More umph from my jazz

[Hevy T]

This did it for me

 

[MoeTown1986]

Stock pickups in most MIM Fenders aren't that impressive. Upgrading the pickups will help. I have 3 Jazz basses: an American Deluxe V with Seymour Duncan 60's and an Audere pre, an American Deluxe V with Aguilar 60's and a Audere Pre, and an American Standard V with Fralin's that are 60's voiced. The neck of the Fralin's is 5% overwound and the bridge is 15% overwound. They all sound really good. But, the one with Fralin's sounds incredible. I also did a series/parallel push/pull pot in that one. Series mode is huge. I'd suggest 10% overwound Fralin's and doing the series parallel mod. You'll have plenty of lows and low mids.

 

[rickwebb]

A lot of people use SansAmp products to beef up a jazz (and other basses).

Tech21 VT pedal or VT DI unit. And no, i am not employed there. haha

 

[DoctorZee]

THere may be better options out there, but I'm pretty happy with the Pure Vintage '74 pickups I put in my Jazz. No shortage of low end as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Turn up the low eq knob on your amp.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Series mod. Technically is not more low end, but it gives a bulge to the sound it doesn't have in regular config. Since doing the mod, I think I run the bass in series 95% of the time.

Seconded. It's a super cheap mod even if you have to pay a tech to do it and it opens up a really nice option for you. New pickups might be a help too, but the series mod is much cheaper and might do the job to your satisfaction all by itself.

 

[TonyP-]

At this point...There should be a sticky on this...

 

[Ric5]

I just got a sterling stingray 34 and I get a bunch of low end from it but it is still slapable which I love. I love the feel of and look of my old mim Jazz. What can I do to get the same amount of low end from it? Any tips, mods, etc?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[gelinas666]

Sadowsky SBP-1 Outboard Bass Preamp/DI Pedal..I use this on my Jazz Basses that need that extra punch in the mix..

 

[SJan3]

Slam in a John East pre-amp like the Uni-Pre.

I use a Sadowsky outboard preamp and it really makes things come alive. No more anemic Jazz Bass tone.

 

[Tim Grant]

Wire the pickups in a series. Two people already said this but I'm going to say it again because I just did it to my 95 US Jazz and it made a huge difference. I used a small toggle switch so I could use it in normal jazz bass mode too. It is a very cheap mod. I just used the existing wires to do the mod. If you don't like it you can always put it back to the way it was.

 

[raybone]

You could try adjusting your pickups closer to strings.

 

[iiipopes]

I'm not looking for active sound just more beef and low end

I concur with the DiMarzio Model J if you do not want to go active. That is what I did for one of my basses, and it did the job well.

 

[Yogi Bear]

At this point...There should be a sticky on this...

Yep!

Before you go modding anything bump the low mids, or mids, on your amp's eq. Stay away from boosting the lows too much with a jazz otherwise you'll get mush and will be lost in the mix and will just muddy up the sound.

There is a pretty significant loss to the mids when both pickups are dimed on a jazz bass, boosting the mids is the cure for this. Different basses react differently to eq settings.

 

[Erik Turkman]

Another outboard preamp worth considering is the Aguilar Tone Hammer. It's got sweepable mids, which is where the magic you're seeking lies.

 

[brianrost]

Another vote for the Sadowsky or Tone Hammer.

 

[BobKos]

For the OP - One thing I hated about my Stingray H was that I had to EQ my amp different for it than all of my other basses. So the advice to play with your amp first is good advice. As suggested previously - work the mids. If your amp has a parametric EQ all the better. Adding lows will just smother everything in poo. In my case I got rid of my SR 4H because either I could set up for it or every other bass I owned. I satisfied my EBMM wants with the Reflex bass instead. It's not a Stingray though.

I have many Jazz Basses in a myriad of configurations. Have to say the East Pre and the Audere have been my favorites so far. I read that you don't want the 'active' sound but the really good preamps merely tweak your tone unless you get crazy with them. The EBMM 3 band is not what a typical quality preamp works like. The EBMM preamp gets out of control with just a little bit of knob twisting. The East, Pope, Audere, EMG, Aguilar, Nordstrand, Sadowsky, etc are a little more useable without getting crazy. They are popular for good reason. But at the end of the day your amp already has a preamp so work it first.

Also - you want a set of Nordstrand Big Splits. You'll have to route the body for them though. If you have the chance to work a bass with them, they deserve your attention.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I'm not looking for active sound just more beef and low end

Thats where beef and low end is. That's the active sound.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Seems like I'm always chasing a p feel/tone with my j basses. I love the look and playability of a j but prefer the p overall.

I've done many of the things suggested-series /parallel is a great suggestion. I like using a push/pull on the neck volume pot. Totally stock looking and reversible- but you won't. I 've got the Model Js and a John East Retro J Preamp-in the same bass. Another workable approach. A lot of awesome pickups out there for jazz basses. Staying passive is fine too.

Don't underestimate string choices . Too personal for me to debate but keep trying and you'll find what you like.

 

[funkinbottom]

One of these