"J" pickups discussion and comparisons - PART II

[Ringhammer]

Thanks. I somewhat expected that response, knowing that there is more to a “hotter” pickup than just the winding. I have some J-basses set up with Frahlin’s and have standard wind in the neck and 5% over in the bridge and it seems to balance really well that way.

In this case the two pickups are definitely Original Fender, one is from ‘74 (10.66k) the other (11.32k) is from ‘78.

These are going in a double P setup Precision, and I had planned on using the 11.32k one in the bridge position.

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

 

[BlueTalon]

Thanks. I somewhat expected that response, knowing that there is more to a “hotter” pickup than just the winding. I have some J-basses set up with Frahlin’s and have standard wind in the neck and 5% over in the bridge and it seems to balance really well that way.

In this case the two pickups are definitely Original Fender, one is from ‘74 (10.66k) the other (11.32k) is from ‘78.

With the Frahlins, you can absolutely know for certain that one pickup is overwound. With the Fender P pickups, it's not as certain -- they changed their pickups a lot over the years. Again, if they are the same model of P pickup, you can be confident that the one is overwound compared to the norm. If they are different models of P pickup, can't be quite as confident.

These are going in a double P setup Precision, and I had planned on using the 11.32k one in the bridge position.

That's what I would do.

 

[pbass888]

Can anyone comment on ultra vs model j dimarzio's for a passive alder/rosewood,
with epoxy ,fretless bass that is 4 string? I've used model j's with great success but have a bass that is extremely mellow (tone sucking?) and was considering ultra j's to bring out more of the sound. Also anyone run this configuration with a preamp of choice?

Thank you!

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

Can anyone comment on ultra vs model j dimarzio's for a passive alder/rosewood,
with epoxy ,fretless bass that is 4 string? I've used model j's with great success but have a bass that is extremely mellow (tone sucking?) and was considering ultra j's to bring out more of the sound. Also anyone run this configuration with a preamp of choice?

Thank you!

Close perhaps

I have an Ultra Jazz set in my Squier Vintage Modified fretless

Grrrowly

And quiet

 

[pbass888]

Close perhaps

I have an Ultra Jazz set in my Squier Vintage Modified fretless

Grrrowly

And quiet

Thanks ! I really hear great things about these along with the model j. Im sure these have a good solid bass tone as well (fat bass?). Mids are important, wonder which is stronger in that department.

edit: in the tone guide on the dimarzio page, the ultras have more output, but looks like more mid scoop?

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Just installed my bare knuckles.

View attachment 4639853

And .. how do they sound?

 

[Bard2dbone]

Hmmmm....

I will probably have to start lurking here for a while. I have a bass that I turned into TWO basses. I didn't love the look of my 88 MIJ fretless Jazz Bass after a while. So I got a sunburst body, put the fretless neck on it, and coated the rosewood with CA glue. I hot-rodded it a bit with a BA II bridge, Nordstrand pickups, and an Audere preamp. The body got a Geddy Lee Signature neck, and had EMGs and a basic preamp. I haven't played indie stuff in roughly forever. So the EMGs just don't do it for me anymore. But it's a shame to leave a bass that plays as well as that one hanging on the wall. So it needs new guts. I am currently leaning to a more vintage voiced version of the same Nordstrands that the fretless has. But I think it needs a different preamp.

What's a good, versatile active preamp for a J bass with Nordstrand NJ4SVs? I'm thinking a drop in plate unit, like maybe a J-Retro, or such. Recommendations?

 

[TonyP-]

Hmmmm....

I will probably have to start lurking here for a while. I have a bass that I turned into TWO basses. I didn't love the look of my 88 MIJ fretless Jazz Bass after a while. So I got a sunburst body, put the fretless neck on it, and coated the rosewood with CA glue. I hot-rodded it a bit with a BA II bridge, Nordstrand pickups, and an Audere preamp. The body got a Geddy Lee Signature neck, and had EMGs and a basic preamp. I haven't played indie stuff in roughly forever. So the EMGs just don't do it for me anymore. But it's a shame to leave a bass that plays as well as that one hanging on the wall. So it needs new guts. I am currently leaning to a more vintage voiced version of the same Nordstrands that the fretless has. But I think it needs a different preamp.

What's a good, versatile active preamp for a J bass with Nordstrand NJ4SVs? I'm thinking a drop in plate unit, like maybe a J-Retro, or such. Recommendations?

I'm a little more new the J-Retro and my taste tends to be grunty with a touch of top end. Hence I love the Dimarzio model Js.
I have come to that I prefer Alnico J pickups with some kind of Preamp and that J-Retro has that (IF you get that one with Johns suggested built in curve). You can get that preamp with or without that curve in it.

I have a Lull being built right now with that Nordstrands NJ5s and the J-retro. I tried that combo in a couple of G&L JB5s and loved it.

 

[murphy]

Hi everyone- I’ve been reading through tons of postings on this and the previous thread and listening to a lot of videos in search of the right upgrade pick ups for my American Professional 2 Jazz, which I find kind of thin and boring, and it’s a little information overload so hoping to learn from the wisdom of someone here by adding to the thread.

I’m basically looking for something versatile with big but not sloppy low end which can cut through distorted guitars with some grind and clank almost like a Rick. I play mostly rock, pick and fingerstyle, no slapping- everything from classic rock to noise rock to metal. I like the demos I’ve heard of the Dimarzio Model J a lot but want a bit more vintage tone and high end grind. Based on my research, top picks are maybe Nordstrand NJ4SE, SD Antiquity 2, Lindy Fralin 10% overwound and Lollar 70s. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Just throwing it out there...you make me think of those old style DiMarzios

 

[murphy]

Hi everyone- I’ve been reading through tons of postings on this and the previous thread and listening to a lot of videos in search of the right upgrade pick ups for my American Professional 2 Jazz, which I find kind of thin and boring, and it’s a little information overload so hoping to learn from the wisdom of someone here by adding to the thread.

I’m basically looking for something versatile with big but not sloppy low end which can cut through distorted guitars with some grind and clank almost like a Rick. I play mostly rock, pick and fingerstyle, no slapping- everything from classic rock to noise rock to metal. I like the demos I’ve heard of the Dimarzio Model J a lot but want a bit more vintage tone and high end grind. Based on my research, top picks are maybe Nordstrand NJ4SE, SD Antiquity 2, Lindy Fralin 10% overwound and Lollar 70s. Any thoughts? Thanks!

What about those Geddy Lee Tom Brantley 70s pickups?

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

Hmmmm....

I will probably have to start lurking here for a while. I have a bass that I turned into TWO basses. I didn't love the look of my 88 MIJ fretless Jazz Bass after a while. So I got a sunburst body, put the fretless neck on it, and coated the rosewood with CA glue. I hot-rodded it a bit with a BA II bridge, Nordstrand pickups, and an Audere preamp. The body got a Geddy Lee Signature neck, and had EMGs and a basic preamp. I haven't played indie stuff in roughly forever. So the EMGs just don't do it for me anymore. But it's a shame to leave a bass that plays as well as that one hanging on the wall. So it needs new guts. I am currently leaning to a more vintage voiced version of the same Nordstrands that the fretless has. But I think it needs a different preamp.

What's a good, versatile active preamp for a J bass with Nordstrand NJ4SVs? I'm thinking a drop in plate unit, like maybe a J-Retro, or such. Recommendations?

i have J-Retro and Audere preamp plates in two basses (see pic)

both paired with DiMarzio UltraJazz hum cancelling pups

i had Aguilar and Fralin hum cancelling pups for a while, but ditched them both for the UJs

great combo with the preamps - ESPECIALLY the fretless

 

[JIO]

I have used the Audere JZ3 pre in a few basses

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

I have used the Audere JZ3 pre in a few basses

it took me a while to find a good spot for the Audere JZ3 4 Band - i didn't like it until I plopped it into the fretless with the Ultra Jazz set.

BAM!

"I AM NOT A NUMBER!"

 

[Bard2dbone]

i have J-Retro and Audere preamp plates in two basses (see pic)

both paired with DiMarzio UltraJazz hum cancelling pups

i had Aguilar and Fralin hum cancelling pups for a while, but ditched them both for the UJs

great combo with the preamps - ESPECIALLY the fretless

View attachment 4830687

Ironically timed. I had just bought the same J-Retro set as you have for the bass I was talking about in my previous post. Along with a set of Nordstrand NJ4SVs that I'll have to wait for, when I saw your post.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

J retro with bartolini B-axis is a real treat

 

[3pete]

What about those Geddy Lee Tom Brantley 70s pickups?

Thanks will give them a shot. Ended up going for the Lollar '70s wind which turned out to be just about what i was looking for. but there is always a new one to try!

 

[Ringhammer]

Thanks will give them a shot. Ended up going for the Lollar '70s wind which turned out to be just about what i was looking for. but there is always a new one to try!

I have some Lollar’s in a ‘73 Jazz that I like a lot. Any chance you have tried their regular Jazz? If so I wonder if you notice a difference between the ‘70’s and regular ones?

 

[3pete]

I have some Lollar’s in a ‘73 Jazz that I like a lot. Any chance you have tried their regular Jazz? If so I wonder if you notice a difference between the ‘70’s and regular ones?

Sorry I never tried their regular jazz in person, just listened to clips online. So take this with a grain of salt, but to my ears the difference is that the 70s are a bit hotter and have a bit more low end and attack

 

[Doug P]

Maybe I have told this…. I put Seymour Duncan Hot Stack in the neck position of my 3 gig Jazz basses. I turn the bridge down a bit and kinda like a cross between a P and J ??? I have a set made by Tom Brantley in a Jazz that I asked to be “like Geddy’s”. Sounded good and great to work with too.