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Jazz Bass Deluxe electronics upgrades

jonnymorrow

jonnymorrow

Jul 8, 2005
178
7
#1
Hey guys. I have a MIM deluxe jazz bass that I love but I'm thinking about upgrading the electronics. It currently has the Fender / John Suhr pups and preamp. It's just not as defined as I'd like. The lows are woofy and the highs are tiney. I'm thinking about a sadowski pre or maybe an Aguilar OBP-3 and I'm looking for suggestions on pickups. Thanks!
 
#2
I use Duncan Basslines Vintage Series pups and an Audere JZ3 pre in my MIJ Jazz bass and LOVE the way it sounds. Still has a clean and clear J-bass sound but with a ton of additional flexability.
 
#7
I have 2, one with the Suhr designed pickups, and one with the Noiseless pickups. The Suhr pickups are exactly how you describe them, woofy, tinny, and hollow. The Noiseless pickups by comparison are fat, well balanced, and need little help from the EQ.

My suggestion, is to swap out the pickups before the preamp, and installing a passive/active switch. That's what I'm gonna do to mine. I just haven't decided on the pickups yet.
 
#9
No problem jonny, glad to share my opinions and experiences. :bassist:

As far as pickup selection, It really depends what you hear in your head. I've been thinking about going with a Duncan Hot Stack in the bridge and an Antiquity in the neck, just to have the best of both worlds, but I don't know what they would sound like blended.

The Noiseless pickups are great stock pickups, I probably won't change them out. If you're on a budget, they'll suffice. If you're looking for KILLER tone, there's a million options out there. Your best bet is to make a list and then go watch a bunch of youtube videos.
 
#10
If you don't use your eq much or at all, I'd start with some Nordy pickups. Many OEM's are starting to use them.

For a preamp, again, the Nordy is just killer. I've used Aggie and Sadowsky and a few others. The Nordy pre has far away been the best.

I had an MIM deluxe five string for a while. To be honest, I didn't like the pickups or preamp anywhere near as much as my American Deluxe SCN's and stock preamp, which is NOT the same as the MIM deluxe basses.
 
#13
jonnymorrow said:
Killer suggestion "Lowend" much appreciated. Glad to get a tip from someone who knows the Suhr bass. Any other pups I might try or would you absolutely get the noiseless?
Click to expand...

I have an '05 MIA Deluxe V (had SCN's) and i was not satisfied with my sound so i read forums and read it as best to change the pups first....so i did and man was i blown away! I always thought the noiseless sounded choked, maybe just because i play kind of hard but when i switched i immediately noticed it sounding like a totally different bass!

I put the Aguilar 5j-60's in it soon after they came out. i was going to go with fralins but i felt gutsy and even though i couldn't find many reviews i went for the aguilar's and man i'm glad i did! The number one word every one describes it with is "clean". I was able to use my preamp more where as before the mids would be so sensitive and harsh but now it helps shape my tone.

And i too am considering adding a passive switch or just going to stacked knobs but that is to just take it over the top. good luck with the sound you are looking for. i can't get audio clips but feel free to pm me with any questions about the aguilar pups :)

Mike
 
#16
B String said:
I had an MIM deluxe five string for a while. To be honest, I didn't like the pickups or preamp anywhere near as much as my American Deluxe SCN's and stock preamp, which is NOT the same as the MIM deluxe basses.
Click to expand...

Regarding the preamp, I was told they were the same. In fact, I purchased an American Deluxe preamp from the classifieds here, and I remember the boards looking identical, down to the part numbers.
 

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