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Marcus Miller Jazz Bass pickup replacement

#21
Would you say that the pickup replacement with Antiquities makes sense also using active mode or are the benefits you write about more concerning passive mode?
I own a MM with John East preamp and stock pickups but never use it passive, I have 2 other passive Jazz basses for that.
 
#23
bass.player said:
Would you say that the pickup replacement with Antiquities makes sense also using active mode or are the benefits you write about more concerning passive mode?
I own a MM with John East preamp and stock pickups but never use it passive, I have 2 other passive Jazz basses for that.
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I'd say that the upgrades are worth it for even active mode simply because they have better string to string balance and the highs are crisper and the lows are deeper. The midrange has a little more growl to it as well. I think these pickups have just expanded the capabilities of the bass with the John East preamp. The passive mode is 100 times better though.
 
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#24
I also recently bought a MM and only fitted my John East Preamp like yours, my intention is to get a modern J bass sound which is I think the preamp does the work. Like you said the stock PU are a bit thin and string balance can be better.

So my question is that with the Antiquity II can I still maintain modern J bass sound?
 
#26
hands5 said:
hey man get you a pair of Jason Lollars, a good set of "fresh CTS 250k pots and a good setup and ditch the preamp (s) and when I say preamp I mean all of them John East,J Retro Aguilar,however I will exclude the early 90's outboard preamp in this discussion,unless it's a must have.
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The Lollars are the Jazz Bass pickups ! They’re a blast ... same can be said for thd Fender PV ‘64
 
#28
kirkm24 said:
I properly wired the pickups today and was really impressed.

First of all, in passive mode, the bass has almost the same level of output as it does with the preamp engaged meaning the stock pickups must have had pretty weak output in comparison. The pickups also are more crisp sounding without sounding harsh. The Antiquities also seem to have a fatter bottom end (or low mid punch). The pickups are both brighter and fatter sounding based on comparisons with the stock pickups. I'm pretty satisfied with this bass after having made this upgrade. If not for tone, the string to string balance is definitely better and the overall output is a little hotter. A worthwhile upgrade for this bass in my opinion.
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Thank you very much! I bought my MM in 2013, and I’d been dealing with this problem since. I’ve tried EVERYTHING! Changed PUPS (aguilar 70’s), OBP 1, changed pots, added a tone control… I’ve returned to stock pups and added an east pre and the tone now is beautiful! But in passive is like a thin foil sound… I’ve already bought the Ants and I can’t wait to try them! Thanks again!
 

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