Best replacement pickups for a 1971 Jazz?

[nellie48]

I have had a Fender Jazz bass for 5 years now and have had to deal with low output and squeeling pickups when I turn up the gain. The bridge pup is original but the neck pickup looks like some newer type. I had the original one potted a few months back but now the output is even lower. Considering all the innards of my bass are not original, I am considering selling my original pickup. They seem to fetch $200-$400 on ebay. If I go this route, what would be the best replacement pickups for my 71 Jazz that would be close to the original sound (perhaps better?

 

[RTL]

Nordstrand NJ4 - 70's wind. Simply awesome.

 

[narud]

I have had a Fender Jazz bass for 5 years now and have had to deal with low output and squeeling pickups when I turn up the gain. The bridge pup is original but the neck pickup looks like some newer type. I had the original one potted a few months back but now the output is even lower. Considering all the innards of my bass are not original, I am considering selling my original pickup. They seem to fetch $200-$400 on ebay. If I go this route, what would be the best replacement pickups for my 71 Jazz that would be close to the original sound (perhaps better?

it doesnt sound like you are that happy with the original pickups so do you really want "close to the original sound". did you have the original pickup waxed or lacquered?

if you really want the original sound of that bass, get a set of antiquity 2's, send them to duncan and get them unwound to the high 7k low 8k range.

if you want "better", then all bets are off. are there frequencies of which you would like to hear more/less?

 

[nellie48]

it doesnt sound like you are that happy with the original pickups so do you really want "close to the original sound". did you have the original pickup waxed or lacquered?

if you really want the original sound of that bass, get a set of antiquity 2's, send them to duncan and get them unwound to the high 7k low 8k range.

if you want "better", then all bets are off. are there frequencies of which you would like to hear more/less?

I really like the sound of the originals, just not happy with the low output and the fact that only my bridge pickup is original (seems a little pointless having one when I could possibly fetch $200-$300 for it) This bass at 10 is quieter than my Thunderbird at 2. I actually think it got quieter after having the pickups "waxed" (I dont recall them being lacquered). When I run direct (thats the way the do it at church) the sound guy has told me that he had me maxed out on the board. So I want to keep my sound without all the problems. Anything that sounds like that original early 70's jazz sound would be good in my book.

 

[narud]

I really like the sound of the originals, just not happy with the low output and the fact that only my bridge pickup is original (seems a little pointless having one when I could possibly fetch $200-$300 for it) This bass at 10 is quieter than my Thunderbird at 2. I actually think it got quieter after having the pickups "waxed" (I dont recall them being lacquered). When I run direct (thats the way the do it at church) the sound guy has told me that he had me maxed out on the board. So I want to keep my sound without all the problems. Anything that sounds like that original early 70's jazz sound would be good in my book.

well, than the advice i gave you in the post earlier will get you the sound. fender pickups from that era are plain enamel/lacquer potted wound from mid to high 7k. the vintage replacements out there are usually formvar/waxed and wound above 8k and well into the mid 9k area. totally different sound. youd probably be pretty happy with a stock set of lollars as well.

 

[d_buzz]

Aero Jazz bass pickup would complete your gear.