Duncan Designed vs. Fender Original J Bass Pickups

[thedrummer]

Hey folks,

I have a Squire VMJ with the Duncan Designed pickups. The stock pickups sound pretty good, but I'm looking for a little more bottom and growl in the tone. I've done a little research, and the Fender Original 60's J Bass pickups (standard on the Geddy Lee model) may be what I need. I don't have access to any Geddy Lee Jazz models locally for an a/b. If anyone has experience with the Duncan Designed as well as the Fender Original 60's pickups, I'd appereciate your input.

 

[Kitsapbass]

I like the Model J's by DiMarzio, as well as Basslines.

 

[mmbongo]

+10 on DiMarzio's. They'll destroy any Fender or DD pickup.

 

[mmbongo]

Go get these now:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=588743

 

[JBPB]

I loved the sound of Fender Original '60's in my bass. But Dimarzios, Basslines have more low end.

 

[narud]

do you want low mid growl or high mid growl? the sound of a split humbucker will be closer to what you already have with the duncan designed which arent wound very hot at all. not exact, but ball park. the fenders though are on a different tone spectrum all together. more upper midrange growl and less extended in the clicky/airy highs. theyre a very good pickup.

be careful not to get caught up with anyone telling you one pickup will destroy another. they are different voices/flavors and only your tone preference will determine whats good or not.

 

[depalm]

Be careful with Fender Originals, quality control varies a lot.

I had two pairs with dropped wirings, short in one of them… and frankly, the Duncan designed doesn't sound that bad.

If you don't want to spend money on pickups I recommend the Duncan SJB-1 or a DiMarzio. For a little more get the NJ4.

 

[DavC]

having installed the Dimazio model J , basslines , Fender 60's , and Fender Vintage Noiseless (current) in a few different Fender Jazz basses .. a couple old 70's models , a Geddy , a Fender franken parts bass , and my current 85 Jazz ...

i think the model J , for a humbucking pup , had the thickest sound .... but beware they are just a bit taller than the average pickup ..!! for the price they're hard to beat ..!

i think i'm going to try some Sadowsky hum cancelling pups next ... also looking for nice thick lows , but with clearer airy
highs ...!?

if you buy them used , you can usually try them out .. then if you wanna try something else , you won't take to much of a beating $$$ when you re-sell ... gotta shop around ...

we can all talk about what we might like ... but that might not relate to your setup ..!

enjoy your search ... and have fun soldering ..!! DC

 

[thedrummer]

Thanks for the responses. The research continues...

 

[thedrummer]

How about the STK-J2 stacked or the SJB-2 single coil? It sounds like the SJB-2 is a hotter, more bottom heavy version of the Duncan Designed. The STK-J2 is a humbucker with more wiring options. Thoughts?

 

[depalm]

It depends on what kind of sound you're looking for. These PUs are not very "vintage" sounding.
I mean, they sound OK but more robust and hotter than a standard single.