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Maybe sell, but get what now?

#61
Well you all have definitely given some great advice and things to think about. Probably need to reevaluate what I should do.

New pick ups, new pickups and an active eq, different strings, sell it, keep it as a back up….. Guess I really need to think about it.

Will be playing with a band soon enough. Amp and cab are set…. well….. cab is set, amp is causing GAS :laugh:

I can say, a few months ago I did downsize string gauge just a little. Maybe go back up for starters. Had 50-105 and switched to 45-100. The switching to active EMG pickups and having a series/parallel switch sounds very intriguing. I know some recommended just getting rid of it because I’d never recoup that expense. But….it seems like doing that makes a pretty big difference, at least according to some who’ve done it.
 
#69
Lots of people citing what works for them and in their situations. And while there could be some real gems of wisdom within, this quote is the one that really catches my attention;
NYgiant said:
It’s a shame because it’s a real nice looking bass and it feels good.
Click to expand...
This is just my opinion, but if an instrument feels good, it might be worth investing some experimental funds upon it. Between "LOOKS", "FEEL" and "SOUND", the last factor is the easiest to alter. Fenders are built around the concept of "interchangeable parts", so changing it's sound easily within reach.

Ask yourself this; Do you like your Fender Jazz enough to expend a bit of money and effort to try out different sets of strings and/or pickups?

Looking back on some of my own experiences...and yes, these are mine alone...changing up strings has breathed new life into some of my basses. It just required a bit of patience, some elbow grease and the willingness to experiment with different brands and types.
 
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#70
Malak the Mad said:
Lots of people citing what works for them and in their situations. And while there could be some real gems of wisdom within, this quote is the one that really catches my attention;

This is just my opinion, but if an instrument feels good, it might be worth investing some experimental funds upon it. Between "LOOKS", "FEEL" and "SOUND", the last factor is the easiest to alter. Fenders are built around the concept of "interchangeable parts", so changing it's sound easily within reach.

Ask yourself this; Do you like your Fender Jazz enough to expend a bit of money and effort to try out different sets of strings and/or pickups?

Looking back on some of my own experiences...and yes, these are mine alone...changing up strings has breathed new life into some of my basses. It just required a bit of patience, some elbow grease and the willingness to experiment with different brands and types.
Click to expand...

yes, I agree with what you said. As it stands right now, as I type this, I think I might be leaning towards some new pick ups, and possibly an active EQ to breathe some new life into it. That’s probably the biggest complaint that I have. It just sounds very thin.

Been doing some research and I’m kind of confused on the pick ups and the active EQ. I found some EMG‘s and some DeMarzios but I’m not sure what else I need to get in addition to that.

I see something like this, but I’m not really sure if this is what I need if in fact, I want to switch pick ups and do an active EQ instead of selling the guitar.

John East J Retro Deluxe Bass Preamp for Jazz Bass Deluxe - Chrome | Reverb
 
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#71
NYgiant said:
yes, I agree with what you said. As it stands right now, as I type this, I think I might be leaning towards some new pick ups, and possibly an active EQ to breathe some new life into it. That’s probably the biggest complaint that I have. It just sounds very thin.

Been doing some research and I’m kind of confused on the pick ups and the active EQ. I found some EMG‘s and some DeMarzios but I’m not sure what else I need to get in addition to that.

I see something like this, but I’m not really sure if this is what I need if in fact, I want to switch pick ups and do an active EQ instead of selling the guitar.

John East J Retro Deluxe Bass Preamp for Jazz Bass Deluxe - Chrome | Reverb
Click to expand...
Yeah, it is quite the "rabbit hole" we're asking you to jump down. There are so many choices that picking "The One" can be difficult, at best. However, there is a checklist you can follow first;

1. Built-in adjustments. Lower your strings to just above buzzing or whatever is comfortable to you. "Different strokes" and all that. After that, measure where your pickups are, relative to the body and strings. See if raising your pickups a millimeter or two helps a little. If that's too boomy or distorted, bring them back down.

2. Strings. Once you have your bass dialed in to the best you can get, assuming it's not already there, strings would be the next step. I, for one, have gotten many different tones out of the same bass by trying different types. If you're using nickel-plated steel (aka: "NPS", to some), you may want to try some kind of flatwound strings.

To cite a couple of examples, I've found .100-gauge D'Addario Chromes and Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats to have a nice mix of warmth and brightness, especially when coupled with my more "diggin' in deep" style of playing. The former did amazing things to the volume and deeper EQ of a Fender-Japan Jazz bass and the latter saved a very aggressive Fender Blacktop Jazz by balancing out the "punch" and "grind". Your personal mileage may vary, though.

3. Series/Parallel Switch. This is a cool mod. All it takes is a 250k push-pull pot, the right wires and someone skillful enough to install it. I've had it it done to more than a few basses and turning both pickups into a single, throatier and punchier pickup is a welcome addition.

4. Pickups. Now, we're really getting into the weeds! I, for one, have fallen back on several YouTube demos to give me an idea of which direction to go, as well as some TalkBass advice. But, you never truly know what you're gonna get until you've installed them. For example, I'd seen tons of positive feedback regarding Fender Pure Vintage '74 pickups, but I found them to be "just okay", but that's just my case out of several...go fig!

As for DiMarzio pups, like many, other manufacturers, which ones have "that sound" you desire in your head can be tricky. Fortunately, some of their popular models aren't ferociously expensive. For example, the DP123 Model J's are frequent go-to pickups, are about $150 brand-new and have the advantage of having adjustable pole-pieces to really dial in one's preferences.

If you want to hear what DiMarzio Ultras can do to an inexpensive bass, check out recordings by Khruangbin. Talk about "THICK"!

Full disclosure...I, myself, haven't had a chance to try DiMarzio pickups, but if I ever do, I'd check the TB Classifieds for a used pair, first. What I have utilized, and like very much, are Bartolini "Classic" pickups. I have two different models, a P/J set and a singular soapbar, on a couple of basses. I definitely prefer them to Bart's "Original" pups. Again...deep and thick, but your mileage may vary.
 
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#72
NYgiant said:
I see something like this, but I’m not really sure if this is what I need if in fact, I want to switch pick ups and do an active EQ instead of selling the guitar.
Click to expand...
Zeroing-in on this part, perhaps an Audere "On-Plate" wiring harness would be the way to go? They aren't that expensive, have a lot of rave reviews here on TB and are built to drop right into a Jazz bass without further modifications. All one needs is to know their way around a soldering gun and be decent with tools. If those are roadblocks, one could possibly reach out to a guitar tech for hire or someone else who can install it without a lot of grief.
 
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#73
Malak the Mad said:
Zeroing-in on this part, perhaps an Audere "On-Plate" wiring harness would be the way to go? They aren't that expensive, have a lot of rave reviews here on TB and are built to drop right into a Jazz bass without further modifications. All one needs is to know their way around a soldering gun and be decent with tools. If those are roadblocks, one could possibly reach out to a guitar tech for hire or someone else who can install it without a lot of grief.
Click to expand...

Funny…..I was actually looking at the Audere sight last night. Since I don’t really know what exactly I’m looking for, I wasn’t sure which one. They have a couple listed with various prices. Wasn’t sure if it would work with EMG picks ups. They seem to have the plug in system on them that doesn’t require soldering.
 
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#76
NYgiant said:
Funny…..I was actually looking at the Audere sight last night. Since I don’t really know what exactly I’m looking for, I wasn’t sure which one. They have a couple listed with various prices. Wasn’t sure if it would work with EMG picks ups. They seem to have the plug in system on them that doesn’t require soldering.
Click to expand...
Then, perhaps, you should get a reasonably priced Audere preamp and see how it sounds first. They go pretty fast here on TB, so the pickings are kinda slim. If you bought new, this should cover most, if not all, of your needs...Volume/Volume like your Jazz bass, 3-band EQ and the Pro-Z switch to get even more flexible.
  • [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Of course, there are other configurations to choose from. You could even get one to come close to your Ibby's preamp.
  • [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#77
Malak the Mad said:
Then, perhaps, you should get a reasonably priced Audere preamp and see how it sounds first. They go pretty fast here on TB, so the pickings are kinda slim. If you bought new, this should cover most, if not all, of your needs...Volume/Volume like your Jazz bass, 3-band EQ and the Pro-Z switch to get even more flexible.
  • [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Of course, there are other configurations to choose from. You could even get one to come close to your Ibby's preamp.
  • [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks so much for your help. That’s exactly what I needed.

so you can use these with your stock pick ups? I guess there’s no real reason to switch the stock fender pick ups unless it’s something I really want it to do? I just figured the stock pick up succumb on the player series MIM jazz bases are kind of trash. Unless I’m mistaken? I was thinking of just doing new pick up something that’s hum canceling. That way. I had a local shop install it, they could do everything at once.

But if this preamp makes a huge difference, even with stock pick ups, it might not even need to go that far.

Just been thinking about things since posting this thread the other day. I think it makes good sense to do the preamp maybe change the strings or even the pick ups.
 
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#78
NYgiant said:
Wow, thanks so much for your help. That’s exactly what I needed.

so you can use these with your stock pick ups? I guess there’s no real reason to switch the stock fender pick ups unless it’s something I really want it to do? I just figured the stock pick up succumb on the player series MIM jazz bases are kind of trash. Unless I’m mistaken? I was thinking of just doing new pick up something that’s hum canceling. That way. I had a local shop install it, they could do everything at once.

But if this preamp makes a huge difference, even with stock pick ups, it might not even need to go that far.

Just been thinking about things since posting this thread the other day. I think it makes good sense to do the preamp maybe change the strings or even the pick ups.
Click to expand...
I don't know exactly what it would do for yours, but many have said how Audere's preamps have helped make their basses come alive, even with the stock pickups. That, and it should simply drop right in. Best advice I can give is to do some research first, then make a more informed decision. Some want the EQ flexibility AND have a sound in their head they're chasing, so they get new pickups, too.

On a related note, and assuming you haven't already seen it, I sent you a PM.
 
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#79
so, just been doing a lot of reading, and comparing things since posting here last. Is anybody familiar with The Emerson Custom Prewired Kit for Fender Jazz Bass?

Reading, a bunch of reviews and players really rave about it, and say to definitely install this if changing your pick ups. I’m wondering if this might be a better route to go than doing an active EQ like the Audere?
 

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