• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

"J" pickups discussion and comparisons.

Status
Not open for further replies.
#561
I've heard good "sounds vintage" reports on the Dimarzio Area J pickups, and I will consider them if I do another Warmoth bass.

I currently use a pair of Seymour Duncan Hot Stack for Jazz (STK-J2) with 500k pots and Fender TBX tone. I get good finger (bridge solo or both) and thumb tones (both on full or near full).
 
#562
i've tested several jazz pickups.
Lindy fralin single coil, aaron armstrong jazz set, delano jc4al, bartolini 9s, seymour duncan sjb3,tonerider jazz set,fender MIM jazz set.
1.delano jc4al is the one. 220usd
Warmth: 4.5
Clarity: 4.5
Output: 4.5
Punch : 4.5
Amplified Sound: 4.5
Recorded Sound: NA
Value: 4.5*
2.lindy fralin single coil jazz set. 180usd
Warmth: 4
Clarity: 4
Output: 4
Punch : 4
Amplified Sound: 4
Recorded Sound: NA
Value: 4*
3.aaron armstrong jazz set(dual coil actually). 300usd
Warmth: 4
Clarity: 5
Output: 4
Punch : 4
Amplified Sound: 4
Recorded Sound: NA
Value: 4*
don't wanna rate bartolini,sd and fender because i don\t like those at all.
 
#563
SGD Lutherie said:
Stacked pickups tend to be thinner and brighter sounding. Due to phase cancelation between the top and bottom coils they lose low end, so they are often wound hotter to compensate, which then changes the tone further.

I made a stacked pickup when I was doing the Neo Jazz prototypes, but went with a dual blade humbucker unit because it sounded fuller. It worked better soloed at the bridge position too.
Click to expand...

Nice information. I never have tested the Stacked pickups, just humbucker and one split coil (SCHALLER- JBX) don’t now if they Has split or ceramic but the sounding dull, fat.
I tried the 500k pot, to open the sound But no way. done right?

what I can say about the split coil sounding? Lose high end? :confused:
 
#567
Update: Installed. They sound great; a little hotter than the stock Vintage J's, and exactly the sound I expected. I think it's worth the change. Not sure if I want to get them for my CS '64 NOS Jazz, but I did order a set for my AV '62 P Bass.

Anyone have experience putting Lindy Fralins in a CS Jazz? I believe it has the same Fender Vintage Jazz Bass pickups as the the AV '62; however, the '62 did sound a lot different than the CS with the stock pickups.
 
#568
esoxhntr said:
Has anyone tried the Aguilar AG4J-60 pickups yet?
Click to expand...

I'll let you guys know when my Atkinson Retro J comes in; it will have the Aguilar AG4J-60 matched set. Not sure how great my review can be though, as I've never owned a Fender nor tried any other pickups. I own a low-end Spector that I don't play much and two SXs with stock pups that I play the daylights out of. I'll post some clips of my way mediocre playing when I receive the bass. That's more than a month out at this point though. Just ordered it and got the Nitro finish, which adds 3 weeks. Just thought I'd chime in.
 
#569
slick_tu said:
Update: Installed. They sound great; a little hotter than the stock Vintage J's, and exactly the sound I expected. I think it's worth the change. Not sure if I want to get them for my CS '64 NOS Jazz, but I did order a set for my AV '62 P Bass.

Anyone have experience putting Lindy Fralins in a CS Jazz? I believe it has the same Fender Vintage Jazz Bass pickups as the the AV '62; however, the '62 did sound a lot different than the CS with the stock pickups.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I've been struggling with buying Fralin singles for my AV 62. I'm looking for more output and a bit more clarity.
FYI, I have heard that the AVs do not ship with CS pickups.
 
#570
It'd be really nice if I could try the NJ4SVs and NJ4SEs side by side. Either way as you can see I'm going with hum-cancelling. No noise = very good.

I realize that when people try to describe tone, they try to use terms that are self explanatory. For the most part, they are. However, I simply cannot judge a pick up by how it sounds on paper, I have to try them in real life. Plus, descriptions of the pickups themselves don't take into account the bass they're being played in (or, for that matter, who is playing on them!).

I guess someday I'm just going to have to buy them both and try each of them in the same bass, with the same strings and the same player so I can really hear the differences. Whichever one I like less I'll probably sell to a lucky TBer.
 
#572
Oh my gosh!! This is amazing information here. I've skimmed through this thread but I'm afraid I still need some input from you experts here. I played the Fender custom shop Jaco relic bass, and loved the tone. Of course, it's way too rich for my blood. So I just bought a 2003 J and plan on converting it to fretless. I'm also planning on changing out the pickups to get that vintage tone. Anyone know what pups are on the Jaco bass, or have any suggestions for pickup selection? From what I've read here I was thinking the Seymour Duncan Antiquities, or maybe Lindy Fralin, but I must admit I know nothing about pichups so I'm walking blind here. Any help? Thanks in advance to all who may read and respond.
 
#574
I just ordered a new Fender American Standard Jazz Bass, and I'm new to single coil jazz pickups. I've heard everyone say those pickups are noisy when one pickups is soloed. But in what context is everyone referring to as "noisy?" Does that mean there's a lot of static coming through the amp when the bass is not being played? Or are there unwanted tones that come from the bass? I'm just not sure what everyone means when they say that single coils are noisy when one pickup is soloed.
 
#575
Killens84 said:
I just ordered a new Fender American Standard Jazz Bass, and I'm new to single coil jazz pickups. I've heard everyone say those pickups are noisy when one pickups is soloed. But in what context is everyone referring to as "noisy?" Does that mean there's a lot of static coming through the amp when the bass is not being played? Or are there unwanted tones that come from the bass? I'm just not sure what everyone means when they say that single coils are noisy when one pickup is soloed.
Click to expand...
Maybe you should listen for yourself. Nothing beats first hand experience.
 
#577
Killens84 said:
I'm just not sure what everyone means when they say that single coils are noisy when one pickup is soloed.
Click to expand...

Noisy is relative.

In a live mix you'll never notice the noise.

I love SC's and that's all I'll ever use in a jazz.

If you shield the bass it will change the tone, that why most manufactures sell their jazz basses unshielded.
 
#578
Hey guys. I'm replacing the pickups on my Fender Jazz, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for passive pickups. I play a lot of Funk, but I also play some Classic Rock. If anyone had any suggestions it would be much appreciated!
 
#579
Supertanker said:
Noisy is relative.

In a live mix you'll never notice the noise.

I love SC's and that's all I'll ever use in a jazz.

If you shield the bass it will change the tone, that why most manufactures sell their jazz basses unshielded.
Click to expand...

+1 to this I only have nj4sv in my fretless and NJs in all my fretted basses (which is like 6 at the moment)

Proper shielding makes all the difference in the world.
 
#580
gcampbell291 said:
Hey guys. I'm replacing the pickups on my Fender Jazz, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for passive pickups. I play a lot of Funk, but I also play some Classic Rock. If anyone had any suggestions it would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Well your not into anything over the top so almost anything would work.

(Disclaimer: I'm not being a wise @ss here

But did you read through thread to some degree before posting, since its really going to be personal preference and what you thought worked for you)

Some of this is so-so subjective.
I don't like lobster but a lot of people do :smug:

I'm going to give a very very brief general description that is opinionated the following I have either owned or used in a studio situation.
(So don't throw rocks...my take could be different then yours).

Nordstrand NJs: Detailed mids, very blanced in all ways, with classic Fender qualites retained (cream of the crop IMHO)
'
Dimarzio Model J: Warm with a little bit of grit, thick sounding (nice)

Dinarzio Ultra J: Modern (little scoop in the lower mids)

Barts: Modern but warmer in the lower mids, no spiky highs like some other moderns

Aero: Very open sounding (what you put in is what you get) good frettless pickuo IMHO

SGD: If a EBMM Stingray mated with fender J (Active modern-ish and intresting cool)

Fralin: Vintagey, musicial, standard wind not as mid detailed as Nordstrand

Seymour Duncan Antiquity I and II: Vintagey but II has a little more lower mid punch persay

EMG J: Ultra modern, sterile, uber highs

EMG JV: Warmer then the others in their family, sweet musicial vintage mids (cool)

Delano JMVC 4 FE/M2: Agrresive upper mids but still thickish everywhere, modern-ish
 
  • Like
Reactions: eJake
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back