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Fender Aerodyne Jazz P/J Pickup Recommendations

BuiltToSpill17

BuiltToSpill17

Oct 17, 2009
151
59
Baltimore, MD
#1
I searched a bit for recommendations on P/J configurations, but wasn't able to find anything that quite asked/answered the questions I have:

Overall, I'm very happy with my Aerodyne Jazz (P/J), however, I feel that the stock pickups are lacking (and the pots are "all or none"). I play Indie/Alt Rock and would like to stay with passive electronics.

I have narrowed my selections down to getting this for the P-Bass Pickup:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/delano-4-string-pickups.htm#delanopmvc4fem2

And for the J:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/basslines-pickups-sjb3.htm

Since I'm looking for a bright attack and meaty-lows/low-mids, does anyone have experience with either the Jazz Quarter Pounders or the Delanos? I'd be interested to hear recommendations for other brands such as the Bartolini P/Js or passive EMGs. Audio examples would be stellar :)

Also, is there any reason I would not want to have mis-matched brand pickups? I really like the wide poles on the Delano's and was also considering this instead of the Seymour Duncan:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/delano-4-string-pickups.htm#delanojmvc4fem2
 
#2
I looked into this a little before buying my Jazz. When switching pickups on a P/J style bass, you typically want to get some sort of matched set due to the different output levels of the two different styles of pickup. The P will generally have a stronger output than the J, so without them being wound for similar output levels, you maye have difficulty blending the pickups for a good tone. I have no direct experience with this, but what I read was enough to have me make a note of it for future project bass ideas.

Subscribing to see what the gurus have to say...
 
#3
I have a love/hate relationship with my Aerodyne Jazz. I thought the stock J pickup was way too noisy considering that the bass retails for $940. I swapped them out for a set of DiMarzio pj's, which was a big improvement in noise and tone. However, I still prefer either an individual J or a P Bass rather than the Aerodyne.

DiMarzio DP126: http://accessories.musiciansfriend....302285&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26021680
 
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#4
JSmith said:
I thought the stock J pickup was way too noisy considering that the bass retails for $940.

DiMarzio DP126: http://accessories.musiciansfriend....302285&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26021680
Click to expand...

I like the playability of this bass overall, but I do agree that the stock jazz pickup is incredibly buzzy and the pots are "all, buzzier than hell, or none."

Is there a way I could boost the J's volume somehow (raising the pickup height?), I see that the DiMarzio's have individual pole height adjustments, so I'm wondering if a lot of patience and tweaking is what it'll take for a mismatched combo to work?

It seems like there are slim pickins when it comes to P/J sets :(

I was hoping to make this a DIY job since this is my project bass so I'm willing to play around with configurations. I read that some folks have thrown actives in their Aerodynes, which I'd consider if I didn't have to drill any holes to make it work.
 
#6
85vf500rr said:
The Audere pre seems to be popular here. Here is a link to the one that is not mounted to a Jazz style control plate: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

With dissimilar outputs, it may be better to go with a V/V/T configuration instead of a pick up blend pot.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, I am planning on staying with the V/V/T as that's how it comes stock. I like the idea of the Audere, but I'm not sure if it'll fit without making some accommodations in the Aerodyne body. I'll open it up tomorrow and see what dimensions I'm working with before I seriously consider going active.
 
#8
Here's the Aerodyne body cavity... not much room at all to work with. about 5 inches across.

I'm probably going to experiment with the Delano pickups and see how it sounds. I'll also be slapping a Hipshot A bridge on as I'd be interested to hear how the stock bridge stacks up against a high-mass bridge.

To make a better judgement on this, I recorded me playing tonight via DI with both the P, J, and tone at full to see how it sounds.

I will try to remember to post the links when I finish with the respective bridge and pickup upgrades :)
 

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#11
Well, I got the DP126's and installed a black Hipshot A Bridge (brass)..... This bass now sounds and looks AWESOME. I recorded a cheesy sound clip or two to demonstrate the difference, I just need to find a way to compress them to upload (10 MB as it stands each). The hipshot definitely improved the sustain, clarity, attack...although it also darkened the tone a little (which was fine by me). Compared to the Badass the Hipshot has much more mass (solid brass), has a thinner baseplate (no shim needed on my bass), and I simply prefer the top-loading, although tuning up new strings can be a pain at first (until the ball-ends seat in the retainer).

I swapped the strings (EBMM Slinky Mediums), replaced the stock bridge, and changed the pickups. I raised the J pickup a bit (slightly higher than the P pickup). One thing to note with the DiMarzio's is that the J pickup is VERY tall. I left a sliver of foam in the cavity to buffer, but even with that, it's still very tall and close to the strings once installed.

One thing that's frustrating is that the E string doesn't line up over the poles and is somewhat "indented" from the edge of the fretboard more than I'm used to. The G string's spacing from the edge is pretty normal, however, the neck's width or alignment seems like it doesn't jive well...as far as I can tell it hasn't affected the playability, it's just aesthetically noticeable for me.

The hipshot's string spacing ability isn't able to compensate for the mis-alignment as the spacing screw can't go any further in the direction I need it, but I was easily able to line up the other strings with the poles on both the P and J pickups. Also, the bass is now completely hum/buzz-free no matter the volume... the stock J was HORRIBLY buzzy.

I'll try to post the sound clips + pics sometime soon. Thanks for the help everyone!
 
#12
Here are the pics. You can actually see the "indentation" string alignment problem I'm talking about. Since playability isn't really affected, at least in my opinion, I don't care all that much, it's just one of those "kind of annoying to know it's there" things. :)
 

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#13
its a little late, but I upgraded my Aerodyne with DiMarzio Split-P and Ultra-Jazz P'ups. Also had my control cavity and signal wiring shielded to reduce noise.

I love the way it sounds now. :cool:

Oh yeah - try DR Black Beauties for strings. Sound great and look awesome on the Aerodyne.

Jeff
 
#14
Ha, thanks for the post :) I love the way this thing sounds with the DiMarzio DP126's. Everyone in both bands I'm in loves the way this bass sits in the mix and my bass teacher (who has probably owned 30+ basses) said it sounded awesome and unique. I really think that the brass bridge, basswood, P+J config, and DiMarzio's give this bass an amazing tone that is perfect for me :)
 
#15
I know it's 5 years later, but thanks so much for this forum and all the information you provide. I have been playing for just over a year now and had already put a babicz bridge on my Aerodyne, still it lacked something and the J pup can never be turned up much at all because of the noise. Has anyone gone with anything else since putting in the DP 126 combo, or did it stick?
 

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