Even sounding jazz pickups

[Bodeanly]

Hello. Looking for the best jazz pickups for modern rock. They should have an even volume between the strings (A and D should be as loud as E and G) and they should work with both active and passive. Audio samples welcome. $300 budget, but that doesn't mean I want to spend it all. Not interested in preamp recommendations.

So, what have you got?

 

[ASQTec]

I am sorry to hear that you, like me, notice the uneven string to string volume on Jazz basses that most people apparently don't notice, or don't care about. Hopefully, you don't have the other dreaded hearing gift/problem that allows you to find dead spots in just about every bass you play.

I'll be watching this thread to see if anything besides the "let me just name my current favorite pickup no matter what the OP asked" comes along.

 

[Bodeanly]

Dead spots? Isn't that where all the hippies hang out?

I'm thinking about just routing a J for a P if I can't get to the bottom of this. I had a Jazz Deluxe years ago and don't remember the uneven string volume being an issue. Been mainly a P dude since then.

 

[line6man]

1. You need to be more descriptive. What does "modern rock" sound like?
2. All pickups work both active and passive.
3. $300 is a huge budget. Don't rule out inexpensive pickups.

 

[Bodeanly]

1. You need to be more descriptive. What does "modern rock" sound like?
2. All pickups work both active and passive.
3. $300 is a huge budget. Don't rule out inexpensive pickups.

1. Anything from STP to Foo Fighters to Paramore. Mainly concerned with even string volume.
2. Just trying to be thorough.
3. Just wanna find the RIGHT ones.

 

[NKBassman]

I too was having issues with string-to-string balance lately. On that topic, I have two recommendations:

1) Dimarzio Model J: High Output, humbucking, aggressive, mid-centric sound. Adjustable Pole Pieces really let you fine tune/dial in string balance issues.
2) Nordstrand Big J Blades: More "vintagey" jazz tone, single coil, and radiused blade. While not adjustable, string-to-string balance is really nice on my Geddy jazz.

 

[Bodeanly]

I too was having issues with string-to-string balance lately. On that topic, I have two recommendations:

1) Dimarzio Model J: High Output, humbucking, aggressive, mid-centric sound. Adjustable Pole Pieces really let you fine tune/dial in string balance issues.
2) Nordstrand Big J Blades: More "vintagey" jazz tone, single coil, and radiused blade. While not adjustable, string-to-string balance is really nice on my Geddy jazz.

Adjustable pole pieces! Totally forgot those existed. I've never tried them, but am totally going to check them out. The bass in question is already "aggressive," so I will also check out the Big J Blades. Thank you kindly!

 

[NKBassman]

Adjustable pole pieces! Totally forgot those existed. I've never tried them, but am totally going to check them out. The bass in question is already "aggressive," so I will also check out the Big J Blades. Thank you kindly!

One thing to watch out for with the Model J poles is that if you jack them up high enough that your fingers touch, they can be a bit sharp.

 

[mech]

1) Dimarzio Model J: High Output, humbucking, aggressive, mid-centric sound. Adjustable Pole Pieces really let you fine tune/dial in string balance issues.

@Bodeanly....I have P/J sets of the Dimarzio adjustable pole piece types in a couple of basses and highly recommend them. As @NKBassman said you can easily adjust the string to string balance. For the screws feeling sharp, I have the screw on the "down" side of the string higher and the screw on the "top" side of the string adjusted to where my fingers won't hit it when I come off the stroke. Having one screw slightly higher than the other does not affect how the string is picked up.

 

[Bodeanly]

@Bodeanly....I have P/J sets of the Dimarzio adjustable pole piece types in a couple of basses and highly recommend them. As @NKBassman said you can easily adjust the string to string balance. For the screws feeling sharp, I have the screw on the "down" side of the string higher and the screw on the "top" side of the string adjusted to where my fingers won't hit it when I come off the stroke. Having one screw slightly higher than the other does not affect how the string is picked up.

Sweet!

Thanks to all!