DiMarzio Area J mods

ah, you're talking about the 5-string versions;

if the pickup won't fit, chances are the magnet pole spacing won't be right either.

 

Stop trying to put the neck pickup in the bridge position and vice versa.

Just kidding.

Sorry cant help. The 4 string version fits normal Fender routes fine. What kind of bass?

 

This may be a bigger job than you think. I believe the Area J's are glued to the pickup cover so separating them may be a challenge (I can't confirm this but when I put them into one of my 5 strings I think they were glued together). Next, the bobbins are as wide as the cover so you'd have to carefully sand them down to fit into a standard cover. There's also the point Walter mentions about the pole pieces potentially not lining up with the holes in a standard cover.

But, like most problems yours can be solved with money. Just ditch the Nordstrands (and the Area J's) and get the Fralin hum cancelling pickups. Great tone, right size, job done.

 

My Area J's covers are easily removed and are not glued/epoxied.

 

Excellent!

 

Sometimes money makes the decision for us...but to be fair your math is a bit off:

Area J: $140
Aguilar: $189
Fralin: $200
Barden: $285

Also, a correct size replacement cover can be had for $1.55 (plus shipping of course) so you don't have to sacrifice anything unless you're into that sort of thing.

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-part...azz-Bass-Neck-Pickup-Cover-Black#.UebXf208lCo

 

Hey Winston6wt, where you able to swap the cover of your Area J's? I think I'll need to do the same... If so, which ones did you buy, the Mojotones testing1two linked above?

 

interesting that the dimarzio cover came off, but how is a different-sized cover gonna fit on the pickup?

 

As long as the pole piece holes line up, there shouldn't be an issue fitting a larger cover on the pickup. The down force of the mounting screws are what hold it on.

 

A though on Dimarzios, specifically:

Make real sure that other covers will fit Dimarzio bobbins. Take nothing for granted based on looks and loose measurements.
Here's why: From personal experience, the Virtual Vintage strat pickups must use Dimarzio's proprietary cover, a typical strat cover will not fit. To the naked eye you might not notice the difference. That said, I do not know if the same applies to their Area J pickup, or others. But having seen the VV, and also noticing other unique Dimarzio "quirks", I would not take anything for granted and be real sure to double and triple check it out. Even calling them will help; they're great people in my book.

 

I've contacted DiMarzio's customer support. This is what they've told me (in other TB thread):

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/mr-dimarzio-you-crazy-932488/#post15224350

I guess they cover their backs, but I not going to surrender yet ;p