"J" pickups discussion and comparisons - PART II

[madjazzbass]

Im looking to change my pickups in my ibanez soundgear what do you guys think? BTW im trying to mimic the sound of a Warwick, Musicman, and possible a Fender. Also i play in a Reggae/rock/funk jam band, and need a punchy yet clear noticeable sound. Ps. not much of a gear head YET so please help.

I personally would definitely check out the DiMarzio P Bass pups. Simply because I LOVE their Jazz Bass pickups ( DP149 ultra jazz) I don't own a Bass with Precision style pickups (anymore), but based (no pun intended) on what I know from their Jazz pickups, I would check out the DiMarzio P-Bass pups, Good luck!

 

[TonyP-]

thanks. I get a sense it goes from darkest to brightest, no?

I would say that 70's are a touch brighter then the Dimarzios

Sorry I'm just seeing this now...I don't get notifications with the new TB like I used to.

 

[PilbaraBass]

I’ve been considering for some time now putting DiMarzio pickups in my Squier Deluxe Jazz Active V. Three reasons:

1) They fit (not always an easy thing with J-pickups)

2) They are individually hum-cancelling

3) They have a good rep

My main complaint on my stock pickups is that bridge pickup doesn’t have enough bark and bite. It’s a bit, as the Aussies say…”How ‘ya goin’?”

I LOVE the blended tone of my bass, and the neck pickup is round and smooth like I want from a neck pickup.

So here’s the deal… If I go and change the bridge, I will definitely also change the neck, because once I go to individually hum-cancelling from hum-cancelling as a matched set of SC’s I’ll want this… But I’ve been listening to the all of Area-J clips and Ultra-J clips I can find and I think I want to use an Ultra-J in the bridge and an Area-J in the neck.

I should also mention that this bass is now fitted with a Glockenklang 2-band preamp which I think is MILES ahead of the stock pre.

Any ideas? Agree? Disagree? Just looking for a little feedback is all.

 

[chuck norriss]

Agree. Go.

I have some Bass Mods pups on teh way they look like EBMM poles. will report back

 

[PilbaraBass]

Well if Chuck Norris says "Go.", I'd better go!

 

[acebase62]

I’ve been considering for some time now putting DiMarzio pickups in my Squier Deluxe Jazz Active V. Three reasons:

1) They fit (not always an easy thing with J-pickups)

2) They are individually hum-cancelling

3) They have a good rep

My main complaint on my stock pickups is that bridge pickup doesn’t have enough bark and bite. It’s a bit, as the Aussies say…”How ‘ya goin’?”

I LOVE the blended tone of my bass, and the neck pickup is round and smooth like I want from a neck pickup.

So here’s the deal… If I go and change the bridge, I will definitely also change the neck, because once I go to individually hum-cancelling from hum-cancelling as a matched set of SC’s I’ll want this… But I’ve been listening to the all of Area-J clips and Ultra-J clips I can find and I think I want to use an Ultra-J in the bridge and an Area-J in the neck.

I should also mention that this bass is now fitted with a Glockenklang 2-band preamp which I think is MILES ahead of the stock pre.

Any ideas? Agree? Disagree? Just looking for a little feedback is all.

I prefer 500k volume pots and a Fender TBX tone control in basses with hum cancelling JJ pickups.

This set up allows more clarity and definition to come through.

I've recently started using the Dimarzio Area J's and they are good pickups.

 

[Frozen J]

I don't have a lot of other jazz pup experience. But I bought my MIA with Delano's already installed. And I see no reason to ever change them. With all my EQ, pup selection, right hand technique options I have all the sounds I could want. And she plays like a dream.

 

[PilbaraBass]

I prefer 500k volume pots and a Fender TBX tone control in basses with hum cancelling JJ pickups.

This set up allows more clarity and definition to come through.

I've recently started using the Dimarzio Area J's and they are good pickups.

it's active... I have a glockenklang 2-band preamp in it... there's plenty of clarity... it's just that the bridge pickup is really non-inspiring.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Hi

Thinking of swapping out the stock pups on my 62RI Jazz MIJ 1996. It's a lefty, so was wondering do I need left handed pups, or is this the same as buying left handed screwdrivers?

I am a lefty too and a real pickup freak (I tried over 10 different sets of Jazz Bass pickups). No you don't need "lefty pickups". Just one thing to know, If you ever replace your pots and want them wired "lefty" you need lefty pots (for all audio taper pots). In your case just keep the ones you already have and make sure they get wired exactly the same way.
I have owned the exact the same bass and I also tried different sets of pickups on mine. My advice for this bass is to get some pickups with a good amount of mid range grit that are not too "hot" (meaning their output level is between 6.5-8.5) Since this bass has a Basswood body, it does not have a lot of mids and you need some pickups with a tight bass to get some definition. Do whatever you want with my advice but I think some good pickups for that bass would be the Fender Custom Shop 60's. It was a long time ago but I remember trying the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders and it was a sonic disaster. Bartolinis would not work either for that bass.

 

[chuck norriss]

I don't have a lot of other jazz pup experience. But I bought my MIA with Delano's already installed. And I see no reason to ever change them. With all my EQ, pup selection, right hand technique options I have all the sounds I could want. And she plays like a dream.

American Jazz with Delano's likely don't need a thang

 

[chuck norriss]

it's active... I have a glockenklang 2-band preamp in it... there's plenty of clarity... it's just that the bridge pickup is really non-inspiring.

Have you tried adding a long magnet underneath & adjusting height?

 

[acebase62]

it's active... I have a glockenklang 2-band preamp in it... there's plenty of clarity... it's just that the bridge pickup is really non-inspiring.

Is it wired to allow passive operation and if so how does it sound?

Regardless, less restrictive pots would allow the pickups to open up better.

I do prefer the hum cancel J pickups; I have used Dimarzio Area J and Seymour Duncan Hot Stack J with great results.

I think you would be happy swapping out what you have for the Dimarzios, etc.

 

[eyoyo]

I have a second hand 2008 Fender NAS. since I got it I think it lacks of some fat and low mid growl. something warmer too.
I have even been suspicious that its original pickups have been replaced.
I would like some thicker tone like some other basses I have tried (A Squier VM jazz that was very good, an american deluxe jazz 2011 and a 2013 NAS). I have considered buying Fender CS60 pickups that are not expensive in Europe or Aguilar AG4J-60. Would it improve my tone, warm, fat growl?
Thanks for your help.

Lionel

PS: I've heard hum-cancelling pickups could be good for me too. Is that true ?

 

[PilbaraBass]

Is it wired to allow passive operation and if so how does it sound?

Regardless, less restrictive pots would allow the pickups to open up better.

I do prefer the hum cancel J pickups; I have used Dimarzio Area J and Seymour Duncan Hot Stack J with great results.

I think you would be happy swapping out what you have for the Dimarzios, etc.

On the Glock, passive sounds nearly identical to active... It also has a passive tone roll off, which is useful ... But more for the neck pup. You can't change the pots in the Glock, they're PcB mounted...

 

[Bassplayer315]

I just installed the DiMarzio DP123 with the prewired control panel on my MIM Jazz. Easy install and great sounding pup if you like that vintage jazz tone. I play mostly classic rock and R&B and I can find the tone I want. I test drove them at band practice and the band asked if I got a new bass that looked the same as my old one, I said I dropped in new pups. They cut through the mix with ease and sounded great through my new Rumble 100. These are great replacements for MIM and below fender bass's. The best part you can do it yourself in about an hour.

 

[Damian Coccio]

I had larry at Aero wind me custom j pickups for my sadowsky NYC 5 and couldn't be happier with the tone. This is the 4th set of pickups I've tried and finally I have the tone I've been looking for out of the bass. Slap tone is crisp, fingerstyle tone is very detailed, nails the Jaco thing on the bridge pup. They had to be custom made to accommodate the 18mm spacing I run. Mission accomplished.

 

[eyoyo]

Would you say your aeros are thick with growly low mids?

 

[Damian Coccio]

Would you say your aeros are thick with growly low mids?

I would say they are clear and articulate with a solid bottom. With the vtc rolled off, going for the jacoesque tone, the low mids are pretty growly, yes. More so than the other pups I've had in there. I did change the vtc capacitor to 0.022uf to get a little more bite. Because of the chambered ash body I'd honestly say that there is nothing terribly thick about the bass's tone. These pups in a walnut bodied bass would be amazing IMHO. Hope that helps.

 

[eyoyo]

I have just ordered a set of Aero pickups. I should get them by the end of the month.
I will tell you when my conclusions are.

 

[gokcekso]

I have a beautiful Warmoth jazz bass, with hard ash body, maple neck and ebony fingerboard. It has very strong bass and trebles, yet it is weak in low mid and mid range frequencies (300 to 600 hz probably). Right now theynareninstalled with 62 ri stockmpickups which are not bad but not very satisfactory as well compared to other pickups on the market. That is why I am considering to change the pickups and my alternatives are aguilar 4 j -60, delano jc 4 al (vintage style delano with normal poles) and fralins (which is hard to purchase where I live). I would like to hear your opinions as well, any help will be appreciated.