• 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.

Pickups to get this sound??

F

f8h

Oct 18, 2011
29
1
SJ, Costa Rica
#1
So I've had a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass for some months and decided its time for new pickups. I do like the stock sound (you can say whatever you want but its a NICE bass for its price) but it could be better.

Because its difficult for me to describe what I want, here are some clips.

I've always been in love with the tone of the basses in this two videos:
Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

Real bright and tasty. :D

I've heard EMG's are really bright and since the guy on the first video uses EMG I was looking around in their site and found this video of the J-CS pickups.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Bz2JIxjnI

Should I get some EMG's? If yes, which ones? Those J-CS don't appear to exist anywhere else. Nobody sells them.

Any other brand? Passive, active?

Any help is appreciated. :)

Thanks!!

One quick note: Before anyone says "what you need is another bass that's not crap" or something, I know its not an American Deluxe, but I can't afford another bass. I just want to get the best out of this one!
 
#2
You don't need to replace the pickups. Change your strings - most of that sound is a fresh set of roundwounds - and then solo your front pickup, leave the tone full up, and scoop out all the mids on your amp.

Job done.
 
#3
you may do better by changing the value of your tone cap...it's cheaper and easier than changing pickups.... with that said...
I've used Kent armstrong pups in my basses, and have been pretty happy with them, so you may look into what they have available for you.
my honest advice to you though, would be to take a good look at the eq settings on the amp, the overall setup of your bass, and your slap technique if you're trying to get to the tones in your videos.
 
#4
kevteop said:
You don't need to replace the pickups. Change your strings - most of that sound is a fresh set of roundwounds - and then solo your front pickup, leave the tone full up, and scoop out all the mids on your amp.

Job done.
Click to expand...

I use DR stainless Fat-Beams beacause of their brightness but they don't stay THAT bright for long. I guess I could scoop out the mids and it would sound great but I need my mids to cut through when playing at a gig. :hmm:

monti2889 said:
you may do better by changing the value of your tone cap...it's cheaper and easier than changing pickups.... with that said...
I've used Kent armstrong pups in my basses, and have been pretty happy with them, so you may look into what they have available for you.
my honest advice to you though, would be to take a good look at the eq settings on the amp, the overall setup of your bass, and your slap technique if you're trying to get to the tones in your videos.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate on "changing the value of your tone cap"? I don't know what that is but if its not difficult I could give that a try!

I like to keep eq pretty flat to avoid mid scooping.

I keep my bass setup pretty well (if you're speaking about the neck and bridge). My teacher has an American 5 string Deluxe Jazz and he has borrowed my Squier for some gigs because he likes its feel and how it sounds.

Maybe the most important thing would be perfecting my slap technique but I would've thought that getting better pickups could help.

Did you get a sound similar to that with your Kent Armstrongs?
 
#5
Funnily enough, the Mid scoop for Iba sr305 is considered to be "slap" if you turn it all the way right and "finger" if you turn it all the way left, at least according to the little clear plastic placard they had sitting around the knobs.

new strings make a world of difference if your strings are over a year old or poor quality.

sound has less to do with the bass body and more with the pickups, the strings, and your modulation. Look at the instrument that guy was playing, it was just a fretboard with strings, but it produced full sound.
 
#7
Thecomedian said:
Funnily enough, the Mid scoop for Iba sr305 is considered to be "slap" if you turn it all the way right and "finger" if you turn it all the way left, at least according to the little clear plastic placard they had sitting around the knobs.

new strings make a world of difference if your strings are over a year old or poor quality.

sound has less to do with the bass body and more with the pickups, the strings, and your modulation. Look at the instrument that guy was playing, it was just a fretboard with strings, but it produced full sound.
Click to expand...

I always change my strings when they lose their brightness.

MarthaSamira said:
Any EMG dealer will hook you up with the JCS pickups.

Your stock pickups won't give you the tone you're looking for. Get the EMGs.
Click to expand...

But are those JCS a good pick or should I look at other models from EMG?

I messaged the guy of the 2 string slap video asking about his pickups and he just answered he uses EMG. So I'm pretty much sold on EMG, just not sure on which one.
 
#13
MarthaSamira said:
Any EMG dealer will hook you up with the JCS pickups.

Your stock pickups won't give you the tone you're looking for. Get the EMGs.
Click to expand...

She's right on. I have one of these, a $199 special. The pups are sort of dark, like Duncan 1/4 pounders.

EMG would work, Nordy would work. I say see what for sale in the classifieds here and pop on a set of standard wound ( I do beleive the Squier are overwound).

Aint the strings. I have nickle lows on mine and its not as bright as it ought be.
 
#18
maturanesa said:
i would change the bass before putting an active EMG system on a Squier...
Click to expand...

Never laid your hands on a VMJ hmmmm? Very nice budget bass and great platform for a pickup swap. I have a 62 jazz, the real deal, nearly the holy grail and my VMJ is quite nice even when compared to it. If they're not your cup of tea, let it go. To me, if you don't have a pre CBS Fender, you got nothin. See how that works? If buddy wants to put EMGs on his VMJ leave him to it. K? Sure, you can do that.
 
#19
maturanesa said:
i would change the bass before putting an active EMG system on a Squier...
Click to expand...

I knew somebody would say that. ;)

96tbird said:
Never laid your hands on a VMJ hmmmm? Very nice budget bass and great platform for a pickup swap. I have a 62 jazz, the real deal, nearly the holy grail and my VMJ is quite nice even when compared to it. If they're not your cup of tea, let it go. To me, if you don't have a pre CBS Fender, you got nothin. See how that works? If buddy wants to put EMGs on his VMJ leave him to it. K? Sure, you can do that.
Click to expand...

As I said before, my teacher likes my Squier as much as his Deluxe American Jazz. I am pretty damn happy with it. :D

I ordered a J set on Amazon today. Pretty sure it will make it even better.

BTW your avatar is my desktop wallpaper! :)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back