New Jazz bass pickups decision.....With poll!!!

[Pbassmanca]

Hey Talkbass! So I've been trying to decide for some time on a new set of pickups to swap into my 2003 Highway One Jazz bass. I've posted many times about how the pickups in this bass are just too bright and clanky for my liking. As it stands right now, I'm deciding between the "Aguilar AG 4J 60" pickups and the "Klein Epic series 1962 Jazz bass" pickups. I've listened to as many sample clips of these pickups as I can possibly find, (the Klein samples are pretty sparse) and believe that based on TB member reviews and my own ears, that one of these two options will provide the sound that I am after. If anyone has any experience with these pickups or any thoughts about this topic I would be happy to hear them. Peace!

 

[5StringBlues]

Well I dig everything I've experienced from Lindy Fralin but I know diddley about the Aguilar and Klein.


So I voted for the carrots. Good luck in your quest!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Nordstrand.

 

[Pbassmanca]

Nordstrand.

What is your experience with nordstrand pickups for jazz bass? I know a lot of guys on TalkBass seem to profess a great love for them.

 

[Slater]

If Fralins are a possibility, I would talk to Lindy about a 2% or 5% overwound set (to reduce the “bright and clanky”).

 

[Jeff Scott]

They can nail the classic vintage tone depending on which model. My experience is only from reviews I have read; I was going to buy a set based on those reviews (TB members, for whatever that's worth ) for my old USA JB-2 but I ended up giving the bass to a friend so he could give it to his grandson for X-mas before I ever bought them.

 

[winterburn69]

Love Aguilar.

Have 2 basses with Jazz pickups and a P sitting in a box for when I can use it. Personally the Hot 70s are my favourites.

What kind of sound are you after?

 

[Lammchop93]

Lollar are my favorite jazz pickups. Nice and warm. Fralin are my second choice.

 

[Yahboy]

SD Apollo J. !!!!

 

[micguy]

Too bright is a product of the magnet type as much as it is the windings. For me , Dimarzio J’s ( different magnetic structure) are the ticket for a Jazz. Less clinky than anything with Alnico.

 

[Kmonk]

I installed a set of Lindy Fralin pickups, over wound 8% to get more mids and lows. They sound great.

 

[HeavyJazz]

Seymour Duncan Antiquity IIs

The best Jazz pups I've ever played. Killer!

 

[Pbassmanca]

Love Aguilar.

Have 2 basses with Jazz pickups and a P sitting in a box for when I can use it. Personally the Hot 70s are my favourites.

What kind of sound are you after?

Funny enough, I'm basically after a similar version of what is stock in the bass, that is: A classic sounding Jazz pickup with big, clear lows, and growly mids but with a WAY softer top end and a bit more "woody bite" in the tone. I definitely hear this in the Aguilar 60's J's and the couple clips of the Klein 62's that I could find sounded fantastic as well. Not to mention that everyone raves and drools over all of the Klein pickups, (I have an Epic series 62' Precision pickup waiting to go in a P bass, but that is for another thread....) To put in perspective just how bright the stock HWY 1 pickups are in my bass ; I've had a set of Fender 7150 pure nickel's on the bass for 2 years with hundreds of hours on them and the tone STILL starts to get overly clanky when turned up past about 2/3's.That's a lot a highs meng! I play a lot of old soul and funk music, favouring the neck pickup and both pickups on full.

 

[ELG60]

I wanted the pre-CBS sound so I used the Kleins in this:

Very satisfied. Here's a link to the details:
NBD redux

 

[Spidey2112]

I've posted many times about how the pickups in this bass are just too bright and clanky for my liking.

Pbass, you weren't able to reel them in with EQ, and/or strings?

 

[Pbassmanca]

I wanted the pre-CBS sound so I used the Kleins in this: View attachment 3225016
Very satisfied. Here's a link to the details:
NBD redux

Thanks @ELG60! That is an amazing looking bass! I will def check out that thread!

 

[bdplaid]

I'd try flats on it first. My fave flats for this kind of thing are Duncan flats, because they're more midrangey than the others which just sound like duds to me.
My secret weapon pickups are the Fender '74s. I'm not sure if they sound any less clanky to you, but I just like where all the freqs land on those pickups. IMO aftermarket 60's jazz pickups are all too bright - they sound brighter to me than my recollection of my '65 jazz. The '74s are more like it.
Otherwise an LPF?

 

[jnewmark]

I like these : [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Kukulkan61]

This came with Fralins!! I likes a lot!!

 

[40Hz]

All three are good choices. (I’ve got basses that are loaded with each of those brands.) My experience with Klein Epics is they’re the most truely vintage sounding of what’s out there. The Aguilar AG-4x series adds a fuller range and a little more pleasing clarity while still preserving a very warm vintage tone. And Fralins just sound good. Period.

You really can’t go wrong with any of them although I think Aggy AG-4s hit a happy sweet spot somewhere between a classic old school Fender tone and a tiny bit more modern sound. FWIW Aguilar AG/4s are my goto pup when I’m not quite sure what I want to use. And they’ve never disappointed me. YMMV.