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Need Pickups for jbass Warmoth build

bobdabilder

bobdabilder

Feb 5, 2013
3,316
2,782
mississippi, usa
#1
As the title infers: I'm building a warmoth Jbass and need some pickup opinions. I currently play a schecter with emg's that I'm not impressed with but I love my Ibanez 810 with the dxp and dxj pickups. Both have preamps so I can go that route if I need to. So my questions are: Active or passive? Can I get that grungy punchy mid with passive pups and no preamp. if so, should I stick with j style pups or have the body routed for another combination? All opinions appreciated.
 
#2
A passive J can do what you are looking for, but read up on comparisons between the different brands to get an idea of what is going to get you closest to your goals. I installed a Nordstrand NJ4 (standard, not the '70's wind) set in a '78 J last summer that worked very nicely. They sounded great with both pu's full-on or soloed. Aeros are very punchy and present in the low mids, and they are more expensive.

There are so many good choices out there, but these are my favorites.
 
#3
Rodger Bryan said:
A passive J can do what you are looking for, but read up on comparisons between the different brands to get an idea of what is going to get you closest to your goals. I installed a Nordstrand NJ4 (standard, not the '70's wind) set in a '78 J last summer that worked very nicely. They sounded great with both pu's full-on or soloed. Aeros are very punchy and present in the low mids, and they are more expensive.

There are so many good choices out there, but these are my favorites.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to keep the cost down and that may be the way to do it. I'll check it out.
 
#5
May not answer your questions completely - but this thread of jazz bass pickups has been super helpful to me in the past:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/j-pickups-discussion-comparisons-91384/

FWIW if you wang some good growly jazz pickups for a reasonable price sans the need for preamp, I'd recommend DiMarzio Model J's. Can get them with a prewired jazz bass control plate for reasonably cheap on bestbassgear.com and they sound great!
 
#13
bobdabilder said:
I'm liking the idea of split humbuckers. Any more experience with any other brands?
Click to expand...

Not yet, but I'm thinking of trying Joe Bardens on a future build.

I can tell you with certainty that I'll never put a single-coil J pickup on a bass ever again. The Fender Super 55 split-coils are that good.
 
#15
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders are single coils so they have that single coil hum, but in a band mix you can't hear it. I dropped a pair in my Jazz V and the bass came alive. Tons of Jazz bass attitude and growl, and quite a bit hotter signal than my other basses... it kicks my effects in their teeth. lol

Definitely check out that link that Browncoat posted, there's a ton of information in that thread.

5sg.
 
#16
#17
fivestringgecko said:
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders are single coils so they have that single coil hum, but in a band mix you can't hear it. I dropped a pair in my Jazz V and the bass came alive. Tons of Jazz bass attitude and growl, and quite a bit hotter signal than my other basses... it kicks my effects in their teeth. lol

Definitely check out that link that Browncoat posted, there's a ton of information in that thread.

5sg.
Click to expand...

That thread is very helpful. Trying to avoid the hum but get that growl is definitely where i am. Thanks.
 
#19
I get great results in a Warmoth JJ with SD Hot-Stack Jazz pickups (hum cancelling).

I use 500k volume pots, and a Fender TBX tone.

My current Warmoth JJ build project will use Dimarzio Area Js for a more vintage tone (many great reviews on these).
 

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