


I think the Fender Bassman 150 is the same amp that Berklee has in all it's rehearsal rooms...worst amp I've ever played through. No matter what bass you plug into it you can never cut through....I get so frustrated when I have to play through those amps......It's a little 115 combo right?.....if that's your amp then that's your problem.
 
#10
emjazz said:
I think the Fender Bassman 150 is the same amp that Berklee has in all it's rehearsal rooms...worst amp I've ever played through. No matter what bass you plug into it you can never cut through....I get so frustrated when I have to play through those amps......It's a little 115 combo right?.....if that's your amp then that's your problem.
Click to expand...

It's a 1x12 combo actually. Yeah it doesn't have much mid punch.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#11
I just looked up that amp...it's not the same one that I thought. You have one that's an updated version of what I was thinking of. It does look better. It's not terribly powerful, but you should be able to get a decent sound out of it. Just make sure to start with the eq flat and then play with the mid bands. Also, make sure you don't have the mid scoop switch activated.
 
#12
emjazz said:
I just looked up that amp...it's not the same one that I thought. You have one that's an updated version of what I was thinking of. It does look better. It's not terribly powerful, but you should be able to get a decent sound out of it. Just make sure to start with the eq flat and then play with the mid bands. Also, make sure you don't have the mid scoop switch activated.
Click to expand...

Oh alright. I usually leave the EQ flat, meaning contour completely off as well, and bump the lows mids about 6 dBs. Maybe the pickups aren't for me, I definitely used to cut through just fine.
 
#13
Hi, just for fun I measured the average frequency response of both clips.
Since you are playing exactly the same line, they are quite representative. Enjoy ;)

If you open them in e.g. ACDSee and scroll between them back and forth with mouse you can see the diference more clearly.


Stock SX
obr83035_SX.jpg


Hotroded SX with Antiquity II
obr83036_AntiquityII.jpg
 
#14
nemo said:
Hi, just for fun I measured the average frequency response of both clips.
Since you are playing exactly the same line, they are quite representative. Enjoy ;)

If you open them in e.g. ACDSee and scroll between them back and forth with mouse you can see the diference more clearly.


Stock SX
obr83035_SX.jpg


Hotroded SX with Antiquity II
obr83036_AntiquityII.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks! I don't know much about this kinda stuff but it seems like they are fairly similar. What do you think?
 
#15
When scrolling back and forth between them in image viewer you can see on the Antiquity II a slight depression in 500-700 Hz area and bump in 5-7 kHz area in comparison to SX.

But the same you can hear if you got good ears and know the frequencies, this is just a fancy measurement chart for those who like to hear with eyes :)

So if you'd like to get closer to the SX mid punch you have been used to, bump some 500-700 Hz on your amp.
 
#16
nemo said:
When scrolling back and forth between them in image viewer you can see on the Antiquity II a slight depression in 500-700 Hz area and bump in 5-7 kHz area in comparison to SX.

But the same you can hear if you got good ears and know the frequencies, this is just a fancy measurement chart for those who like to hear with eyes :)

So if you'd like to get closer to the SX mid punch you have been used to, bump some 500-700 Hz on your amp.
Click to expand...

Yeah it sounds like the Antiquity IIs have less mid mids/lower upper mids. They do have more "air" up top as well. What pickup sounds better to you?
 
#17
The duncans do sound better to me, but the SXs sound pretty good too with more mids and less depth ... so they're punchy. I was going to suggest boosting at 1k with the AIIs to get your presence back with the band, but if the chart shows 700, try that too. Or split the difference using 800, which is a classic frequency for getting a bass to pop out of a crowded mix, and should be a little less nasal than the SXs while still cutting though.
 
#18
I have these pickups in my Marcus Miller Jazz Bass and for me, I thought the biggest difference between these and stock was the string to string balance. Each string seemed to have a more equal level of output. I also thought the highs were smoother and less harsh than stock and the bottom end was a little fatter than the stock. The bass still sounds like a Jazz bass through and through but with a vintage edge. I have a J Retro preamp that really lights things up. Of all the basses I have played both cheap and high end boutique, this modified Marcus Miller is my favorite. I really like the Antiquity pickups and think they are worth the investment just for the improved string-to-string balance.

I'm not sure what controls are on that amp but to get more punch, I would just give the low mids a boost until it gets punchy.. ;) Seems simple enough and it usually works. Too much low mid boost can make things muddy so make the adjustments in moderation.
 
#19
pickles said:
The duncans do sound better to me, but the SXs sound pretty good too with more mids and less depth ... so they're punchy. I was going to suggest boosting at 1k with the AIIs to get your presence back with the band, but if the chart shows 700, try that too. Or split the difference using 800, which is a classic frequency for getting a bass to pop out of a crowded mix, and should be a little less nasal than the SXs while still cutting though.
Click to expand...
Yeah the Antiquity IIs do sound better, more low end, more pleasing highs, much better string balance, and more growl. I just miss some of the midrange punch. What if I boost 500 or 400 Hz in addition to 800 Hz?

I really love how Paul's Jazz sits in the mix in these clips:

1:35 especially
kirkm24 said:
I have these pickups in my Marcus Miller Jazz Bass and for me, I thought the biggest difference between these and stock was the string to string balance. Each string seemed to have a more equal level of output. I also thought the highs were smoother and less harsh than stock and the bottom end was a little fatter than the stock. The bass still sounds like a Jazz bass through and through but with a vintage edge. I have a J Retro preamp that really lights things up. Of all the basses I have played both cheap and high end boutique, this modified Marcus Miller is my favorite. I really like the Antiquity pickups and think they are worth the investment just for the improved string-to-string balance.

I'm not sure what controls are on that amp but to get more punch, I would just give the low mids a boost until it gets punchy.. ;) Seems simple enough and it usually works. Too much low mid boost can make things muddy so make the adjustments in moderation.
Click to expand...

That was the biggest difference, the string balance. I don't even need my compressor anymore with these pickups.

I was thinking more low mids too, but as pickles and nemo pointed out, I need more mid mids or upper mids.

Thanks!
 
#20
AqueousView11 said:
What if I boost 500 or 400 Hz in addition to 800 Hz?
Click to expand...

With bass, you really want to pick your battles sonically. You don't want to put out every possible frequency. Some dips will allow the other instruments to pop, and the mix to breathe. If you want to do the 400hz thing, don't do the 200hz thing, and definitely don't do the 800hz thing ... every mix is different and there will be a right and wrong place to boost your signal in each of them. Its easy to get into a zone of adding "more of this, more of that, more of the other thing" and chase your tail. You're already doing it to some extent since the pickups added bottom and top, now you're looking to boost some mids.
 

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