Replacement Pickups for Geddy Lee

[naruki]

I've never used non-stock pickups before don't really know which ones to go for to replace the stock pickups on a Geddy Lee. What I'm looking for is,

1) Aggressive fat beefy jazz growl when bridge'ed.
2) Noiseless and passive (for nice fuzz).
3) Possible nice clear piano like tone around the upper fret.

Any suggestions?

Edit: Price isn't a problem but I don't want some custom pickups where I have to wait weeks for it to be wound.

 

[Sanchez83]

Love my Duncan Vintage p'ups that I put in my Geddy. I highly recommend them. Very quiet, and great tone all around.

 

[Modern Growl]

here we go - get ready for a million and one pickup suggestions soley based on what people purchased in the past that have nothing to do with your desired tone "go barts!" "nordy's all the way!" "EMG baby!" lol.... *sigh*

Your request at 1 & 3 are conflicting. Aggressive & Fat vs. Clear & Piano like won't be found in the same pickup set. There's always a trade of. What do you want more?

 

[vegas532]

Can't say enough good things about two particular ones, Dimarzio Model J and Norstrand NJ4SV. If you want to stay closer to a true Jazz tone, go with the Nordys. Although the Model J's sound great, they definitely are not a true Jazz tone.

 

[Sanchez83]

here we go - get ready for a million and one pickup suggestions soley based on what people purchased in the past that have nothing to do with your desired tone "go barts!" "nordy's all the way!" "EMG baby!" lol.... *sigh*

Your request at 1 & 3 are conflicting. Aggressive & Fat vs. Clear & Piano like won't be found in the same pickup set. There's always a trade of. What do you want more?

I guess this comment confuses me. He is looking for opinions and options based on other peoples experiences with different pickups. Are we just supposed to have one single "qualified" member answer questions such as this? I actually chose the pickups that I did based on what input was provided in a very similar post as this one. I, for one, love reading what people are using and why they went the direction that they did. I am definitely not trying to be rude, btw. Just curious what would be considered a reasonable response when someone requests opinions.

 

[naruki]

here we go - get ready for a million and one pickup suggestions soley based on what people purchased in the past that have nothing to do with your desired tone "go barts!" "nordy's all the way!" "EMG baby!" lol.... *sigh*

Your request at 1 & 3 are conflicting. Aggressive & Fat vs. Clear & Piano like won't be found in the same pickup set. There's always a trade of. What do you want more?

Yes, 1 and 3 are very very conflicting. I'd prefer 1 over 3 though, which is why I said "possibly" piano like tone

 

[Modern Growl]

Yes, 1 and 3 are very very conflicting. I'd prefer 1 over 3 though, which is why I said "possibly" piano like tone

If you want aggressive tone tone - I would stick to true single coils (Nordstrand NJ4 & Fralin Singles are pretty aggressive while being thick).

But if you want humcancelling - check out the Norstrand NJ4SV (overwound to be very thick sounding, at the loss of an ultra bright top end). Also, Fralin HumCancelling pickups are pretty fat & aggressive too.

 

[Modern Growl]

Just curious what would be considered a reasonable response when someone requests opinions.

A response that addresses the request, and not just responding with whatever pickup one "upgraded" their jazz basses with.

I've seen it time and time again. OP ask for an "upgrade" suggestion and the comments start pouring in, seemingly with little regard to his tonal goals.

Like "I'm looking for snarly aggressive, suited for metal pickups"

And responses like "Bartolini"

 

[walterw]

cue metal players who love their barts

anyway, aside from the noiseless part of the picture, the stock geddy pickups should already do what the OP wants nicely. (like most good classic J pickups they do balance towards "clear" rather than "fat", but amp settings can change that).

he might like the beefier and scooped dimarzio ultra jazz, to get "fat" on the lows, "clear" on the highs, and hum-canceling.

(i'd go with the area J to stay as close to the excellent sound the bass has now, but that's neither here nor there.)

 

[NKBassman]

I was thinking Dimarzio Model J for #1 and #2, but they definitely won't suit #3. I put a set in my Geddy, and while I love the sound I'm changing the pots out to 500k to open up the top end a little more.

You might also look into Dimarzio's other hum-cancelling option, I think it's the Ultra Jazz.