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Replacement PU for jazz bass

#21
I too did not have a good experience with quarter pounders. I put em in a Geddy Jazz and the sound was abrasive.

I recently did a bunch of mods to a Paranormal Jazz and installed Artec split coils. They were about $60 for the pair, and if they didnt sound as good as a Sadowsky or other Split coil jazz pups, I’d be lying. Great results, and saved $$$.

Absolutely worth considering.

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#22
A 7 band bass eq pedal might broaden your understanding of what you are working with.

Fralin has a small backlog and are made per order. Expect something around $300.

I would be a remiss if I did not mention EMG passive pickup line and in the ease of installation and the affordability of a very nice quality pickup. They been around a since the 70s. The active line is also noteworrhy, but I don't use them. I use the passives and I am more than pleased with the results on several basses I have upgraded over the years.
 
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#23
Fender MIM Pickups actually sound very good. They are a little bright, but a twist of your tone knob tames and warms them up.

Quarter-pounders or hum-cancelling pickups will be darker and never quite achieve the aggressive edge of a true single-coil. Depends on your taste as to which is better. Single coils can be a little noisy, and they can not compete with humbucker or Quarter Pounder's output level.

Here is my trip down the "chasing replacement Fender style pickup," road...
I put in a Custom Shop 60's replacement pickup set, thinking this was going to make a world of difference... it did not. In fact, they are more scooped, bigger booty in the low end, but I much prefer the bark and presence of the original PUps. Took them out after a few days and reinstalled the orginals.

There is no right or wrong here. You may find out that spending some time really making friends with original components will make chasing replacements unnecessary. That was my conclusion anyway.
 
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#27
People criticize the Quarter Pound jazz pickups of being scooped, but if you actually look into it, most "vintage voiced" single coils are scooped as well. I think the jazz pickups sound great. I don't get along with the Quarter Pound P pickup though. IMO the scoop on that sound off to what I expect from a split coil. YMMV
 
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#28
I have a '62 Tribute sunburst J.B. based off a Squier neck/body. I put a '62 Fender custom shop neck and a real late 60's jazz back bridge p/u in it (all upgraded CTS/switchcraft electronics). It's pretty sweet.

I just finished a buildout with a ocean turquoise J.B. with tort pickguard. I put in a pair of Fender American Vintage reissue '62's in it. The bridge pickup is nice but I can't get the wiring right on the neck - it's gotta go to my setup guy to fix. But from what I heard online, a nice set of pu's.
 
#29
SD Quarter Pound Jazz pickups are true single-coils that deliver a big sound. Looking for a "bulldozer" rock 'n roll sound? QP's deliver. I've used them before and still have a PJ bass with them. Strong on their own, add a 3-band EQ...they'll "outslam" even a pair of G&L MFD's. Seriously this LTD BB-4 below is an overkilling little monster. :woot: Mine is just like this stock pic.

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#30
I put Quarter Pounders in my p bass and they give a great rock tone. I then bought a Seymour Duncan Hot Single Coil pick up for my Squier Classic Vibe tele style bass thinking it would sound similar or better than the QP's. Had it for a fair while but don't play it much. I took it to practice last week to give it a run. I thought the tone was tame compared to the other bass and our guitarist commented too that he preferred my usual bass tone. The bass tone had good definition and cut through fine but it lacked the grit and growl. The band play eighties style rock. Simple Minds, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, etc.
 
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#31
Ostie said:
I put Duncan Basslines Vintage ‘62 pickups in my Jazz and I was very happy with them, but they no longer make them, and I no longer have the Jazz, so I guess that’s of no help to you.
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I put duncan basslines into my MIM jazz and it rocks on the solo neck position. Hopefully the newer duncans are in the same league.

Duncan pickups are great for rock, and if that's what you want, you will be happy. I noticed a massive difference switching out the stock MIM pickups with these. Good luck :)
 
#32
Whatever you decide, put on new strings before hand, and make a recording with the OG pickups, then record the same lines with the new pickups so you can reference what you've done.
Sometimes our brains and wallets can deceive us.
I have ABSOLUTELY preferred stock pickups over boutique pickups in a bass or two.
And pickup swaps have never made as much of a difference as I had hoped.
 
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#34
Im not a fan of Quarter Pounders either, they have a real blunt nazly mids.
To me, Lollar does the best at vintage voice capture. But thays just me...

The one pitfall you have to watch for on MIM Jazzes is wether you have two equal length pickups, which is unique to standard MIM Jazzes. US ones have a slightly longer bridge pickup vs the neck pickup, and Japan also follows the US style detail.
So be sure to check before ordering.
 
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#35
Really depends a great deal on what you're looking for sound-wise. You might love the QPs, but as you can see here, they're a bit polarizing. Some love 'em, some hate 'em.

I will agree with @Malak that Delanos give a great bold sound but with less scoop and better clarity than the QPs I've heard. (As a thank you I bought my bass teacher a Sandberg California TT that has the Delanos and that bass sounds great.)

No experience with Lollars but as you can see, they're well-liked here on TB.

I have an old Yamaha BB404 which is a cheap bass despite being well made. Nice light body and lovely 24-fret neck but it was cheap because they put in the chintziest pickups ever, thin and awful. How anybody got along with the stock pickups is beyond me. I was looking for a sound that was vaguely vintage but with more growl, and DiMarzio Model Js were just the ticket.

So, YMMV. I'd think first about what kind of tone you want, and then find pickups that go that way. If you want scooped, then the QPs may indeed be the right choice for you.
 
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#36
Iridescentone said:
SD Quarter Pound Jazz pickups are true single-coils that deliver a big sound. Looking for a "bulldozer" rock 'n roll sound? QP's deliver. I've used them before and still have a PJ bass with them. Strong on their own, add a 3-band EQ...they'll "outslam" even a pair of G&L MFD's. Seriously this LTD BB-4 below is an overkilling little monster. :woot: Mine is just like this stock pic.

View attachment 7419664
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Agree! I have a set in a FrankenJazz and my goodness, they blow speakers with their power. Great for live rock sound.
 
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#38
BassHole1 said:
I am worried about QP's being hot - I have a set coming and will be my first time using them. I really dig the original '63 Fender p/u's in my P basses. I have a P bass with Aguilar's and it seems like they lack growl/low end.
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You maybe should be worried if a big signal isn't what you're after, that's what QP's do. Again, it depends on what type of music you'll be playing. SD Quarter Pounders have been around a long time for a reason. They do a special thing for those who want lottsa heft to their sound. OTOH, you can always turn down the QP volume and adjust EQ to taste. A bass with QP's is just another arrow in a bassist's quiver. Use it if/when it's called for.
 
#39
BassHole1 said:
I am worried about QP's being hot - I have a set coming and will be my first time using them. I really dig the original '63 Fender p/u's in my P basses. I have a P bass with Aguilar's and it seems like they lack growl/low end.
Click to expand...
Well I just put the Quarter Pounders in a Squier P Bass that I have fully hot rodded. I have to say that they are way too hot! I'm going to have to drop them down because it's just so loud. I literally had to turn the volume down a quarter just to get it to a reasonable range. I'll keep them in the bass for now and gig it Tuesday but I don't like them. I don't think I would pick up another pair. Of all the pickups I've had so far, the original '63 Fender is the best the most pure P tone.
 

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