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PJ Pickup Set for Hard/Desert Rock/Metal

What to do?

  • Replaced full set with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder PJ Set?

    Votes: 3 25.0%
  • Replaced full set with DiMarzio PJ Set?

    Votes: 8 66.7%
  • Replace only Bridge J Pickup with Seymour Duncan Classic Stack?

    Votes: 1 8.3%
  • Replace only Bridge J Pickup with Seymour Duncan Hot Jazz?

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    12
Hey guys!
I know this has been discussed over and over through the years but I'd like to get a community vote on my next big decision.

I have a Fender MIM PJ Deluxe and my (Noiseless) Bridge J pickup needs to be replaced (no output, no continuity across the terminals, tried re-soldering, probably needs rewinding)

I have the option to either replace the bridge pickup (and hope my choice pairs well with the MIM P Split-Coil that came with the bass) or to buy and replace the full PJ set.

I've only used Noiseless J till now (the Fender J Noiseless is a stacked model) and am frankly scared to go for a single coil since I use a lot of Bass OD and Fuzz and don't want feedback/hum/noise issues live.
 
Did it work before you re-soldered it? Have you tested the impedance on the wires or the pot lugs?

It is possible you've blown the pot rather than the pickup not working (and replacing a single pot is cheaper than buying new pickups).
 
Did it work before you re-soldered it? Have you tested the impedance on the wires or the pot lugs?

It is possible you've blown the pot rather than the pickup not working (and replacing a single pot is cheaper than buying new pickups).
Hi. I've checked the pots. They're all fine. It wasn't working and resoldering was advice given to me on another thread. That was back when I was hopeful it could be fixed
 
I like to think of it as a gentrified name for stoner rock :p
My current favourite being Truckfighters. Check out the Gravity X album

Yeah. Just did a Wiki lookup. Looks like yet another mash-up of everything type music, except the band personnel is also interchangeable if the wiki entry is accurate...so a lot of different influences from a lot of different genres played by a lot of different musicians who are often playing with a number of different bands.

I don't...I mean I'm not...er...I meant to say I...oh...never mind.

I think I'll just go with your suggestion and check out some Truckfighters and their Gravity X.
 
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I have ran the QP PJ set in a Rock band setting with no tone pot. In that configuration that bass had one sound, and that was aggressive. If you like clank and a somewhat rude tone they might be right up your alley. Some say they lack mids. I did not find that an issue as I just turned the mid knob on my amp to the right.

I now run the GZR set which came with pots, so I obviously have a tone knob now. They can still get somewhat aggressive but are a milder pickup overall and suitable for multiple styles. Good pickups for sure.

When I reach for my PJ I am going for a different tone than my P. There are times I miss the aggression I once had but it’s rare. The GZR pups still cut through. I have not used any of the ones on your list but the Duncan QP set.
 
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Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply here.
I went ahead and ordered the DiMarzio P+J set. Primarily due to all the good things I've heard and read about them. The clincher was the fact that the J is a noise cancelling pickup.
Now begins the wait for it to ship across the globe to India.
Will resurrect this thread with a review once they're installed and running.

40Hz, it's funny you say that because that's exactly how my band came to be. Different musicians with different influences playing together. I'm going to take this opportunity for a shameless plug:

Please follow BLEAC(H)EAD on facebook at www.facebook.com/bleachead/
We're releasing our first self produced album+lore+art set in a week or so. :D
 
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Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply here.
I went ahead and ordered the DiMarzio P+J set. Primarily due to all the good things I've heard and read about them. The clincher was the fact that the J is a noise cancelling pickup.
Now begins the wait for it to ship across the globe to India.
Will resurrect this thread with a review once they're installed and running.

40Hz, it's funny you say that because that's exactly how my band came to be. Different musicians with different influences playing together. I'm going to take this opportunity for a shameless plug:

Please follow BLEAC(H)EAD on facebook at www.facebook.com/bleachead/
We're releasing our first self produced album+lore+art set in a week or so. :D
They are great high gain pickups. Enjoy.
 
Closing the loop here.
This is a 30 day review of the DiMarzio P+J set and they are amazing. Took a little overall height setting and individual pole setting (great feature BTW) to get them sounding "just right" in terms of even volume across both pickups and all 4 strings but MAN OH MAN. THESE SOUND GREAT. Completely transformed my bass tone (for the better).

Running these through
Boss Noise Suppressor > MXR Bass Preamp > MXR Studio Compressor > EHX Bass Big Muff Pi > Boss ODB-3
and the tone is monstrous. Perfect for my Desert Rock band.

Thanks everyone for the help and support!
Cheers =)
 

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