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"J" pickups discussion and comparisons - PART II

#1,281
So I took two basses that sound the same acoustically speaking and it’s really noticeable.

The top end opened up nicely with the 500k pots
 

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#1,282
What do people think about Fender's own J pickups, specifically the 62 vintage set and the 60s Custom Shop set? They're pretty reasonably priced compared with some of the alternatives from, say, Nordstrand or Lindy Fralin. And if I want a good vintage tone, well, shouldn't they be able to deliver?
 
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#1,283
Bortron said:
What do people think about Fender's own J pickups, specifically the 62 vintage set and the 60s Custom Shop set? They're pretty reasonably priced compared with some of the alternatives from, say, Nordstrand or Lindy Fralin. And if I want a good vintage tone, well, shouldn't they be able to deliver?
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I put one of those 2 sets in my Player series jazz. Can't remember which. They keep using very similar names for them all.

I like them well enough. They are very much a vintage vibe. If you want something more aggressive they may not be your best option. I very much want classic vintage Fender tones from my P and J basses. I can get modern tones elsewhere.
 
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#1,284
I definitely want a more vintage tone. My favourite Jazz Bass tones are Rutger Gunnarsson and Mike Watson on ABBA songs, and they both used 60s Js for most of that time (until Rutger helped design the Hagstrom Super Swede).
 
#1,285
Bortron said:
What do people think about Fender's own J pickups, specifically the 62 vintage set and the 60s Custom Shop set? They're pretty reasonably priced compared with some of the alternatives from, say, Nordstrand or Lindy Fralin. And if I want a good vintage tone, well, shouldn't they be able to deliver?
Click to expand...
I love my Pure Vintage 64 pickups.....Pure Vintage 75 pickups.... and my expensive Custom Shop 60s pickups which are more refined sounding, but very nice too....
It all depends on which bass you put them in...they will sound different...Good in one and not so good in another.
I have Fralins in my 5 string Jazz...because I love Lindy Fralin pickups
 
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#1,286
I had a set of the Custom Shop jazz pups years ago. Thought they sounded very even string to string.
Not overly aggressive and maybe a little on the smooth side. Unfortunately you have to try a few pair of pickups with your gear as a whole to really determine if they work for you.
 
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#1,288
I'd like to change the PUs of a '09 Jazz Bass 62 reissue (with stacked knobs) to noise-canceling ones with adjustable pole pieces. The bass is only used in the studio, and recording chain quite of has a parallel fuzz/od/distortion setup hooked up. I've never had the string balance exactly the way I like, even though I've tinkered with bass a lot my self and have luthiers look at it too.
I was thinking that DiMarzio 60s J or Model Js.
Any suggestion for alternatives that might suit my needs?
 
#1,289
joojooeiei said:
I'd like to change the PUs of a '09 Jazz Bass 62 reissue (with stacked knobs) to noise-canceling ones with adjustable pole pieces. The bass is only used in the studio, and recording chain quite of has a parallel fuzz/od/distortion setup hooked up. I've never had the string balance exactly the way I like, even though I've tinkered with bass a lot my self and have luthiers look at it too.
I was thinking that DiMarzio 60s J or Model Js.
Any suggestion for alternatives that might suit my needs?
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Sixties pickups great but don’t have adjustable pole pieces. That’s a difference from the similar Relentless pickups.

Could call Fralin to see if they can custom make adjustable pole pieces.

916 pickups may also be able to make what you want.
 
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#1,291
SharpCat said:
Sixties pickups great but don’t have adjustable pole pieces. That’s a difference from the similar Relentless pickups.

Could call Fralin to see if they can custom make adjustable pole pieces.

916 pickups may also be able to make what you want.
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Thanks for the reply.
Relentless might be an alternative for 60s then. If I recall I might’ve missed some highs on them when listening a bunch of demos.
I’ll check the others you mentioned.
 
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#1,294
invalidprotocol said:
How many of you use the Nordstrand NJ4SE jazz pickup set? I know they've been around a while but I have just discovered them and like what I hear. They are the first pickups that I've liked just as much soloed neck or bridge as they are paired. Loving the additional mid content.
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Got them paired with a FlexCore ...and that's next level imv, depending if you want or need that much shaping.
I dont, atm, so like to run them passive too but I do like those pickups and often got positive comments when those basses got an outing.
 
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#1,295
invalidprotocol said:
How many of you use the Nordstrand NJ4SE jazz pickup set? I know they've been around a while but I have just discovered them and like what I hear. They are the first pickups that I've liked just as much soloed neck or bridge as they are paired. Loving the additional mid content.
Click to expand...
thought they were great pups when i had them and they cut well in a mix but found they lacked the jazz bass sparkle even with 500k pots. YMMV
 
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#1,296
pepj said:
Got them paired with a FlexCore ...and that's next level imv, depending if you want or need that much shaping.
I dont, atm, so like to run them passive too but I do like those pickups and often got positive comments when those basses got an outing.
Click to expand...
My setup is passive and the tone is impressive. I’ve considered modding my jazz with a preamp but haven’t gone there yet.
 
#1,298
joojooeiei said:
I'd like to change the PUs of a '09 Jazz Bass 62 reissue (with stacked knobs) to noise-canceling ones with adjustable pole pieces. The bass is only used in the studio, and recording chain quite of has a parallel fuzz/od/distortion setup hooked up. I've never had the string balance exactly the way I like, even though I've tinkered with bass a lot my self and have luthiers look at it too.
I was thinking that DiMarzio 60s J or Model Js.
Any suggestion for alternatives that might suit my needs?
Click to expand...
I don't know if you've bought something by now, but Lindy Fralin's hum-canceling Split-Jazz pickups are available with raised poles under the D and A strings for good balance. I've used a set since 2005 in a Fender J, and they're amazing IMO, with excellent balance. I believe some Nordstrands can be ordered with raised poles too, but I'm not sure. DiMarzio's Area J come with raised poles for the A and D, and are also great pickups, but purely for tone I prefer the Fralins.

On my Sandberg TT-5 (J5), the balance was terrible with the stock pickups, but I now have Nordstrand Big J Blades (Warm & Wooly), which sound fantastic and provide excellent balance. But they aren't hum-canceling.
 
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#1,300
I need to replace the pickups in the 5 string “jazz type” bass I bought recently. The current pickups are very bright and hashy. Looking for a replacement set with more of a vintage punch and warmth without the harshness.

Familiar with and have liked:
Alleva/Coppolo, Lindy Fralin (standard Lindys I guess they were - it was a long time ago), DiMarzio Area J (throaty punch).

Doesn’t have to be the last word (I.e. most expensive, boutique) set, just very solid and speaks like from the throat and with more recessed high end.

I do love everything and I mean everything else about the bass (well the preamp is okay but kind of vanilla, but it has an active/passive toggle and i have external preamps that I can use).

Thanks for suggestions
 

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