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62 Jazz RI upgrade

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Slowgypsy, Jan 6, 2009.

  1. Jan 6, 2009 #1
    Slowgypsy

    Slowgypsy 4 Fretless Strings

    Dec 12, 2006
    NY & MA
    I'd like to "upgrade" the pickups in my MIA 62 RI stack knob jazz. The stock pickups are currently in there.

    My reasons for upgrading...
    The A & D strings are definitely lower volume than the E & G strings. I'd like a pickup that's more balanced overall. Also... the sound with these pickups seem to lack fullness or balls... 'bout the only way I can describe it.

    I'm currently thinking about Nordstrand NJ4 or NJ4SV pickups. How could I expect the sound to change with either of these pickups, and would the balance issue be resolved?
     
  2. Jan 6, 2009 #2
    4Mal

    4Mal Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 2, 2002
    Columbia River Gorge
    Can't help you with the Nord's. I have the stock MIA set in one of my 62 RI's and a split coil set from Vintage Vibe in the other. The split coils are dead quiet and have a throatier tone to them. It isn't a P Bass but it's heading in the direction from the J. The J with the split's is my go to bass for the retro and country rock stuff I do. It just has a fatter vibe to it.

    Conversly - I dig the bass withthe MIA's in it for the acoustic folky stuff I do. It has a little lighter, more mid focused J tone that translates there.
    ...hope that is helpful.
     
  3. Jan 6, 2009 #3
    Slowgypsy

    Slowgypsy 4 Fretless Strings

    Dec 12, 2006
    NY & MA
    Yep... very helpful stuff... thanks! I'd still like to hear from folks about the Nordstrands. I think I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on this one and opinions would really help.
     
  4. Jan 7, 2009 #4
    Davo-London

    Davo-London

    Sep 17, 2007
    London, England
    I have NJSEs in my Jazz and Big Singles in my Cliff Bordwell. Love both sets of PUs. I have a Jaco signature Jazz and the SEs work a treat. However, they are only marginally different from the Fenders. I wanted to go as noiseless as poss, which is why I changed them. And I've got more money than sense. Also, the bridge PU is my fav. I could leave out the neck PU for all I use it.

    Davo
     
  5. Jan 7, 2009 #5
    David Jayne

    David Jayne

    Jan 16, 2006
    Brookfield, CT
    Sorry but no. Only solutions are 1) even out string height or 2) get pickups with raised A and D polepieces.
     
  6. Jan 7, 2009 #6
    Slowgypsy

    Slowgypsy 4 Fretless Strings

    Dec 12, 2006
    NY & MA
    Well, I just pulled the trigger on a set of NJ4's with raised poles for the A and D strings. It's not a stock item, so it'll take a while before I get them but I'll report back here what I think about them...
     
  7. Jan 7, 2009 #7
    David Jayne

    David Jayne

    Jan 16, 2006
    Brookfield, CT
    Cool. I forgot they'll do custom requests. I have a Big Split like that.
     
  8. Jan 7, 2009 #8
    DonovanBankhead

    DonovanBankhead Inactive Commercial User

    Aug 25, 2001
    Springfield, MO
    Owner - FretSpot.com; Vice President - Springfield Music
    I have Nordstrand nj5f pickups in my Fender 5-string, and they sound good, but different. They are very big and powerful. I like them because it gives me a different tone, but combined with the Audere pre, it doesn't sound exactly like a jazz...

    Now, I also have a custom made Jazz with Amalfitano pickups, and those NAIL that classic Jazz tone. If I wanted a great sounding traditional jazz bass, I'd highly recommend those pickups.