Mook Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I have a Lakland Skyline DJ 4 string, It's a gorgeous bass but seems to lack punch and balls, especially next to my old trusty Precision Lyte. I've decided to try changing the Pickups. I do a mix of finger style and pick playing and slapping when I can get away with it. Looking at the Fender Custom shop ones and the Wizards seem well rated on here. Any help would be much appreciated because I haven't got a clue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 (edited) The most highly rated precision pickups appear to be made by Seymour Duncan, Wizard, and Nordstrand. I've only heard Nordstrands installed myself and my god are they good! Edited April 10, 2011 by chrismuzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Nordstrand are great,but expensive. Seymour Duncan Basslines,DiMarzio,EMG,Bartolini all make great pickups aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 Thanks guys for your help- love the look of the Nordstrands but they are twice the price of the Wizards. Sorry I forgot to say it's Jazz bass type pickups i'm after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Jazz type,I really like the DiMarzios. Check out either the Ultra Jazz ( my preference),Model J or of you can find them anywhere the Area J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 In my old Aerodyne bass I put a Seymour Duncan Hot Stack Jazz pickup in the bridge - STK-J2B. Hum-cancelling, sounded like the stock pickup, but with "more" of everything, however without that slightly "metallic" sound that some SDs have - Quarter Pounders spring to mind. Seymour Duncan have a link on their page to sounds: [url="http://www.seymourduncan.com/comparetones"]http://www.seymourduncan.com/comparetones[/url] Compare away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumnote Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 [quote name='Mook' post='1195106' date='Apr 10 2011, 09:47 PM']I have a Lakland Skyline DJ 4 string, It's a gorgeous bass but seems to lack punch and balls, especially next to my old trusty Precision Lyte. I've decided to try changing the Pickups. I do a mix of finger style and pick playing and slapping when I can get away with it. Looking at the Fender Custom shop ones and the Wizards seem well rated on here. Any help would be much appreciated because I haven't got a clue [/quote] iirc correctly. the dj is fitted with aero pickups [url="http://www.aeroinstrument.com/pickups.html"]http://www.aeroinstrument.com/pickups.html[/url] e mail them and tell them what you dont like wizard are good, talk to them, see what they suggest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AttitudeCastle Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Dimarzio All the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 11, 2011 Author Share Posted April 11, 2011 [quote name='bumnote' post='1195201' date='Apr 10 2011, 11:06 PM']iirc correctly. the dj is fitted with aero pickups [url="http://www.aeroinstrument.com/pickups.html"]http://www.aeroinstrument.com/pickups.html[/url] e mail them and tell them what you dont like wizard are good, talk to them, see what they suggest[/quote] Yeh its Aero's in it, they are supposed to be good pickups aren't they. Just seem a bit too hifi for me and not enough balls. I'll email them and see what they say- thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 11, 2011 Author Share Posted April 11, 2011 Thanks for all your suggestions guys- much appreciated. It's narrowed down what I'm looking for big time. Just wish you could try before you buy to see how the sound suits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I had a DJ5 and in my opinion it was the worst Jazz bass ive every heard. Played and looked fantastic but even compared to my Squier i felt it sounded woolly and lack punch and bite. I put some Nordstrand's in it (as a PJ) but i felt it still lacked something. I sold it. Personally i would go for a set of Wizards but even my set have sounded quite different in two different Jazz basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='1198005' date='Apr 13 2011, 12:10 PM']I had a DJ5 and in my opinion it was the worst Jazz bass ive every heard. Played and looked fantastic but even compared to my Squier i felt it sounded woolly and lack punch and bite. I put some Nordstrand's in it (as a PJ) but i felt it still lacked something. I sold it. Personally i would go for a set of Wizards but even my set have sounded quite different in two different Jazz basses.[/quote] Thats the same that I found with mine, wasn't sure if it was my imagination after seeing all the reviews about the tone of the bass. But it does seem very weak and a bit "hifi" for my liking. It's such a lovely bass in every other way so i'd hate to part with it. Decided on the Wizard 84's so hopefully they will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 [quote name='Mook' post='1198138' date='Apr 13 2011, 01:24 PM']Thats the same that I found with mine, wasn't sure if it was my imagination after seeing all the reviews about the tone of the bass. But it does seem very weak and a bit "hifi" for my liking. It's such a lovely bass in every other way so i'd hate to part with it. Decided on the Wizard 84's so hopefully they will help.[/quote] Compared to my stock Fender HW1 i had at the time it was like night and day. Maybe it was more down to having the HW1 and loving the burpy tone i could get from it. I did regret selling mine, especially as i had spent over £350 on it getting it converted in to a PJ but i was never going to be happy. Good luck with the 84's. I had a set in my CV Jazz but i felt they were just a bit too dark so i got Andy to make me a set of 74's, half way between the 84's punch and the 64's classic tone. The 74's work well but again, when i put them in my HW-one they really brought the bass alive so maybe its the bass as they definitely sound different in my CV Jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='1198155' date='Apr 13 2011, 01:35 PM']Compared to my stock Fender HW1 i had at the time it was like night and day. Maybe it was more down to having the HW1 and loving the burpy tone i could get from it. I did regret selling mine, especially as i had spent over £350 on it getting it converted in to a PJ but i was never going to be happy. Good luck with the 84's. I had a set in my CV Jazz but i felt they were just a bit too dark so i got Andy to make me a set of 74's, half way between the 84's punch and the 64's classic tone. The 74's work well but again, when i put them in my HW-one they really brought the bass alive so maybe its the bass as they definitely sound different in my CV Jazz.[/quote] Thanks- I'll let you know how I get on with them. Was going to try using a preamp but reckon it's better to sort out the sound at source first. Fingers crossed they work. What year was your DJ? mine is 05 so I think its the Aero's in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Yeah, keep us posted. I cant remember what year mine was, i dont think it had Aero's but you never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulo m Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 [quote name='Mook' post='1198138' date='Apr 13 2011, 01:24 PM']Thats the same that I found with mine, wasn't sure if it was my imagination after seeing all the reviews about the tone of the bass. But it does seem very weak and a bit "hifi" for my liking. It's such a lovely bass in every other way so i'd hate to part with it. Decided on the Wizard 84's so hopefully they will help.[/quote] hi there nordstrand nj4s for a jazz bass sound wonderful" imo the di marzio ultra jazz are also good (sadowsky basses use these) lindy fralins are also a good choice" but i would not recommend fender custom shop!!!!!! there not as good in the tone department..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Was sussing out the Di marzio's when I came across this guy butchering them- so funny though [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew32aq9LSbc&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew32aq9LSbc...feature=related[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 You've all been a great help- thanks for your posts. As funds are tight and I'm after some punch I reckon I'll give the wizards a bash. If there's no joy from them I'll have to start saving for the Nordstrands. DiMarzio ultra jazz sound good but maybe a bit "nice" for my tastes, not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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