"J" pickups discussion and comparisons - PART II

[BuffaloBass]

Shoot for 3-3,5mm in height.

I love the in-your-face- ballz of my Aero T1s. Dont need a preamp either. In fact they didnt play well with a Audere, and a Sadowsky preamp took away all their open character. The Nordys did work well with both. But dont use Nordys or preamps anymore. Cant when you hear pure magnetic Aeros. As long as its a good sounding bass acoustically. They wont make a purse out of a sows ear, so the wood and construction has to be resonant, as you have no way to cover "dead zones" with a pre .

Most people wont try them as they a bit spendier than the usual stuff. Worth it, imho.

 

[petrus61]

I must say that I am absolutely loving the Fender Pure Vintage 64RI pickups. I haven't been able to gel with a jazz bass sound since I had my old 80's Schecter but always loved the feel. I've tried the Fralin stock winds and some others in several J's and liked them a lot, but always wound up not being able to "fit" the sound I was getting into anything that would sway me from my Precision for any significant length of time. I threw a set into this and I can say for the first time in a long time, I'm finally happy with my jazz sound:

Lots of fluffy low end from the neck and the bridge isn't inherently burpy as I would have expected, though it can be coaxed out of it, it's more of a musically mid-rangey growl...but not harsh in the least.

 

[sheltjo6]

Update: I installed a set of Aguilar AG 4J-60 pickups in my JB-2. I have mixed feelings regarding the tone of these pickups. These pickups do bring out more mids, but they also bring out low frequency fundamentals. Notes played on the E string lack definition and clarity. The rest of the strings sound good. I may check out a set of Nordstrand NJ4 pickups. I have a NP4 installed on my LB-100 and it sounds great. The quest for the perfect tone continues.

Update 2: replaced the Aguilars with a set of Nordstrand NJ4SE pickups. The Nordstrands sound much better: tight low end, pronounced mids, and sparking highs.

 

[_godspeed_]

Oh that's right, the older GL Jazz basses did use that pickup, or one very much like it. Here's mine:

View attachment 839738

These are my favorite pickups, I put them in most of my Jazz basses over the years. I'm thinking about hunting down a set for my 2012 Geddy Lee Jazz, which has the stock pickups. The RI '62s have a bit more warmth, though not as much output. I wish Fender didn't discontinue them.

I have Geddy Lee with these exact pickups! Whats are they specifically? I don't have a good knowledge of jazz pickups, but I find these warm, vintagy, not sterile and very pleasant sounding. I heard good things about CS 60's, but I don't know if I should replace mine.

 

[crucislancer]

I have Geddy Lee with these exact pickups! Whats are they specifically? I don't have a good knowledge of jazz pickups, but I find these warm, vintagy, not sterile and very pleasant sounding. I heard good things about CS 60's, but I don't know if I should replace mine.

The ones in my bass are Reissue '62 Jazz pickups. This is the pickup that Fender would put in their American Vintage Reissue Jazz in the 2000's, perhaps earlier. They have been discontinued for some time now, but can be found on the used market. I used that Jazz bass last week at rehearsal, after not playing it for a while, and I was really digging the warm tone it produced. I am not sure if the early Geddy Lee basses used the same pickup, but I am guessing that it was the same.

 

[Zeke65]

I changed out my stock J bridge pickup on the Ibanez GSR200 with the DiMarzio Area J. No more hum and it balances nicely with the stock Split P pickup. I did have to use the Dremmel so slightly on the body for proper fit. Well worth the $60 investment on an inexpensive bass.

 

[JIO]

Most likely this has been covered within the many pages of this thread… but I need enlightenment about J's with the same size N&B pu's installed. (both neck size) Partial reference would be some MII Squiers (Standard series) and the early 90's USA Jazz Plus. Question being - if replacing a set, 1) does anyone sell a same size set, and 2) is using 2 N pu's going to work. I ask because if I'm not mistaken, a J N pu has a different output than a B pu, the B pu being higher. I have a Squier J that I attempted this using two Fender Super 55 N pu's (split-coils) and it worked but the bass side poles (E-A) of both pu's reacted to touch. (popping sound/ground issue?) I fully shielded/grounded the cavity/bridge etc - still the same issue. With the orig single-coil pu's - no issue. Any information one can offer would be appreciated.

More - from Seymour Duncan's website:
The difference in bridge vs. neck/middle pickups is their output. There is naturally less volume generated from the bridge pickup due to less string movement the closer the pickup is to the bridge. Bridge pickups are usually wound hotter than neck/middle pickups to compensate for the reduced string movement. This produces an even output between all the pickups.

Apparently EMG pu's, even if different sizes (as a standard J) are all the same output but Bartolini sells a SS-B set (same size/short short) with staggered output as on a standard J set. Doesn't answer my issue, but at least I have more info related.

 

[crucislancer]

Most likely this has been covered within the many pages of this thread… but I need enlightenment about J's with the same size N&B pu's installed. (both neck size) Partial reference would be some MII Squiers (Standard series) and the early 90's USA Jazz Plus. Question being - if replacing a set, 1) does anyone sell a same size set, and 2) is using 2 N pu's going to work. I ask because if I'm not mistaken, a J N pu has a different output than a B pu, the B pu being higher. I have a Squier J that I attempted this using two Fender Super 55 N pu's (split-coils) and it worked but the bass side poles (E-A) of both pu's reacted to touch. (popping sound/ground issue?) I fully shielded/grounded the cavity/bridge etc - still the same issue. With the orig single-coil pu's - no issue. Any information one can offer would be appreciated.

More - from Seymour Duncan's website:
The difference in bridge vs. neck/middle pickups is their output. There is naturally less volume generated from the bridge pickup due to less string movement the closer the pickup is to the bridge. Bridge pickups are usually wound hotter than neck/middle pickups to compensate for the reduced string movement. This produces an even output between all the pickups.

Apparently EMG pu's, even if different sizes (as a standard J) are all the same output but Bartolini sells a SS-B set (same size/short short) with staggered output as on a standard J set. Doesn't answer my issue, but at least I have more info related.

I had a similar problem when I wanted to put Fender ’62 reissue pickups in my 2000 MIM Jazz, which had the same size pickup in both positions, basically two neck pickups. This was common before 2001. I believe output is different between the neck and bridge pickups, but I don't know about Fender super 55s. I just said the heck with it and used a file to make the bridge position route a little longer to accommodate the correct size pickup. Works fine.

 

[JIO]

I had a similar problem when I wanted to put Fender ’62 reissue pickups in my 2000 MIM Jazz, which had the same size pickup in both positions, basically two neck pickups. This was common before 2001. I believe output is different between the neck and bridge pickups, but I don't know about Fender super 55s. I just said the heck with it and used a file to make the bridge position route a little longer to accommodate the correct size pickup. Works fine.

Thanks, I think you are correct - in fact, after reading your reply I checked and it's actually 2 bridge-sized routes.(not 2 neck size) I luckily have a spare Dimarzio bridge J split-coil, so I'll use the Super 55 neck pu (also a split-coil, so consistent) in the neck position (I had already filed the flanges to fit) and couple it w/the Dimarzio bridge pu, which has higher output (as it should). Should take care of it. The grounding issue is is still a mystery - but as of now I really don't need to concern myself with it anymore.

 

[basscow]

Can anyone talk me down on the Schecter monstertone pickups? I was looking at getting model j's but these seem interesting/peculiar and I can't find much on them.

 

[rickenbaker]

Hey guys I just got an MIJ Fender Jaguar and it's totally a keeper. But I'm thinking about replacing the pickups (like you do) as the current electronics are a little noisy and i'm looking to get a more pleasing tone out of the bass. The tone i'm thinking about is Geddy's from Clockwork Angels or at least something in that ballpark. It's aggressive, but it still feels organic. Some of the overwound pickups I've looked at are just bloated sounding and don't have any highs, while other pickups are too hi-fi. I was thinking about getting the dimarzio area j's, or maybe the aguilar 70's pickups. I just want something that can sound warm (I play in a 3 piece with a singer) while still having aggression

 

[winterburn69]

Has anyone tried Aguilars with a fretless?

 

[invalidprotocol]

Hey guys I just got an MIJ Fender Jaguar and it's totally a keeper. But I'm thinking about replacing the pickups (like you do) as the current electronics are a little noisy and i'm looking to get a more pleasing tone out of the bass. The tone i'm thinking about is Geddy's from Clockwork Angels or at least something in that ballpark. It's aggressive, but it still feels organic. Some of the overwound pickups I've looked at are just bloated sounding and don't have any highs, while other pickups are too hi-fi. I was thinking about getting the dimarzio area j's, or maybe the aguilar 70's pickups. I just want something that can sound warm (I play in a 3 piece with a singer) while still having aggression

Warmth, aggression and low noise is done very well by the Lace Man O War jazz pickups and they are still single coil.

 

[JIO]

Regarding my last post (#309, a few back) - I'm still having issues. The bass in question is playable and generally sounds good, but the (bridge) Dimarzio is weaker/less output than the (neck) Super 55 by more than a little. (switching between either V full-on/full off) With both pu's on full volume, the overall output goes down a lot compared to the neck pu when favored. I know J's do that in general, but the discrepancy in output on this bass seems more than usual. I may end up getting a matched N/B set which should solve the problem. I was hoping to use what I had on hand. In the meantime it does a nice impersonation of a P-bass.

 

[rickenbaker]

Warmth, aggression and low noise is done very well by the Lace Man O War jazz pickups and they are still single coil.

I'll definitely take those into consideration and see if I can't find any good demos of the J set

 

[acebase62]

Regarding my last post (#309, a few back) - I'm still having issues. The bass in question is playable and generally sounds good, but the (bridge) Dimarzio is weaker/less output than the (neck) Super 55 by more than a little. (switching between either V full-on/full off) With both pu's on full volume, the overall output goes down a lot compared to the neck pu when favored. I know J's do that in general, but the discrepancy in output on this bass seems more than usual. I may end up getting a matched N/B set which should solve the problem. I was hoping to use what I had on hand. In the meantime it does a nice impersonation of a P-bass.

I would expect the Super 55 to sound a little stronger than some other pickups.

I have a set of Super 55s in a Warmoth JJ; they have somewhat of overwound design and sound.

I also have Dimarzio Area Js in a Warmoth JJ; they are more vintage sounding.

Just curious, which Dimarzio model pickup do you have in bridge position?

 

[JIO]

I would expect the Super 55 to sound a little stronger than some other pickups.

I have a set of Super 55s in a Warmoth JJ; they have somewhat of overwound design and sound.

I also have Dimarzio Area Js in a Warmoth JJ; they are more vintage sounding.

Just curious, which Dimarzio model pickup do you have in bridge position?

The (bridge) Dimarzio is also a split-coil, and thanks for your reply. I was't aware the Super 55's were, as you stated, overwound/stronger. I have a N/B set in another passive J and really like them. It's funny because the bass sounds great with the dominant N pu (Super 55), so as much as I'd like a more balanced mix - it still is good as is. What pick-up would you recommend to replace it for a more balanced mix? A Super 55 bridge pu would be the obvious choice I guess - but any other candidates?

 

[The_Phoenician]

If you can't find a Super 55 bridge, you could try using a Dimarzio Model J; they're hot split-coil pickups.

 

[JIO]

If you can't find a Super 55 bridge, you could try using a Dimarzio Model J; they're hot split-coil pickups.

I just ordered a Dimarzio Model J. Had the bass at a jam session last night and it sounded really good w/the N pu dimed and the B pu full off. Looking forward to more great tones/options once the B pu is more useable.

 

[darkinners]

I just ordered a Dimarzio Model J. Had the bass at a jam session last night and it sounded really good w/the N pu dimed and the B pu full off. Looking forward to more great tones/options once the B pu is more useable.

Model J sound punchy asF, the neck pu sound almost like P pickups, I've been using them for many years
Until last year I switched to Nordstrand NJ4SV. Almost too bright compares to Model J. I kinda miss the Model J might switch back.