Jono Bolton Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Hi all, I've got a Fender MIM Jazz Bass that's currently sitting with no pickups in. I used to have Wizard 84s in there but sold them a few months back as I was a bit strapped for cash and the bass wasn't getting used much. I'd toyed with the idea of just selling the bass sans pickups but it was a birthday gift from my folks when I was still in uni way back when, so I think it'd be disrepectful to punt it. But I digress. Funds still aren't great, but after refurbing my P Bass I'd really like to do the same with the Jazz. I was narrowly beaten in an ebay auction for another set of 84s last month and they don't come up on there too often, so can anyone recommend a set of new Jazz pickups with a similar sound that I could get on the cheap? I've kept an eye on the 'For Sale' section but nothing's come up, has anyone tried some of the no-namers that you can find on ebay and the like? All suggestions welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 How cheap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 Approx. £40, which is what I paid for the 84s I had previously. That said, I'd listen to all recommendations, so £40 isn't an absolute limit. If someone could point me in the direction of a decent pickup set for £50 for example, I'd certainly have a look at it. I'd rather not go as high as that though but if I felt it was worth it I'd see if I could make the cash available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immo Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I'd really suggest you to try Artec pickups. They're cheap, they're - unfortunately - not very sturdy and a bit poorly manufactured in terms of being solid, but they have a decent sound. But for 50 quid you'll be able to find some nicer pickups of better quality, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 [i][i][url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kent-Armstrong-Bass-Pickup-Jazz-Style-Neck-Open-/350408591552?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item5195fac8c0"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kent-Armstrong-Bass-Pickup-Jazz-Style-Neck-Open-/350408591552?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item5195fac8c0[/url][/i]kent armstrongs £50[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 or seymour duncan quarter pounders, but i think you may struggle for 50 squid, i think £80 might get you awesome set of pups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Wait and something will appear - EMG sets at £50ish for example. Wilkinson Vintage sets seem good value for new pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 The Duncan Design pups that are fitted to VMJ's are pretty good and do come up on ebay quite regularly. My daughters set went for about £2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1339701254' post='1693083'] The Duncan Design pups that are fitted to VMJ's are pretty good and do come up on ebay quite regularly. My daughters set went for about £2 [/quote] +1 on the VMJ DD's, thought they sounded boss when I had one. Real shame those only went for £2, they punch far above their weight! Failing those I think you can get a pair of Fender Originals for around the £65 mark, especially if you don't mind importing from america. They're used in the Geddy Lee signature, so while I've not tried them yet I should imagine they'd have it dialled in pretty good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys. Has anyone tried the Wilkinson vintage pickups? They seem to be about £40 a set but I think I've found them on eBay for less than £20 new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Be careful when buying Wilkinson Vintage J's on internet at that price - what I got was the lower price version with ceramic magnets not alnico slugs despite being advertised as Vintage J's - returned but was annoying. Do not remember seller sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I'm looking to order some GFS pickups from the states fairly soon - should be about £50 for the pair - let me know if you fancy tagging a pair onto my order - should save you P and P etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 My MIM 2009 Jazz has very nice pickups. Apparently the 2009, and possibly later, had upgraded pickups. (not sure how they are upgraded) I can't fault the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted June 23, 2012 Author Share Posted June 23, 2012 Cheers for the advice 3below, I looked into it and they were in fact the cheaper one's I was looking at. Axesrus had the alnico set at £36, but they're out of stock, so I may have to drop them an email. Did you ever end up getting the alnico pickups, and if you did, what are they like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Did not in the end, found a set of emgs on here for £50 ish. My take with wilkin sons was, same construction and design goals as vintage Fender, they make good value kit, got to be worth a try.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Just seen these on the bay [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jazz-Bass-pickups-/120936987755?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c2867fc6b#ht_500wt_951"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jazz-Bass-pickups-/120936987755?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c2867fc6b#ht_500wt_951[/url] could be worth watching? nothing to do with me in anyway btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 There's a set of Bartolinis on here for £60 posted, you could always trying making the seller an offer...(not mine I hasten to add). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnyboy Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 The fancy Wilkinsons are the boys, however the more recent MIM ones , according to my man in the know , are pretty spot on - and it's not in his interests to say so !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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