jacq Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) Hey, I've been playing my Fender Player Plus Active PJ for I while now (my first bass) and while I enjoy it I'd like to add a Jazz(y) bass as a second instrument. I could then have my PJ strung with flatwounds. Now, there is one thing that can make me stop enjoying even the best instrument, that is the noise. Single coil pups are famous for being noisy. I know that there are ways to minimise it, but I don't want to go that route. I don't want to but something and then spend time modding it or shielding it. This is why I'd ideally like to buy something with Active Pickups that are noiseless (Fender's "Noiseless" are not truly noiseless). Also, I'd rather aim for sub 4kg instruments. Also, I didn't mention, I am interested in 4 string basses only. I've checked what is currently offered online by most of the retailers... and there is not much in £1K (+/- £200) budget. The closest thing I found (which isn't available anywhere) is Shecter J-4 Exotic with EMGs or Cort GB Modern 4 (with Nordstrands, which I don't thing are active). Any suggestions, ideas? PS. Sire is out of scope. Edited January 22, 2023 by jacq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilco Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) I’ve had this beauty for a few years now. My only ‘traditional’ single coil pickup bass, & is so white noise free that I’d forgotten noisy pickups were a thing! 😆 Something similar if you could find one, would only be in your stated budget if it were used though. If it helps, the pickups & preamp are both Delano. Edited January 22, 2023 by Wilco 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 You could get pretty much any Jazz and put some Dimarzio Area-J pickups in it? https://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/standard-bass/area-j-pair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I have a Sire V7 and it's pretty damn quiet, although my playing environment isn't particularly noisy electronics-wise. Plus it's lovely to play. And sounds amazing. So yeah, there's that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I'll be honest - I still struggle to understand the difference between active pickups and active basses. That aside I read it as you want a high QC active jazz for around a grand - the first name that springs to mind is Sandberg. Have you considered them (I assume they're the wrong kind of active)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzmanb Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Sadowsky metro express jazz ? i know they had buzz issues early I have a Japanese metro ,its heavy and sounds incredible and silent but is more money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacq Posted January 23, 2023 Author Share Posted January 23, 2023 Active pickups vs active preamp: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/active-pickups-vs-active-preamp.554985/ Sire - don't like them (just my personal preference). Had one briefly and the qc wasn't great. It was quite rough actually. I have considered both Sandberg and Sadowsky, but they are both slightly above my budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I think you'll struggle to find much in your price range that has active pickups, rather than an active preamp. A Sadowsky Metro Express (the sub-£700 models) + some aftermarket active EMGs, maybe? If noise is your main concern why aren't passive humbuckers with an active preamp an option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 As per @uncle psychosis and @velvetkevorkian a low cost alternative, the Peavey milestone in the for sale section (or there is one on ebay, £70 bin) and some s/h EMGs and you will be good to go. The necks on them seem very good to me and they are light weight. No neck dive due to the body design, an underrated bass imo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 6 hours ago, Lw. said: I'll be honest - I still struggle to understand the difference between active pickups and active basses. Active pickup; so few windings the output is v low. Consequently it needs a preamp (normally an opamp) built into the pickup to boost the signal to a usable level. Fewer windings = greater bandwidth. Active preamp; an eq that can boost (passive eq can only cut). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Well, I know you don't want to do much mod'ing but... my fav jazz bass I've owned, a Squier VM, I changed all hardware; pups, bridge, tuners, nut, preamp, and the whole thing came in at around £600. Played better than any USA standard version and I got exactly the setup I wanted. So, get a Squier and stick some EMGs in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 3 hours ago, jacq said: Active pickups vs active preamp: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/active-pickups-vs-active-preamp.554985/ Sire - don't like them (just my personal preference). Had one briefly and the qc wasn't great. It was quite rough actually. I have considered both Sandberg and Sadowsky, but they are both slightly above my budget. Same here, had one a couple of years back, felt cheap as fish heads....chips in my chippy start at £2.30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Used Sandberg California II TT4 would be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacq Posted January 23, 2023 Author Share Posted January 23, 2023 5 hours ago, velvetkevorkian said: If noise is your main concern why aren't passive humbuckers with an active preamp an option? Well, they might be... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 14 hours ago, Boodang said: Active pickup; so few windings the output is v low. Consequently it needs a preamp (normally an opamp) built into the pickup to boost the signal to a usable level. Fewer windings = greater bandwidth. Active preamp; an eq that can boost (passive eq can only cut). Almost spot on, of course there is no reason why a low impedance pickup could not be coupled with an onboard preamp. The problem is most are designed with high impedance, high output pickups in mind. As a result they do not have enough gain for a low impedance, low output pickup. Going back to Sire, I own an M2. It uses the Marcus Miller preamp and it is very versatile. The downside is the knobs. They feel cheap and they are the same on the more expensive Sire Jazz basses. Now you have set me off looking for some new knobs… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 15 hours ago, velvetkevorkian said: I think you'll struggle to find much in your price range that has active pickups, rather than an active preamp. A Sadowsky Metro Express (the sub-£700 models) + some aftermarket active EMGs, maybe? If noise is your main concern why aren't passive humbuckers with an active preamp an option? Won't sound like a jazz with regular humbuckers. Stacked hum cancelling ones will though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 2 hours ago, Chienmortbb said: Almost spot on, of course there is no reason why a low impedance pickup could not be coupled with an onboard preamp. The problem is most are designed with high impedance, high output pickups in mind. As a result they do not have enough gain for a low impedance, low output pickup. Funny enough, EMG quote the impedance of their active pickups as 10K. An opamp would normally have a low impedance output but they've obviously not gone down that route so their pickups can just slot straight into a standard setup, and they have enough oomph for any standard passive or active preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Am I missing something.? why not just buy an active jazz bass with dual coils. No hum at all. I personally prefer a jazz with single coils both on full. Not a bass on the planet has that much character, and no hum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 1 hour ago, bubinga5 said: Am I missing something.? why not just buy an active jazz bass with dual coils. No hum at all. I personally prefer a jazz with single coils both on full. Not a bass on the planet has that much character, and no hum. I agree, dual coils don't quite sound as good as single coils. I've fitted my jazz with a series/parallel switch for the best of both worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacq Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 6 hours ago, bubinga5 said: active jazz bass with dual coils Any examples of such instruments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke_zero Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 My feeling is your best bet is something with EMG active pickups in. Very quiet, clean and flat. I find them to be very present sounding. I know you don't want to mod, but they do solderless replacement kits that are pretty plug and play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke_zero Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 Coincidentally this came up on another thread: https://www.basscentre.com/british-bass-masters/bbm-betsy.html EMG active jazz pickups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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