What Passive Pickups Should Install In My Currently Passive Jazz

[ezstep]

My passive bass has Nordstrand's. Love 'em.

 

[skyline_01]

Any thoughts on Apollo by Seymour Duncan? I heard a few sound clips and they sound very clean and authoritative.

I had SD Apollos in a (long-gone) MIM Jazz Deluxe V. I was really impressed by how open and clear, yet growly they sounded while being completely silent. They were a huge improvement over the factory Noiseless pickups (I called them Noiseful).

 

[skyline_01]

I thought about seeing if Nordstrand has a direct drop in....I love the sound of the Nordy I have now

They should 99% have a drop-in replacement. In the unlikely event they didn't then they'd be happy to make a set that fit. Great group of folks making killer gear.

 

[Acoop]

Lollar, Fralin, Aguilar.

 

[funkinbottom]

If I was to seek out an active pickup/preamp set to drop in this Jazz, what should I consider?

Personally, I would leave the stock pickups and install a John East Retro Jazz Preamp.

 

[Killing Floor]

Everyone has different preferences and that's cool because we don't all need to sound the same.

I can tell you if I buy a new Fender Jazz today it will have Fralin J pickups in it tomorrow. Not that anything is right or wrong, but I found my favorite. Good luck finding your favorite.

 

[jastacey]

I have been using the Custom Shop 1960's, pick-up for about 8-10 years, like how they sound

 

[iiipopes]

Since I can't stand single-coil hum, I vote for Seymour Duncan Apollos, designed by a bass playing engineer to get as close to single coil vibe without the noise as possible.

 

[spartan1620]

I would recommend checking out Aero Type 1 pickups.

 

[Michael Hunter]

I'll add to the chorus of praise for the Duncan Apollos. Great sounding pickups, and well balanced volume-wise to boot.

 

[roswell1965]

I can tell you if I buy a new Fender Jazz today it will have Fralin J pickups in it tomorrow.

Fralin's over the stock pups in a MIM Geddy? I'll have to check those out. At a loss as to what to try..

 

[JamesDeGrandis]

I couldn't resist a new Fender Jazz I ran across because the neck just felt so stinking' good.

It sounds fine, but considering my main gigging bass at the moment is Chef's 5 string Nordstrand, the passive set up in the Jazz leaves a little to be desired.

If I was to seek out an active pickup/preamp set to drop in this Jazz, what should I consider?

Fralin Split Jazz.
Split Jazz Bass Pickups by Lindy Fralin: Noiseless Jazz Bass Pickups
Preamps... meh... try 'em straight first.

 

[Asperger67]

Personally, I would leave the stock pickups and install a John East Retro Jazz Preamp.

View attachment 4570582

Do you know how it sound ? (Hot - 'see-throuh' - colored ?)
Thanks

 

[pepj]

I have a J retro 01 deluxe which is capable.
Typically coloured and its my least favoured pre amp I own.
Running with Bart Soaps which might not help either.

 

[funkinbottom]

Do you know how it sound ? (Hot - 'see-throuh' - colored ?)
Thanks

Yes. It sounds fantastic. I absolutely love mine.

To address your questions regarding boost/color/transparency, there is a subtle baked in color, but very pleasing (to my ears anyway) that is very close to the passive sound, just "more", if that makes sense. As far as "hot", with a passive Jazz Bass when both pickups are up all the way, one pickup feeds into the other and there is a noticeable drop in volume. The active circuit prevents this from happening, so I think that's part of the boost in signal you hear when you engage the pre. In active mode there is a wide variety of tones possible. And in passive it sounds ....well, just like your passive bass does without the preamp. Also has a switch to circumnavigate the circuit should your battery every fail at an inopportune time. I have found battery life to be very long. I keep mine in active mode always. Many times at gigs I forget to unplug between sets, and at home it sometimes stays plugged in for hours at a time. (battery engages when plugged in) I only have to replace battery once, maybe twice in a year. Usually only once, out of habit on Jan. 1st when I replace batteries in the smoke detectors.

Hope that helps.

 

[daddymactx]

Lollar, Fralin, Aguilar.

& Nordstrand's, & Fralin's . I'm using Nordstrands with DJ Retro. Clear, transparent and powerful!!! Fralin's with a old Lakland 55-63 (Jazz pups) is the best!!