Replacement Jazz pickups

[Captain Rumble]

I have aquired a mex jazz 97 vintage and after shimming the kneck, bit of a fret dress and sorting out the complete mess Fender made of wiring 3 pots and a cap (all looked orignal) i now have a bass that even to my limited experience seems very easy and enjoyable to play. but (theres always a but) I find that I can never quite sort things tonally the treble end of things sound harsh to my ears not too high or too much just not particularly pleasant also i feel a bit more at the bottom end wouldnt go amiss and of course more output would be nice but not critical. So my thoughts are that replacing the pickups may well help but the choice is bewildering so im hoping you guys can give me some advice or opinions on the subject or if there is something else I can do to help things.

assume that I know nothing and you wont be far out

cheers

john

[gjones]

Well, in the last few months I've had a set of DiMarzio model Js, a set of wizard 64s, and a set of mexican standard pickups in my Jazz Bass and have ended up reinstalling the originals (from a japanese 94 squier) back in them because, ironically, they had the sound I was after all along.

So good luck with your quest. You may end up back where you started....... like I did.

[Dingus]

The first bit of advice would be that , whatever pickups you end up choosing, make sure you get someone experienced and competant to fit them for you. It's a relatively straightforward job for someone who knows what they are doing, but if you get them wired up wrong they will never sound how they should. As for which pickup to choose, the good news is that there are so many great sounding Jazz Bass pickups on the market nowadays. If you want a powerful sounding , high-output pickup try the Aero Type 1. They make a special version for the Mexican- made Fender Jazz because the pickups are apparently a different size to the U.S.A Fenders- traditional Jazz Bass pickups sets have one pickup wider than the other , whereas on Mexican -made Fenders they are both the same size. You will need to keep the pickup covers off you original Mexican pickups to put the new Aero guts in. EMG also make a set called the MJ that are a special size to fit the Mexican Jazz bass.

Edited October 21, 2012 by Dingus

[yepmop]

Hi John
I've been looking at doing the same thing on my MIM Jazz and there are so many out there, it's probably down to personal choice due to the different tones that can produce, but which one. My front runner at the mo is the Fender CS60s but have heard that these are a bit quiet?

There is some demo vids on Youtube, but I'd rather hear from someone who has actually upgraded and their opinion as to whether it was worth the extra dosh to upgrade...

I'm after something with a nice warm bottom end that doesn't distort and the option of a nice top end (sounds like I should be on a porn site :-) )

Cheers

Tony

[Lozz196]

Seymour Duncan Hot Stacks are good. They sound roughly the same as regular Jazz pickups, albeit a little "bigger" sounding, but are also hum-cancelling.

[Captain Rumble]

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1350837764' post='1844061']
Well, in the last few months I've had a set of DiMarzio model Js, a set of wizard 64s, and a set of mexican standard pickups in my Jazz Bass
[/quote]
How do these compare to your ears ?

[Captain Rumble]

Hey Tony I just noticed your another Pompey lad maybe we should meet and I'll show you mine if you show me yours sort of thing seriously tho could be usefull to compare the jazzes to see how diferent strings/action/pickup hight etc etc can change things or even just how wildly diferent 2 basses from the same manufacturer can sound
John

[yepmop]

[quote name='Captain Rumble' timestamp='1350840027' post='1844096']
Hey Tony I just noticed your another Pompey lad maybe we should meet and I'll show you mine if you show me yours sort of thing seriously tho could be usefull to compare the jazzes to see how diferent strings/action/pickup hight etc etc can change things or even just how wildly diferent 2 basses from the same manufacturer can sound
John
[/quote]
Yeah that would be really cool and interesting to see the differences in the basses.

I live in Copnor.

Cheers

Tony

[gjones]

[quote name='Captain Rumble' timestamp='1350838928' post='1844078']
How do these compare to your ears ?
[/quote]

The model DiMarzios were very dark and deep, the Wizards were great and sounded just like my Japanese 62 reissue Fender Jazz (think of that very burpy stereotypical jazz bass sound with a nice top end but not much bass). The Mexican Jazz pickups you'll know all about.

I recommend Wizards as the guy who makes them can design them to your specification for not much dosh.

[TRBboy]

Dimarzios all the way for me! I put an Ultra Jazz set in my old USA Standard Jazz and they were just incredible. Massive output, but with a very well balanced response and frequency range. Model Js are also good, but maybe a little darker sounding. I had Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders in there before, but I didn't find them that much of an improvement over the stock pups.

The other benefit with either of the dimarzios is that they are individually hum-cancelling, so no nasty 60 cycle hum with either pup soloed.

[gjones]

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1350848258' post='1844274']
Dimarzios all the way for me! I put an Ultra Jazz set in my old USA Standard Jazz and they were just incredible. Massive output, but with a very well balanced response and frequency range. Model Js are also good, but maybe a little darker sounding. I had Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders in there before, but I didn't find them that much of an improvement over the stock pups.

The other benefit with either of the dimarzios is that they are individually hum-cancelling, so no nasty 60 cycle hum with either pup soloed.
[/quote]

Do you need a battery with those?

[TRBboy]

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1350849269' post='1844297']


Do you need a battery with those?
[/quote]

Nope, they're just passive pickups, but instead of being a single coil each pickup has two coils side by side (one picks up the E and A, one picks up the D and G). They still sound very much like a jazz pup, but with a bit more guts and no nasty hum. I liked them because they sounded like all my favourite characteristics of passive basses and active basses rolled into one. They're bloody good value for money too IMO.

Edit: you can wire them up to a mini toggle switch for series/parallel switching too!

Edited October 21, 2012 by TRBboy

[Doddy]

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1350849737' post='1844306']
Edit: you can wire them up to a mini toggle switch for series/parallel switching too!
[/quote]
I did that with mine,only as a push pull pot,rather than a toggle switch.
I really like the DiMarzio Ultra Jazz-they really improved the sound of my Jazz.

[Captain Rumble]

Lot of guys talk about hum problems cany say that i have experienced this at all I would have thought it was just a shielding problem ?

[Doddy]

[quote name='Captain Rumble' timestamp='1350853612' post='1844387']
Lot of guys talk about hum problems cany say that i have experienced this at all I would have thought it was just a shielding problem ?
[/quote]

Most single coil pickups,like on a Jazz,will hum if one is favoured over the other. When both are on full they act as
a humbucker because of the way they are wired. Pickups like the Ultra Jazz have two coils that act as a humbucker,
so you can favour one pickup and not have the hum.

[yepmop]

I've been looking up the forums all over the net on these bad boys ([color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]Ultra Jazz) and I'm sold on them seems everyone loves them and the price seems quite reasonable as well.[/color][/font]

[font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]I assume these come in 2 sizes? as the MIM pickups are slightly different sizes for the neck & bridge? or is it a case of just swapping the covers over? [/color][/font]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'm off to write my letter to Santa [/font][/color]

[TRBboy]

[quote name='yepmop' timestamp='1350855790' post='1844429']
I've been looking up the forums all over the net on these bad boys ([color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]Ultra Jazz) and I'm sold on them seems everyone loves them and the price seems quite reasonable as well.[/color][/font]

[font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]I assume these come in 2 sizes? as the MIM pickups are slightly different sizes for the neck & bridge? or is it a case of just swapping the covers over? [/color][/font]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'm off to write my letter to Santa [/font][/color]
[/quote]

Yeah the bridge pickup is usually longer than the neck. A set of pickups will have both, or you can just buy the neck or bridge separately.

[Conan]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1350837906' post='1844063']
The first bit of advice would be that , whatever pickups you end up choosing, make sure you get someone experienced and competant to fit them for you.[/quote]

Great advice! When I bought my Geddy Lee Jazz (used, from here) the pickups had not been wired up properly. Battery life was very poor and the sound was lacklustre. The Bass Doc sorted it out for me for a very reasonable price and it sounded like a different bass!

[quote name='Captain Rumble' timestamp='1350840027' post='1844096']could be usefull to compare the jazzes to see how diferent strings/action/pickup hight etc etc can change things or even just how wildly diferent 2 basses from the same manufacturer can sound[/quote]

I don't think it can be overstated how important all these 'minor' factors are! Not just the age of the strings, but the gauge and manufacturer. When I first changed from D'Addarios to DRs I couldn't believe the difference in tone. Whether you find one [i]better[/i] than the other depends on your own personal preference of course, but they certainly make a difference. Raising pickup height can give a lot more output - but can conversely reduce sustain...

Always start with a decent set-up, even if it means paying someone else to do it for you. Much cheaper than a new set of pickups that may end up disappointing you!

[mckendrick]

[quote name='Captain Rumble' timestamp='1350836759' post='1844043']
....assume that I know nothing and you wont be far out....
[/quote]
Have you considered just a change of capacitor...? So often I've found people praising this little mod. Much easier to test drive on your own instrument than change the pickups only to find they don't sound as good in your own bass as you thought they sounded in someone elses.

Try a paper-in-oil .047uf. You'll be amazed at the difference such a simple mod can make.

If you want to go down the pick-up route maybe consider a not-oft-considered winder like Jason Loller or Curtis Novak - both easily googled. Both do some gorgeous ultra vintage sounding types.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

.

Edited October 22, 2012 by mckendrick

[TRBboy]

[quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1350916729' post='1845015']

Have you considered just a change of capacitor...? So often I've found people praising this little mod. Much easier to test drive on your own instrument than change the pickups only to find they don't sound as good in your own bass as you thought they sounded in someone elses.

Try a paper-in-oil .047uf. You'll be amazed at the difference such a simple mod can make.

If you want to go down the pick-up route maybe consider a not-oft-considered winder like Jason Loller or Curtis Novak - both easily googled. Both do some gorgeous ultra vintage sounding types.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

.
[/quote]

+1 for the cap. In fact for the sake of £20 or whatever you may as well get a wiring kit with CTS pots and an Orange Drop cap (or similar), whether you change the pickups or not. Can make a noticeable difference for not much money!

[Dingus]

[quote name='yepmop' timestamp='1350855790' post='1844429']
I've been looking up the forums all over the net on these bad boys ([color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]Ultra Jazz) and I'm sold on them seems everyone loves them and the price seems quite reasonable as well.[/color][/font]

[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]I assume these come in 2 sizes? as the MIM pickups are slightly different sizes for the neck & bridge? or is it a case of just swapping the covers over? [/color][/font]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'm off to write my letter to Santa [/font][/color]
[/quote]

I think you shouldn't assume that these pickups will fit your bass without modification. As I mentioned earlier in the thread , the MIM pickups are indeed a slightly different size in that they are both the same size rather than one slightly wider than the other as is usual on a normal Jazz Bass set. I dont think you you can just swap the covers because the pole pieces of the Di Marzio almost cetainly won't line up with the holes in your existing pickup covers. This is why I directed the o.p towards the Aero and EMG pickups that are designed to fit an MIM Jazz Bass. I am well familiar with the Di Marzio Super Jazz and it is a fantastic sounding pickup , but the Aero Type One is just as good in it's own way, and not dissimilar in its forthright sound and the high-output that it gives out. The Di Marzio is maybe a little raunchier overall , but there is nothing to choose between them in overall quality of sound. They are both companies with a great pedigree - Di Marzio makes Sadowskys pickups ( based heavily on the Super Jazz, I believe) and Aero make a lot of the pickups for the high-end Foderas, including the prototype of the $22500 Anthony Jackson Signature model.

Edited October 22, 2012 by Dingus

[yepmop]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1350926297' post='1845158']
I think you shouldn't assume that these pickups will fit your bass without modification. As I mentioned earlier in the thread , the MIM pickups are indeed a slightly different size in that they are both the same size rather than one slightly wider than the other as is usual on a normal Jazz Bass set.
[/quote]

thanks for the info, I've just measured my 2001 MIM and they are different sizes (now happier) got the info below from talkbass which is quite interesting and may be of help to others with MIM Jazz's.

[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Yes, seems that the different pickup size change (only) occurred in 2001 (with the same body style). But MOST of those pickups were NOT noise cancelling, just different sizes, that is to say the pups were NOT reverse wound/reverse polarity (RWRP) in relation to each other and still have flat pole pieces. So turning the volumes on both all the way up did NOT cancel hum.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Since 2004/2005, the pickups were not only the appropriate (different) sizes, they have the raised pole pieces under the A and D strings, indicating they are the newer noise cancelling pickups, although not technically reverse wound/reverse polarity (RWRP). Turn both volumes all the way up and they cancel noise AND cause a midrange "scoop" due to frequency cancellation of the mids (called phase cancellation in physics), not due to true electronic hum cancellation--think of it as 2 waves of water coming together, one peaked and one troughed, that cancel each other out. This is due to the distance between the pickups, and not due to RWRP. Technically, he said you can also get this by setting both volumes at identical settings anywhere in the range, but that is almost impossible to do, so just crank 'em up and control the volume with your amp.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]You CAN find Fender Mexican / MIM jazz basses from as far back as 2001 that have the raised poles, but they are hit and miss. As with any assembly plant, different runs on different assembly lines used different stock as it was available. Although what I said above is the "official" Fender line, there were certainly times when the "stock" pickups were unavailable and the "improved" ones used, even as far back as 2001 when they made the initial change to different sizes but not noise cancelling. Then as shipments of the "stock" pickups were available, they'd change back for a bit to use up the old ones, then back again to the new ones. Fender "tech-dude" contends that if most MIM jazz basses from the 2001 era that have the raised poles on different sized pickups are probably after-market replacements (i.e. MIA pickups or Fender Custom 60s, etc.) installed by the owner and later resold. [/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]So, in a nutshell, from 2001-2004, you could have a MIM bass with[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]a) 2 pickups that are the [/font][/color][u]same size [/u][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]with flat poles -- i.e. 2 "neck pickups" in the neck and bridge position with minimal, if any, noise cancellation[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] 2 pickups of [/font][/color][u]different size with flat poles [/u][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]-- i.e. standard sized pickups, but [/font][/color][u]not [/u][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]true noise cancelling at full volume (similar to (a))[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]c) 2 pickups of [/font][/color][u]different size with raised poles [/u][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]-- i.e. standard sized pickups that [/font][/color][u]ARE[/u][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] noise cancelling (with mid-range scoop desired by many jazz players) when both volumes turned all the way up.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]As you move away from 2001 towards 2004/2005, you move from (a) to ( to (c). Mostly (a) to ( occurred during the 2001 model year as the body routs were made almost immediately. Then by 2004/2005, everyone was made with (c).[/font][/color]

[TRBboy]

You can go ahead and get some Dimarzios then!

As an aside, there's been some talk of changing pickup covers, but as far as I can remember all of the Dimarzio pickups are resin bonded into the casings, so the covers can't be swapped.

[mckendrick]

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1350926032' post='1845151']
Have you considered just a change of capacitor...? So often I've found people praising this little mod. Much easier to test drive on your own instrument than change the pickups only to find they don't sound as good in your own bass as you thought they sounded in someone elses.

Try a paper-in-oil .047uf. You'll be amazed at the difference such a simple mod can make.

If you want to go down the pick-up route maybe consider a not-oft-considered winder like Jason Loller or Curtis Novak - both easily googled. Both do some gorgeous ultra vintage sounding types.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.
[/quote]


[quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1350916729' post='1845015']
+1 for the cap. In fact for the sake of £20 or whatever you may as well get a wiring kit with CTS pots and an Orange Drop cap (or similar), whether you change the pickups or not. Can make a noticeable difference for not much money!
[/quote]


I don't mean to be pedantic, but methinks the subject of the OP already has CTS and Orange Drop fitted OEM.... hence my suggestion of a paper-in-oil type - Orange Drops being a polypropylene/film type.

Cheers.

[TRBboy]

[quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1351001570' post='1846056']






I don't mean to be pedantic, but methinks the subject of the OP already has CTS and Orange Drop fitted OEM.... hence my suggestion of a paper-in-oil type - Orange Drops being a polypropylene/film type.

Cheers.
[/quote]

I recommended it because AFAIK, a late 90's mex wouldn't have had CTS pots and an Orange Drop cap, they were just installed in USA instruments until recent years I thought. A mex bass from that era would have had cheapo Chinese circuitry if my memory serves me correctly.