• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New GassieBall taste test: soundclip challenge inside!

#21
11:60,

I have such mixed feelings about the DiMarzio Model J's. They are definitely POWERFUL pickups. They have a very big bottom end, but to my ears, they don't have the same cut that the Nordstrands do. Round is a good word for them. I don't think thin/flat are my first choice for words, however. A lot of people call them growly, but I don't really get that impression compared to the NJ's.

Now that the cat is out of the bag, I think many people in their minds will say, oh yeah, sure, I liked the 34" scale the best, it's a no brainer. (Present company excluded, kind sir.) But I'm not sure blind, people would know the difference, especially if there are drums backing the bass (which is why I recorded it this way).
 
#22
yeah,we always assume the full scale will sound best.(Pepsi vs. Generic haha)
I listened before I read and picked it as my favorite blind,but now that I know what's what I keep going back and forth between the SX's since I'm trying to get one.
I sent Kurt@rondo an email asking about the short P or PJ basses,as I'm only finding the Jazz types...
Reading the Essex thread right now to see if there's another source....
 
#23
The #6 clip as an SX shorty P bass with Nordstrand NP4's. Even to my ears that bass almost had a J growl to it. Very unlike the Mustang shorty which a lot of people say is more archetypically P sounding. If you liked clips #1 and #3, then, pardon me for asking, are you sure you want a P?
 
#24
This is perfect timing... I've just been thinking about replacing my Bronco's pickup, and it was really great to hear yours with the DiMarzio ProTrack right after the stock Mustang. :)

Did you put the stock pup cover back over the ProTrack? (sorry- noob question, this will be my first mod!)

What strings do you have on your Bronco? Did you switch out the bridge too?
 
#25
Mekanamom,

I didn't put the stock pup cover back on. The stock one is white. The DiMarzio is black. I replaced the stock white pickguard with a black one so it's all black now. Pretty cool looking.

I have DR Sunbeam shortscales on it. Haven't found a good, relatively inexpensive replacement bridge yet. I thought I would hate the fact that it only has two saddle screws, but the intonation is not too out of whack.
 
#28
ok,listening again today on old sony earphones that came with a cd player vs. yesterday on AKG 240's.
I'm comparing 1 and 2 and I was initially feeling the Dimarzio's were weaker but I think it was just the lower level in relation to the rhyth.track.shoot now I'm sounding critical-I don't mean it that way.
Anyway it still sounds like the Dimarzio's have less attack or something?hmm so many possibilities with different amps etc.
I'll say this-this has helped me,comparing the raw tones!

btw-between the alder and ash versions,much noticeable weight difference or acoustic tone difference?
 
#29
Yeah, sorry I didn't finesse the input levels. IMO, the Model Js have less highs and high mids and I think the growl that people talk about are in the low mids. The NJ4s have more upper mid grind. I agree that the recording was not boosted as much as the others basically because those pickups are so hot I had to turn the gain down. I don think I'm alone in saying that the Model J don't really give a J tone, though.

The ash is lighter and "attackier". The alder is a little heavier and warmer. All the generalizations I've read about pretty much hold true here. I just put Lindy Fralins in the Alder to replace the DiMarzios. Now these are mean growly pickups! Not polite at all :p
 
#31
Lol, I'll try to get around to it, but the Nordies sound better to me. Now I understand what people mean when they call the Fralins "raw". It's still an awesome tone, though. I gotta get some Aeros for the heck of it now.
 
#36
GassieBall said:
Mekanamom,

I didn't put the stock pup cover back on. The stock one is white. The DiMarzio is black. I replaced the stock white pickguard with a black one so it's all black now. Pretty cool looking.

I have DR Sunbeam shortscales on it. Haven't found a good, relatively inexpensive replacement bridge yet. I thought I would hate the fact that it only has two saddle screws, but the intonation is not too out of whack.
Click to expand...

GassieBall- I wanted to thank you for doing this! I replaced the stock Bronco strat pickup with the DiMarzio ProTrack; replaced the strings with DR Sunbeams and could not be happier. Really love the even sound the rails give me. No dead spots. No major fiddling around with pickup height. :) Not as muddy sounding as the stock strat pickup, and dead quiet, too.

I thought about replacing or painting the pickguard too, but decided to keep costs down and found a white DiMarzio ProTrack instead. Well, the cover is white and the rails are black... looks kind of neat with the black bass/white pickguard.

And yep! Intonation is not too bad with the stock bridge. It's actually a bit better intonated than my Mikro. :ninja:

Your soundclips & advice were just what I needed! Thanks!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back