New pups for my jazz for reggae/ska?

[KDLax37]

Ok, so i've been lurking around here for awhile...

i play a 2008 MIM FSR Jazz Bass with an ash body, stock p/u, strung with d'a flats.

I play mostly reggae, ska, and a little bit of pop-punk-ish stuff

I currently play through an Acoustic 200w half stack with a 1x15

However, even after EQ-ing, i still can't get the sound I want. Therefore, i'm thinking about replacing the pickups....

What would you guys recommend for a pickup that gets nice, deep lows for reggae-type stuff?

Heres two examples of jazz tones i like...

Bob Marley cover


So what would be my best bet for a reggae tone with my Ash-Body jazz?

 

[fullrangebass]

The description calls for Villex pickups

www.villex.com

Dare I say, add the PRTB in the equation and you'll be wondering how you were living without the Villex pickups and electronics

 

[One Drop]

IMO experimenting with strings and attack is an easier option than going down the PUP swapping route.

Oldish nickel rounds or some nice flats can be a solution.

 

[Gintaras]

I agree with the string approach first. It has solved my tone problem a few times. I have 2 basses that I thought needed new pickups but string change got me the sound that I was looking for. Do some reading in the string forum.

 

[groove pump]

I'm onboard with the input above. Those samples seem to have bass sounds with all the treble cut - no string/fret clank or buzz coming through. EQ-ing out some of that high freq stuff, working on technique, and maybe using a somewhat mellow string should get you in that neighborhood. I've always enjoyed nickel round-wounds and their less edgy reputation.

Have to admit that I'd love to check out a bass that's rigged up with some Villex electronics. Way too much good news around on those things for them to be complete duds.

Also, I have two passive J-basses; one with humbucking DiMarzio Ultra J's and the other with Fender Custom Shop single coils. If I wanted try to get more of the sound in your youtube tunes, I'd opt for the one with the DiMarzios first. That's just my observation in case you eventually consider a pickup swap. Their Model J's have gathered an even stronger following than their Ultra Jazz option.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

you can also try an S1 switch for setting the pickups in series. That'll give you big bottom while cutting the highs. Roll the tone all the way off and you'll have sub-woofer like frequencies eminating form your cabinet. Nice for reggae, I think.

 

[superfunk47]

Dimarzio Model Js and flats, which you already have covered. Do some digging on the Model Js and you'll see why they're perfect.

 

[dubstylee]

Okay, I've read the OP as well as the everyone else's input. Here's my .02 cents. Number one, I love the tone that dude on the video gets covering One Drop by Bob. I've watched all of his videos previously and read all of the input he has shared about his bass; he uses a Stock '74 Fender Jazz usually with old nickel rounds, but he sometimes uses Fender 9050's (flats). He always runs both tone pots wide open but rolls the tone all the way off. So theres how you can achieve that tone.

Believe it or not, but most jazz basses you have seen Robbie Shakespeare, Aston Barrett, or Flabba Holt using over the years were most likely Fenders in their stock form, but strung with flats. I've read that Aston Barrett almost always rolls off the bridge p/u all the way as well as the tone, and just solos the neck p/u and plays near the neck heel with his right hand.

I happen to have an 08 Fender FSR Jazz Bass as well, I find that I can always get a pretty thick tone by rolling the tone off and soloing the neck p/u. I also use Fender 9050 M's, they're really thick and old school sounding. I've used Labella FL760's, D'addario Chromes 50-105, GHS Precision Flatwounds, and Fender 9050 M's. Out of that list I like the Fender's the beset on my Jazz strictly b/c they get my Jazz so fat sounding. I also use a Peavey VB-2 into an Ampeg SVT-410HLF or an old Ampeg sealed V4 cab that I converted to bass cab (It sounds wicked).

I know this is getting long, but all in all I think a vintage sounding p/u sounds the best with reggae music. As well as all-tube heads and flat wound strings.