I've read that the p/u's in pre 99 Am. Dlx. Jazzes which were designed by John Suhr are sonically superior when compared to the newer (99 & up) ones. From what I can gather, the older ones are single pole and the newer ones are two pole. Does anyone have any experience with the differences between the two in this instrument. Would it be beneficial to swap out the newer "noiseless" p/u's in my '00 with something else?? I think the sound from mine is good but would always be willing to improve it if the net result would be substantial. Thanks
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Am Jazz Dlx ?
- Thread starter bassfishin
- Start date
I had a 98 DLX and have a few DLX's now. The Suhr stuff ended in 98 and the "noiseless" started in 99. The two basses did sound different but iirc had different pre-amps also. What are you trying to improve? I find the "noiseless" pups in my Victor Bailey jazz more than enough!
pyrohr,
Since I have never played a pre 99, I dont know what I could be missing. Call it curiosity. Call it whatever, but if there is something simple that could improve the sonic characteristics of this fine piece, I would like to know from someone who has experienced this firsthand. Thank you for your reply.
Since I have never played a pre 99, I dont know what I could be missing. Call it curiosity. Call it whatever, but if there is something simple that could improve the sonic characteristics of this fine piece, I would like to know from someone who has experienced this firsthand. Thank you for your reply.
I owned a 98 Jazz V DLX and I found the pickups to be hotter than the noiseless series.
The pre 99's were slightly noisy but far more quiet than the American Standard Pre 99's.
Very, very slight noise!
The pre 99's were slightly noisy but far more quiet than the American Standard Pre 99's.
Very, very slight noise!
The 98DLX jazz I owned was "thicker" sounding, meaning the bass response was deeper without getting muddy. The high end was also cleaner fully boosted!. I own to this date a Victor Bailey w/noiseless pups, a FMT V w/SCN's pups, a CS custom classic w/custom noiseless pups. All these basses are DLX basses with different pups and none has as much low end as that 98DLX jazz had! I also have a MIM DLX jazz with the Suhr type pups that sounds nothing like the MIA 98DLX jazz did. I also have a Marcus Miller jazz, if you ever heard a MM jazz bass with the bass (all boost) fully boosted then imagine all that boost but clean and clear. As far as what you can do to improve it's sound I say just play it for awhile, record some gigs with it if you gig out. Record some rehearsals to hear what the bass sounds like in the mix. That bass was a hellova bass with electronics designed by someone who went on to design with Rudy Pensa to make the Pensa Suhr stuff. Imho the bass needs nothing!!!
I have two Am Dlx J basses, one from '98 w/Noiseless pickups and 9V preamp, Alder body, rw board, 4-bolt neck, Schaller tuners, the other is a '06 (fretless) w/SCN pickups and 18V preamp, alder body, rw board, 5-bolt neck, Hipshot tuners. Since the fretless one has flatwounds there is quite a difference. I also checked out a newer 5-string ('05), somehow the newer ones sound a bit sterile. Both can have serious low end though. I don't know how the older ones (pre-'98) sound. I always thought the second version with the Noisless pickups also has a preamp designed by John Suhr (I may be wrong, doesn't change my opinion of my bass).
pyrohr,
That was some very informative info there. Thank you very much. I will do as you suggested. But I think I might have to check out a MM as well... Thank you for the info too hamerguy.. Peace !
That was some very informative info there. Thank you very much. I will do as you suggested. But I think I might have to check out a MM as well... Thank you for the info too hamerguy.. Peace !
Yes they did change things from my side by side design to a stacked design as well as cut the range of the preamp which did change things. We still do make a Side by side but standard pole piece arrangement, it sounds more vintage than ever. I also still make the original preamp.
