Split J pickup anyone? Why not?

[two fingers]

IIRC, there was somebody that developed a split Jazz type pickup. Never saw it on an actual bass, if I am right: maybe I am not? This type of pickup could easily be sort of a... Columbus egg, if I understand it well. I mean: we could have the clearer, larger frequency/amplitude response range of that pickup model coupled with the hum cancelling smart strategy, obtained having the two coils placed in the same spot but wired in the due manner.

(Which is it, btw? Simply the same coil 'winding-versus' for both halves but wired one half in opposite phase against the other half or what?)

Unless I'm missing something, side-by-side split-coil J pickups are actually pretty common.

 

[landrybass]

Jazz Bass® Pickups - Understanding The Replacement Options

Some good info on all things J pickups.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

IIRC, there was somebody that developed a split Jazz type pickup. Never saw it on an actual bass, if I am right: maybe I am not? This type of pickup could easily be sort of a... Columbus egg, if I understand it well. I mean: we could have the clearer, larger frequency/amplitude response range of that pickup model coupled with the hum cancelling smart strategy, obtained having the two coils placed in the same spot but wired in the due manner.

(Which is it, btw? Simply the same coil 'winding-versus' for both halves but wired one half in opposite phase against the other half or what?)

They have stacks, and splits. Stacks, have two full length coils stacked on top of eachother. They sound more like a standard humbucker, but have the ability to switch between bucker and single. Splits try their hardest to sound like singles, but don't quite make it. Most sound really compresssed, and sterile. Others don't have the high end, sound tubby, or just fall short when compared to the real thing. Not that they're bad, or anything. I can't think of any pickup, that doesn't have actual problems, I've ever tried that was "bad." They're all just different.

There are two that hit the single coil nail on the head though. Fralins and Nordstrand SV. Almost un noticeable differences between their standard J pickups, and those noiseless ones.

 

[rashrader]

I’ve been quite happy with these split coil EMG’s that I put in my Jazz Bass.

 

[iiipopes]

The original split-coil J-pickup is the DiMarzio Model J. It came out in the late 70's, and I had a pair on a '75 light ash rosewood board sunburst in 1981. I bought the set because one of my stock pickups let go internally, as most of that era eventually do, and 1) that was about the only set I could find that was available, and 2) I wanted humbucking.

 

[iiipopes]

I’ve been quite happy with these split coil EMG’s that I put in my Jazz Bass. View attachment 4831735

Respectfully, I thought EMG used a stack-coil configuration, summing the signals of the coils in the internal preamp. Please correct me.

 

[rashrader]

Respectfully, I thought EMG used a stack-coil configuration, summing the signals of the coils in the internal preamp. Please correct me.

Haha. Yeah. Look at that. I assumed they were split. They aren’t. They do sound great!!!

 

[Jared Lash]

Most pickup companies/builders that wind jazz bass pickups also do a split coil, hum cancelling version.

Here's Fralin's

And if you scroll down on this page you can find Aguilar's.

Nordstrand has a split coil version of both their normal jazz bass pickups and of the Big Singles. Those are the Big Splits.

As hum cancelling jazz pickups go, I'd say split coils are definitely the most common, with stacked coils a distant second, and things like sidewinders being even more rare.

I know the Nordy Zen Blades are sidewinders, as are the standard Armstrong humbuckers in ACG basses. Bill Lawrence used to make some too. Not to many others these days.

 

[TrevorR]

I was thinking about a side by side coils enclosed in a J form enclosure. Just technically asking: a two stacked coils vs. the traditional single coil J pickup should give the same sound. Shouldn't it?

Added two split coil JB pickups (2+2 in a standard Jazz housing) to my Frankenjazz. Made by a UK custom, hand wound pickup maker here in the UK - Catswhisker Pickups. Sound great. Not done a direct comparison with standard Jazz single coils but they just sound like great Jazz pickups but with zero hum. Love them.

 

[Grinderman]

I have a set of Fralin single coil Jazz pickups and a set Fralin split coil Jazz pickups.

I know how both sets sound and how closely they sound in comparison.

They both sound great and not terribly different from each other which is why one set has been in my Jazz bass for nearly 18 months and other set I'm safe keeping in original box they came in. Make of all that as you will.

 

[matante]

There's nothing wrong with single coils if that's your preference but don't assume that split coils or stacked coils are a "compromise". Not everyone prefers the sound of single coils. If they did, no one would play Hofners. No one would play P basses. No one would play Les Pauls. A humbucking pickups is not a compromise. It's a different sound which you may or may not prefer.

 

[logdrum]

Nordstrand I think almost solved the issue by making the pickup wider -- I am talking about the Big Split. I honestly cannot tell the difference with a true single coil (I tested this with both on, front and back . I also had the luxury of a faraday cage at my work place so minimized the hum a lot) But you have to route your bass. But some folks think it still has split pickup personality. The Big Single is like a single coil on steroids and I do not like it.

I really think that SC hum is over rated/thought unless you have fuzz and other kinds of gain staging. When you do that you lose the SC voice anyway?

Hum is many times a house wiring issue. My house is old and the non upgraded circuits are always the noisiest

 

[pbassnut]

there may be something in here if you haven't already checked it out:
Hum cancelling jazz without losing jazz tone?

me: if J pickups don't hum = great. if they don't sound like single coils = oh, well.

I have two Js loaded with Lindy Fralin stock wind single coil J pickups and two Js loaded with DiMarzio Area J hum cancelling pickups and they sound very similar to my ears. Both are great pickups and sound good, but I'd have to give the edge to the Area Js due to their hum cancelling feature.

 

[TyBo]

Dimarzio has been making a split J pickup since the 70's - I've had a few model J's. They now make 3 versions - the model J, the Area J and the Ultra Jazz. There are others - Nordstrand makes, 'em, Aguilar make 'em, Seymour Duncan make 'em, Fralin makes 'em, Bartolini makes 'em. I think among major pickups manufactures, most of them make some version (or more than one) of a split Jazz pickup.

Yep I've had several of these. They sound good, they give a sound I like, whether it's identical to single coil or not. We're fortunate to have lots of good choices these days.

 

[jamro217]

Have tried both stacked and side by side versions. Neither type sounds like a single coil to my ears. The DiMarzio model J sounds like a compressed, brighter P bass and the mongrel stacked pickup sounds kind of like a J only with less character. Quiet, but bland.

 

[jamro217]

One great application of a humbucking Jazz pickup is in a P/J bass. The humbucker will usually have more ooomph than a single coil and will definitely be a better mate to a P bass pickup when blended.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I was thinking about a side by side coils enclosed in a J form enclosure. Just technically asking: a two stacked coils vs. the traditional single coil J pickup should give the same sound. Shouldn't it?

They are different.
The side to sides sound more like a single coil than the stacked ones, IMO.

Carvin/ Kiesel made a stack coil, the only one I know, there may be more. Most everyone else makes side by side.

I have a set of DiMarzio Ultra Jazz in a 70s Jazz type bass. I like them. They're side by side coils.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I was thinking about a side by side coils enclosed in a J form enclosure. Just technically asking: a two stacked coils vs. the traditional single coil J pickup should give the same sound. Shouldn't it?

Joe Barden

 

[BAG]

There are plenty of side-by-side jazz bass hum cancelling pickups..... but they don't quite sound like a single coil.
Here's a good example of the Lindy Fralin ones which are described on their website as sounding a little thicker than their single coils.
It really is just a Pbass pickup without the two halves being staggered.

 

[GreyBeard]

I had a jazz deluxe back in the late 90's that was side by side split coil. Fender has done it but has gone with stacked coils now