• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Di Marzio Jazz P/u's

N

NORAMACTIVE

Jul 27, 2008
42
0
#1
Just installed DiMarzio jazz pick up ( (humbuckers) in my MIM fender jazz bass, I must say it really wasn't worth the effort , hardly a discernible change ??? They don't really fit with out alteration as stated by DiMarzio
Any input guys ??:help:
 
#2
You have a bass with identical pickup holes. On Fender Jazz Basses and most other jazz type models, the bridge pickup is wider (longer) than the neck pickup. It's not the DiMarzio pickups that are causing your problem, it's your bass' manufacturer. You have two options, route the bridge pickup hole to fit, or use two neck pickups.
 
#3
Craig_S said:
You have a bass with identical pickup holes. On Fender Jazz Basses and most other jazz type models, the bridge pickup is wider (longer) than the neck pickup. It's not the DiMarzio pickups that are causing your problem, it's your bass' manufacturer. You have two options, route the bridge pickup hole to fit, or use two neck pickups.
Click to expand...
Yes , I realized that but the Di Marzio's are larger than the originals in the area dimensions . Past that there was no appreciable difference in sound , which is what perplexed me . They are both already installed
 
#4
I have the DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups in my Fender. There was no problem whatsoever. They fit the routes and the pickguard without an issue. They are direct replacement pickups.

No discernible change in tone from the originals to a humbucking J-style is probably the best endorsement anyone could give those pickups.
 
#5
Sounds like an Obtuse point of view:rollno:
Why then would you spend the money and time to install them then ??? These are questions I've asked myself after installation
Sometimes if you have no pertinent answer ,
silence is prudent:rolleyes:
 
#11
I also have DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups in my Mexi Jazz. First off, I have to say that the pickups sound WAY better than the stock pickups that came in the bass. Night and day difference to my ears. The stock pickups sounded wimpy and lifeless compared to the UJ's. My Mexi Jazz is 5 or so years old, so maybe things have improved or changed regarding the pickups in the more recent Mexi Jazz basses.

One thing that is worth mentioning is that, although the pickups are direct J replacements, the E string doesn't line up correctly with pole pieces on the neck pup. I had to do a lot of bridge and string spacing tweeking to get all the strings properly lined up with the pole pieces. Even after all the tweeking, things still aren't perfect. Maybe the DiMarzio UJ's are direct replacements for the American J's but I would have to say they are not quite so for the Mexi J's.
 
#12
Craig_S said:
You have a bass with identical pickup holes. On Fender Jazz Basses and most other jazz type models, the bridge pickup is wider (longer) than the neck pickup. It's not the DiMarzio pickups that are causing your problem, it's your bass' manufacturer. You have two options, route the bridge pickup hole to fit, or use two neck pickups.
Click to expand...

This seems to be the case in my experience as well. DiMarzio should probably document this better since they are in the business of selling after-market replacement parts for commonly used instruments.
 
#13
Been running these pick ups for years, through a bartolini preamp. I have a pick up selector switch, neck, blended, bridge, volume, hi, mid and low, tone knobs. 9 volt supply.

Bridge pick up has a tap switch, for even more bite. Huge variety of sounds with this set up.


When everything is working right, dead silent, no noise whatsoever.

I've been curious about the audere preamps, lots of folks love them, it should drop right in. Another $150 and you'll be in MM land and beyond.

But yeah the whole humbucker idea was to get rid of the stock single coil pu noise. (Which I happily put up with on my stock Highway One.)

Good luck, with your mods, it can be a long search for the sound you want. I love the active basses for all the on board dial in possibilties, but I really like my simple passive Jazz too, its way mellower, not so Hi FI, but different sound for different music styles.
 
#14
I put some DiMarzio Model J pups in my '06 Mexican Jazz. Mine has the wider bridge pup, but the DiMarzio pickup covers were just a hair bigger than my routs. I had to file the covers down a little here and there to get them in. Then, the E and A on the bridge pup were DEAD!!! I sent it in and they fixed it quickly, but it was a hassle. Anyhow, they do sound a little better than the stock ones, the hum cancelling is nice, and I really like the adjustable pole pieces. Even so, I'm still thinking about switching to some Fender Vintage Noiseless or something like that. That's the problem with pickups, they're expensive, a pain to switch, and you never know what you're getting until the money is spent and the pain is pained.
 
#15
I have just installed an early set of dimarzio ultra jazz pickups in a twin neck i had built many years ago. It ment having a new scratch plate made up as the previous pickups were to small, they are great very jaco sounding. I am totally knocked out and reaching for this bass all the time, much better than fender pickups, i cant comment on how the new UJ pickups sound though.:)
 
#16
The Model J's I used to run made that Jazz my favourite bass to date.

I expect to do the same next time I get a 4 string Jazz. Way bitier than the stock pickups, and very warm.

Knowing what I know now, I'd be adding a lot of series/parallel switching. What a great time to be a bass player. So many options in controlling signal path fairly easily.

Amazing product.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back