Tinman

[quote name='Simon' post='51178' date='Aug 27 2007, 09:15 AM']They were trying to strike a deal with the Gallery, but you can get them cheaper from BestBassGear than you would pay at the Gallery, including shipment to the UK! I received mine within 3 days of ordering them! [url="http://www.bestbassgear.com/nordstrand-pickups.htm"]http://www.bestbassgear.com/nordstrand-pickups.htm[/url][/quote] Thanks mate, I'll keep them in mind. One question though, did you have to pay duty on them?

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='51170' date='Aug 27 2007, 08:26 AM']If that's what it took Pete (7) then that's what it took. Manufacturers include these indicators as a guide to setting up but don't forget to use your ears when getting used to a new bass through your regular amp. If it helps but your mind at ease I have an active bass that needs 7-8 on most inputs to get near the optimum yet most of my other basses are fine at 5-6 and I've not had any problems with the amps themselves. I'm assuming you haven't got the output anywhere near max! That could be a different matter.[/quote] Cool, thanks mate. No the output is nowhere near max in fact, now I've added the Hartke cab into my rig, I've had to turn it down.

Watcha there fella, nice to see ya. Like I said last night, this is the right place to be but as I also mentioned, now you're here you're going to have to watch your cash. Don't go in the for sale section, not ever. Pete

Right. Gave the Jazz a good going over at a rehearsal last night and the sound was lovely, punchy and cut through brilliantly. However, one small point, to get the input lights on my Trace anywhere near the yellow (optimal) I had to have the input gain up to nearly 7. Is this normal? Admittedly I didn't have both pickups upto they're full output but then I'd found the sweet spot. Having the gain up that high doesn't give much room for manouevre. Because this is my first passive Bass, I don't know whether this the normal situation. Pete

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='50649' date='Aug 25 2007, 06:31 PM']Not being funny - but wait until you get your Shuker before you start pup-foolery. Your Shuker might chnage your view of the sound you want.[/quote] You're right of course. Impatience is a dreadful thing. Could be that the Jazz goes right out the window (not literally) It's all confusion in my world.

[quote name='Simon' post='50619' date='Aug 25 2007, 05:22 PM']In case you ever do consider replacing them, i'd like to make a plug on behalve of Nordstrand! [url="http://www.nordstrandpickups.com"]http://www.nordstrandpickups.com[/url][/quote] Trust me, your recommendation is well and truly noted. Hearing the tone you have has given me a great deal to think about. I take it though that they're an American company, is there anyone in the UK that distributes them? I'm only thinking from a customs charges perspective.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='50517' date='Aug 25 2007, 10:46 AM']Hi Pete, I found the stock pickups on my MIM Jazz V were very weak & the output was uneven, but my Geddy Lee has the USA vintage pickups, so more noise about them, but what a sound! Wouldn't change them for the world! Rich.[/quote] Thanks Rich. I'm going to give the stock pickups a go for a while before I make any decisions. I've just put some Bass Boomers on it and so far I'm pretty pleased, should find out for sure tomorrow evening. Pete

[quote name='paul, the' post='50346' date='Aug 24 2007, 06:52 PM']This is wonderfully ideal but I have no idea how a certain pickup will sound. And certainly cannot afford to chop and change. You sometimes get descriptions but it's hardly the same.[/quote] Very true. When one person says, for example, 'warm', it could mean something completely different to someone else. Sound is such a tricky subject.

[quote name='nash' post='50311' date='Aug 24 2007, 05:49 PM']i replaced mine because fender make crap pickups[/quote] Now you see, you've just gone and done it. Just when I was settling down and getting my head straight about what I'm going to do.

Cheers everyone. I'll finally be able to give the Jazz a good workout on Sunday, so I'll know better after that. It's been really frustrating not being able to use it in anger. Pete

I want mellow but punchy, nothing too bright, sort of vintage-ish but with plenty of cut. Something along the lines of the bass sound on Disco inferno by The Trampps. (Don't want much, me)

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='49985' date='Aug 24 2007, 10:24 AM']I think you probably are at that point Pete where the pup is justifiable but deciding what to get is another matter [/quote] You're probably right there. I know I've got decent gear (regardless of what people think of 'New Trace') and have now got a quality instrument, with another on the way. It's just this sound I have in my head that as yet I've been unable to find and if shelling out on pickups gets me there then it's got to be worth it. Hasn't it?

Doh! If I'd looked more closely I would have seen that, apologies. I see your point, much nicer, more realistic tone with the Nordstrands. That's not to say the EMGs were in any way bad, I just prefer the others. Cheers mate Pete

I had a similar situation whilst carrying 2 of those in my pocket once, wasn't pleasant. What's probably happened with you is one of the batteries will have been shorting against another.

[quote name='Simon' post='49935' date='Aug 24 2007, 08:35 AM']My Jazz actually came with EMG's in it. I really didn't want active pickups in an original Fender Jazz - wanted it to sound as vintage as possible. I replaced them with a set of Passive Nordstrand pickups. Amazing pickups, and if I ever got another original Fender I would probably put Nordstrands in them too! Nordstrand have modeled some of their designs to sound as close to original Fender pickups as possible, but without the hum! I have a couple of videos on YouTube demonstrating the sound of these pickups if you want to hear them.[/quote] Just listened to your rendition of 'Space Cowboy'Amazing tone! I have to say mate, you have the sound that I want. Out of interest, what were you playing through and what were your settings? (If you don't mind me asking)

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='49928' date='Aug 24 2007, 08:13 AM']I only swap / rewind them when they break. The stock ones are usually fine.[/quote] Cheers WoT. I'm still fairly new to all of this and am looking to circumvent any possible problems before they arise. hence the reason for all the questions

[quote name='The Burpster' post='49925' date='Aug 24 2007, 08:04 AM'][i]Just a thought[/i][u][/u] why not just play the new Jazz for a while and see if its deficient in tone anywhere, and then target that with new pups?[/quote] Thanks Bob. I was planning to give the stock setup a go for a while, this is just a subject that intrigues me. The Jazz is such a lovely instrument and I'm just wanting to get the best sound out of it that I possibly can. Just out of interest mate, how much would you be wanting for the 1/4Lber? (PM me if you prefer) and which position would be best for it, if I did go ahead. Pete

What drives you to put replace pickups etc. This is a genuine question aimed at primarily Jazz owners. I'd like to know what the stock jazz pickups are lacking that makes you swap them for Wizards, basslines, bareknuckle etc. I've just moved across from Ibanez loaded with crappy Japanese pickups, to a MIA Jazz and to me the sound difference is amazing, but of course being on this forum has got me wondering (and GASsing) whether I should just go ahead now and get a set of Wizards. So Jazz Fenderheads or Fender Jazzheads. What are the stock pickups lacking and what will a set of, let's say, Wizard 84's give me. BTW, I've read the Wizard reviews, just wanted a definitive answer is all. Cheers Pete

1. Is a light bass cabinet important to you? Indifferent 2. Would you be interested in a smaller designed cabinet for maximum portability? N 3. What is the weight of your current rig now? 246Lbs 112Kg approx (Jeez!!!) 4. Have you ever had portability issues with this cabinet before? N (MPV with the seats out) 5. Would a Neo speaker make the amplifier more appealing? Indifferent 6. Would you want casters on the amplifier for added portability? Yes, Yes, Yes. 7. Would you want the input to be in the back? Y 8. Would you want the Ohm rating to be 4? N 8 please 9. Would you want the power rating to be over 200 watts? Y 10. Is a metal grille cover attractive on an amplifier? Indifferent

This is an argument that has been raging for a couple of years on the RAF live music forum. It was started by a couple of pretentious dicks who basically said that because they were in originals bands, they were better than those doing covers. The whole subject really p****s me off! What does in matter what you do? As long as you're out there doing it. To me, the integrity lies in using whatever talent you have to produce the best results that you can and in doing that, giving your audience a good time. Originals vs covers? To me there's no need for an argument. I tend to ignore anyone who is that pretentious that they're going to criticise you for what you're playing. OBBM - Cracking point on the subject of classical music. Rant over Pete

That's just wicked mate. I'm really chuffed for you. I'm looking forward to seeing your finished article.

[quote name='Buzz' post='48659' date='Aug 22 2007, 12:17 AM']I saw the title and thought this thread would have been started by Tinman. Either way, looks loverly.[/quote] Ha ha, very bloody funny Sometimes I wonder if you guys have any sympathy at all. Presoulnation - lovely bass but 8 weeks? Hah, tis nothing.

Tis true about the Ambi-pur thing. We had one spill onto a painted shelf and it lifted the paint right off.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='48307' date='Aug 21 2007, 01:47 PM']Those are approximate, but close enough. Has the 1210 got the dual compressor / EQ balance control?[/quote] It's got the dual compressor but not EQ balance. Thanks for the help guys, it's going to help a lot. Pete

Cheers Alex, that helps. So do you think, to get the sound I'm after I should be boosting the 40 to 130Hz range and cutting the rest? What do you reckon?