My marcus miller jazz is so noisy. What should be my next upgrade? Pickups or preamp? I tried bartolinis and liked them but I don't want both of my Js to sound the same so no Bartolinis or Audere preamps this time.
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"J" pickups discussion and comparisons - PART II
- Thread starter grygrx
- Start date
I decided against upgrading my Marcus Miller. I played it side by side with my geddy and I really hate the sound coming out of the Bartolinis and Audere preamp I installed in my Geddy.
If you want the Miller Sound without the noise try DiMarzio Ultra Jazz (DP149).
I don't have gobs of experience with J-pickups, but...
most of the ones I've played in shops have left me kinda cold.
I installed a set of Lindy Fralin J-pickups in a Fender for a student of mine,
and rewired the passive circuit with new pots and ground shielding.
They sound excellent, and his bass is noise free now.
He was really happy with the upgrade.
most of the ones I've played in shops have left me kinda cold.
I installed a set of Lindy Fralin J-pickups in a Fender for a student of mine,
and rewired the passive circuit with new pots and ground shielding.
They sound excellent, and his bass is noise free now.
He was really happy with the upgrade.
I listed this in another thread, but thought the info might be useful here as well.
I finally got the Fender Super 55s installed today in a black Warmoth JJ I've had for some years.
This bass had SD Hot Stack Js since the bass was assembled
So far, these 55s sound great IMO. The Fender package specs rate them as "slightly hotter output".
The 55s sound similar to the Dimarzio Area J pickups in my Ash body Warmoth JJ (both sets split coil).
I posted a picture of these basses 1 page back.
I currently have the Area J pickups set a little higher due to the reduced pull of the Alnico 2 magnets, that may impact the volume seeming close on both basses.
Also, the body wood (Alder vs Ash) may play some role.
Super 55s: Alnico 5 magnets, neck: 8.9-9.9k, bridge: 10.5-11.6k
Area Js: Alnico 2 magnets, neck : 7.8k, bridge: 7.8k
Hot Stack Js: Alnico 5 magnets, neck: 17.8k, bridge 25.2K
The Area J set and Super 55 set both sound a little louder than the SD Hot Stacks, but the Hot Stacks did have a little more thickness in the mids (SD describes them as such).
The Area J and Super 55 sets sound closer to single coil, but I am a fan of all 3 of the sets mentioned.
I'm hanging on to the SD Hot Stack set, I think they might also sound good in a fretless if I ever get one.
I finally got the Fender Super 55s installed today in a black Warmoth JJ I've had for some years.
This bass had SD Hot Stack Js since the bass was assembled
So far, these 55s sound great IMO. The Fender package specs rate them as "slightly hotter output".
The 55s sound similar to the Dimarzio Area J pickups in my Ash body Warmoth JJ (both sets split coil).
I posted a picture of these basses 1 page back.
I currently have the Area J pickups set a little higher due to the reduced pull of the Alnico 2 magnets, that may impact the volume seeming close on both basses.
Also, the body wood (Alder vs Ash) may play some role.
Super 55s: Alnico 5 magnets, neck: 8.9-9.9k, bridge: 10.5-11.6k
Area Js: Alnico 2 magnets, neck : 7.8k, bridge: 7.8k
Hot Stack Js: Alnico 5 magnets, neck: 17.8k, bridge 25.2K
The Area J set and Super 55 set both sound a little louder than the SD Hot Stacks, but the Hot Stacks did have a little more thickness in the mids (SD describes them as such).
The Area J and Super 55 sets sound closer to single coil, but I am a fan of all 3 of the sets mentioned.
I'm hanging on to the SD Hot Stack set, I think they might also sound good in a fretless if I ever get one.
any recs on PUs for an ash J? i have a set of deep barts that are in an alder body, a set of model j that are going into another alder, but am looking to either get some wilde, cs60, or other for potentially an ash, black korina, or mahogany -- any thoughts on PUs and wood pairings for a j?
if it a MK1 package, Aguilar OPB-3 preamp. the pickups are pretty good. unless you have the dough, American "Classic Bass" MK Barts and use the existing switch for a single coil/parallel setup. note that to do this yourself, you should be very comfortable soldering, using a ohm meter, etc.. or bring to a tech. the preamp is the big upgrade here.
I have a set of the Model Js in my Ash MIJ 70s reissue...
This bass was with me at a gig last night and it slayed. Very good classic tone, plenty of warmth when needed... but I smacked it pretty hard on a couple tunes and it blew me away just how amazing the damn thing sounded. I was on the fence about the bass in general, then I played it last night and it's a keeper, most definitely.
that thing looks amazing! i have been thinking about doing a black&tan, but still am undecided on a lot
really glad to hear how much everyone loves those pickups
I'd say these Barts sound a touch warmer, which I really like. I used to love EMGs, but find them too clinical nowadays...
Having the stock Fender CS pickups replaced with Nordstrand AlNiCo 3's 60's wind pickups on my Am Std Jazz bass. Looking forward to giving these new pups a go.
I had my first outing last night with a Duncan Quarter-Pounder SJB-3B, and could not be more impressed. I turned up at a local open mic session and asked if I could just sit in a play along by ear. It was just me, my Ashdown EB180 and my 2 basses (fretless EKO BX7 and SBMM Ray34). As it turned out, I played for a solid 3 1/2 hours without a break and my playing was well received by all present, including some very talented singer-songwriter types.
The SJB-3 is in the bridge position of the fretless, and I only fitted it a week ago. At the same time, I rewired things from V-T-T with selector switch to V-V-T and phase switching. The other pickup is an OBL 'P' from about 1988. On its own, the SJB is very punchy and quite 'hot'. It captures dynamics really well and responds to the lightest of touches. It also captures harmonics really well. The tone is well balanced, cutting through really well without dominating the acoustic guitars. Blended with the P there is not as much 'scoop' as one might get with a J-J setup, just a thicker low end. I know that the SJB-3 have received some less than complimentary comments around here, but if my experience with it from last night is anything to go on, I would recommend this pickup to anyone.
EDIT: Just to add, I think that the SJB is a better match for blending with the OBL than the previous J, which was a 'vintage' alnico type from a late 80's Tokai 'Jazz Sound'.
The SJB-3 is in the bridge position of the fretless, and I only fitted it a week ago. At the same time, I rewired things from V-T-T with selector switch to V-V-T and phase switching. The other pickup is an OBL 'P' from about 1988. On its own, the SJB is very punchy and quite 'hot'. It captures dynamics really well and responds to the lightest of touches. It also captures harmonics really well. The tone is well balanced, cutting through really well without dominating the acoustic guitars. Blended with the P there is not as much 'scoop' as one might get with a J-J setup, just a thicker low end. I know that the SJB-3 have received some less than complimentary comments around here, but if my experience with it from last night is anything to go on, I would recommend this pickup to anyone.
EDIT: Just to add, I think that the SJB is a better match for blending with the OBL than the previous J, which was a 'vintage' alnico type from a late 80's Tokai 'Jazz Sound'.
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I want to sing the praises of the DIMARZIO MODEL Js.
This set has been in my Jazz for a couple months now. When I got the J bass in the first place, it was competing for time and band space with Stingrays, so to keep my settings similar, I was looking for pickups with the same kind of characteristics that I liked about Stingrays: big output, a very thick and vintage-meets-modern tone, and quiet when I need them to be.
These pickups did exactly that! They're aggressive and meaty, very vintage sounding (1978 design, go figure?!?!). I can pluck the living crap out of the bass and it responds dutifully. I can slap the crap out of the bass and it does fantastic.
The bass was played at a couple cover gigs, doing stuff from Elvis to Coldplay, Sublime to Paul Simon... the bass with these pickups handles it all. Fluffy reggae thump, snappy jazz funk, aggressive punk rock. I love these damn pickups!
This set has been in my Jazz for a couple months now. When I got the J bass in the first place, it was competing for time and band space with Stingrays, so to keep my settings similar, I was looking for pickups with the same kind of characteristics that I liked about Stingrays: big output, a very thick and vintage-meets-modern tone, and quiet when I need them to be.
These pickups did exactly that! They're aggressive and meaty, very vintage sounding (1978 design, go figure?!?!). I can pluck the living crap out of the bass and it responds dutifully. I can slap the crap out of the bass and it does fantastic.
The bass was played at a couple cover gigs, doing stuff from Elvis to Coldplay, Sublime to Paul Simon... the bass with these pickups handles it all. Fluffy reggae thump, snappy jazz funk, aggressive punk rock. I love these damn pickups!
Here is my dilemma, recently got one of fenders late 90's American traditional jazz basses. Other than an early SB2 bass i owned its the brightest bass acoustically and plugged in that ive owned. Nothing like Fender's MIJ 60's re issue basses Mexican classic or 62 reissue American jazzes ive owned, in tone. Ive popped in a pair of Wizard 84's because they're described as dark sounding, but they're still harsh and lacking in mid's. My main bass is a 4003 which i love for its woody tone, so really im looking for a pick up that'll cut through on the jazz and also tame the brightness it has while still sounding smooth. The weight and playability/sustain are great, so i'd rather not have to part with it. Could model J's be the answer ?
How would you describe that Barolini/Audere tone? Which Barts do you have in it?
I'm thinking of going with 9SUs in my fretless Jazz, currently has an Aggy OBP-2 preamp, but I'm looking for a warmer/deeper tone out of it.
Hey guys I need your help. I have a MIA Deluxe Jazz and I really don't like it's tone. So I decided to change the pups.
I have my doubts, but im choosing between the fralin, nordies, SD sjb1 and antiquity II. I like the vintage vibe, and love to play with the bridge pickup.
Hate the metallic sound of the strings, so i'm even using flats. What are your opinions about those? Nordies really grabbed my attention...
I have my doubts, but im choosing between the fralin, nordies, SD sjb1 and antiquity II. I like the vintage vibe, and love to play with the bridge pickup.
Hate the metallic sound of the strings, so i'm even using flats. What are your opinions about those? Nordies really grabbed my attention...
I have a heavily modded Fender Deluxe PBass (MIM); a while back I swapped out the installed P pickup with an 'Original 62' - love it (the bass is no longer active, as an aside). I almost never use the factory installed jazz pup at the bridge. If I wanted to add some variety and install a pickp in it['s place, what would you recommend? FWIW I have a custom jazz bass with Duncan Vintage Stacks installed which kick butt. Ideas?
