New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

[GilmourD]

So, I've got one of those MIM Jazz Basses from '99, back when they put two neck pickups in them because... derp.

I want to put new pickups in it because the stockers sound like mud.

The dilemma here is partially budgetary, because I don't want to go insane on pickup costs.

What would you do?

Figure out some way of getting two neck pickups but one RWRP or two noiseless?

OR...

Would you route the body for the larger bridge pickup? (If you've done this, please tell me how much of a pain in the rear it was due to there being barely anything to route)

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

A rival pickup manufacturer who shall remain nameless offers a solution to this very problem. Two short J pickups in a pre-packaged set. Three 25k pots, TRS jack socket and PP3 battery clip included.

Routing a short J cavity to accept a long J pickup will leave unsightly gaps around the height adjustment screw "ears". Instead of being semi-circular, they will finish up blobulent.*


* Another Zappa reference. Specifically, "The Radio Is Broken" from "The Man From Utopia".

I wouldn't be so bothered by blobulentness. This bass was tossed in frustration by my dad years ago when it was his, so the finish is already jacked up. I'm sure a little black paint in the area will camouflage the issue, if I care that much. I'm more worried about the difference being so small that it'll be a pain in the butt to change the route without doing far worse than having blobulent height adjustment screw ears. LOL

I do know the Electro Magnetic Guitar pickup set of which you speak.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

The bass in question.

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[DrNewcenstein]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Maybe try a no-pickup guard and one pickup?

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Maybe try a no-pickup guard and one pickup?

Nah, one thing I like about the J is the various mixes of both pickups. Due to that allowing for noise even with a RWRP set, I am leaning towards a noiseless set of two neck pickups.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

The mystery pickups of which we speak employ a rail/blade polepiece. Hence, no string alignment issues. If I recall correctly, there is no notional output level differential between the two pickups.

If you prefer to stay with passive pickups and electronics, the 2 x noise-cancelling short J pickups idea is probably wisest. The Bartolini 9J used to be produced in two versions, one more trebly than the other. A 9JS#1/9JS#4 pair is one possibility. Perhaps, you can blag some SD pickups?

Had to look up "blag". LOL Being a moderator here doesn't get me any special discount.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Blag implies paying nothing. Hence, discount is irrelevant.

Well, then, nope. LOL

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Could also do 2 Apollos or 2 Dimarzios (Model J, Ultra Jazz, Area J, depending on the types of tones you seek) in addition to the above EMG and Bart suggestions.

Also, I think we can all agree it needs a tort guard too.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Could also do 2 Apollos or 2 Dimarzios (Model J, Ultra Jazz, Area J, depending on the types of tones you seek) in addition to the above EMG and Bart suggestions.

Also, I think we can all agree it needs a tort guard too.

I was indeed thinking about a tort guard.

I'm thinking classic jazz tones but a tad hotter since I'm a rocker, but not super hot.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Sounds like Apollo or Area J.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Sounds like Apollo or Area J.

Kinda where I've been leaning.

Interestingly, I've liked the tones that Wolfgang Van Halen's been getting, and he uses EMGs in some of his basses. Definitely unexpected that he used them.

My dad used to have a Fender Deluxe Jazz that had Fender-Lace Sensors in it. I liked the tones he got through his Trace-Elliot stack with that. They don't make that pickup anymore, though, even just as Lace.

 

[dg27]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Also, I think we can all agree it needs a tort guard too.

With very rare exceptions, to me white guards always look like something that's temporary.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

With very rare exceptions, to me white guards always look like something that's temporary.

Truth. This is the only guitar I own (at least where I have an easy choice) that's retained its standard white guard:

 

[dg27]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Truth. This is the only guitar I own (at least where I have an easy choice) that's retained its standard white guard

Funny that the only white guard among the dozen or so in my house is on my wife's CAR Fender Tele. I even got rid of the white one on my Rick 4001, which is punishable by hanging in some circles.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Is that a Taco-Belly-caster?

Some of it is pasta.

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[Mincer]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

I have a J Bass with 2 neck pickups too. I special ordered another neck pickup that was rw/rp for the bridge. I got Quarter Pounds too, as I like their sound, and the poles line up better. I will post about it when I get them and they are installed.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

I have a J Bass with 2 neck pickups too. I special ordered another neck pickup that was rw/rp for the bridge. I got Quarter Pounds too, as I like their sound, and the poles line up better. I will post about it when I get them and they are installed.

Pics of said bass?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

I don't like white guards in general too. But on (certain) Teles they do seem OK.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

On the subject of Jbass pickups, I've had a DiMarzio at the neck and a Hi-A (now Bartolini) at the bridge in one of mine for decades and they sound great. The DiMarzio is big and the Hi-A is punchy; they combine very well indeed for rock tones.

I'd like to try a set of QPs (love the QP Strat pickups!) but I won't be changing out the other ones in my classic bass, and my current project basses are a customshop Thunderbird and a Blacktop Jazz that has two pairs of Pbass coils. Maybe I need another J soon...

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: New pickup dilemma for old MIM Jazz Bass

Maybe I need another J soon...

Squier VM, they're practically giving them away!