Jazz Bass pickup recommendations

[huggernaut]

I’m looking for some replacement pickups for my 2001 Fender USA jazz bass.

I’m playing a lot of heavier/sludgy rock and metal lately. Often with drive and fuzz, but still would like a good clean tone, as I like a lot of layered/textural sounds too.

Ive always loved Gibson thunderbird/rd/bass humbucker tones and even dig p bass sounds, but my old jazz is my favorite feeling bass.

Any pickups I might be able to swap in for heavier tones with my J?

I’ve heard the model j is cool, but don’t know if it will cut it.

Thanks!

 

[Scott Baiowulf]

For heavier tones in a jazz bass, I definitely recommend Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders. I used to play an MIA Fender jazz with Quarter Pounders. I ran them through a Boss ODB-3 overdrive pedal and it sounded incredible for metal, I got a lot of compliments on the tone from other bass players at shows.

 

[Zoobiedood]

My first thought is the Quarter Pounds, and another option (more evenly EQ-d) are the Hot Stacks.

 

[Scott Baiowulf]

another option (more evenly EQ-d) are the Hot Stacks.

That's one thing I forgot to mention: be ready to boost the hell out of your mids with the QPs.

 

[warwicktor]

The Dimarzio Model J will do it. Very good pickups and extremely quiet with no loss of mids and lots of lows...

 

[Bodeanly]

The Dimarzio Model J will do it. Very good pickups and extremely quiet with no loss of mids and lots of lows...

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

I put them in everything. Yes, everything.

 

[huggernaut]

That's one thing I forgot to mention: be ready to boost the hell out of your mids with the QPs.

That's pretty concerning to me...would the Hot Stacks or model Js just be better then? I would like the added benefit of hum cancelling, just because I'll be playing in this band with a fair amount of dirt/fuzz most of the time.

 

[Scott Baiowulf]

That's pretty concerning to me...would the Hot Stacks or model Js just be better then? I would like the added benefit of hum cancelling, just because I'll be playing in this band with a fair amount of dirt/fuzz most of the time.

I played them with overdrive always on and thought they sounded great, they played really well with my Boss ODB-3, but sounded a bit muddy clean.

 

[huggernaut]

My first thought is the Quarter Pounds, and another option (more evenly EQ-d) are the Hot Stacks.

So i guess the frontrunners are the model js, hot stacks and QPs. Any thoughts how they compare? Or other options I should be considering?

 

[Scott Baiowulf]

So i guess the frontrunners are the model js, hot stacks and QPs. Any thoughts how they compare? Or other options I should be considering?

Aguilar AG 4J-70, their 70's style j-pickup is pretty growly and sounds good distorted.

 

[huggernaut]

Aguilar AG 4J-70, their 70's style j-pickup is pretty growly and sounds good distorted.

Awesome, thanks!

Did you find the single coils noisy with dirt? My thought was to look for a split pickup to hopefully cancel some hum.

 

[Scott Baiowulf]

Awesome, thanks!

Did you find the single coils noisy with dirt? My thought was to look for a split pickup to hopefully cancel some hum.

Not when you have the volume on them at the same level. I haven’t been a fan of him canceling jazz pickups. Haven’t heard any of them that have the same grit as good single coils.

 

[BuffaloBass]

A recommendation I dont see much anymore, AERO type 1's. Dark, articulate, good output, not the typical "overwound" sound of QPs. Pure single coil bliss. I beleive they fit the bill exactly. They will cost a bit more than the machine wound pickups being mentioned, yet I think you'll ultimately be most satisfied. No EQ ing required, in fact, they'll bring on the 20-50Hz like never before. You may ask Larry about his P pickups in a J body for hum cancelling. I dont prefer HC pickups, as they lose the single coil shimmer, but the split J's do it best. . www.aeroinstrument.com

PS. You will have to call AERO directly as the pups are custom.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Another vote for hot stacks.

 

[Warpeg]

Based on your criteria, I put in another vote for SD QPs. I used to have these in a MIA Jazz Bass years ago when I was playing in a band matching your tone description. With a little dirt and an SVT, that thing just nailed it in aces!

If you're looking for hum cancelling, but would like to maintain the mid-frequencies, then I would suggest seeking out a set of Fender Super 55's. I have a set now; they have become my all-time favorite Jazz pickup. They sound just like a standard Jazz single coil, but with no noise. These pickups love dirt and I've found them to work very well in a loud rock mix. They just "fit".