Fretless bass pick ups

[willyf87]

Gotta Vintage (brand) jaco fretless, wanna replace the wilkinson pick ups with something a bit better. Not looking to spend ridiculous amounts, I tried the dimarzio ultra jazzes, didn't do it for me on the fretless, what would you recommend???

[ikay]

I have a set of Villex pups on my Squier VMJ fretless which I can highly recommend. They have a very different sound to regular pups ranging from a fundamental tone not unlike an upright bass (with the mid-tone control rolled off) to nasally jaco-esque tones (with the mids up). I've also heard good things about DiMarzio Model Js for fretless (not Super Js). Plan to try these myself sometime soon but haven't yet.

[zero9]

Villex are great, but expensive (you can only get them from the US).

EMG's might work for you and come in active or passive flavours.

[willyf87]

Villex look definitely more than i want to spend!!! EMG may be worth a look, I was having a look at the wizard pick ups, seems to be a few bits and bobs about them on here as well maybe worth a try. I wish I could try loads out but you can't really do it without spending some serious dough!!!

[Chris2112]

I'd say the EMG ones could possibly be a bit bright for most tastes. I'd advise you look at Bartolini pickups if at all possible, they sound incredible in fretless basses.

[Gareth Hughes]

I'd give Wizards a go. I got a set for a Jazz bass a few months ago, and plan on getting a single J to add to my P bass. A great product, and great customer service.

[willyf87]

Which ones did you end up with?

[Gareth Hughes]

I went for the Hammers - which Wizard stats are loud, dark and dirty - because they were going into a bass with a maple body, ebony cap, and maple neck with an ebony fretboard, so it needed some taming in the high end. Here's a link with some sound-clips. The first set of clips, with flatwounds, were recorded with Bartolini's. The roundwound clips were recorded with the Wizards.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=53343&hl=ernie"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=53343&hl=ernie[/url]

[Toddy54]

I've got the same bass as you ( Vintage fretless ) when I was looking to put some new pups on I have always liked the Seymour Duncan in the past so decided to try a set. Did a bit of investigating and decided on a set of SD STK which I managed to get of E-Bay for £70 the set. Well pleased with them, gave that well rounded slightly fat tone but they are really clear, not muddy like some pups get.