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Need help comparing two basses - thanks!

midfieldgeneral

midfieldgeneral

Aug 5, 2018
91
76
Durham, North Carolina
#1
Hi all,

I currently have a Fender Mustang, it is the recent black version with ebony fingerboard. How would that compare to the JMJ mustang?

Is it worth trading up? Or can I get close to the JMJ by improving the stock pickups I currently have? (I never use the jazz pickup).

From what I can tell the JMJ may have a better pickup, and has a string through bridge. Other than that they look like that have similar specs.

Thanks,
 
#2
If you don't need the versatility of the dual pickup configuration on your current bass, then yes, the Seymour's are likely an upgrade on paper. There's also the likely higher mass bridge on the JMJ, if you subscribe to that sort of thing. Neither bass is my cup of tea as a player, but I must say that the JMJ is hot looking :drool:

Premier Guitar did a review of it, and in general I find their take on things to be accurate, so you might be able to pull some sound/tone nuggets out of it to compare to your current axe:
 
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#6
Wow, thanks all for the great replies.

The impetus for switching was because I am not loving the pickups I currently have. If I am looking at 200 for a new set of pickups, then it is not far off trade up time.

I'll stick with what I have. Would I be pushing my luck to ask a second question?!

Which PJ pickup set would you recommend? I play a mix of 90s britpop/alt rock and old motown. Strings are currently labella tapewounds (I have labella flats as well) and pedalboard is .... a HX stomp.

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-J Bass Set
Aguilar AG 4P/J-HC 4-string P/J Pickup Set
EMG Geezer Butler Signature PJ Bass Pickup Set
DiMarzio Model P+J Bass Pickup Set

Thanks
 
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#7
midfieldgeneral said:
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-J Bass Set
Aguilar AG 4P/J-HC 4-string P/J Pickup Set
EMG Geezer Butler Signature PJ Bass Pickup Set
DiMarzio Model P+J Bass Pickup Set

Thanks
Click to expand...

SD QPs: I had the P only version and loved them, but I was going for more Steve Harris vs. vintage P bass.
Aguilar: I've had J's and loved them, there's a ton of info here on TB about Aggie pickups. Out of all these I think they'd be the most vintage/classic style tone.
EMG: Haven't tried
DiMarzio: I love their guitar pickups, but the only bass I've tried with them was a friends Yamaha Billy Sheehan, which was awesome. Like the Seymour's though, "vintage" doesn't come to mind.

You may also want to consider any of the Fender Custom Shop pickup options. I've tried the P's and J's in two different basses and was impressed over stock ones. The dudes over at BestBassGear are great with pickup advise too IME.
 
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#9
two fingers said:
I would keep your current bass. If you feel like swapping pickups, go for it. The difference would likely be subtle.
Click to expand...

I have an MIJ Mustang and swapped the stock pups for Nordstrand NM4s. The difference was noticeable, but not stark. I thought it was worth doing, though it was not a "night-and-day" kind of thing. But those were the little Mustang pups (as in the JMJ) not a P/J combo like you have.

I've swapped DiMarzios into two other, non-Mustang, solid-bodied, short-scale basses, DP-127s into a P-style and DP-123s into a J-style. Really like both pups but don't know how well matched they'd be if put in the same bass as I've never done that. The 127s are rails and the 123s have individually height-adjustable pole pieces, which I consider to be an advantage over most other J-style pups.

Be sure to measure the length of your J pup. So far as I know, there are at least 2 slightly different lengths. I think it's usually the neck pup that is of a different length in some basses, but it would be a good idea to double check that the length of what you're buying matches the bridge pup cavity of your bass. DiMarzio makes DP-123s in both lengths, but you must specify which you want ("S" or "L") when you order.
 
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#13
midfieldgeneral said:
Wow, thanks all for the great replies.

The impetus for switching was because I am not loving the pickups I currently have. If I am looking at 200 for a new set of pickups, then it is not far off trade up time.

I'll stick with what I have. Would I be pushing my luck to ask a second question?!

Which PJ pickup set would you recommend? I play a mix of 90s britpop/alt rock and old motown. Strings are currently labella tapewounds (I have labella flats as well) and pedalboard is .... a HX stomp.

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-J Bass Set
Aguilar AG 4P/J-HC 4-string P/J Pickup Set
EMG Geezer Butler Signature PJ Bass Pickup Set
DiMarzio Model P+J Bass Pickup Set

Thanks
Click to expand...

FWIW, I have a MIM Mustang PJ and decided to swap out the stock pups for SD Quarter Pounders (much recommenced here on TB). I also upgraded the pup selector toggle switch, replacing the stock Fender switch (which was cheap and kept cutting out) with a Switchcraft toggle. I found the Quarter Pounders to be a major upgrade... quite a lot hotter than the stock pups and much more low mid thump (almost too much in the case of the P pickup... the output is hotter than any other bass I own, even my actives). My Mustang is strung with TI flats, and with the P pup selected and the tone rolled back, what I get is, finally, what I hear in my head... I will never, ever be a Pino or Jamerson but I love the way it sounds. From what you say about the tone you’re after (Brit Pop, Motown) I’d say the QPs would be a solid choice.
 
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#14
I put a set of Bartolinis in my Mustang PJ and replaced the pickup selector switch with a blend knob. I love this little bass and I can dial in a little jazz to the P sound for variation.
20190504_165640 (Large).jpg
 
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