Vintage "Coaster" 5 string Jazz.. EMG's DO NOT fit.

[Nibody]

Being 99% retired now due to health, a buddy and my former keys/synth guy asked me to record some "real" bass for his EDM track.  Picked up a cheap Vintage Coaster as it was cheap and wasn't planning on keeping it, and didn't have a 5'er any more. As it turns out it's a brilliant bass for the money, soundwise and build wise, but the pickups are a little low output. Always had EMG's on my fives so picked up a set of EMG J5's... it's a 5 string jazz... of course they will pretty much fit...... no need to measure....

 

NOPE.

 

There is a good 2cm overall width difference with the EMG's being the larger, and the mounting lugs are a good cm further apart on the EMG's.... GAAAAHHHH. Really didn't want to start routing the bass as wanted the option to remove the pickups and return it to stock when and if the novelty wears off.

 

[MoonBassAlpha]

Did you consider fitting a pre-amp instead?

[Nibody]

On 24/03/2025 at 10:52, MoonBassAlpha said:

Did you consider fitting a pre-amp instead?

I did consider it. In the end I returned the set to Thomann and picked up a set of EMG JXN’s- they are advertised as 4/5 string pickups and they are a bit of a tight fit but do fit. Laughably they are known to have a low output (mad I know) but have decided to stick with them. I have an old “Activ8” preamp floating around in the pats cupboard so if I decide to go back to the stock pickups I may try that.

Edited Wednesday at 11:24 by Nibody

[pete.young]

On 20/03/2025 at 13:54, Nibody said:

Being 99% retired now due to health, a buddy and my former keys/synth guy asked me to record some "real" bass for his EDM track.  Picked up a cheap Vintage Coaster as it was cheap and wasn't planning on keeping it, and didn't have a 5'er any more. As it turns out it's a brilliant bass for the money, soundwise and build wise, but the pickups are a little low output. Always had EMG's on my fives so picked up a set of EMG J5's... it's a 5 string jazz... of course they will pretty much fit...... no need to measure....

 

NOPE.

 

There is a good 2cm overall width difference with the EMG's being the larger, and the mounting lugs are a good cm further apart on the EMG's.... GAAAAHHHH. Really didn't want to start routing the bass as wanted the option to remove the pickups and return it to stock when and if the novelty wears off.

 

 

There are at least 2 sizeds of 5-string Jazz pickups. Fender ones are wider and the bridge is wider than the neck. Bass Collection and Sadowsky are much shorter, and the same length 94mm. There are probably other sizes too.