timmygospel Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I have a 5 string squier classic vibe pass, need to upgrade the stock pickups and probably change to active circuitry need some advice my style of music is nice r&b/gospel can recommend an outboard preamp like sadowsky outboard ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 John East J-Retro preamp... no question. And for pickups... I personally love the DiMarzio Area J. They're humbuckers but retain a lot of the classic Jazz bass spirit. They work very nicely together with the J-Retro (I have the same combination in 4 strings, after trying quite a variety of pickups) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Oh... outboard preamp! Then scratch the J-Retro... I misunderstood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) I remember watching a demo / comparison of four different types of Aguilar Jazz pickups and they sounded fantastic. It stuck in my memory ever since and I was really impressed. Personally I liked the 4J-HOT set which were a little hotter, but I bet the 4J-60 or 4J-70 (60’s or 70’s style) would be great for R&B style stuff. Heres the video! Edited March 10, 2018 by Rikki_Sixx Wrong pickup name! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH73 Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 I replaced the stock pick ups on my Squier CV jazz bass with Seymour Duncan pick ups. It can sound very growly when I want to. Very versatile bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindibona1 Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 I can't speak for a 5 string replacement set, but I just replaced my Squier VM70 Jbass4 with a set of Aguilar AG 4J-HC pickups. OUTSTANDING! I am SO happy with them. They say the stock Duncan Design pickups are decent but the difference is night and day. So great having noiseless. I also spent some $ on having professional fret leveling and setup and a Gotoh bridge and when I pick up a (stock) American J Bass and think I prefer my Squier I think I must be out of my mind. I have to give the Aguilars 5 Stars+. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 I’ve been leaning toward their hot pickups but playing recently with headphones on the hum has been grinding my gears! Are the Aguilar hum-cancelling set much different to the Duncan Designed pickups that come as standard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc82 Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 (edited) I also have a Squier JB modified. I first replaced the electronics by a sadowsky VTC preamp (4 knobs). It requires to move the jack to the side of the body, so I had someone do it for me for 50 euros. It was a great improvement, but I still lacked some definition, especially on the B string. My bass teacher plays a Sadowsky and the comparison was cruel to me. Hopefully, I came across a set of Aguilar AG 5J HC pickups on a popular french classified adds website. So I bought them and installed them. Honnestly, it was worth the money... I now have a very very nice sounding instrument for less than a thousand euros. The Sadowski might still be better, my bass has a better quality over price ratio ;-) Edited March 15, 2018 by mc82 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Have you considered putting a decent harness in first, as than can make a significant difference. Kiogon on here does great work at a fraction of the cost of new pickups and will work with you to get the sound you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Confession time: I'm not sure what a harness is or does! Is that like all the wiring and pots, but not the pickups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 6 minutes ago, Rikki_Sixx said: Confession time: I'm not sure what a harness is or does! Is that like all the wiring and pots, but not the pickups? YES @Rikki_Sixx I scored some cheap Geddy Lee pickups on ebay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindibona1 Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 On 3/11/2018 at 04:48, Rikki_Sixx said: I’ve been leaning toward their hot pickups but playing recently with headphones on the hum has been grinding my gears! Are the Aguilar hum-cancelling set much different to the Duncan Designed pickups that come as standard? Yes... MUCH different. The AG 4J-HC are noiseless. I've experienced no noise through amps, or house system. My condo has dirty electricity and sometimes even with some noiseless pickups I get a bit of hum. NOT with Aguilar 4J-HC. They sound terrific and I'm so happy with them. A BIG upgrade from the Duncan Designs. Much clearer sound. Not cheap. They cost more than the bass (which I bought used for $150) but well worth it for a bass that's a keeper. Even if I upgraded basses I'd take the Aguilars with me and put the DD's back in when I'd sell it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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