Fender Fretless Jazz Bass Pickups

[william snyder]

I have a Fender Fretless Jazz Bass(Mexico) purchased in 2010. I'd like to get some more punch out of it. I've put flat wounds on it which have helped considerably but I'm still looking for that pure butter sound. Would different pickups help me? I've been looking at the Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazz Bass Pickups. I play through a GK 800RB with 4-10 Cabinet, also an Ampeg B-15 Flip Top...........Thanks, Bill

 

[Slater]

I believe any Jazz pickups with AlNiCo 5 magnets will be a significant improvement over the muddy, ceramic magnet, stock MiM pickups. The Custom Shop ‘60s should sound very nice.

(BTW, I think there are pickups with ceramic magnets that sound great, just not Fender’s stock MiM pickups.)

 

[grouse789]

I prefer rounds on my fretless'. Pickups? Nordstrand all the way!
Nordy Big J blades!

 

[william snyder]

I believe any Jazz pickups with AlNiCo 5 magnets will be a significant improvement over the muddy, ceramic magnet, stock MiM pickups. The Custom Shop ‘60s should sound very nice.

(BTW, I think there are pickups with ceramic magnets that sound great, just not Fender’s stock MiM pickups.)

Thanks Slater!

 

[hauserplenty]

I have a similar bass, from 2001. On mine, they used identical length pickups, 3-5/8 I believe. This may not be true of yours. Mine also came with an Audere JZ-3 preamp, the 4-band model in my case. I was ready to replace the pickups with DiMarzio Model J's, but I may go with Area J's instead. Of course those '60's pickups are on my radar, too. I mention the JZ-3 because it makes the instrument sound so much better, I decided to leave the stock pickups alone (for now!)

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I have a Fender Fretless Jazz Bass(Mexico) purchased in 2010. I'd like to get some more punch out of it. I've put flat wounds on it which have helped considerably but I'm still looking for that pure butter sound. Would different pickups help me? I've been looking at the Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazz Bass Pickups. I play through a GK 800RB with 4-10 Cabinet, also an Ampeg B-15 Flip Top...........Thanks, Bill

If you are in no rush, just hold out for a used set off TB. They are easy to swap in and out. Just sell the pickups if you don't like them. That being said, I doubt you would prefer the stock pickups over any quality set. I use Lindy Fralin splits in my Jazz but they are a bit more money than the FCS pickups. If I was in the market for pickups, I would strongly consider Aero. Mind you, your definition of "pure butter" might be different than mine.

 

[william snyder]

I have a similar bass, from 2001. On mine, they used identical length pickups, 3-5/8 I believe. This may not be true of yours. Mine also came with an Audere JZ-3 preamp, the 4-band model in my case. I was ready to replace the pickups with DiMarzio Model J's, but I may go with Area J's instead. Of course those '60's pickups are on my radar, too. I mention the JZ-3 because it makes the instrument sound so much better, I decided to leave the stock pickups alone (for now!)

Thanks for the input

 

[william snyder]

If you are in no rush, just hold out for a used set off TB. They are easy to swap in and out. Just sell the pickups if you don't like them. That being said, I doubt you would prefer the stock pickups over any quality set. I use Lindy Fralin splits in my Jazz but they are a bit more money than the FCS pickups. If I was in the market for pickups, I would strongly consider Aero. Mind you, your definition of "pure butter" might be different than mine.

Thanks Diabolus!

 

[timobee4]

I prefer rounds on my fretless'. Pickups? Nordstrand all the way!
Nordy Big J blades!

Thats all good mate but when I looked at the option they have "warm and wooly or clean and clear" I assume that fretless would be warm and wooly but I can never be sure. Please elaborate if you can. Tnx

 

[eastcoasteddie]

There’s this guy on YouTube that shows off his gear, and he built a Jaco tribute bass. He swears by SD Antiquity II pickups. They sound pretty good, but I’m not sure if this sound is what you want in terms of “pure butter”

 

[Geri O]

on an MIM Jazz fretless, I used Nordstrand NJ5FS models with a Nordstrand 2-band preamp. Sounded wonderful. No noise when using only the bridge pups. Nice and warn, not overly bright. I prefer well-worn round wounds on fretless...

NJ5FS Hum-Cancelling Fender

 

[Warpeg]

I'm a huge EMG active pickup fan, but I generally can't stand them in traditional Fender Jazz Bass-styled basses. However, I once had a MIM fretless Jazz Bass with a set in it and strung with flats. It was one of the best fretless tones I ever had! It was well-balanced, clear, natural, and noise-free.

 

[william snyder]

I'm a huge EMG active pickup fan, but I generally can't stand them in traditional Fender Jazz Bass-styled basses. However, I once had a MIM fretless Jazz Bass with a set in it and strung with flats. It was one of the best fretless tones I ever had! It was well-balanced, clear, natural, and noise-free.

 

[william snyder]

Thanks....I went with the 60's Custom Shop....and it has made the sound I've been looking for...WOW

 

[birminghambass]

What does "pure butter" sound like?

 

[william snyder]

Not too bright not too muddy just in the pocket with some junky soul punch!