The only reason I mentioned Nordstrand is because you mentioned installing Nordstrand and keeping the stock pre.
If you like what you hear with Nordstrand, go with that and one of their preamps.
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How Can I Upgrade My Ibanez?
- Thread starter MycooLeeyun
- Start date
If you like what you hear with Nordstrand, go with that and one of their preamps.
Well, I have Nordstrand jazz pickups in my jazz bass, but I haven't heard the PJ set. My band is like alternative rock, we are pretty dynamic. We get heavy and modern, and then we get vibey and vintage. I also often tune down to D standard with this bass.
- Apr 18, 2008
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
All of the Nordstrand pickups I've used were very dynamic. And the preamp just magnifies what the pickups are doing, so I think the pickups are more important.
Just wanted to let you know I finally settled on EMG PJA set (PA + LJA) and an Audere V4B.
Thanks again for your help!
I believe these are active pickups and will require installation of the Audere-provided capacitors for each.
Riis
I wouldn't say they are uncommon.
The Ibanze AFR series are active pickups and require DC power to operate. AFR stands for Active Full Range
Yes, the guy from Audere did mention that the kit includes those capacitors and it is in the instructions. I'll make sure I relay that to my tech.
Good choice!
The PA is my favorite active EMG P pickup
Please let us know what you think of the combo once installed.
The PA is my favorite active EMG P pickup
Please let us know what you think of the combo once installed.
I will definitely report back with some video/audio samples too!Good choice!
The PA is my favorite active EMG P pickup
Please let us know what you think of the combo once installed.
None whatsoever. The instructions are quite thorough. The capacitors are really flippin’ tiny…a project I outsource.
Riis
Sweet! I'm so excited for this upgrade. I have high hopes as I love this bass already.
Ok so I got the EMG PJA set and Audere V4B preamp installed.
I do not like the tone whatsoever... It sounds like the strings are completely dead, there's no snap to it. It's dull.
I'm going to change the strings today.
I'm also going to try and raise the bridge pickup height because the output of the J Pickup is much lower than the P.
But overall, I liked the tone of the bass before the "upgrade" much more than I do now which kinda sucks.
My band is recording our album on March 10th and I was hoping to have a PHRESH bass sounding amazing.
Check out an audio sample of me playing the bass now with the new EMG pickups. It sounds so DEAD. I don't get it.
Bass audio sample
Bass audio sample
The pickups are active, correct? If so, the tech installed the capacitors on each lead? If still a head-scratcher, call Audere and they’ll provide the desired tech support. I’m leaning heavily towards mis-installation.
Riis
He told me that he installed the capacitors. I even brought it up to him when I dropped off the bass. And he mentioned it when I picked it up.
He had to extend the pick cavities as the EMG's didn't fit. And then the screw holes didn't line up perfectly so now I can't easily raise/lower pickup height without taking out the screws entirely. Not happy about that either.
And he allowed it to leave his bench sounding that bad? I stand by my earlier comments / suggestions. Any way you can isolate the capacitors (with leads) and take a pic? Are both pickups "seeing" 9v? The whole thing sounds screwy to me and the install is not that difficult. The entire harness, including pots, are all pre-wired...all you have to do is solder pickup leads (...including caps when necessary), connect 9v to both pups and module, and ground.
Riis
