I fancy a pickup change. Jazz type, passive humcancelling?

[fretmeister]

I have an EMG J set and EMG 3 band EQ in my Sandberg TT4. I do like it but I fancy a change to something passive and less hifi. It also currently has the ABC control that means when both pickups are full you don't get that classic jazz mid dip - often useful but also not entirely traditional jazz like.

 

Whatever I get must be humcancelling though.

 

What is good these days?

 

I noticed from @Kingbassist rig video that many pit pros are using noiseless Barts but I can't tell what model - and there are a few choices - any ideas?

 

Or maybe the noiseless Nordstrand?

The Aguilar DCB set looks good - but it's very expensive.

 

I'm looking for something vintage, deep and plummy that works well just with a passive tone control.

 

Another thing I really like is when polepieces are flat with the top of the plastic - not protruding at all so if I do have them very close to the strings I don't get any string on pole clicking. So covered pole recommendations are good too.

 

All recommendations welcome!

 

 

[ghostwheel]

If you're more after AlNico than Ceramic, DiMarzio AREA J might be worth a look.

I had a DP248 once (well, I actually still have that one but no bass it would fit in). Can't say anything bad about it. It sounded like a J-pickup in the bridge position.

[HeadlessBassist]

One small query... Why does it have to be hum cancelling? If you install proper copper foil shielding, you get a hum free bass. The Walnut/Graphite Jazz I've just had built is shielded properly and it has no hum at all from the Fender Pure Vintage 66 pickups. (The 64 versions in my American Original Jazz can be a little hummy at times with the standard Fender cavity shielding paint.)

 

My American Professional II Jazz has the Fender V-Mod II pickups with the Alnico 2 magnets on the bass side and Alnico 5's on the treble side and that sounds suitably vintage with that warm bottom end, and is completely hum free.

 

So top of my list for passive Jazz pickups would be the Fender Pure Vintage 66, Lollar 60s and Lindy Fralin 60s. All of these have the rich tone, thumping bottom end and clear yet not harsh highs.)

 

Every time I've played a Jazz with 'Noiseless' pickups, they always sound flat and inert when played passive. When you switch the preamp on, it's another story, of course.

Edited 21 hours ago by HeadlessBassist

[fretmeister]

Copper foil helps - but it's not as efficient, and it gets crap quickly with gain pedals. And you never really know about interference levels at a new venue until you get plugged in and maybe find out it's going to be a horrible night.

 

Can't be dealing with that!

[Bassman1974]

I've just ordered another set of hot Toltec pickups for my 70's Vintera Jazz. They're that good.

 

I've also a Fender AM Standard Jazz that was far too boomy with Toneriders, so these UK made Toltec pickups came recommended from another user on here. They absolutely transformed the Standard with some really lovely mid focused pickups. Lee at Toltec will make whatever you want to your specification, so for me it was a no brainer. All of my Jazzes are shielded to death, so I never have noise issues.

 

I cannot wait to swap out the Fender pickups in the Vintera !

Edited 18 hours ago by Bassman1974
Added text

[jonnybass]

I have Nordstrand NJ4SE's in a jazz bass, when i bypass the east eq they sound lovely passive.  No hum, nice sound Highly recommend.  You haven't mentioned them but i have set of Lindy Fralin's Split P and hum cancelling J at the bridge in my PJ, they are fantastic.  I wouldn't hesitate at either Lindy fralins or Nordstrands. Dont think you'll go far wrong with either of those.

 

Jonny

[fretmeister]

I’ve just bought the Nordy J sized 51P noiseless set from the classifieds.

 

Bit different I thought and I’m curious! 

[nilebodgers]

I got the Fender gen 4 noiseless set. I’m really pleased with them.

 

I had to go humbucking as one of the places I play most has an hearing induction loop and the single coils pick it up very well.

[Marc S]

When I owned a Jazz bass, my favourite ever sound was when I fitted some old (ish) DiMarzio pickups. They were just brilliant. Definitely more "oomph" than any other passive Jazz pups- but they had a lovely warm sound, which seemed to produce the whole range really well.

 

Plenty of low end, punch at the top end, and mids that cut through well. Whenever I played that bass, and in several bands / genres, it just sat nicely in the mix. Wish I hadn't sold that bass...

 

Re pickup height - the luthiers I've spoken to, and the ones I watch regularly on YouTube all say the same thing - don't set the pickup height too close to the strings.... so adjust that carefully. 

 

Let us know how you get on 😀

[fretmeister]

1 hour ago, Marc S said:

When I owned a Jazz bass, my favourite ever sound was when I fitted some old (ish) DiMarzio pickups. They were just brilliant. Definitely more "oomph" than any other passive Jazz pups- but they had a lovely warm sound, which seemed to produce the whole range really well.

 

Plenty of low end, punch at the top end, and mids that cut through well. Whenever I played that bass, and in several bands / genres, it just sat nicely in the mix. Wish I hadn't sold that bass...

 

Re pickup height - the luthiers I've spoken to, and the ones I watch regularly on YouTube all say the same thing - don't set the pickup height too close to the strings.... so adjust that carefully. 

 

Let us know how you get on 😀

 

Heights are definitely a different sport for passives rather than EMG.

EMG have very low magnet pull and the recommendation is to get them as close to the string as possible - mine are barely 3mm. Just enough clearance so when playing something on the 22nd fret the string doesn't foul on the pickup. That definitely doesn't work with magnets in passive pickups.