"J" pickups discussion and comparisons - PART II

[pbass888]

Thanks @BlueTalon !
FYI I just posted a set of Lindy Fralin jazz pickups with a 5%overwound bridge in the classifieds..
lindy fralin jazz pickup set with 5 % overwound bridge

 

[Bass Motifs]

I have the PV74's in my '66 J - they do sound perfect for my ear and can still be found. I also have a set of the rare PV64's which will be installed in an upcoming custom bass. The '64's are highly sought after but '74's are a bit hotter which works for my needs. I noticed an earlier post about the Fender PV66 J pu's. I looked up the resistance/inductance of the PV66 & PV64 and they are the same. Just that.

View attachment 7071889

That 66 is gorgeous!!! I have the PV64s in my Flea bass and love them.

 

[JIO]

I saw that picture, and thought "That looks nice."

"Wait a minute, what forum is this?" (Look up, see "j-pickups-discussion...") "That's not a J pickup."

"Wait a minute, yes it is."

Kinda slow this morning. Haven't finished my first cup yet.

Yah, 'stacked J', 'double J', beefy J, super J...

 

[CoughSyrup]

I'm looking for a set of hum cancelling J pups that will play nice with the 18v preamp in my Sire. I mostly use passive mode and the stock wind Fralin split Js sound nice but don't necessarily have the output I want. I do use the preamp when I want to shape the tone beyond what the tone knob and pickup balance will allow me to do. I was considering a set of Model Js but wasn't sure how well they pair with a preamp vs passive. I'm not necessarily looking for authentic vintage or super modern, but want something as flexible as possible from a pair of hum cancelling Js. I'd also like to get more of a P bass sound when soloing the neck pickup.

 

[Nidiga]

I have read some opinion about Link Removed in this thread. Is there anybody that is currently using it? I am interested in bridge pickup. What is your opinion about it? I understand they have vintage tone close to Fralins and Fender, but I am interested in your opinion... over price/quality hints.
Please le me know.

 

[5StringPocket]

Got a set of Bart B axis jazz bass pickups and the won’t fit in a standard jazz bass routes. Emailed Bartolini and Doug replied back that the early runs had slight expansion issues when the poured the epoxy into the shells to seal them.
Anyone else had this issue?

I read that they got this issue sorted with later runs. How old were the pickups you experienced this problem with. I'm thinking of buying a set to replace the ones in my new Sadowsky Metro Express.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

The idea: La Bella Low Tension Flats and a hum-cancelling neck J pickup (that's right, no bridge pickup, just the neck)

I'm fairly J-ignorant, so off the top of my head I've only a couple of idea - Seymour Duncan classic stack, Di Marzio Area J, Fralin Split Jazz.

Browsing youtube gave me very little to listen to

I have a Fralin P on my P bass, and I like the tone, but I think for this bass I want something a bit more mellow.

Edit, I just found this bass cover using a J's neck pickup and a set of 760FL, mmmm yes

 

[LetItGrowTone]

@Ricky Rioli, I've never tried the stack type, but I definitely don't like the end-to-end split type. Those I've tried include Area J, Ultra J, and the first generation VMods. I think there's a very subtle beauty that's lost. Matters less if you're using a lot of effects, I guess.

For an option about "something a bit more mellow", you could study this thread.

 

[Type-55]

Lollars are more mellow than Fralins but retain nice balance and clarity.
Tom Brantley makes nice j pickups as well.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Lollars are more mellow than Fralins but retain nice balance and clarity.
Tom Brantley makes nice j pickups as well.

Having a listen to those made me realise that actually I do want the Fralin Split Jazz So, thank you for helping me make my mind up!

Having fresh-ish, fairly heavy Chromes on one bass and never-changed Low Tension LaBellas on the other should give me half the tonal difference I'm after.

The other half will come from the difference created by the pickup being a J not a P — really looking forward to having one bass that has the pickup in the same place under the D+G as it is under the E+A.

And will be sure to get the J position correct, that little bit closer to the neck.

 

[tIANcI]

Since we are on the topic of J pickups, I need some opinions/guidance. I have a Fender Japan JB62. I replaced the pickups with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz. Electronics are stock 250K vol pots with .047 tone cap. DiMarzio's wiring diagram for their Js recommend 500K vol pots and .033 tone cap.

I am pretty happy with the present tone (fresh Super Slinky 100-45). I don't find it to be too bright BUT wonder if I were to maintain the .047 tone cap then replace with 500K vol pots, might it get much brighter?

TQ!

 

[SharpCat]

Since we are on the topic of J pickups, I need some opinions/guidance. I have a Fender Japan JB62. I replaced the pickups with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz. Electronics are stock 250K vol pots with .047 tone cap. DiMarzio's wiring diagram for their Js recommend 500K vol pots and .033 tone cap.

I am pretty happy with the present tone (fresh Super Slinky 100-45). I don't find it to be too bright BUT wonder if I were to maintain the .047 tone cap then replace with 500K vol pots, might it get much brighter?

TQ!

IMHO, the Ultra Js are hot enough that the 250k pots aren’t loading them enough to cut the highs significantly. But the 500k would be a bit brighter. 33/47 you just need to try and see which you like.

 

[tIANcI]

IMHO, the Ultra Js are hot enough that the 250k pots aren’t loading them enough to cut the highs significantly. But the 500k would be a bit brighter. 33/47 you just need to try and see which you like.

I guess they will be brighter but by how much of a bit? Hahaha … Yeah … can’t really tell till it’s done. I’ll just take the plunge and be the lab rat.

TQ!!!

 

[Ricky Rioli]

On YouTube I found a guy who has done nigh-on identical demos for the Fralin Jazz, Split Jazz, and 5% Overwound Jazz.

The difference between the stock Jazz and the Split Jazz was as expected, slight but real.

What I found interesting what that the Split and the 5% Overwound sounded very very similar.

Which makes me wonder .... what does the 5% underwound Split sound like?

 

[SharpCat]

Just installed Nordstrand nj4sv set in a jazz. Very very nice sounding. Definitely vintage flavored.

 

[Pantone 333]

Those are the pickups I have in my Jazz. I’ve never looked back.

 

[manchego_eggo]

def one of the best vintage voiced sets IMO; the other being the SD Apollos, which are a different flavor of vintage IMO.

This notification reminded me I recently installed Bartolini B-Axis and have to say they are a really nice marriage of vintage and modern for me. The highs are high even with 250k pots, which is rare for humbuckers, and they have growl and present mids. The FatBassTone demo, which is great, didn't grab my ear, but when I installed them they really started doing it for me.

 

[Type-55]

I have been very interested in the Bart B-Axis as well.
The FatbassTone demo sounds really good.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I have been very interested in the Bart B-Axis as well.
The Fatness Tone demo sounds really good.

They're a slept on set and usually don't seem to go for much in the classifieds from what I've seen.

 

[Type-55]

Haven't seen any in the classifieds as well.