lastanthem88 Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Ok so I have a beautiful road worn jazz. It plays amazingly well. However, my dep in our wedding band has an American deluxe jazz with active pups... And although in my opinion it doesn't play as well, the sound in active mode is really good, very versatile. Is it worth changing? Any thing I should be aware of first? Any ideas on potential pups to put in? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 How about a John East J-Retro preamp rather than a new set of pickups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) Or slot in an Audere preamp. They come pre mounted on a replacement jazz style control plate. Lovely, versatile, musical active circuit. Lots of great tones in there and a distinct lack of unusable, over cooked ones. https://www.audereaudio.com/pro_jz3.htm Edited June 1, 2016 by TrevorR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) [quote name='lastanthem88' timestamp='1464816901' post='3062932'] Ok so I have a beautiful road worn jazz. It plays amazingly well. However, my dep in our wedding band has an American deluxe jazz with active pups... And although in my opinion it doesn't play as well, the sound in active mode is really good, very versatile. Is it worth changing? Any thing I should be aware of first? Any ideas on potential pups to put in? Thanks!! [/quote] I have a Jazz Bass with a set of roadworn pickups in it. Without a preamp it sounds great, with a preamp (a John East J-retro) it sounds amazing and is incredibly versatile.. A change of pickups won't make your passive bass sound like an active one. I recommend getting a J-retro and your friend with the deluxe Jazz will envy your sound. This is the retro for a deluxe bass but the EQ is the same for the standard Jazz Bass version. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO1aEc9i3D0[/media] and this is the standard version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32j6CI5S0Oo Edited June 1, 2016 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastanthem88 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Thanks for your help guys, will be checking all these out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 I think the J-Retro is so compact the battery can go under the control plate, so no need to route a hole for a battery compartment. Not sure if many other preamps can do the same, so worth bearing in mind if you want to be able to revert it back to stock unharmed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 (edited) I've got a Roadworn Jazz too. It's a wonderful bass - so lovely to play. Feels great and sounds the part. I wanted to try some different pickups in it too - just for curiosity's sake really, I suppose On trawling the ads on here, and on a local facebook group, I found a guy selling some old (1970's or 80's) DiMarzio J pickups Fitted them, and was blown away! The original pickups sounded great, and had a vintage tone about them. But the DiMarzio's are even better It's still got that vintage Jazz sound, but a much bigger output, and quite some punch too. Of course, it may not be easy to get hold of a set of older pickups - put an ad on here, or keep an eye on local facebook music groups? I got mine pretty cheap too - and I'll be sticking with them Have you could also considered a preamp pedal? That way, you don't have to mod the bass at all I bought myself a Dunlop MXR - the one with a built in, separately controlled distortion effect Really pleased with it Edited June 2, 2016 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1464866063' post='3063241'] I think the J-Retro is so compact the battery can go under the control plate, so no need to route a hole for a battery compartment. Not sure if many other preamps can do the same, so worth bearing in mind if you want to be able to revert it back to stock unharmed! [/quote] Same with the Audere. Designed to have the battery in the control cavity with the circuit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastanthem88 Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 Thanks for the help guys, all appreciated - currently discussing with the guy I use for my tech stuff and repairs and bashing your recommendations around! Gigged the RW last night at a wedding gig, so playable... but I did feel it lacked a little 'punch' and output. I'm using a barefaced super midget (DI'd), a Gallien Krueger 500w head, and a TC electronic spectracomp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 This chap is thinking of going in the opposite direction, if you are considering the J-Retro, buy his! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/286122-east-j-retro-opinions/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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