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Least "polite" sounding jazz single coils?

DuluthDank

DuluthDank

May 11, 2008
2,127
3,374
Minneapolis, MN
#1
I actually like the midrange grind of Duncan QP's, but wish they were less hyped/scooped. I'm looking for something open and full range, so not over wound and middy. There's a certain throatiness in the upper mids i'm chasing, but maybe it's hard to describe. Maybe it's a 70's wind sound i'm talking about?

I guess i'm looking for the opposite of warm and the opposite of polite, but in an open sounding single coil with some nice midrange detail. It's possible that these words mean absolutely nothing to anybody but me.

I heard this sound in person once in the stock pickups in a Bacchus bass I sold for other reasons. I should have at least kept the pickups, Feel free to ignore this post if this just sounds like abstract babble.
 
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#2
This is 100% not meant to sound sarcastic, but have you looked into either an onboard preamp, EQ pedal, or external preamp? The mid scoop can be a problem with the traditional jazz config, but in a V-V-T wiring you can back off the bridge a little to alleviate it.

Onboard preamp will help with signal attenuation, but if it's not a long cable run, add some high mids with an EQ pedal or preamp that accenuates those frequencies. The treble knob on the VT Bass DI is really more in High-Mid territory, also adds plenty of heft. Might be something to look into?
 
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#7
SJB-1 is one of my favorite Duncan vintage jazz pickups and always felt I got the most out of my sound with those. Lots of other great J pickups, but have used those SJB-1's in several basses with great results, but totally agree a lot of jazz pickups benefit from good EQ as well as having a series parallel which is my favorite tool on Jbasses.
 
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#10
DuluthDank said:
I actually like the midrange grind of Duncan QP's, but wish they were less hyped/scooped. I'm looking for something open and full range, so not over wound and middy. There's a certain throatiness in the upper mids i'm chasing, but maybe it's hard to describe. Maybe it's a 70's wind sound i'm talking about?

I guess i'm looking for the opposite of warm and the opposite of polite, but in an open sounding single coil with some nice midrange detail. It's possible that these words mean absolutely nothing to anybody but me.

I heard this sound in person once in the stock pickups in a Bacchus bass I sold for other reasons. I should have at least kept the pickups, Feel free to ignore this post if this just sounds like abstract babble.
Click to expand...

I was in the exact same boat and what solved it for me was plain old single coils from an American standard jazz plus a good preamp. If I was going to take it further I'd call Mr Fralin.
 
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#11
KevInDaBassment said:
This is 100% not meant to sound sarcastic, but have you looked into either an onboard preamp, EQ pedal, or external preamp? The mid scoop can be a problem with the traditional jazz config, but in a V-V-T wiring you can back off the bridge a little to alleviate it.

Onboard preamp will help with signal attenuation, but if it's not a long cable run, add some high mids with an EQ pedal or preamp that accenuates those frequencies. The treble knob on the VT Bass DI is really more in High-Mid territory, also adds plenty of heft. Might be something to look into?
Click to expand...

Good advice on the EQ. I'll experiment a bit with that before spending any more money.
 
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#15
What kind of music you play? I've owned and gigged over 20 different sets. Currently have EMGs, EMGXs, Nordstrand SV, Dimarzio Area J, and Duncan Apollos in my jazzes.
Upper mid grind sounds like Nordstrand to me. Their 60s J is brighter but I actually prefer the NJSVs. Fender Originals are great and can get nasty when you dig in. Those were in the first run of MIJ Geddy Jazz bass.
The 70s J sets I've used were mostly scooped but articulate. My favorite of those has to be the Fender 74s. The Nordstrand and Aguilar 70s winds were very Marcus Miller-ish to me. Not my thing.
You don't want overwound or middy I'd stay away from Dimarzio Model Js or the Relentless set. I'd also not recommend the Ultra J if you don't like the QP set, they have a similar voicing.
 
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#16
birminghambass said:
What kind of music you play? I've owned and gigged over 20 different sets. Currently have EMGs, EMGXs, Nordstrand SV, Dimarzio Area J, and Duncan Apollos in my jazzes.
Upper mid grind sounds like Nordstrand to me. Their 60s J is brighter but I actually prefer the NJSVs. Fender Originals are great and can get nasty when you dig in. Those were in the first run of MIJ Geddy Jazz bass.
The 70s J sets I've used were mostly scooped but articulate. My favorite of those has to be the Fender 74s. The Nordstrand and Aguilar 70s winds were very Marcus Miller-ish to me. Not my thing.
You don't want overwound or middy I'd stay away from Dimarzio Model Js or the Relentless set. I'd also not recommend the Ultra J if you don't like the QP set, they have a similar voicing.
Click to expand...
I play in a "early 2000s garage rock revival-revival band", if that makes any sense. hehe.

It seems like you actually understood exactly what I was saying with my wall of text. I've listened to a ton of demos, and the only noise cancelling J pickups that fit the sound I'm talking about are those Nordstrand NJSV's you mentioned. I have Apollos on hand, and they sound great in their own way, but less throaty in the upper mids than I'm thinking.

I've hear demos of the MIJ Geddy basses and liked what I heard. Fender Originals are much cheaper than the Nordies, so that's a great option.

You're also the second person to mention Fender 74's.
 
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#17
Gervais Cote said:
The most aggressive high mids I heard came from a MIM Fender Geddy Lee jazz bass but I'm not sure it would fit the "nice detailed midrange" requirement.
Click to expand...

I've heard suggestions of both MIM and MIJ Geddy. Nice thing is the MIM Geddys can probably be snagged from Stratosphere, for peace of mind. With some of these unmarked Fender pickups, when buying used, it's hard to verify what they are.
 
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#18
DuluthDank said:
I've heard suggestions of both MIM and MIJ Geddy. Nice thing is the MIM Geddys can probably be snagged from Stratosphere, for peace of mind. With some of these unmarked Fender pickups, when buying used, it's hard to verify what they are.
Click to expand...
There is a thing going on where people trade in high end gear and pull the high end pickups.
 
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#19
birminghambass said:
What kind of music you play? I've owned and gigged over 20 different sets. Currently have EMGs, EMGXs, Nordstrand SV, Dimarzio Area J, and Duncan Apollos in my jazzes.
Upper mid grind sounds like Nordstrand to me. Their 60s J is brighter but I actually prefer the NJSVs. Fender Originals are great and can get nasty when you dig in. Those were in the first run of MIJ Geddy Jazz bass.
The 70s J sets I've used were mostly scooped but articulate. My favorite of those has to be the Fender 74s. The Nordstrand and Aguilar 70s winds were very Marcus Miller-ish to me. Not my thing.
You don't want overwound or middy I'd stay away from Dimarzio Model Js or the Relentless set. I'd also not recommend the Ultra J if you don't like the QP set, they have a similar voicing.
Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, have you heard or tried the Lace Aluma j pickups? Totally different design philosophy than the others mentioned, but the mids on those actually kind of scratch that itch for me. At least from some of the demos I've heard.

 

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