MM/J recommendations?

[Pacman]

If you were going to modify a jazz bass by routing the bridge pickup spot for a MusicMan style humbucker, and planned to keep the bass passive, what pickups would you choose, and why?

I'm 90% of the way to committing to this, but I'm having a hard time finding info on what pickups match each other, etc. I'm thinking Delano at this point, but I thought I'd ask the collective wisdom of TB for their thoughts.

Even better if you've got audio examples!

Thanks, all!

 

[sikamikanico]

What are your goals with this setup?

I think I’d leave the Js alone and position the MM between them, like some Atelier Z models. Especially in a passive bass, I think the MM would benefit from placement further towards the neck…

 

[Pacman]

One of the things I really like about the MM style pickup is how *wide* it is in a mix. I know that might be an odd way to describe the sound, but to my ears it has width, rather than depth. I have two Ernie Ball basses, so I'm not looking for a Stingray sound, more like a jazz of a different flavor. (Not the type of flavor I could get with a different set of J pickups)

 

[Derek Kay]

A standard J bass has two single coil PUs that humbuck each other. Replacing one with a humbucker leaves you with partial hum cancellation. Maybe not a problem for you.

Post #2 is a versatile solution, and, providing the MM is coil tapped, will allow multi coil combinations that neither a J or MM can supply. A 5-way switch would be useful.

 

[sikamikanico]

One of the things I really like about the MM style pickup is how *wide* it is in a mix. I know that might be an odd way to describe the sound, but to my ears it has width, rather than depth. I have two Ernie Ball basses, so I'm not looking for a Stingray sound, more like a jazz of a different flavor. (Not the type of flavor I could get with a different set of J pickups)

Ok, that makes sense. It’s kinda what Lakland and others did one their JMM models.

I don’t have specific recommendations, but yeah, Delano comes immediately to mind, for their hybrid pickup. Of course they have other models that could work well too (eg, you can have large poles on both pickups). Nordstrand and Bartolini would also have a number of options to choose from. I’d ask these companies for a recommendation based on your wishes, and probably pick a set (incl. J) to ensure they match. Or maybe even go custom, Nordstrand for sure does that, not sure about others…

If you go for a split J and quad MM you’d have all hum-cancelling combinations, which can be valuable, depending on how you intend to use these.

Tho while pickups are swappable and you can do some trial and error, you only have one shot at getting the MM placement, which has big tonal implications. Where did you envision placing it? I think often folks try to place one of the coils in either 60s or 70s J position, and aesthetics is another factor (depends on the bass itself).

 

[Pacman]

Ok, that makes sense. It’s kinda what Lakland and others did one their JMM models.

I don’t have specific recommendations, but yeah, Delano comes immediately to mind, for their hybrid pickup. Of course they have other models that could work well too (eg, you can have large poles on both pickups). Nordstrand and Bartolini would also have a number of options to choose from. I’d ask these companies for a recommendation based on your wishes, and probably pick a set (incl. J) to ensure they match. Or maybe even go custom, Nordstrand for sure does that, not sure about others…

If you go for a split J and quad MM you’d have all hum-cancelling combinations, which can be valuable, depending on how you intend to use these.

Tho while pickups are swappable and you can do some trial and error, you only have one shot at getting the MM placement, which has big tonal implications. Where did you envision placing it? I think often folks try to place one of the coils in either 60s or 70s J position, and aesthetics is another factor (depends on the bass itself).

Yeah, basically the Lakland/Sandberg setup.


My plan is to keep the rear coil in the 60's position, as near as possible. I suppose if I put the front coil of the pickup in the 60's spot, that would leave the rear in the 70s....

 

[sikamikanico]

Yeah, basically the Lakland/Sandberg setup.


My plan is to keep the rear coil in the 60's position, as near as possible. I suppose if I put the front coil of the pickup in the 60's spot, that would leave the rear in the 70s....

not quite, tho perhaps close enough as an approximation… the MM is pretty wide, I think the distance between the coils is 1”… if I recall 70s J is .4” from the 60s J… that’s an audible difference.