Comparing stock J pickups in Player series vs other options.

[EmaTheMirror]

Hi, I originally posted this message in another topic, I'll split it here for better coherence and engagement, asking a mod to edit my previous one. I recently bought a second-hand Player J. Bass (black, maple neck) with stock electronics. Is there anyone here who likes (or doesn't like) the stock Alnico J pickups found in the Player series and had the chance to compare them with other options?

I know there's a sticky megathread about J pickups and the search function, but I'm just referring to Player series J pickups as starting point for comparisons within the same instrument. There's a bit on YouTube, but not much specifically, and videos can be tricky.

I'm way more familiar with comparing P bass pickups (quite happy with my SPB1 and Bare Knuckle SCPB), to my ears these J pickups sound quite "vanilla" and present, nothing remarkably pronounced character-wise, which is not always a bad thing: they seem to provide a clear, versatile signal as baseline for all my pedals, my VT bass/Ashdown and whatever happens in my signal chains. Again, my use case scenario generally involves a fair degree of eq/drive/whatever control along the path, there are setups where investing in pickups outweighs actual benefits.

I already have a JJ set of quite expensive hand wound single coils at hand which I'll probably compare (made by Magnetics Pickups circa 2008, they'd set me back about €200 each if I bought them now), but they feature an Alnico V bar fully sealed in epoxy underneath the cover, I quite like the attack I get from exposed pole pieces. I also don't mind true single coils.

 

[darwin-bass]

Subscribed

 

[Malak the Mad]

Is there anyone here who likes (or doesn't like) the stock Alnico J pickups found in the Player series and had the chance to compare them with other options?

I have a set of Player Jazz pickups that were going into one of my strongly modified Projekt basses. The only reason why I put them aside is because I found a great price on a set of Fender Custom Shop '60s pups. I had very good results with them on a previous build and wanted to recapture some of that mojo.

All that being said, if the sound isn't doing it for me, my first go-to option to alter a bass' sound are strings. On that Projekt I linked above, I wanted to get a particular sound...growly and aggressive, but without the teeth-chattering clang!-clang!-clang! one can sometimes get with bright strings. So, after trying out a few different sets, I landed on the sound I wanted.

I've had good basses that have been made great, or not-so-great, based upon my string selection. To that effect, that's where I suggest you start, assuming you haven't tried out others already.

I already have a JJ set of quite expensive hand wound single coils at hand which I'll probably compare (made by Magnetics Pickups circa 2008, they'd set me back about €200 each if I bought them now), but they feature an Alnico V bar fully sealed in epoxy underneath the cover, I quite like the attack I get from exposed pole pieces. I also don't mind true single coils.

Where's the harm in giving them a go? All it would take is a bit of time and elbow grease. If they work well on you Player J, fantastic! And, if they don't, you've been talking about switching up already, so no harm-no foul.

I, for one, have never heard Magnetics pickups, so I cannot comment on their capabilities. But, if I were suddenly in a situation where I had to eliminate all of my Jazzes, save for one solitary instrument, I would want one loaded with Bartolini B-Axis split-coil J's or Custom Shop '60s as a close second.

I am intrigued by DiMarzio Sixties, but I've only ever had a P/J, so I don't know how a J/J would work for me. One thing for sure, I love their ergonomic groove of the Sixties and Relentless pups. I think they were very wise in embracing Billy Sheehan's rounded shells. If Bartolini had B-Axis pickups in rounded metal shells, well shut up and take my money!

 

[EmaTheMirror]

I have a set of Player Jazz pickups that were going into one of my strongly modified Projekt basses. The only reason why I put them aside is because I found a great price on a set of Fender Custom Shop '60s pups. I had very good results with them on a previous build and wanted to recapture some of that mojo.

Did you find "drastic" or marginal differences between the Player and the CS 60s? I often see the Pure Vintage '66 going for way less than their closest counterparts (€117 at Thomann's here), but that's an Alnico V Plain Enamel pickup (which I do enjoy in my SPB1 split pickup), my ass-umption is it's a bit mellower than Fender's contemporary offerings - that's what I also read about them online. Other CS/PV offerings are based on Alnico 2 magnets instead, IIRC.

All that being said, if the sound isn't doing it for me, my first go-to option to alter a bass' sound are strings. On that Projekt I linked above, I wanted to get a particular sound...growly and aggressive, but without the teeth-chattering clang!-clang!-clang! one can sometimes get with bright strings. So, after trying out a few different sets, I landed on the sound I wanted.

I've had good basses that have been made great, or not-so-great, based upon my string selection. To that effect, that's where I suggest you start, assuming you haven't tried out others already.

That and distance between pickups and strings. I guess some overlook this when they hear boomy lows and brittle highs or extremely low output. Or, when it comes to J basses, a less than ideal freq. cancellation when both volumes are dimed.

Where's the harm in giving them a go? All it would take is a bit of time and elbow grease. If they work well on you Player J, fantastic! And, if they don't, you've been talking about switching up already, so no harm-no foul.

I, for one, have never heard Magnetics pickups, so I cannot comment on their capabilities. But, if I were suddenly in a situation where I had to eliminate all of my Jazzes, save for one solitary instrument, I would want one loaded with Bartolini B-Axis split-coil J's or Custom Shop '60s as a close second.

They're a small (boutique) manufacturer based in Rome, and prices go accordingly, even with domestic shipping. I deffo didn't pay €200 per pickup back in 2008, anyway.

Technically, I cant fault them. Theoretically, they are fairly close to Fender's original design, but I had to go with a sealed blade underneath the cover as they were meant to go in a 5 string J style bass with narrow spacing and 4-string sized JJ housings.

My ear says they do have a smoother attack (and I've grown to like the attack of exposed pole pieces), but I'm afraid that bass (a heavy ash-bodied one, quite a boat anchor) might play a role too. That said, I might want to test them in my (bright and responsive) Player and hear how they sound there.

 

[Akiyama]

About 12 months ago I replaced my Player I Jazz bass pickups with Fender Pure Vintage 62s. My rationales were that I wanted more “grind” and the classic early 60s tone. The 62s gave me what I wanted. That said, the Player I pickups, relative to the 62s, have more output, more lower mids, have a “more immediate attack”, a touch of compression, are slightly quieter, less highs, and drive a chorus pedal better than the 62s. I don’t know how your Magnetics are wound/tuned. I hope my comparison of the Player Jazz pickups compared to the 62s gives you some decent information.
Aside: I use multiple pickup vol/balance settings.