Active Pickups: Seymour Duncan vs. EMG [help?]

[Gord_oh]

I'm building a Fender Jazz bass and want to know more about active pickups. I'm torn between the two Seymour Duncans and EMG active pickups.

Some info: My project will be fretless, I play pop punk, punk, classic rock, not anything horribly heavy. I tend to like a smoother jazzier sound, I normally use Fender nylons.

My project prototype:
Link Removed

If I could get some more info on these pickups, advice, or other pickups you prefer that are around that price range would be great. (dark stars would be awesome sounding and fit the look, but I cant afford them )

Here are these pups:
SEYMOUR DUNCANS:
Link Removed

EMG:
[This invalid link has been removed]

If anyone could enlighten me on these just so I feel better, that would be amazing! Thanks for all your input.

 

[JackANSI]

I suggest you don't take passives off the table. Thats probably still the most common way to get a smooth jazzier sound...

 

[twinfallsbass]

I vote for the Seymour Duncans. I have an active set in a custom jazz bass and LOVE 'em. I was strickley an EMG guy untill I tried the Seymours, good luck.

 

[stflbn]

For what you're doing Passive pickups and a good Active preamp is a much better way to go IMHO. This is the route that many top builders take for their basses.

 

[Gord_oh]

For what you're doing Passive pickups and a good Active preamp is a much better way to go IMHO. This is the route that many top builders take for their basses.

can you give me an example, maybe a link?

 

[kyral210]

The new active Seymour Duncans are getting allot of praise at the moment. I use Seymours for passive all the time, so I would say go with the Duncans. I have an EMG loaded bass, and I still prefer my Seymour Duncan SSB-4's in my Epiphone Thunderbird!

 

[serein2j]

go for the seymour

 

[jwymore]

If you are going fretless look into the Steve Bailey pickups and EQ from Seymour Duncan. They are voiced for fretless specifically.

Also, SD introduced a Blackout active pickup for bass at NAMM last week. It's a direct EMG replacement with more up to date, quieter electronics with more range.

So, in either case, SD has an answer .... even if you want EMG's!!

 

[JackANSI]

Any word on the blackouts availability?

 

[jwymore]

Any word on the blackouts availability?

I think they said March or April but if interested shoot me a PM and I'll check with them tomorrow.

 

[Gord_oh]

So judging what I said which one of these are the best choice?

Link Removed

Do I have to get matching pickups? Like I was thinking the quarter pounders, obviously I would need a neck and bridge but do they have to both be QPs?
What would be the best combination?

 

[jwymore]

So judging what I said which one of these are the best choice?

Link Removed

Do I have to get matching pickups? Like I was thinking the quarter pounders, obviously I would need a neck and bridge but do they have to both be QPs?
What would be the best combination?

You can mix and match if you like but if one choice is a Quarter Pounder it has larger pole pieces and looks different than the other passive Jazz pickups so asthetics may be an issue.

IMHO the "Hot" set is the best option. A higher output than vintage pickup with a lower mid bump that sounds full and fat without being scooped sounding. I have them in my MIM and MIJ jazz basses, both with rosewood necks and they sound great.

Having said that, I probably sell more of the QP's than the other models but I think it might have something to do with how popular the QP for P-Bass is rather than them being the better choice. They are both good, just different ...

 

[funkybass4ever]

Go for the SD's

 

[Gord_oh]

You can mix and match if you like but if one choice is a Quarter Pounder it has larger pole pieces and looks different than the other passive Jazz pickups so asthetics may be an issue.

IMHO the "Hot" set is the best option. A higher output than vintage pickup with a lower mid bump that sounds full and fat without being scooped sounding. I have them in my MIM and MIJ jazz basses, both with rosewood necks and they sound great.

Having said that, I probably sell more of the QP's than the other models but I think it might have something to do with how popular the QP for P-Bass is rather than them being the better choice. They are both good, just different ...

I noticed that the QPs and Hot were similar in sound according the SD website. So dishing out the extra dough for the "Hot" pups would be a better choice?

 

[jwymore]

Price on the QP and Hot should be the same and the tone is not that close. The QP is slightly higher output, has less mids and more top end ..... at least to my ears!!

 

[Gord_oh]

Price on the QP and Hot should be the same and the tone is not that close. The QP is slightly higher output, has less mids and more top end ..... at least to my ears!!

Yeah, the Hot PU are like 20$ more than the QP...so not that different.
So final verdict...

if I have to choose one:
QP or Hot?

I went to your website, maybe I'll just get them from you!!

 

[jwymore]

Yeah, the Hot PU are like 20$ more than the QP...so not that different.
So final verdict...

if I have to choose one:
QP or Hot?

I went to your website, maybe I'll just get them from you!!

You sure you were not looking at the Hot Stacks? Price should be $57.95 each for either pickup .... cost to dealers is identical. If it was me I'd try the Hots.

If you want to get them from me all the better but that's your call!! I know BESTBASSGEAR pays to advertise here so I don't want to step on anybody's toes.

 

[Gord_oh]

You sure you were not looking at the Hot Stacks? Price should be $57.95 each for either pickup .... cost to dealers is identical. If it was me I'd try the Hots.

If you want to get them from me all the better but that's your call!! I know BESTBASSGEAR pays to advertise here so I don't want to step on anybody's toes.

No of course not, you didnt advertise I happened to see the link. You were so helpful you deserve to make a sale anyway!
I mean the biggest thing I was worrying about with this build
was getting good pickups, I've looked around but learned more
from you helping me.
Thanks.
Ill probably get on there some time soon to order them.
SD had to be confusing and do "Hot Stacks" and "Hot", I should have looked closer.

 

[LanEvo]

I just checked out your page. Any reason why you chose mahogany for the body? Seems like a pretty strange choice for a Jazz Bass. You can definitely get a smooth, "classic" fretless sound with an alder body. Who knows how mahogany will sound? Why take a risk?

As for pickups, I've always favored Bartolini J/J sets. If you want a darker/smoother tone, you can get them in a hum-canceling "deep" version.

 

[Gord_oh]

Mahogany has a warmer sound, so I am told. I dont think of it as a risk, just something from the norm. I dont know, now you got me second guessing, im worried now.

I just called Warmoth. They agreed that Mahogany would be a good choice, I think that it will work out. Plus I have a much more unique bass now.