Fuzz pedals & varying pickups

[nickdot]

Has anyone here compared pickups on fuzz pedals? I currently am playing a squier J-bass with MIM pick-ups and am finding my Ass Master and Swollen Pickle to be mushy. Wondering if there is a big difference in tone on a DiMarzio Model J? Are there any recommended pickups that do well with fuzz pedals?

 

[bassburton]

I suscribe to Juan Alderete's theory. I find P-pickups to be better for fuzz, and J pickups for modulation and things of that nature. You could definitely try Model J's, as they have more midrange due to being in series.

 

[mmbongo]

yeah midrange is the key. More mids = better fuzz.

 

[mattbass6945]

interesting.....an eq could remedy this to an extent. kind of hard to change something from where it originates (the p-ups), so i would think it would be only moderately possibly, huh?

 

[bassburton]

Well, even adding a series/parallel switch could make your Jazz sound like a P-Bass; seeing as the P pickup is two coils wired in series, whereas the Jazz pickups are wired in parallel. Series wiring adds more midrange to the Jazz's sound, also making it hum-cancelling.