Hey all, looking for some input on some HUGE sounding jazz pickups. I have a skyline DJ4 with a maple fretboard. Right now I'm running it passive but I have an Audere preamp for it. This is my keeper bass, feel wise, but it could use some more "balls." This bass is naturally very clear and treble-based. Looking to get some pickups to balance it out and really bring the low end. Amp is a walkabout scout if it matters. Some of the pickups I've heard about are the Dimarzio Model J's and Delano JMVC 4 FE/M2, among others. Would love to hear your guys' input!
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Biggest sounding jazz pick ups
- Thread starter JonPol
- Start date
Are you using the preamp already or are you waiting to get pickups before installing everything?
I think the Audere should be giving you some strong signal.
Which model did you get?
I think the Audere should be giving you some strong signal.
Which model did you get?
I have the JMVC's wired passive on my 5 string maple/ash Warmoth bass. I was actually comparing them to my Jazz Bass today. Unlike what some may say, they are not "modern sounding" meaning "smooth and hi fi" and certainly not "scooped sounding" the way the DiMarzio Ultra Jazz's would be for example. The sound may be a little more defined compared to the Fender pickups but it is more powerful too. They are well balanced with strong lows and an accentuation of 2.5 khz frequencies which gives them a bright, lively and aggressive sound with a good growl.
The string-to-string balance is exceptional especially on a fiver and they are very sensitive to dynamic playing. The transients are crazy fast which yields a badass attack that jumps out of the speakers with the two pickups full on. If the Delanos are not as warm as traditional Fender pickups, they sound more "in-your-face" and fair way better when downtuning. The neck pickup is very "PBass-ish" when played with a pick or fingers and very usable, the bridge pickup a little too nasal to my taste but both pickups together have this awesome punchy sound reminiscent of a Musicman Sterling. I recommend those pickups for those playing loud and aggressive music with the need to cut through. The smooth jazz dudes will hate those pickups. It is the opposite of Bartolinis 9J1's which have absolutely no cutting high-mids and a deep dark syrupy smooth sound (I tried almost every Jazz Bass pickup available over the past 30yrs) . If the Delanos are OK for slapping, they would not be my first choice for a "slap bass" because of the accentuation of the 2.5 khz frequencies which makes the "pops" a little too harsh. If I have a moment I'll post some sound clips this week. Interestingly, I often use this bass for reggae, for which I just dim the brightness with the tone knob and it becomes monster dub bass heaven. I love those pickups but I do not think they can please everyone. I.e Jazz Bass purists. The DiMarzio Area J's will sound darker but warmer and more "vintage" in comparaison. They will be a totally different animal and won't feel as "in-your-face" or cut through the mix like the Delanos.
They are both "big sounding" as you say, but in a totally different way. The DiMarzios would be big sounding a la PBass and the Delanos would be big sounding a la Musicman if it means anything to you. Keep in mind the perception of a "big sounding bass" does not come from an excess of low frequencies. It is a complicated thing...
I actually do believe the Delanos could be the best Jazz Bass pickups for metal though...no seriously
They look badass IMO.
I hope it helps!
The string-to-string balance is exceptional especially on a fiver and they are very sensitive to dynamic playing. The transients are crazy fast which yields a badass attack that jumps out of the speakers with the two pickups full on. If the Delanos are not as warm as traditional Fender pickups, they sound more "in-your-face" and fair way better when downtuning. The neck pickup is very "PBass-ish" when played with a pick or fingers and very usable, the bridge pickup a little too nasal to my taste but both pickups together have this awesome punchy sound reminiscent of a Musicman Sterling. I recommend those pickups for those playing loud and aggressive music with the need to cut through. The smooth jazz dudes will hate those pickups. It is the opposite of Bartolinis 9J1's which have absolutely no cutting high-mids and a deep dark syrupy smooth sound (I tried almost every Jazz Bass pickup available over the past 30yrs) . If the Delanos are OK for slapping, they would not be my first choice for a "slap bass" because of the accentuation of the 2.5 khz frequencies which makes the "pops" a little too harsh. If I have a moment I'll post some sound clips this week. Interestingly, I often use this bass for reggae, for which I just dim the brightness with the tone knob and it becomes monster dub bass heaven. I love those pickups but I do not think they can please everyone. I.e Jazz Bass purists. The DiMarzio Area J's will sound darker but warmer and more "vintage" in comparaison. They will be a totally different animal and won't feel as "in-your-face" or cut through the mix like the Delanos.
They are both "big sounding" as you say, but in a totally different way. The DiMarzios would be big sounding a la PBass and the Delanos would be big sounding a la Musicman if it means anything to you. Keep in mind the perception of a "big sounding bass" does not come from an excess of low frequencies. It is a complicated thing...
I actually do believe the Delanos could be the best Jazz Bass pickups for metal though...no seriously
They look badass IMO.I hope it helps!
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If you are wanting to get the most lows out of a set of J's get Bartolini low voiced set. Those things sound good and you can select from differnt voicings when selecting the model of pickups. They are also split coils/hum cancelling. So you can pan more to front or back with no hum.
For the little story, I usually don't play metal but I just tried out with a metal band and they were blown away by tone. It did sound heavy as hell.
The best pickups for metal they may be!
The best pickups for metal they may be!
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For a heavy J-bass tone, I like the Joe Bardens in my Fender Jazz V. On the D and G strings they sound close to a regular J with a little extra punch, but below those they're thicker and heavier IMO. My band plays originals in a heavy classic rock vein, and the Bardens work extremely well. Keep in mind this particular Jazz V is acoustically rich, and sounded pretty heavy with the stock Fender singles.
