"J" pickups discussion and comparisons - PART II

[Zoot H Rollo]

Just installed Fralin Splis on my project bass

Astonishing

My go-to hum cancelling set from now on

 

[HMZ]

I have tried many noiseless Jazz bass pickups but the ones that worked for me are the Bartolini B-Axis J44J-L/S. They are dead quiet and sound great!

 

[jnewmark]

These are the pickups that come stock with the '66 American Vintage II Jazz bass. In my opinion, they are some of the best I've heard. Much better than those from the AV '62 Jazz, and the Klein '62 Epic Series. Maybe it has something to do with the lower resistance - mine measure 6.13 in the neck and 6.40 in the bridge, which is typical of vintage '66 Jazz basses.

Here's a great comparison of the American Vintage II '66 Jazz with a real '66 Jazz bass. I think the American Vintage II '66 Jazz is the winner here.

What do you think are the differences, tonewise, in flush mounted pole pieces, as compared to raised pole pieces? I have three J basses, one a CS 1960, that all have raised pieces, to some extent.

 

[JIO]

Just installed Fralin Splis on my project bass

Astonishing

My go-to hum cancelling set from now on

View attachment 5226833

Is that mahogany or Okoume?

 

[BlueTalon]

What do you think are the differences, tonewise, in flush mounted pole pieces, as compared to raised pole pieces? I have three J basses, one a CS 1960, that all have raised pieces, to some extent.

Negligible. I'm trying to get away from exposed pole pieces at all in my new builds/acquisitions, which of course means the tops of the pole pieces are below the top surface of the pickups. For example, my current #1 is a Maruszczyk Frog with Delano JC 4 HE/M2 pickups, and I couldn't be happier with the sound I get from them.

 

[jnewmark]

Negligible. I'm trying to get away from exposed pole pieces at all in my new builds/acquisitions, which of course means the tops of the pole pieces are below the top surface of the pickups. For example, my current #1 is a Maruszczyk Frog with Delano JC 4 HE/M2 pickups, and I couldn't be happier with the sound I get from them.
View attachment 5272593

If its "negligible", then why are there both types?

 

[JIO]

If its "negligible", then why are there both types?

Exposed pole pu's were what first appeared on electric guitars and basses. Since then there are many variations of individual poles, bar magnets and different materials. They all have their subtle differences in the sound that they produce, but much is splitting hairs and much of the copy hyping one over the other is just that. The bottom line is "use your ears" - if you actually hear a difference - believe your ears over the hype.

 

[BlueTalon]

If its "negligible", then why are there both types?

Because people buy both types.

Different pickup makers have different design philosophies, and different ideas about how to get the best possible sound. The fact that there are many different designs is a good thing. More ideas means more opportunities. But you asked about differences in tone between exposed pole pieces and raised pole pieces -- I think it's one of those things where you might be able to tell a slight difference between pickups that are otherwise identical, maybe, but you probably wouldn't be able to tell which is which, or even what the difference is at all. That's if you could even hear a difference, and I have my doubts that you would be able to.

 

[J-Dub]

Anyone here have experience with Lakland Chi Sonics and know of a standard jazz size pickup that approximates that unique mid response? I believe these are made with neodymium magnets and I’m less familiar with that style but I’d love to get this sound without additional routing.

 

[manchego_eggo]

Anyone here have experience with Lakland Chi Sonics and know of a standard jazz size pickup that approximates that unique mid response? I believe these are made with neodymium magnets and I’m less familiar with that style but I’d love to get this sound without additional routing.

I had the 5 string chi sonic Jazz for a bit; they are nice pups and from what I recall, I would describe them as a lower output, round sounding pickup with a good amount of mids. No harsh highs or boomy lows.

I can't think of anything else similar that I've played sorry.

 

[jnewmark]

These are the pickups that come stock with the '66 American Vintage II Jazz bass. In my opinion, they are some of the best I've heard. Much better than those from the AV '62 Jazz, and the Klein '62 Epic Series. Maybe it has something to do with the lower resistance - mine measure 6.13 in the neck and 6.40 in the bridge, which is typical of vintage '66 Jazz basses.

Here's a great comparison of the American Vintage II '66 Jazz with a real '66 Jazz bass. I think the American Vintage II '66 Jazz is the winner here.

Going to put some of these in my MIM Jazz.

 

[pbass2]

Thought I'd pop over here and chime in about my recent J pickup epiphany. I've used nothing but hum-cancelling pickups in Jazzes for about 20 years now. I've used all three of the DiMarzio offerings at various times in a couple different basses--Models, Ultras, and Areas. All sounded great to me in their own way, the Areas sounding the closest to single coil AFAIK. . . but it turns out I didn't really know what I was missing. I just got a new to me 70's reissue that has the Fender '74 single coils in it. Man, this was the sound I was missing all along. I've seen the single coil light! This thing has presence in a mix that the others just never quite achieved. I'm sold.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

I also very recently realized how much I was not in love with Area J. It's too hard to describe why.

 

[pbass2]

I also very recently realized how much I was not in love with Area J. It's too hard to describe why.

I would describe them as "polite". Tried that bass with flats and it just kind of disappeared in the mix. Now, these '74 single coils with flats sound punchy!

 

[kodiakblair]

I would describe them as "polite".

I use the same term to describe hum cancelling versions of the 51 single coil.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

Yes, @kodiakblair, as a result of this I also think I won't bother trying one of those.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Ordered a set of the Seymour Duncan antiquity 2 jazz pickups for my next build…

I’ll maybe make a post about it. Basically Im going to get as close as I can to a 65 jazz bass using modern parts.

 

[manchego_eggo]

A little out of from the lead fumes, but thought I'd share some my foray into trying a few different hum-cancellng jazz sets today, including the Wilde J45 (non-staggered), Fralin Splits (5% neck / 10% bridge, staggered) and Nordstrand NJ4SE (Staggered). The Fralins and Nordstands sound shockingly close IMO.

 

[kojdogg]

A little out of from the lead fumes, but thought I'd share some my foray into trying a few different hum-cancellng jazz sets today, including the Wilde J45 (non-staggered), Fralin Splits (5% neck / 10% bridge, staggered) and Nordstrand NJ4SE (Staggered). The Fralins and Nordstands sound shockingly close IMO.

This is great— thanks for the comparison!

 

[JfetPre775]

Negligible. I'm trying to get away from exposed pole pieces at all in my new builds/acquisitions, which of course means the tops of the pole pieces are below the top surface of the pickups. For example, my current #1 is a Maruszczyk Frog with Delano JC 4 HE/M2 pickups, and I couldn't be happier with the sound I get from them.
View attachment 5272593

I LOVE that bass!! I have an old US Lakland 55-94 MM/J w/Delano’s (MC5 He/s + JC4 He/s).
I’ve also got an all natural finish 4-String Maruszczyk Frog w/Delano Xtender’s & J.East uni-pre that’s fairly modern leaning but still INCREDIBLE!!