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Lindy Fralin vs. Fender Custom Shop J-bass pickups

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by funkdaddy, Oct 15, 2001.

  1. Oct 15, 2001 #1
    funkdaddy

    funkdaddy

    Aug 6, 2001
    Charlotte, NC
    I'm thinking about replacing the pickups in my MIA Jazz bass and would like to stick with passive single coils. I've heard good things about Lindy Fralin and Fender Custom Shop J-bass pickups - I was wondering if anyone out there has first-hand experience with these two brands? I wanting to get that classic Jazz bass tone - you know what I'm talking about! I guess I shouldn't rule out any other brands or kinds of pickups (i.e., hum-cancelling, ceramic magnets, etc.), but I don't know if they will come close to the sound I'm wanting to hear. Thanks for the help!
     
  2. Oct 16, 2001 #2
    Marty Forrer

    Marty Forrer

    Sep 27, 2000
    Napier, New Zealand.
    See the thread on Antiquities.
     
  3. Oct 16, 2001 #3
    bassmonkeee

    bassmonkeee

    Sep 13, 2000
    Decatur, GA
    I've played a couple of basses with the Fralins, and I think they are the best pickups around for that vintage Fender sound. And, since he makes them all custom, you can tell him EXACTLY what you want. He also has an amazing return policy. If you get them, and they don't sound like you want, he'll re-wind them until you are satisfied. I don't know of anyone else doing this, but I could be wrong.

    I've got a set on order for my Jazz right now.
    I just won a Van Zandt jazz bass pickup on Ebay for cheap. I haven't heard much of their bass pickups, but the guitar pickups are compared favorable to Fralins, and some say they are even warmer than Fralins. I'm sure I'll post when I get it installed.

    I have also heard good things about the Duncan Antiquties.
     
  4. Oct 18, 2001 #4
    funkycarnivore

    funkycarnivore

    Sep 16, 2000
    California, United States
    Yeah, I like Fralins a whole lot. I used an American Standard Jazz with Fralins on my band's EP and was completely happy with my tone--it just sit in the mix perfectly (shameless plug: hear it at http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/209/life_in_art.html). I've heard some good things about the Fender CS 60's, but a friend whose ears I usually trust say they lack clarity. Can't go wrong with Fralins!

    Hey bassmonkeee--I saw that Van Zandt and posted about it in the Dudepit. Glad you won it. I had a set of his Blues pickups for Strat and they were cool. They have a vintage vibe similar to Fralins, but in the case of the Strat pickups, I think the VZ's were warmer, just like you said.