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I have a J, wanting P tone
- Thread starter CallMeAl
- Start date
Ya know, i picked model J for the consistent good reviews and low cost, but have heard The Nordstrands are in the same neighborhood for this kind of thing. do you think for twice the price, they are twice as good?
Honestly, for 240, i'm in striking distance of a used MIM P!
PS Nordstrand was not one of the choices
AFAIK the Model J isn't a split-coil design, so it won't sound like a Precision (split-coil) pickup.
The cheapest option is to try wiring it in series & see if you like that.
There is a way to wire it so it's always in series & each volume is independent:
>> series wiring with independent volumes <<
series wiring will lower the resonant frequency & get closer to a p-bass sound
downside is you'll lose some highs
The cheapest option is to try wiring it in series & see if you like that.
There is a way to wire it so it's always in series & each volume is independent:
>> series wiring with independent volumes <<
series wiring will lower the resonant frequency & get closer to a p-bass sound
downside is you'll lose some highs
From dimarzio:
Unlike traditional Js, each Model J™ is individually humbucking. It's not a stack: each coil picks up one pair of strings
I've heard "dual coil", idk if that's the same as "split coil."
At any rate, I looked at my wiring and from the Jack and pups, the ground and hot are wrapped together and only a short little tail coming out for each. Stupid. It might be tricky to rewire to other places.
I should be able to extend a wire by soldering another wire to it right?
I think the Model J is a split-coil, because the web site says: "Unlike traditional Js, each Model J™ is individually humbucking. It's not a stack: each coil picks up one pair of strings." Either way, with the ceramic mags and high output, I wouldn't expect those to sound much like a traditional P-bass. Heck, even the Model P doesn't sound like a traditional P-bass pickup!
I've tried several J-bass pickups, and IME Lace Man o' Wars sound the most like a P-bass. They sound fatter than traditional J-bass pickups, with less treble, and their presence in the mix reminds me of a good P-bass. Plus, they have very little single coil hum due to the Sensor design. They're also much less expensive than the great boutique noiseless options, like Nordstrand's NJ4SE and Fralin's Split-Jazz. I absolutely love the Fralins, but for P-like tone on a budget, Lace is a good way to go. They aren't exactly high output, which might bother some, but they're great.
Ah, so the Model J is a split-coil.
Those would give you the most options for different timbres.
Each one could be wired to a push/pull that switches the pickup from series to parallel.
or you could wire all 4 coils in series & probably get the resonant frequency down to p-bass territory
(while having plenty of output)
Those would give you the most options for different timbres.
Each one could be wired to a push/pull that switches the pickup from series to parallel.
or you could wire all 4 coils in series & probably get the resonant frequency down to p-bass territory
(while having plenty of output)
You can get the ol’ router out and do a Sadowsky style PJ dual route (see pics in the thread linked below). Get yourself a Reggie Hamilton pickguard, and install the Precision pickup of your choice.
That old question: Sadowsky J/J or P/J?
That old question: Sadowsky J/J or P/J?
I just switched from rounds to half rounds. Not blow away, might need to try flats!
Try using just the neck pickup with the tone rolled all the way off. Adjust your amp's EQ to boost low mids and back off on the treble. Pick towards the end of the fingerboard, away from the bridge. Use either flatwounds or nickel strings, not steel. Hope this helps.
Try series wiring, you might like it. If not, get some used Model J's. They are indeed split coil and you have all the wiring options. A really great pickup for a really great price.
I said get model j's because they are excellent pickups, not because it will sound like a p.
If you want "that p bass tone" you need a p pick up and flats. End of discussion. Other pickups will get you in the ballpark but will usually fail the blind sound test comparison.
If you want "that p bass tone" you need a p pick up and flats. End of discussion. Other pickups will get you in the ballpark but will usually fail the blind sound test comparison.
I had an old El Degas P bass years ago that had a P and a J in it. All split coil. I had a series/parallel, a phase switch and I could also select each coil independently. So when I slapped I had the top coil of the P bass pickup, and for the snaps I just activated the bottom coil of the jazz bass pickup. Man I miss that old monster
I am thinking about getting a Model P or a SD SBP 3 in the neck position, and a SBJ 3 in the bridge position in the bass in my avitar 
You will never get a J to sound like a P, just get a P and have both.
