I recently ordered some Aero Type 1 J-bass pickups for my Sandberg TT-5 Superlight, whose stock pickups didn't provide great string-to-string balance. Specifically, the A string was very weak relative to the others, even with a 14" radius fretboard. These pickups are sized like four-string pickups, approximately 91mm and 95mm, and Aero seemed like the best option for five-string J pickups in this size.
I wanted some radius to the poles, but Larry thought my OEM pickups were probably defective, and that raised poles would cause more balance problems than they would solve. I thought he was probably right, but I can't stand a weak A string, so we settled on raising just the A string poles by 0.5mm. This seemed right to me, especially because I achieved excellent balance on my G&L M-2500 by raising the A string poles a similar amount.
I finally played them at rehearsal last night, through two different rigs--Fender Rumble 500 combo and Eden head through SWR Triad cab. I cannot freaking believe the massive low end on these! The tone is simply huge compared to most J-bass pickups, but isn't muddy or boomy. Much clarity. Growl aplenty. I'm digging it. They have a little more noise than the OEM pickups, which Larry told me to expect, but it isn't bad.
As for the balance issue, the A string is definitely hotter, and balances better with the E, B, and G strings than it did before. It occasionally overpowers the D string, but I think that could be addressed through setup and/or strings. I like the A string to punch about as hard as the E, and now it does. In most passages and most places on the fretboard, I think the balance is about right.
So I'm very happy with them, but if I eventually decide the A is too hot, Larry will grind those poles down. I'm impressed with Larry's attention to detail and integrity, and he's a really interesting dude. I would definitely order from him again.
I wanted some radius to the poles, but Larry thought my OEM pickups were probably defective, and that raised poles would cause more balance problems than they would solve. I thought he was probably right, but I can't stand a weak A string, so we settled on raising just the A string poles by 0.5mm. This seemed right to me, especially because I achieved excellent balance on my G&L M-2500 by raising the A string poles a similar amount.
I finally played them at rehearsal last night, through two different rigs--Fender Rumble 500 combo and Eden head through SWR Triad cab. I cannot freaking believe the massive low end on these! The tone is simply huge compared to most J-bass pickups, but isn't muddy or boomy. Much clarity. Growl aplenty. I'm digging it. They have a little more noise than the OEM pickups, which Larry told me to expect, but it isn't bad.
As for the balance issue, the A string is definitely hotter, and balances better with the E, B, and G strings than it did before. It occasionally overpowers the D string, but I think that could be addressed through setup and/or strings. I like the A string to punch about as hard as the E, and now it does. In most passages and most places on the fretboard, I think the balance is about right.
So I'm very happy with them, but if I eventually decide the A is too hot, Larry will grind those poles down. I'm impressed with Larry's attention to detail and integrity, and he's a really interesting dude. I would definitely order from him again.
