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Dimarzio Model J

#22
I'd like some more opinions before I do anything.

I'm still considering EMG's for the clarity even if I have to live with a bit of sterality.

I still might get the Model J's even if there's not too much burp.

In the case I want the Model J's but active, what's a very cheap preamp I could get?
 
#23
I had Model Js in my MIM Classic 70s Jazz for two years, I knew they'd get rid of 60 cycle hum and were popular for heavy rock so I figured I'd try. It took me about a year to get a sound I was happy with, and that was by turning the low eq on my amp significantly down. They were really boomy. With amp eq flat they had tons of low end, just as advertised, and not much upper mid, and a little of the high sizzly stuff I don't really have any use for. In a mix they were alright, but not a ton of what I guess you'd call "character"...it sounded like a bass, but I'm not sure it sounded like a Jazz Bass.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck
 
#24
After reviewing sound clips and playing with how my Jazz sounds currently, I've decided to definitely rule out the Model J's because I DO want that single coil sound and although I like P's, I don't want a P-like sound for my jazz.
 
#25
I have them in 2 of my Jazz basses, and have ALWAYS been a fan of Model J's. They do come very close to a P bass sound, and can be a little dark, BUT I think you can get clarity depending on the fretboard type. With a maple fretboard, I think these are fantastic pickups.

Here are a couple of "terrible" video comparison I did of the Model J vs P bass. :D

 
#27
VanillaThundah said:
Whatever you do, do NOT wire them in Parallel if you don't want a meaty, mid-range growly tone. To me, I love them and they have excellent presence in that mode, but it might not be to your liking. I like oldschool thump (courtesy of my old 70's 2x15 cab) when I'm playing that bass, but the series wiring will take it down a notch and give it a more distinct, classic J sound.
Click to expand...

+1

I think many variables could cause someone to either hate or love these pickups...but with minor adjustments to your amp settings or wiring (as you've suggested) can make these "golden." I love these with my maple fretboards, but wasn't as thrilled when having them on a RW fretboard bass. With some of the highs truned up on my Markbass cmd 102p and 115 HR, they have the perfect mix of lows and highs. However, if I don't add the highs via the amp, there isn't as much clarity as I need for the "punk" tone I require.
 
#28
After even more listening of EMG's, I think they don't just sound thin, but they don't have enough of a focused-sounding in the mids type of hi-fi sound that I want. It may just be the way they eq them or the strings though, so I need more opinions.
 
#30
newbold said:
They are split coils, not double coils and in this they cancel hum so you can solo the bridge pickup AND string tapes on your bass with little worry of getting much noise.

IIRC they can be wired in series or parallel individually which leaves a lot of options for the initial wiring or custom controls.

As for presence in the mix, their fatter more aggressive tone sits them BETTER in the mix 95% of the time. These pickups play really well with others and I wish they made a 5 string version. The Ultra Jazz isn't the same.

These are still singles but they sound like a cross with humbuckers. Classic '70s passive J tone.

They're the best value on the market until you start thinking you should spend $200 on a set of Pickups.

Of course taste is very subjective, but I think you should try them and if they're not for you then you can certainly know that going forward.

Part of the reason 'P' pickups sound the way they do to you is that the split coil is wired in series and another part is its placement. Your Jazz won't sound like a Precision with these pickups and everyone will love to lay back and groove all night with your bass.
Click to expand...

I hear most people saying model J have two stacked coils, thats the reason they´re are taller than regular J pups
 
#36
I was at Guitar Center yesterday and I found a Schecter with the JHZ pickup in the neck and the MMHZ pickup in the bridge. I was very impressed how it sounded. It had some bite and had a tight high end.

I now officially declare that this a vs thread between EMG JHZ and DiMarzio Model J.
 
#37
If it helps, I absolutely LOVE the tone of all Music Man basses, but I can't even afford a Sterling, so I would love it if the pickup sounded a bit like a Music Man. The main thing I want with the pickup is having a focused-sounding tone in the mids with enough high-end response and characteristic bite of the jazz.
 
#40
I'm pretty much set on the Model J's. I'm starting to like the idea of having a P-like J despite my last posts because I don't have a P currently. I'm also going to wire it for push/pull for series/parallel. I'm sure my amp's EQ and a 500k tone pot will be enough treble for me.

BTW RaginRog, I love the tone you get on your basses in the videos. What strings did you use for them?
 

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