what do you guys think the best replacement pickups would be for a mim 4 string jazz? i'm looking to stay passive. thanks
I would suggest two things. One, do a search of Pickups forum, you will find a lot of info there. Two...tell us more about the kind of music you play, what sound you are looking for etc. The more info you provide, the better the advice you get.
Bartolini makes some nice Jazz bass pickups. I have the basic single coil ones in my green custom and I love them.
and they'll fit in perfectly, right? I won't have to like uh..have the body re-routed or something like that.
If you have one of the new mim jazz basses (2001 or newer I think) no routing will be required if you have an older one you might have to file away a bit of wood on both sides of the pickup rout
It would only makes sense to change pots if they sound scratchy when you turn them, if they don't you don't have to replace them Difference? Depends on what you mean, if you mean a different tone after changing the pickups, yes you probably will notice
Seymour Duncans come with an exchange policy if you dont like them. Personally I would stick with the original pups and drop in a J-retro preamp, it'll make a bigger difference than any pup change. I know you want to stay passive, but that's my opinion.
but what about Fender's Noiseless Jazz pickups? I've got them in my stock MIA Deluxe and I plan to add a set to my CIJ fretless. I would put them up against any of the ones that have been named but to each his/her own.
Aero Instrument makes pickups for lots of instruments, including the odd-sized MIM jazz basses. They sound great!