Yet another P/J pickup question

[gerryjazzman]

I have a '73 Precision fretless that I'd like to add a J pup to so I can get a more punchy and articulate sound (Jaco-esque). Since I want to be able to play with the J pup alone sometimes, I was thinking of adding a stacker (Dimarzio DP148 or Basslines STK-J1 or STK-J2) so I don't have to deal with the hum from a single coil. Would any of these be a good match (sound, balancewise) to the stock Fender P pup or would I be better off buying a "matched" P/J set (with a stacked J of course)? Thanks.

 

[luknfur]

I have a '73 Precision fretless that I'd like to add a J pup to so I can get a more punchy and articulate sound (Jaco-esque). Since I want to be able to play with the J pup alone sometimes, I was thinking of adding a stacker (Dimarzio DP148 or Basslines STK-J1 or STK-J2) so I don't have to deal with the hum from a single coil. Would any of these be a good match (sound, balancewise) to the stock Fender P pup or would I be better off buying a "matched" P/J set (with a stacked J of course)? Thanks.

FWIW:

In my experience, dependent on ones taste. The SD Classic Stacks I had were very close in tone to the Fender Marcus Miller J's I had. They sounded like singles without being thin and without hum - pretty rare accomplishment in all the pups I've had.

 

[gerryjazzman]

I guess I'll try just the J pickup first, probably one of the Seymour Duncan's and see how it works out. I could always replace the P later. Thanks.

 

[Taurus]

The DiMarzio's are split coil humbuckers as are Nordstrand and Novak humbuckers.

 

[Philbiker]

I have a '73 Precision fretless that I'd like to add a J pup to so I can get a more punchy and articulate sound (Jaco-esque). Since I want to be able to play with the J pup alone sometimes, I was thinking of adding a stacker (Dimarzio DP148 or Basslines STK-J1 or STK-J2) so I don't have to deal with the hum from a single coil. Would any of these be a good match (sound, balancewise) to the stock Fender P pup or would I be better off buying a "matched" P/J set (with a stacked J of course)? Thanks.

NOOOOOOO!!!!! Don't rout a '73 Precision fretless!!!

Buy a new bass if you want P-J. Or a new body from Warmoth. Don't butcher a piece of history!

 

[X Wolf]

I really like the Lindy Fralin P/J set. Mine has the stock "P" with the Split Coil "J". To me these have a nice warm bottom with a sweet top, they are balanced and quiet. They can be ordered with +/ - winding for different tone characteristics, check them out at www.fralinpickups.com

George

 

[Modulrob]

NOOOOOOO!!!!! Don't rout a '73 Precision fretless!!!

Buy a new bass if you want P-J. Or a new body from Warmoth. Don't butcher a piece of history!

butcher, or enhance and make better for himself?

 

[PilbaraBass]

I wouldn't route a 73 fender, either...no way...

instead...buy a replacement body, do what you want to do with it and fit the '73 neck to it.

you'll end up with a very similar feeling, sounding, playing bass,
and have it fully reversible for future collector value.

 

[gerryjazzman]

OK, OK, I get it. I was thinking about whether I should touch that bass or not. I don't think I'll ever part with it so resale isn't my prime concern, but still, maybe it would be sacrilegious to irreversibly modify it.

Maybe I'll look into replacing the body and hacking that to my satisfaction and leave the option to put it back to it's original if I want to. Thanks all for the suggestions.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Fralin Split Coils are humbucking and very low noise. In fact I noticed no noise when I used them. They have about the best tone of the Split Coils. More natural Single coil tone but without the noise.

 

[ibz]

I wouldn't route a 73 fender, either...no way...

instead...buy a replacement body, do what you want to do with it and fit the '73 neck to it.

you'll end up with a very similar feeling, sounding, playing bass,
and have it fully reversible for future collector value.

This is a good idea especially if you pickup a used body to experiment with, you're not out a lot if you mess it up.

 

[Philbiker]

OK, OK, I get it. I was thinking about whether I should touch that bass or not. I don't think I'll ever part with it so resale isn't my prime concern, but still, maybe it would be sacrilegious to irreversibly modify it.

Maybe I'll look into replacing the body and hacking that to my satisfaction and leave the option to put it back to it's original if I want to. Thanks all for the suggestions.

Whew! Warmoth and some others make very nice bodies which you can hack away at your heart's content and will be a good tonal match for your existing neck, pickup, hardware, etc.