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Anyone tried the split coil Jazz Bass pickups by Dragonfire? ($65 set!)

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by MaglorOnBass, Jun 6, 2019.

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  1. Jun 6, 2019 #1
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018
  2. Jun 8, 2019 #2
    xaosbass

    xaosbass

    Feb 15, 2008
    Until this post, I wasn't aware of these. Might try some w/ a Duncan blackouts bass preamp. Might be interesting.
     
    Zoobiedood likes this.
  3. Jun 8, 2019 #3
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018
    I just want them for a passive MIM Jazz Bass.
     
    Lownote38 likes this.
  4. Jun 8, 2019 #4
    xaosbass

    xaosbass

    Feb 15, 2008
    At the price listed, couldn't go wrong.
     
  5. Jun 16, 2019 #5
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018
    One more bump
     
  6. Jun 17, 2019 #6
    micguy

    micguy

    May 17, 2011
    The DC resistances, assuming they're wound with traditional wire, indicate they're wound pretty hot. They probably won't sound like standard J pickups, and the difference in windings (the bridge and neck are significantly different resistances) mean they won't balance the same when you turn both on. You might like the result, you might not - just be aware that it'll be different.
     
    MaglorOnBass likes this.
  7. Jun 17, 2019 #7
    CallMeAl

    CallMeAl

    Dec 2, 2016
    Ithaca Ny
    Would love to hear if anyone has tried these also! I was very close to buying a single one for a PJ, but found a model J in the TB classified instead. My buddy said he really liked the dragonfire phat pole, that's how I heard of the company.
     
  8. Jun 18, 2019 #8
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018
    Well, I just ordered a set. Will update.
     
    Lownote38, xaosbass and alanloomis1980 like this.
  9. Jun 18, 2019 #9
    xaosbass

    xaosbass

    Feb 15, 2008
    Please let us know how this works out.
     
  10. Jun 18, 2019 #10
    xaosbass

    xaosbass

    Feb 15, 2008
    Yeah, they have pretty high DCR, but the bridge dcr being higher might give a bit more definition to mids if the player so desires. These might be really nice in a stereo or 2 channel scenario as flux jetson found on his vintage modified 70s bass ad venture. Nice R&D Flux.
     
  11. Jun 18, 2019 #11
    SgtHulka

    SgtHulka Inactive

    Mar 29, 2019
    Banland
    A used split coil humbucking set of Fender Super 55's is about the same price and those sound fantastic, probably would have better resale value also.
     
  12. Jun 18, 2019 #12
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018

    Well you could have told me that a day ago! :laugh:
     
    El Güero likes this.
  13. Jun 20, 2019 #13
    vindibona1

    vindibona1

    Apr 18, 2015
    Peoples Republic of Cook County Illinois
    A great concept for budget pickups. I needed noiseless for my jazz basses and Aguilars were $180 and $229 per set (4 and 5 string). It will be interesting to see reviews.
     
  14. Jun 20, 2019 #14
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018
    D96C9FEF-6D2F-409C-AD38-2AB001B11E0D.jpeg

    Received them today. Fast delivery! Not sure when I will finish the job (I’m waiting for a replacement bridge too, so I won’t put the strings back on until that arrives). However here are my first impressions:

    - They look like pickups.
    - They come with screws and foam.
    - The covers are matte finish.
    - The covers are a close enough match that I will be able to use the original gloss covers, which I prefer.
    - The one dimension that is different about the Dragonfire covers is hight. They are significantly taller than the stock covers.
    - The poles are all the same hight, which is different than my stock pickups... wonder if I could tap the A and D poles up higher...
     
  15. Jun 22, 2019 #15
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018
    Well, I got them installed. Once I got everything set up with the new bridge, I can’t complain with the way these pickups sound. About the same output to my ear as the stock pickups - though there is no way for me to A/B them. They are dead quiet as expected, which was the whole point of the swap.

    My only complaint is that the poles on the stock pickups were staggered to match the neck radius, and these poles are flat. So the A and D strings are slightly quieter. This is mostly corrected by compression, but it does bother me a bit.

    I’ve hear it’s possible to tap pole pieces into a new position without wrecking them. Anyone tried? Does that only work with certain manufacturers? 022FC90F-E49D-4B65-8D1A-F99025C7827A.jpeg
     
  16. Jun 22, 2019 #16
    PawleeP

    PawleeP

    Oct 8, 2012
    East Coast
    Try pushing the middle-ish poles with both thumbnails up from the bottom to match the radius, just eyeball it. If they don't move fairly easy, don't force them. Be careful not to rub the coils and break any windings. p
     
    vindibona1 and MaglorOnBass like this.
  17. Jun 22, 2019 #17
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018
    I’d actually like to push the E and G poles in. Would that work too?
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2019
    PawleeP likes this.
  18. Jun 22, 2019 #18
    xaosbass

    xaosbass

    Feb 15, 2008
    It could, just be careful when you do. I hate that you're having to deal with this but you're giving us all an educated experience with these pickups. Thanks.
     
    MaglorOnBass likes this.
  19. Jun 22, 2019 #19
    xaosbass

    xaosbass

    Feb 15, 2008
    Is your action / setup congruent with the fret board radius? Jazz and stingray basses are notorious for this. Just sayin.
     
  20. Jun 23, 2019 #20
    MaglorOnBass

    MaglorOnBass

    Jan 23, 2018
    I do all my own set up work. I just installed a new bridge and I have all the strings set as low as the fretboard allows. So, if I am understanding your question, yes my string action is congruent with the fretboard radius.
     
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