P-ish Jazz pickup other than Model J

[J-Mags]

I've got a Tagima Jazz bass that plays great, but needs some more sonic punch. The current pickups are generic "vintage" J's and lack punch.

I generally play with flats, and I play a Mustang with my band, but I practice on the JB and would like to gig with it too, as it's a very smooth player.

The main thing I'm looking for is a more powerful, punchier neck pickup with a slightly P-ish sound. I know that the Model J is the default for that kind of thing, but I may want something brighter to go with flats and a bass that's not the brightest.

I also want to keep it under $150-200 for the set, because that's what the bass itself is worth.

 

[NoiseNinja]

Series wiring of the bridge and neck J?

 

[J-Mags]

Series wiring of the bridge and neck J?

I'd really like something where the neck alone could do it.

 

[NoiseNinja]

I'd really like something where the neck alone could do it.

Up to you, I just thought that since you don't want to spend too much, if you know how to use a soldering iron all this would cost you would be the few bucks for a switch to turn the series connection on and off, since chances are the pickups currently installed in your bass could get you there if just wired in series.

 

[Marihino]

Model J will be bright enough (since you chose flats for that bass, I assume you don't aim for zingy and chimy), especially if you chose your pot values wisely. They're a standard for this very goal, and for a reason.

 

[J-Mags]

Model J will be bright enough (since you chose flats for that bass, I assume you don't aim for zingy and chimy), especially if you chose your pot values wisely. They're a standard for this very goal, and for a reason.

Yeah, I'm not looking for zing, I'm looking for click and knock (and regular good tones for when I'm practicing).

 

[J-Mags]

Up to you, I just thought that since you don't want to spend too much, if you know how to use a soldering iron all this would cost you would be the few bucks for a switch to turn the series connection on and off, since chances are the pickups currently installed in your bass could get you there if just wired in series.

I'm concerned that if they've got no highs running parallel, they won't have highs run series.

 

[NoiseNinja]

I'm concerned that if they've got no highs running parallel, they won't have highs run series.

If your current pickups lack high end frequency content for your taste that is a valid concern.

 

[Marihino]

 

[thmsjordan]

I've got a Tagima Jazz bass that plays great, but needs some more sonic punch. The current pickups are generic "vintage" J's and lack punch.

I generally play with flats, and I play a Mustang with my band, but I practice on the JB and would like to gig with it too, as it's a very smooth player.

The main thing I'm looking for is a more powerful, punchier neck pickup with a slightly P-ish sound. I know that the Model J is the default for that kind of thing, but I may want something brighter to go with flats and a bass that's not the brightest.

I also want to keep it under $150-200 for the set, because that's what the bass itself is worth.

What is this "Model J" you speak of? I have not heard of a P-ish sounding J pickup and I am interested. TIA!

 

[J-Mags]

What is this "Model J" you speak of? I have not heard of a P-ish sounding J pickup and I am interested. TIA!

Dimarzio Model J pickup. It's been a staple for decades.

 

[JimmyM]

I like the Model J's a lot but they are very hot and have a pronounced lower mid/midbass. If you plan on switching in and out with your Mustang, you might need to make some adjustments to volume and EQ.

 

[DanAdams]

Many makers have a split coil pickup (like a P bass) in a Jazz bass shape. look for a high output one for the neck position.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I've got a Tagima Jazz bass that plays great, but needs some more sonic punch. The current pickups are generic "vintage" J's and lack punch.

I generally play with flats, and I play a Mustang with my band, but I practice on the JB and would like to gig with it too, as it's a very smooth player.

The main thing I'm looking for is a more powerful, punchier neck pickup with a slightly P-ish sound. I know that the Model J is the default for that kind of thing, but I may want something brighter to go with flats and a bass that's not the brightest.

I also want to keep it under $150-200 for the set, because that's what the bass itself is worth.

Apollo. Gen 4 noiseless.

Either is around 200. I think the Apollo pickups are hotter. But, both give off the same vibe.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I'm concerned that if they've got no highs running parallel, they won't have highs run series.

No, they won't. But, the gen 4 noiseless from fender retain the single coil highs and lows fairly well. They just have a slight bump in the mids from being buckers. But, they're stacked buckers, they aren't splits.

The Apollos from Duncan are splits.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I've got a Tagima Jazz bass that plays great, but needs some more sonic punch. The current pickups are generic "vintage" J's and lack punch.

I generally play with flats, and I play a Mustang with my band, but I practice on the JB and would like to gig with it too, as it's a very smooth player.

The main thing I'm looking for is a more powerful, punchier neck pickup with a slightly P-ish sound. I know that the Model J is the default for that kind of thing, but I may want something brighter to go with flats and a bass that's not the brightest.

I also want to keep it under $150-200 for the set, because that's what the bass itself is worth.

If you're willing to spend a little more (not much more) on a set, nordstrand has 51 P pickups that are a jazz bass set.

 

[J-Mags]

I like the Model J's a lot but they are very hot and have a pronounced lower mid/midbass. If you plan on switching in and out with your Mustang, you might need to make some adjustments to volume and EQ.

I'm hoping to use the J for an entire set when I want to. It would be cool to use a 30" bass for the pick songs and a 34" for the fingerstyle songs, but that would be entirely overthinking it!

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I've got a Tagima Jazz bass that plays great, but needs some more sonic punch. The current pickups are generic "vintage" J's and lack punch.

I generally play with flats, and I play a Mustang with my band, but I practice on the JB and would like to gig with it too, as it's a very smooth player.

The main thing I'm looking for is a more powerful, punchier neck pickup with a slightly P-ish sound. I know that the Model J is the default for that kind of thing, but I may want something brighter to go with flats and a bass that's not the brightest.

I also want to keep it under $150-200 for the set, because that's what the bass itself is worth.

Before you invest in new pickups, try adjusting your EQ first. Run your bass EQ flat or close to it. Then boost your low-mids just a bit. Anywhere between 250Hz and 500Hz will give you great presence and definition in the mix with your group. If you add too much boost to the low mids, you sound will honk at you. Just turn it down bit-by-bit until the honk goes away. Then, if that doesn't give you the punch you're looking for, start looking at new pickups.

***NOTE*** These recommendations presume you are running both volumes plus the tone control turned all the way up using a passive Jazz Bass.

 

[iiipopes]

The model J's are a little bit rolled off on the top end, and have the low mid grind. The Seymour Duncan Apollos are a little clearer, to me they have a little more mids than a typical J single coil, and are clean so you can boost the eq between 500 Hz and 1 kHz or 1.5 kHz to get a little bit of the thickness of a P-pickup.

 

[sxaxsx]

I haven't tried the Model J so not sure how they compare, but the Dimarzio Ultra J pickups can be similar to a P with the neck solo and tone rolled off.