I'm thinking of upgrading the pickups in my squier vm jazz bass and would like some advice, I'm a guitar player not a bass player so it's pretty much just for recording. As far as bass pickups go I have no idea where to begin. The stock pickups seem kind of dull to me though and I think I could do better. I play punk/alternative/rock type stuff if that helps any. Anyways any advice would be appreciated.
Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
- Thread starter jclampitt
- Start date
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
Well, for punk and alt rock, I'd suggest the Quarter Pound. It has a ton of low mids, and lots of output, and sounds great heavy and distorted. The Hot Stack is more even EQ-wise, and I'd recommend that if you just need a louder, more traditional sound. The QP certainly wants to rock.
Well, for punk and alt rock, I'd suggest the Quarter Pound. It has a ton of low mids, and lots of output, and sounds great heavy and distorted. The Hot Stack is more even EQ-wise, and I'd recommend that if you just need a louder, more traditional sound. The QP certainly wants to rock.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
Quarter Pounds are a distinct tone, really great for punk and metal, especially picked, I think you'll be happy.
Quarter Pounds are a distinct tone, really great for punk and metal, especially picked, I think you'll be happy.
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
If you don't want noise, make sure you find a way to get rid of the hum from the alnico mags. This, of course, won't be a problem if you set the blend at 50/50. These are great pickups, though. I had them in a couple of Fender Jazz 24's, and they sound angry.
If you don't want noise, make sure you find a way to get rid of the hum from the alnico mags. This, of course, won't be a problem if you set the blend at 50/50. These are great pickups, though. I had them in a couple of Fender Jazz 24's, and they sound angry.
dystrust
New member
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
Magnets have nothing to do with hum. Quarter Pounders hum because they're a true single coil as opposed to a humbucker like the Hot Stack.
Magnets have nothing to do with hum. Quarter Pounders hum because they're a true single coil as opposed to a humbucker like the Hot Stack.
dystrust
New member
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
It's one of the Custom Shop's standard offerings.
It's one of the Custom Shop's standard offerings.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
A QP side-by-side (like the Apollo or all Dimarzios) would be awesome!
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
Hum is annoying, but I've learned to live with it. My favorite pickups are p90s and they hum like crazy.
Hum is annoying, but I've learned to live with it. My favorite pickups are p90s and they hum like crazy.
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
The Custom Shop can build that, too.
The Custom Shop can build that, too.
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
I got them and put them in yesterday, I've only used them through the pod HD a bit but I like them so far. The string balance seems better and they are higher output. At first I was having trouble getting a good clean sound but with some tweaking I found it. They sound really mean and awesome distorted though! I've never heard distorted bass sound so good. Nice pickups.
I got them and put them in yesterday, I've only used them through the pod HD a bit but I like them so far. The string balance seems better and they are higher output. At first I was having trouble getting a good clean sound but with some tweaking I found it. They sound really mean and awesome distorted though! I've never heard distorted bass sound so good. Nice pickups.
ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: Quarter pounder vs hot stack for jazz bass
1) line the control cavity and the pickup cavities with foil tape (copper tape does well here)
2) get some braided shield over the pickup wires
3) tie all the braided shield wires and copper tape to one ground point.
This will cut down on stray radio signals and hum. It's not a cure-all, but it helps a lot.
dystrust is on point... humbuckers can be engineered to sound close to single coils, but they are different animals, and you may not be pleased with the sound.
My 2c: good call on the QP's.
Hum can be reduced to a degree, if you (or a good tech guy) do some things:
1) line the control cavity and the pickup cavities with foil tape (copper tape does well here)
2) get some braided shield over the pickup wires
3) tie all the braided shield wires and copper tape to one ground point.
This will cut down on stray radio signals and hum. It's not a cure-all, but it helps a lot.
dystrust is on point... humbuckers can be engineered to sound close to single coils, but they are different animals, and you may not be pleased with the sound.
My 2c: good call on the QP's.