Upgrading the J in a PJ

[bardicbass616]

Hello TBers!!!
I'm not very experienced in replacing pickups (besides a set of EMGs in a guitar) so I'd like to ask for some guidance.

I have a Squier PJ bass that has a surprisingly great P pickup, but the J is very weak and the poles have sunken a little on the treble side. Tbh, I mostly play with the P at 100 and the J rolled off a bit, but I do like to have the J at 100 for when I throw in some filth n fuzz.

I would love to buy a Bartolini pup but I also would love to not spend over $90 and also, I have no idea what I'm doing

Yall have any suggestions for a noiseless passive J?
Also, is there anything I need to consider electrical-wise or can I just solder the one I find then jam?

Much thanks!!!

 

[Slater]

Yall have any suggestions for a noiseless passive J?

Dimarzio Area J

Also, is there anything I need to consider electrical-wise or can I just solder the one I find then jam?

Yes. Follow the manufacturer’s wiring instructions, solder, then jam.

 

[ctmullins]

Solder, then jam!

Sometimes, when using pickups from different manufacturers, because there is no universal standard for magnet polarity and coil winding direction, you end up with two pickups that are out of phase. If the middle position sounds feeble and tinny, that’s usually what happened. To fix, swap the hot and ground leads of one of the pickups. Doesn’t matter which one, but if one of them uses a separate shield ground, flip that one, but leave the shield grounded.

 

[bardicbass616]

Thank yall so much!