EMG JVX pups not what I expected; Which EMG set is better?

[madjazzbass]

I had high hopes for the EMG JVX Jazz Bass pickups, I listened to sound clips, watched numerous videos and read up on reviews so I was sure the JVX set was THE Best sounding pups for me for how I wanted my Bass(es) to sound; BUT, after I purchased and installed them I was left somewhat dissatisfied. I LOVE EMG's, I have the GZR (P/J) set in (one of) my Warmoth builds and they sound ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! I Love them and would never change/replace them. So, I'm looking for the/a EMG J set that rival the JVX set in terms of most of all Clarity and Punch; that's exactly what the GZR set delivers all day! I'd Love to have that in a (EMG) J Bass set as well. Has anyone compared a few EMG J sets and come up with a "favorite" set they prefer over the JVX's? I'd Love to know, Thanks.

 

[dnp41]

EMG does also make a passive j sets. I think it's called the jv52. I've had the set in my bass for a while but I was somewhat underwhelmed with them. I changed them out for the original j's from fender and like those much better. My main issue with the jv52 set was poor string balance (overpowered E string) and the set not having the same articulation as a true single coil.

Since I also love EMG I have asked them if they would think it's a good idea to make a true single coil J (passive). Short answer is that they might but its not planned as of now.

 

[silky smoove]

I've got two Jazz basses hanging on the wall currently. One has JVX pickups, the other JAX. Both are excellent. Comparing both with the tone control wide open and both pickups on full; The JVX is more of the traditional Jazz thing with a slight scoop to the midrange, quite a lot of bottom end and a bright top end. Conversely, the JAX is more like what you find in modern soapbar-equipped basses. Now I realize that soapbars are just a shape and not indicative of a coil configuration, but to my ears there's a lot of commonality in this format of basses when looking at midrange Ibanez and Yamaha models (for example). Compared to the JVX, the JAX has less bottom, more midrange, less top end. I think the JVX sounds better on its own and in mixes where the bass has a lot of room to stand out, whereas the JAX sounds less appealing on its own but seems to slot itself in better in dense mixes.

If what you're after is a traditional Jazz thing, then to my ears the best EMG ever did was their original J pickup. If you're looking for something that's a workhorse bass without being tied to the traditional Jazz thing then the JAX pickups are an incredibly usable pickup.

 

[madjazzbass]

I've got two Jazz basses hanging on the wall currently. One has JVX pickups, the other JAX. Both are excellent. Comparing both with the tone control wide open and both pickups on full; The JVX is more of the traditional Jazz thing with a slight scoop to the midrange, quite a lot of bottom end and a bright top end. Conversely, the JAX is more like what you find in modern soapbar-equipped basses. Now I realize that soapbars are just a shape and not indicative of a coil configuration, but to my ears there's a lot of commonality in this format of basses when looking at midrange Ibanez and Yamaha models (for example). Compared to the JVX, the JAX has less bottom, more midrange, less top end. I think the JVX sounds better on its own and in mixes where the bass has a lot of room to stand out, whereas the JAX sounds less appealing on its own but seems to slot itself in better in dense mixes.

If what you're after is a traditional Jazz thing, then to my ears the best EMG ever did was their original J pickup. If you're looking for something that's a workhorse bass without being tied to the traditional Jazz thing then the JAX pickups are an incredibly usable pickup.

Thank you kindly Sir.