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Post subject: VINTAGE MODIFIED JAG BASS SHORT SCALE - Pickups
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:02 am
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I don't suppose anyone out there can recommend which of the current Fender noiseless J bass pickups would be the best to replace the low output original in my new Short Scale Jag? I ask in regards to the Fender ones as they are more affordable than others and will be easier to get the wife to okay replacing something that is only a couple of weeks old. I really would like a little more punch from the bridge pickup and less noise would be a bonus.

The ones available that i can find at the moment are:
Fender Jazz Bass Super 55 Split Coil - $60
Vintage Noiseless Jazz Bass BRIDGE Pickup - 099-2102-001 - $60
N3 Noiseless Jazz Bass Bridge Pickup - $140 (over the budget....and around 1/2 the price of the guitar so wouldn't be able to sell that to the wife :lol: )

Anyone with knowledge of the pros and cons of these is appreciated.

Cheers

BAG


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Post subject: Re: VINTAGE MODIFIED JAG BASS SHORT SCALE - Pickups
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:05 pm
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Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
Why don't you try raising the bridge pickup before deciding to replace it?
Another approach would be do change the stock strings and put on a good set of Dean Markleys or GHS strings along with raising the pickups.

You may be surprised as to how good the stock pickups can sound with good strings.

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Post subject: Re: VINTAGE MODIFIED JAG BASS SHORT SCALE - Pickups
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 6:54 pm
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Good suggestion from B.C.

The problem with replacing ONE pickup is finding one with an output that matches the other. I believe your instrument is active which would help some here, but I'd look for a matched P/J set and replace both if you just have to swap out the pickup.

In my experience a stacked or split coil Jazz pickup (Noiseless designs) sound more like a Precision pickup than a Jazz pickup. I favor single coil Jazz pickups, especially in a P/J. In a P/J with any Jazz pickup other than a single coil your tonal options are a P-Bass tone or a P-Bass tone with more boom to it. I want the pickups in a P/J to reflect the actual character of the Precision AND the Jazz. That means a single coil Jazz pickup. Otherwise you have far less tonal options.

The problem with single coil Jazz pickups of course is RFI noise (hum.) This RFI sensitivity can be minimized by thoroughly copper tape shielding to ground the Jazz pickup cavity and the control cavity plus adding a pickup cover. Shielding is one upgrade definitely worth doing on any single coil bass or guitar. It really helps. It doesn't help much with a P-Bass since they are humbucking by design.

If you are a pick player the Noiseless Jazz pickups make more sense since they roll off the upper mids where the unpleasant pick-click sounds live. But they don't really have the upper mid rich Jazz tone to me. If you want a bass that plays like a Jazz but sounds a lot like a Precision, just put Noiseless pickups in it.


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Post subject: Re: VINTAGE MODIFIED JAG BASS SHORT SCALE - Pickups
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:27 am
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Thanks for the info and quick replies fellas. While I've been into guitar for well over 20 years, nearly all of it acoustic, I've only recently got into bass (via acoustic bass) and don't have much (any) experience with bass pickups. I do play with a pick but keeping the P/J options open makes a lot of sense.

I know how to get behind the pickguard to play with the P pup but how do i adjust the height of the J bridge pup and get behind it to shield it? I really do need to do the shielding of it as being around 2 feet from my main laptop sets up a lot of noise through the amp. I only have to move a few feet away for it to be acceptable but i do a lot of practicing along with songs on the computer. I also want to prevent any noise at gigs. Strangely, my older laptop presents no problems at all. :?


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Post subject: Re: VINTAGE MODIFIED JAG BASS SHORT SCALE - Pickups
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 6:31 pm
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Loosen and remove the 4 screws on the pickup using a small Phillips head screwdriver. You can then lift out the pickup. The pickup will be in place with weatherstripping foam, there is enough extra wire to allow you to pull the pickup up and out then you can lay it on top of the instrument. It is only a few inches of wire, so lift the pickup from the side AWAY from the control cavity first, just pull up on it till it loosens then gently lift it out and lay it on the top of the instrument.


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