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"J" pickups discussion and comparisons - PART II

#341
JIO said:
I have a set of JAX w/9v pre in my Gildaxe Supersonic w/flats and they are very balanced with clean/distinct tonal differences. Haven't tried them w/rounds.

IMG_0612_zps7ly0bnpz.jpg
Click to expand...

The JA set sounds good too. They produce a thicker tone (more mids) than the JAX set.
 
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#342
So guys I've been reading and listening to videos for about 2 weeks now and looked at every single post about pickups on this thread...and I think I'm going mental.

I have a geddy Lee with dimarzio dp123 (model j's) and a jretro pre-amp. I play in an acdc cover band and I'm looking for something with more low end clarity (without loosing the lows) and mix cut through...with a slightly vintage tone, if and where possible.

3 pickups that I've kind of think might do the trick:

SD antiquities 2
Delano jmvc 4 fe/m2
Nordstrand NJ4se

Anyone got any advice?

Thanks!!
 
#343
BernardBass said:
So guys I've been reading and listening to videos for about 2 weeks now and looked at every single post about pickups on this thread...and I think I'm going mental.

I have a geddy Lee with dimarzio dp123 (model j's) and a jretro pre-amp. I play in an acdc cover band and I'm looking for something with more low end clariy without loosing the lows) and mix cut through...with a slightly vintage tone, if and where possible.

3 pickups that I've kind of think might do the trick:

SD antiquities 2
Delano jmvc 4 fe/m2
Nordstrand NJ4se

Anyone got any advice?

Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Yes the Big J Blades from Norstrand.
I feel the 'Warm and Wooly' version has a thicker lowend BUT is a touch clearer then the Dimarzio.

fxtdgl.jpg
 
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#345
BernardBass said:
I have a geddy Lee with dimarzio dp123 (model j's) and a jretro pre-amp. I play in an acdc cover band and I'm looking for something with more low end clarity (without loosing the lows) and mix cut through...with a slightly vintage tone, if and where possible.

3 pickups that I've kind of think might do the trick:

SD antiquities 2
Delano jmvc 4 fe/m2
Nordstrand NJ4se

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

All pickups are a degree of compromise...To be honest, 1 pickup cannot do it all.
Cut trough a mix - (adding midrange)
Lowend - (Is tricky, because it can easily remove clarity)

Also which pickup for which instrument...
Some instruments respond differently/(possibly better, depending on your ear) then other pickups.

To my ear - Pickups like the Dimarzio Model J (which are my favorite non-Nordstrand) sound better in heavier and/or brighter body instruments. Basswood or very light ash more pointed sounding pickups sound better. Again IMHO to my ear.
 
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#348
TonyP- said:
All pickups are a degree of compromise...To be honest, 1 pickup cannot do it all.
Cut trough a mix - (adding midrange)
Lowend - (Is tricky, because it can easily remove clarity)

Also which pickup for which instrument...
Some instruments respond differently/(possibly better, depending on your ear) then other pickups.

To my ear - Pickups like the Dimarzio Model J (which are my favorite non-Nordstrand) sound better in heavier and/or brighter body instruments. Basswood or very light ash more pointed sounding pickups sound better. Again IMHO to my ear.
Click to expand...

Interesting...well I'm slapping in a Seymour Duncan smb-4a to replace the bridge pup... and thinking the Delano jmvc 4 fe/m2 would be a nice pairing....? p.s. I've already bought the mm pup...lol hope it's worth it!!
 
#349
I've just taken ownership of a Polish made Mayones Jabba with passive electronics. The jazz pickups are big pole Delanos and I'm really really pleased with them. They're a little dark but have enough high end for my needs. Really clean sounding. The bridge pickup has amazing definition and clarity on its own.
 
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#350
TonyP- said:
Yes the Big J Blades from Norstrand.
I feel the 'Warm and Wooly' version has a thicker lowend BUT is a touch clearer then the Dimarzio.
Click to expand...

Tony, have you compared the "Warm & Wooly" VS the "Clean & Clear" in the same bass?
I'm interested in these because of the radius.

I'm currently using Lace Man-O-War jazz pickups in my Geddy Lee, and love the tone, but the E and G strings are noticeably louder than the A and D strings.

I feel like the Nordy Warm & Wooly j-blades might be the way to go...

Would you classify the J-Blades as "hot pickups", or do they still have a "normal" output? I was using Dimarzio Model J pickups before the Lace MoW. I liked the string-to-string balance of the Dimarzios (thanks to adjustable pole pieces), but I didn't like care for the excessive output and grew tired of the raspy tone. The Lace MoW are smoother, but since I set up my jazz bass to BEAD tuning I'm really noticing an issue with string-to-string balance.
 
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#351
NKBassman said:
Tony, have you compared the "Warm & Wooly" VS the "Clean & Clear" in the same bass?
I'm interested in these because of the radius.

I'm currently using Lace Man-O-War jazz pickups in my Geddy Lee, and love the tone, but the E and G strings are noticeably louder than the A and D strings.

I feel like the Nordy Warm & Wooly j-blades might be the way to go...

Would you classify the J-Blades as "hot pickups", or do they still have a "normal" output? I was using Dimarzio Model J pickups before the Lace MoW. I liked the string-to-string balance of the Dimarzios (thanks to adjustable pole pieces), but I didn't like care for the excessive output and grew tired of the raspy tone. The Lace MoW are smoother, but since I set up my jazz bass to BEAD tuning I'm really noticing an issue with string-to-string balance.
Click to expand...
I did not try them in the same bass. That was the intention BUT what worked stayed.

The output is substantial but not quite as loud as Dimarzio Model Js (which I have as well). The Warm and Wooly I would say are inbetween Damarzio model J and standard J pickups.
Kind of the best of both worlds.
 
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#355
rickenbaker said:
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
Click to expand...

Why don't you contact Tom Brantley ( not 100% sure of the name). He is making pickups for Geddy Lee. You can order him Geddy jazz pickups for cheap. The guy is great to work with too.
 

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