Suggestions for Jazz Bass Pickups

[Bret Music]

I recently put some S.D. quarter ponders in a Squire affinity p/j bass and really like the results.

I would like to do something similar to my MIM Geddy Lee Jazz bass but with more warmth and fattness. Not sure what is already in the Geddy Lee MIM other than custom fender pickups.

I considered

Tom Brantley Geddy Lee
S.D. Quarter Pounders
S.D. Apollo
Dimarzio Ultra

The Quarter pounders sound good on the p/j but not sure if its the sound i want on the jazz. What i dont want is harsh brite high end. The Geddy Lee now has lots of high end but muddy mids and low end. Im not sure but I think Aguilar, EMG and Norstrands are probably just as brite as what i have.

I have not dug into the Geddy Lee to see what it has for pots or capacitor but I have CTS pots and capacitor laying around from Stew Mac i bought for the squire that are to big, so couldn't use them.

 

[Bret Music]

Anybody have any thoughts or experience with the Seymour Duncan Apollo's or the Dimarzio Ultra's or any other suggestions in a 70's jazz bass for a good pickup replacement to get better mids and lows? Thanks

 

[eddiemac]

Others may disapprove, but Seymour Duncan Hot (SBJ-2) could be your solution. Dimarzio Ultras are not fat and warm, from my experience. Dimarzio J are worth considering; don't know about Apollo, but curious.

 

[ElectricPilgrim]

Dimarzio Model J are plenty fat, but dark and very different from a typical Jazz bass pickup. If you're looking for a more traditional Jazz bass sound, the Dimarzio Area J are great- warm but still clear.

 

[P Cheen]

The Tom Brantley set is very 70s inspired so it should be trebly and snappy and growly.
The SD Apollos are on the hi-fi spectrum, like most humcanceling Jazz pickups where the coils are side-by-side.

+1 on the SJB-2 Hot if you want warmth and fatness like you said. There is also the Aguilar 4J-HOT which looks to be the same concept but a lot more expensive.

Edit: the Aguilar 4J-HOT is actually more like the Quarter Pounder because the pole pieces are larger.

 

[Bertr]

I like the DiMarzio DP123. They're bassy since each of them is a humbucker.
What I REALLY like is the ability to raise/lower the poles for each string. Very rare on a Jazz Bass pickup.

 

[ezra1]

I have a set of Tom Brantley Standard wind Jazz Bass pickups .
They sound great.
I have a set of Nordstrom also. And they are great.
Also like old DiMarzio J Bass pickups from back in day when I find a deal on them.
For the blues and blues/rock stuff I play , I can always dial in a tone I like with any of these.

 

[BasEd]

Aguilar AG 4J-70 have a nice deep bass and high end (fewer windings). EMG JVX are great for slap and have great growl if you like active pickups. You’ll need to use the EMG pots that come with the pickups and find room for a battery. Very easy to fit. No soldering.