Dimarzio Relentless J and Sixties J pickups

[fourstr00]

You installed the 60's J correct? It's pretty hot? How would you say the clarity is? I'm looking at these over the relentless for my JB. Unless someone can convince me to go all in on the relentless. They seem really hot and very bassy or easily overdriven in the videos I have seen. Maybe the gain was set to high on them in the videos but they seem to loose a lot of definition.

Thanks!

I installed a Relentless. The clarity is out of this world.

I’ve never been a fan of solo’d bridge pickup - it’s too quiet, too nasal. But I played a gym a couple of weeks ago for a fundraiser that was a boomy mess. I solo’d the relentless to try and overcome, and I just got it. Still a full sound, but plenty of definition to cut through the boom. And it’s been dead quiet in a bunch of lighting scenarios.

 

[PhinDog]

I installed a Relentless. The clarity is out of this world.

I’ve never been a fan of solo’d bridge pickup - it’s too quiet, too nasal. But I played a gym a couple of weeks ago for a fundraiser that was a boomy mess. I solo’d the relentless to try and overcome, and I just got it. Still a full sound, but plenty of definition to cut through the boom. And it’s been dead quiet in a bunch of lighting scenarios.

Thank you sounds perfect. Trying to decide between these and the sixties. But leaning towards the relentless.

 

[fourstr00]

What eventually decided for me was the Relentless not having exposed pole pieces, since it really does work as a ramp being so close to the strings. These are much closer than other pickups I’ve used and it took a lot to get the height low enough.

Didn’t want to get my fingers chewed up by the exposed poles. Happy with the decision though.

 

[HMZ]

What eventually decided for me was the Relentless not having exposed pole pieces, since it really does work as a ramp being so close to the strings. These are much closer than other pickups I’ve used and it took a lot to get the height low enough.

Didn’t want to get my fingers chewed up by the exposed poles. Happy with the decision though.

I see you mentioned that “ it took a lot to get the height low enough” did you have to route the holes deeper to fit the pickups?

 

[fourstr00]

I didn’t - just had to crank it down with a screwdriver a lot more than I expected. In the total scheme of things, not that big a deal.

Still totally happy with the decision. Awesome pickups.

 

[SharpCat]

Just completed installing Sixties PJ set into my BB234. Agree that the J bridge is tall--I had to crank it way down as well. Used the DiMarzio 500K volume pots and .033 cap/250K tone pot as per their wiring diagram.

Thoughts:
- The dual cables from the split P pickups did not both fit through the channel from the pickup route into the control route. Did not want to redrill the body, so ended up removing the outer insulation around each cable and routing only the thin wires.
- As noted, the J bridge is tall. DM does not provide (that I could find) any guidance on best way to mount the J pickups. Went with standard foam underneath. For the P, they provide tubing to mount. I think I will remount with foam on next string change--I don't like how the tubing is working.
- Very high output. Guess that's a good thing? These things are LOUD.
- On installing the pickups and restringing the D'add Chromes I had on this bass, I was not impressed with the tone of the pickups--either good or bad. On reflection, this is good--these are not unique sounding pickups IMHO. They hit the sixties sound exactly. Unique sound desired?--get the relentless set.
- The looks cannot be beat. They look fabulous! One nit: the logo on the J pickup is in white, while the logo on the lower P pickup is not painted--just molded into the cover.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I didn’t - just had to crank it down with a screwdriver a lot more than I expected. In the total scheme of things, not that big a deal.

Still totally happy with the decision. Awesome pickups.

I cut my existing foam in half for mounting my sixties J set as I couldn't get them low enough with standard sized foam. it was also difficult to set the height since the screws sit so low compared to the J pups.

Also, the wires barely fit through the cavity on my jazz when i was soldering to the control plate.

my takeaway with the sixties J is that they wont wow you in solo practice but my bandmates love how they sound in the mix.

 

[Bass Sensitive]

I'm looking at both of these pups but confused that the Dimarzio website shows the 60's J's having more output than the Relentless. I was under the impression the Relentless were the hotter of the two. What am I missing here?
I'm also curious how these compare to SD 1/4 pounders, if anyone knows.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I'm looking at both of these pups but confused that the Dimarzio website shows the 60's J's having more output than the Relentless. I was under the impression the Relentless were the hotter of the two. What am I missing here?
I'm also curious how these compare to SD 1/4 pounders, if anyone knows.

I replaced QPs with the Sixties and find the Sixties to be lower output and less mid forward. Based on a Yt demo I saw the Relentless should be way hotter and way bassier.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I love the Relentless P and neck humbucker set, and I've been pestering Billy about this J set for a year, haha! He'll be posting an installation video soon, like he did for the others.

I'm building another Jazz with a P neck to host this new set. If they're anything like the P/neck humbucker set, they'll set a new standard for clarity and presence.
View attachment 4866025 View attachment 4866026 View attachment 4866027

Whose signature is that?

 

[musicman556]

Whose signature is that?

Billy Sheehan's

This was before the neck pickup was added.

I've also built a bass with the Relentless J set since then, but haven't had the chance to meet up with Billy for his approval and signature.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

Hey guys and girls,

any more updates / reviews on these Relentless J and / or 60s?
I was dead set on the good old Model J pickups by DiMarzio when I found out about the new Relentless J. I'm worried that these will be too hot and not enough Jazz Bass anymore. But I'm still looking to beef things up with my 60s-style Jazz Bass with alder body and rosewood fretboard. Who can help a fella out?

 

[manchego_eggo]

Hey guys and girls,

any more updates / reviews on these Relentless J and / or 60s?
I was dead set on the good old Model J pickups by DiMarzio when I found out about the new Relentless J. I'm worried that these will be too hot and not enough Jazz Bass anymore. But I'm still looking to beef things up with my 60s-style Jazz Bass with alder body and rosewood fretboard. Who can help a fella out?

I have the Sixties and would describe them as fairly low output - for example, on my empress bass compressor, I need to have the input at 4 o'clock to get to -8db gain reduction suggested by the manual even when slamming on the strings a la Steve Harris or Flea. That said the EQ Curve on them is perfect, it's like they've already been run through a pre-amp. Actually thinking to swap mine for Model J's for some extra oomph.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

I have the Sixties and would describe them as fairly low output - for example, on my empress bass compressor, I need to have the input at 4 o'clock to get to -8db gain reduction suggested by the manual even when slamming on the strings a la Steve Harris or Flea. That said the EQ Curve on them is perfect, it's like they've already been run through a pre-amp. Actually thinking to swap mine for Model J's for some extra oomph.

Thanks, now I am thinking about the 60s again, haha. Pleeeze let us know if you do the swap.

 

[manchego_eggo]

for anyone interested, I'm selling my Sixties J pair in nickel. I like my pickups set higher which tougher on this set due to the radiused pickup, that said, I'd be interested in trading for a set of Relentless since you can recess the pole pieces on those and I'm really vibing on the Model J's that replaced the Sixties J; I believe someone on TB said the Relentless are the successor to the Model J.

https://talkbass.com/threads/dimarzio-sixties-jazz-nickel.1624878/

 

[manchego_eggo]

compared (poorly) the Relentless J to the Model J if anyone is interested.

I found the Relentless to be a welcome update with more clarity, output and more quiet!

Has anybody compared the Dimarzio Model J and Relentless J pickups?

 

[jglunt]

I have a set of Jazz Sixties on my Squier Paranormal 54 Jazz Bass. This is the third bass I've had these on. It's frustrating me, because the reviews are so good on these, but on all three basses (two active and one passive) I've had the same problem. The E and A strings sound fantastic--big and full and rich and articulate. The D string sounds a little thin. The G string sounds thin and downright brittle. I can combat that by rolling off the treble, but then my E and A strings sound muddy. I read through this thread, and nobody mentions any of this. Is it just me? On one of the active basses, I've used a set of nickel roundwound strings. On the other active and the passive bass, I've used GHS Pressurewound strings. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas? Has anyone experienced anything similar with the DM Jazz Sixties?

 

[SharpCat]

I have a set of Jazz Sixties on my Squier Paranormal 54 Jazz Bass. This is the third bass I've had these on. It's frustrating me, because the reviews are so good on these, but on all three basses (two active and one passive) I've had the same problem. The E and A strings sound fantastic--big and full and rich and articulate. The D string sounds a little thin. The G string sounds thin and downright brittle. I can combat that by rolling off the treble, but then my E and A strings sound muddy. I read through this thread, and nobody mentions any of this. Is it just me? On one of the active basses, I've used a set of nickel roundwound strings. On the other active and the passive bass, I've used GHS Pressurewound strings. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas? Has anyone experienced anything similar with the DM Jazz Sixties?

I think it's just you, TBH. What pot values are you using? DM recommends 500K for the volumes.

I happen to have a bridge Sixties pickup loose at the moment, measuring, it looks like the tops of the poles are about a 12 inch radius. How does that compare to the radius your strings are set at? might need to adjust the pickup tilt or string heights to add some volume on the D/G. Any difference between the neck and bridge on your basses? Or are they both a problem?

Another option would be to try the Relentless. Not the same, but similar and do have adjustable poles.

 

[etherealme]

I have a set of Jazz Sixties on my Squier Paranormal 54 Jazz Bass. This is the third bass I've had these on. It's frustrating me, because the reviews are so good on these, but on all three basses (two active and one passive) I've had the same problem. The E and A strings sound fantastic--big and full and rich and articulate. The D string sounds a little thin. The G string sounds thin and downright brittle. I can combat that by rolling off the treble, but then my E and A strings sound muddy. I read through this thread, and nobody mentions any of this. Is it just me? On one of the active basses, I've used a set of nickel roundwound strings. On the other active and the passive bass, I've used GHS Pressurewound strings. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas? Has anyone experienced anything similar with the DM Jazz Sixties?

Have you tried having your action less squared off with the alignment of the radius of the neck? Usually if your E&A strings are paired up in tone and you're struggling with the other two I would look at evening out string height.

(HOWEVER, and take this as just me sharing my experience - I don't want to dump on the brand here but I have had problems with getting even consistent volume across all strings before due to the pairing of split coils in some of their designs and i have had multiple A string poles just go to no output on the split coil jazz pups.)

 

[jglunt]

Have you tried having your action less squared off with the alignment of the radius of the neck? Usually if your E&A strings are paired up in tone and you're struggling with the other two I would look at evening out string height.

(HOWEVER, and take this as just me sharing my experience - I don't want to dump on the brand here but I have had problems with getting even consistent volume across all strings before due to the pairing of split coils in some of their designs and i have had multiple A string poles just go to no output on the split coil jazz pups.)

I appreciate your response. I haven't had any problems like you describe. It's just the tone. If I get a nice, rich, articulate sound on the E & A strings, the D & G strings are thin, almost brittle-sounding (mostly the G). If I get a better tone out of the D & G strings, the E and A strings get muddy. Like all DiMarzio pickups, the Sixties Jazz pickups follow the general contour of the string radius. I haven't had that bass out for a while, but I'm planning to try adjusting pickup height, getting the treble side closer to the strings and maybe backing off the E-A side to see if that will help. Right now, they are set about evenly on both ends.