OutToPlayJazz Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 (edited) Okay, so I've got a couple of years old Japanese 75 RI Jazz. Lovely looker with a tone to die for, but crap output compared to my 09 American Standard Jazz & lots of top end buzz, again unlike my ultra silent American Jazz. I'm thinking of getting the pickups swapped out for some tasty Nordstrands, but wondered why the Jap Jazzes always suffer with the single coil crackle? My Geddy Lee was exactly the same. Why is the American Standard so different, even though the Japanese pickups are meant to be "American Vintage" models? In the same token, which Jazz pickups do you recommend for high output & huge tone? Rich. Edited November 2, 2009 by OutToPlayJazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='643966' date='Nov 2 2009, 10:41 PM']... In the same token, which Jazz pickups do you recommend for high output & huge tone?[/quote] Di Marzio Ultras are fairly huge and loud - though they do have the problem of inequal balance (loud E and G strings) that always ends up getting on my nerves, no worse than most other jazz pickups though. I do like the Fender '62s (I think they're called) as well (same problem with the balance...) I'm going to try Bartolinis next... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've been really pleased with Wizards - I had a custom set in a Sei Jazz 5 (but never got to the bottom of what the 'custom wind' was as I didn't order the pickups). I've also been absolutely knocked out with the pickups in the Alleva - just unbelievably good (and it's not just the active circuit, the pickups sound great in passive). I'm not sure if Jimmy supplies pickups for fitting into other basses. Oddly enough, after years of moaning, I've been getting some great tones out of the Barts in my Sei Jazz 4. The upshot, I think, is Wizards - inexpensive, well-made and tremendous tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 The Seymour Duncan standard vintage jobs are great - and are pretty good for single coils - healthy output and not bad for hum. My Bravewood has Voodoos (not the right spelling..) which are very musical and honky, but the output is fairly low and they are microphonic. For a 70's jazz I'd consider the Dimarzio humbuckers (model J?). They're not really a jazz-type, but I've never heard them sound bad. More powerfull, and darker (in series) but a great sound. I'm thinking about putting a set in the Bravewood. Dimarzio also have a new set (Area?) which look more traditional, and seem to be derived from the ones that they make for Sadowsky? There's also the EMG JV if you can squeeze the battery in. Never tried them..but thought about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've put a set of Nordstand NJ5 FS split coil pickups into my USA Jazz 5 and they sound fantastic, no more buzz just a powerful detailed sound. Highly recommended. And to add a little more punch without messing with the Vol,vol, tone plate of the Jazz just add a REDEEMER from Mark at Bass Direct. This will finish of the sound and give you a modern twist from an old classic. [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Creation_Audio_Labs_Redeemer.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...s_Redeemer.html[/url] Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 (edited) Have had SDs, Bartos and Armstrongs but the ones I liked most were a set of Mighty Mites I put in an ESP telebass. They were punchy as hell whilst still retaining the Jazz tightness and exposed more harmonics than any pup I've ever had. Might get a hold of them again, not that I've seen this threat. Am also thinking about try those ceramic Kent Armstrongs. I also had Ptere Florance Voodoo oups in my Bravewood jazz whcih were pretty good. Edited November 3, 2009 by Stacker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 (edited) [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='643966' date='Nov 2 2009, 10:41 PM']Okay, so I've got a couple of years old Japanese 75 RI Jazz. Lovely looker with a tone to die for, but crap output compared to my 09 American Standard Jazz & lots of top end buzz, again unlike my ultra silent American Jazz. I'm thinking of getting the pickups swapped out for some tasty Nordstrands, but wondered why the Jap Jazzes always suffer with the single coil crackle? My Geddy Lee was exactly the same. Why is the American Standard so different, even though the Japanese pickups are meant to be "American Vintage" models? In the same token, which Jazz pickups do you recommend for high output & huge tone? Rich.[/quote] The Jap pups - and electrics in general - is what lets them down. That and bad shielding. The actual builds are really good, though. Everyone I know who plays bass has swapped out their single coils on Jap units. Edited November 3, 2009 by Stacker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I'd have a look at Delano: [url="http://www.delano.de/"]http://www.delano.de/[/url] I've got the JMCV in the neck position on my Shuker (with a MM in the bridge). These are the large pole piece models and have a really nice growl, good output, and a great Jazz tone. I think they're fitted to a lot of the Sandberg Jazzes, and Jon Shuker also uses them a lot, which is a good recommendation in itself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've DiMarzio's on my Jazz, dunno which model they are though I bought them so long ago (79) ... they sound huge although I'm using them through a J-Retro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moos3h Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've mentioned these guys before: www.guitarfetish.com GFS pickups. Fantastic, just fantastic. Stocks can be a little up and down, but the quality is astonishing and the tone very, very good indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Rich You know what im about to say right??? .........................no? Get on the Sadowsky online store and check out their Pickups! They are Well priced and apparently their single coils are some of the quietest around! you could do a lot worse than a set of their Hum canceling ones too You might find that having your bass treated to a good course of Sheilding/Screening will help (im told the paint is a good way to go) Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I'm another for Nordstrand NJSEs - I have these in my CIJ Jaco Jazz and they are really sweet. I also have a pair of those see through pickups - the name of which i forget - which you can trial out if you like. Davo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I'm quite partial to Lindy Fralins personally...although i'd like to try some Villex one day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.