I am considering replacing the pickups in my SX J Bass with Fender Originals or SD SJB-1s. The pickups sound find, but I haven't play any basses with great pickups so I don't know what I could be missing. Are the SX J Bass Pickups decent pickups, therefore making replacing them pointless, or would my bass sound a lot better?
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SX J Bass Pickups - Opinions
- Thread starter Ryan Mohr
- Start date
They vary. Many people think they sound fine unless you want humbuckers, so it's kind of up to whether or not you feel satisfied by them. I upgraded my P/J because the single-coil Jazz was buzzy and I'm fine with the humbucker sound.
Mine sound good, but they are wired right into the jack (long story), so they are at "10" all the time, LOL...
Hi again 
Yes, I compared with the Duncans, and also side-by-side with Fender Custom Shop pickups in a '62 RI Jazz. I was very surprised by how good the stock SX pickups were. The guy that owned the SX was asking about changing the pickups, and I ended up telling him he should just leave them in--they sounded great. Not as good as the Fenders, but close enough that it wouldn't be worth the money to switch.
Based on your description from the other thread, I'd guess you might like the SX pickups better than the Duncan SJB-1s. The only complaint I've ever heard about the Duncans is that they have a bit less bottom than many other J pickups.
Yes, I compared with the Duncans, and also side-by-side with Fender Custom Shop pickups in a '62 RI Jazz. I was very surprised by how good the stock SX pickups were. The guy that owned the SX was asking about changing the pickups, and I ended up telling him he should just leave them in--they sounded great. Not as good as the Fenders, but close enough that it wouldn't be worth the money to switch.
Based on your description from the other thread, I'd guess you might like the SX pickups better than the Duncan SJB-1s. The only complaint I've ever heard about the Duncans is that they have a bit less bottom than many other J pickups.
Hi again
Yes, I compared with the Duncans, and also side-by-side with Fender Custom Shop pickups in a '62 RI Jazz. I was very surprised by how good the stock SX pickups were. The guy that owned the SX was asking about changing the pickups, and I ended up telling him he should just leave them in--they sounded great. Not as good as the Fenders, but close enough that it wouldn't be worth the money to switch.
Based on your description from the other thread, I'd guess you might like the SX pickups better than the Duncan SJB-1s. The only complaint I've ever heard about the Duncans is that they have a bit less bottom than many other J pickups.
Alright thanks! I think I will stick with the SX pickups for now, they do sound good I just wanted a comparison. I think I will put in a new wiring harness instead.
That sounds like the best route - some quality pots & cap and you'll be good to go!
In my SJB-75 the stock pickups were replaced with Bartolini 9CBJS. In comparison, I found the stock pickups somewhat harsh and midrangey sounding, while the CBs are rounder, but still with a nice top end. IMO, the stock pickups sound kind of cheap and AM radio like....
I've owned my SJB-75 for a couple of years now and was always happy with the sound of the stock pickups. The only problem was a hum that seemed to be of the 60 cycle kind. It wasn't bad but it seemed to get worse of late. Through trial and error, I discovered that the bass came with two pups out of phase giving me no choice but to replace at least one of them.
I decided to post a WTB ad in Craigslist. I can't tell you how many offers I received for all sorts of pickups, and I all within a couple of hours. Prices range between $20-$80 CDN. I ended up with a pair of pickups from a Geddy Lee jazz bass for $20. I installed the bridge pickup only and I'm very happy with the sound. You can check it here:
I just bought a Vintage SX LTD Jazz. I bought it and was going to hot rod it with some basslines. After I set the height on them, they are head and shoulders above the basslines I have. The bass I bought is perfect with sound and playability. It growls, that is hard to find.
I have a SX 5 string Jazz strung up with Sadowsky Flats. I love the tone. Fat and punchy. I did get quite a bit of noise until I went in and shielded the wire routes. If you have not noticed, the SX jazzes have the 70's 4" spacing which is a nice variant to have in the stable. I love my Sadowsky RV5 and it definitiely is better fit and finish, but there are times where the SX with stock pickups and flats gets the call and sounds as good as anything else IMO.
I like the SX pups; sound very similar to my real 70's J bass
If you want more vintage the Duncan SJB-1's are said to be great
If you want more meat (and closer to a P bass sound) I'd recommend Dimarzio Model J's
If you want more vintage the Duncan SJB-1's are said to be great
If you want more meat (and closer to a P bass sound) I'd recommend Dimarzio Model J's
I only can say that the p'ups in MY SX (bought on a whim...) are awful. NOISY as sin.
I wasn't crazy about the pickups that came on my SX jazz. They wern't really bad or anything just kind of plain generic sounding.They dis sound good when I played with an acoustic duo with no drummer . They blended with them well. Most other applications I found I needed something meatier. I replaced them with some DiMarzio Ultra's I had lying around.
