"J" pickups discussion and comparisons.

[RaginRog]

I just bought a set of Dimarzio Ultra Jazz- This is the second time I've given them a shot, and I wasn't thrilled the first time I owned them. This would have been about 7 years ago...but my opinion has changed, although for a specific reason.
I wanted my American std jazz bass NOT to sound like a jazz. That's right...if you slap or are looking for a scooped sounding jazz pickup...this is the one. Interestingly enough, the neck pickup soloed (and tone rolled off a bit) has a unique sound all to it's own that is similar to a cross between a P bass pickup and a Gibson SG mudbucker.

Now the reason I like it is because I wanted a scooped sound for the Alice in Chains cover band I started with some friends. It's the closest a passive jazz pickup will sound to a modern scooped/overdriven tone that Inez and Starr have on AIC records.

If you want traditional Jazz bass tone, you may not care for these...but they still sound very nice.

 

[stugotz]

EMG JVX Set is awesome. They have a modern sound mixed with vintage Jazz bass tone. Kind of like half extra crispy, half original recipe. Heres a clip straight in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90VpsNqdJ20&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[bonruiz]

Has anyone tried Aguilar Jazz bass passive pickups? AG 70s, are they good? Thanks very much.

 

[headstrong4]

I have model j's in my 08 Mia jazz. I love the low end but my mids seem to get lost in a live setting. Any suggestions other than bump my mids on my amp?

 

[Baysman68]

As I have said in my other post, I just dropped a set of SD " The Weather Report " Custom p/u's in my cheap Jazz Bass copy. Nice sounding pick ups

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I have model j's in my 08 Mia jazz. I love the low end but my mids seem to get lost in a live setting. Any suggestions other than bump my mids on my amp?

It's that or roll off the low end and highs...

I like the Area J's for that reason. Very balanced, still sounds like a Jazz, but the mids come through better than the typical scooped SD quarter pounder tone that a lot of people go for.

 

[Mr.Typhus]

Okay, So I just put some Seymour Duncan Antiquity II pickups to my old 87' ESP 400-series jazzbass. I've had SJB 1,2,3's all at some point. Also I've had DiMarzio model-J's and EMG-JVX pickups at the same bass....

This is the first time im REALLY happy with the results! This is how good jazz bass should sound and this is THE sound I always hear in my head when i think about good bass sound. I got neck pickup with 8,10 ohms and bridge 8,61, just to give that little extra boost to the bridge pickup! Store also had bridge pickups from 8,2 - 8,6.

These pickups sound just right, nothing else but good warm jazz sound! There is also something a little "Magical" in the sound that i really cant put to words! Awesome pickups

 

[Tunaman]

Any suggestions on single coil pickups with an Audere Pro Pre to utilize the Z modes? Looking for average priced pickups & a mild to moderate aggressive tone. Maybe I should just go passive with Master Vol, Blend, Tone?

Thanks!

 

[RaginRog]

Any suggestions on single coil pickups with an Audere Pro Pre to utilize the Z modes? Looking for average priced pickups & a mild to moderate aggressive tone. Maybe I should just go passive with Master Vol, Blend, Tone?

Thanks!

Go passive. I've owned many Audere preamps and eventually end up selling them. Get a set of Ant II and keep the traditional vvt setup...you'll love your tone. Nice and thick. I also liked the Nordy NJ4s 60's wind...but perhaps the 70's wind will give you more of the aggresive tone you're after. I love the Ant IIs that I have in one of my basses. It's my beater Jazz...but the best sounding one I have.

 

[Selim]

It's that or roll off the low end and highs...

I like the Area J's for that reason. Very balanced, still sounds like a Jazz, but the mids come through better than the typical scooped SD quarter pounder tone that a lot of people go for.

I had the same experience. Originally I had Model J's, and while that bottom end & punch is seductive, the Area J's gave me the balance & clarity I needed, especially for recording. They do sound more like a Jazz.

 

[headstrong4]

Would I get more mid cut from the original (08) pups or my fralins than these model j's? I dont really want to buy more if I dont need to.

 

[TonyP-]

Any suggestions on single coil pickups with an Audere Pro Pre to utilize the Z modes? Looking for average priced pickups & a mild to moderate aggressive tone. Maybe I should just go passive with Master Vol, Blend, Tone?

Thanks!

What up T-man...

I have a few Js you can check out...with Nordstrand-Audere combos (60s 70s and 1 Model J with the Norsdstrand pre).

My favorite combo...70's J with the Audere.

 

[fruitlabor]

I like to know more about this combo.

 

[Tunaman]

What up T-man...

I have a few Js you can check out...with Nordstrand-Audere combos (60s 70s and 1 Model J with the Norsdstrand pre).

My favorite combo...70's J with the Audere.

Just saw this !! You the man Basswave, if these pickups today dont come in like I want, I'll hit you up!

Thanks!

 

[vinnie6]

I have a question. I put model J's in my Geddy and now the volume is funny. All the volume change is at the top end of the travel on the knobs. As you turn up the vol it stays soft forever and then whamo!!!!

I did Thewiring exactly the same as the stock pups I removed. I had a tech look at it. He changed the pots but that didn't help. Maybe I need special pots?

 

[stugotz]

I tried them all in my Geddy, put in JVX's and call it a day. Heres a soundbyte.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/15mx4xzhbxsf8bb/JVX.mp3

 

[rmars]

I have a question. I put model J's in my Geddy and now the volume is funny. All the volume change is at the top end of the travel on the knobs. As you turn up the vol it stays soft forever and then whamo!!!!

I did Thewiring exactly the same as the stock pups I removed. I had a tech look at it. He changed the pots but that didn't help. Maybe I need special pots?

If your using Audio taper pots that's sounds normal, the pickups shouldn't have any effect of it that I'm aware off. I just changed my bass out to Linear taper pots on the volumes and a Audio taper on the tone control. MUCH more control over blending the pickups, you can keep a lot more booty while favoring the bridge and rolling of the neck a bit than you can with Audio pots (which are almost like on and off between 8 to 10 when turing the knob).

 

[vinnie6]

Thanks rmars, I can tell you completely understand my issue. I'll look into linear taper pots.

 

[AngelCrusher]

I A/Bd my 2012 Lakland 5560 to my RW jazz. same strings, same amp settings. The RW jazz has more presence in the upper mids and highs and the Lakland sounds more veiled with more low end. the lakland also has more volume, but is not as loud in the mix. So I am thinking this is due to its extra low end.

What I would like to do is transform the Lakland into a more modern sounding jazz bass. More highs and upper mids. I want something that sticks out a little for soloing.

Are the Delanos the way to go here? I am between those and the Nordstrands with a 70s wind.

 

[RaginRog]

I A/Bd my 2012 Lakland 5560 to my RW jazz. same strings, same amp settings. The RW jazz has more presence in the upper mids and highs and the Lakland sounds more veiled with more low end. the lakland also has more volume, but is not as loud in the mix. So I am thinking this is due to its extra low end.

What I would like to do is transform the Lakland into a more modern sounding jazz bass. More highs and upper mids. I want something that sticks out a little for soloing.

Are the Delanos the way to go here? I am between those and the Nordstrands with a 70s wind.

Have you thought about going with a J-Retro?