Fralin Split-Jazz...?

[wateroftyne]

Hi folks!

Just wonderin'...

Fralin Split-Jazz pickups w/ '71 Jazz & La Bella Flats...

A good recipe for hum-free blues, country and rock and roll?

I don't want something too muted up-top or mushy down-below...

 

[Nedmundo]

I absolutely love those pickups, so I'd say they'll work great. But it all depends on your definition of "muted" highs and "mushy" lows. On the low end, they aren't as tight sounding as some, but that "looseness" isn't the same as mushy to me, because IMO they're still clear as opposed to muddy. They just have more texture than pickups with tight, smooth lows. On the high end, they don't sound as "airy" or "sparkly" as pure single coils, but if you roll your tone off even a small amount, you probably won't notice a difference.

 

[wateroftyne]

I absolutely love those pickups, so I'd say they'll work great. But it all depends on your definition of "muted" highs and "mushy" lows. On the low end, they aren't as tight sounding as some, but that "looseness" isn't the same as mushy to me, because IMO they're still clear as opposed to muddy. They just have more texture than pickups with tight, smooth lows. On the high end, they don't sound as "airy" or "sparkly" as pure single coils, but if you roll your tone off even a small amount, you probably won't notice a difference.

Great stuff.. thanks! Clear but loose I can live with.

I usually use overwound pups, so I'm used to pickups that don't really sparke.

I'll let you know how I get on!

 

[wateroftyne]

Wow... aren't these great pickups?

DEAD silent - no hum. Perfectly even string response. Big, fat notes... the neck pup sounds great solo'd, whereas it was a bit mushy previosuly.

I like 'em a lot!

 

[Nedmundo]

Ahh yes, another convert! I'm glad they've worked for you. Long term, they've been more than worth it for me. Simply awesome.

 

[pickles]

Yeah I just got one of these as a bridge pickup in a modded '69P. Sounds great! Too bad I don't think he makes a 5 string version.

 

[wateroftyne]

I made a little vid of the pickups... Notice there's no buzz when I back a pickup off!

The solo neck tone is the best I've had yet on a J...

 

[tony moore]

how are these compared to the nordstrand nj4sv pickups?

 

[Nedmundo]

how are these compared to the nordstrand nj4sv pickups?

I haven't made that direct comparison, but my Jazz V has Nordstrand NJ5FS, which I believe are voiced like the NJ4SV, and they have a more modern, smooth tone than the Fralin Split-Jazz. They really punch through a band mix, but without the slightly ragged edge of the Fralins. I really like the Nords, but LOVE the Fralins.

I have another J-bass coming in a few weeks (G&L JB), and I'm curious about the supposedly more aggressive Nordstrand NJ4SE.