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Post subject: Pickup selections for Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass?
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:24 pm
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Roadie
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Hello all! I recently picked up a used Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass, in natural finish. I love the bass, but I have an issue with the pickups humming really bad if they're not set at equal volume levels... I was told this is common for all single coil Jazz Basses... a set of Dimarzio Area J pickups was reccomended, as they're humbucking but retain the single coil sound. In researching them, I found also the Ultra Jazz pickups, which I think may be a better choice. I'm playing through an Ampeg BA-15 at the moment, but I plan to upgrade to something with a bit more power as soon as I can, either Ampeg or Mesa if I find a good deal. I'm hoping the pickups will fix the slight tone issues I'm having now... My problem is that while I like a more "clanky", bright yet full tone, it seems the rest of my band finds that too harsh, as the guy I'm replacing had a very low end heavy tone, without so much high end presence. Right now, for noise reasons, I'm running everything wide open on the bass (to avoid the hum), and have the amp set with the mids just below 12:00, and both the lows and highs set at around 2:00 or 3:00, adjusted to taste depending on the room. (I have the "shape" setting on number 2, whatever that means, LOL...)


What is the general opinion on the Duncan Designed pickups that are in this bass? And are the suggested DiMarzios a worthwhile upgrade? I've heard a lot about Duncan's Quarter Pounders, but m tech said those would still give me the same hum I'm experiencing now. Has anyone here used either (or both) of the DiMarzios? Opinions on those?

Also, I've upgraded the saddles to the vintage style, screw-looking type... that gave me a better feel and did seem to help with tuning stability. The factory saddles felt really lightweight and cheap in comparison... I think the upgrade there was well worth the $16 I spent on the saddles. What other mods, if any, are suggested for this bass? Are the pots and wiring good, or should I replace those too?


Thanks in advance!

- Jason


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Post subject: Re: Pickup selections for Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:20 am
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Hi!
Seems like we are experiencing the lack of response :lol: I think I'll try to repost under pickups/accessories. Perhaps that might help.
I've got a fretless VM w Duncan designed pups. Don't know if they're the same as yours ,but I am very satisfied w mine. Do not have a problem w hum , like you describe- no need for setting same levels. Of course it is some hum- it is single coils ! If I want a bright tone, I turn up the bridge pup , and shut off the neck pup- and roll back a bit on the tone. No problem. So my guess would be that you are experiencing trouble w the electronics (pots and wiring) rather than with the pickups. That is , of course, just my opinion :) I play through a Rumble 100 ( 15")
Nice to hear which pups you get , eventually - and how they sound ! Cheers

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Post subject: Re: Pickup selections for Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:47 am
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I think I'm leaning towards the Ultra Jazz, they seem to be higher output, with stronger lows and highs. Between that and tweeking the amp some, I should be fine. I'll probably go ahead and swap out the pots while I'm at it, that's nickels to dollars on the cost of new pups anyway, might as well. Nobody buys a Lamborghini and sticks with the AM/FM radio to save 100 bucks on a CD player, right? :p

I do love the bass... I've added a thumbrest, and I eventually want to strip the poly finish and reshoot it in nitro, so it will naturally relic easier. This bass just begs to look "old", IMO! :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Pickup selections for Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 11:17 am
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Sounds like a plan ! (living up to the MacGyver name? :lol: ) Yes- thats a nice bass.... Seems like the best way to remove the poly , is with a heat gun. Good luck.

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Post subject: Re: Pickup selections for Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 11:57 am
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Ha, no, the MacGyvercaster is an old, abused, beat to hell Squier Bullet strat that I modded signifigantly, and is currently on a trip across the country bouncing from member to member of the PRS forum I post at, with each recipient making at least one random modification of their own choosing... I guess you'd call it a social experiment, lol! When I get home, I'll have to start a thread here about it, with some pics of the before, and from each stop so far. It's been interesting to watch so far... Worst case scenario, I'll get back a bag of sawdust and a few pickups... Anything aside from that will be an upgrade! :D


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Post subject: Re: Pickup selections for Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 12:53 pm
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:lol: :lol: :lol: What an (social) idea! :lol: Looking forward to that thread :roll:
Right now I'm trying to be kind to my (too long neglected) Hagstrom Viking; polish, new strings, truss rod , and grinding the slots in the nut. Seems to get on well :D Good , relaxing work after yesterdays party.... :roll: Cheers

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Post subject: Re: Pickup selections for Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass?
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:15 pm
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This is almost a month later, but you owe it to yourself to seriously consider Lindy Fralin pickups.

http://www.fralinpickups.com/bass.asp

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Post subject: Re: Pickup selections for Vintage Modified 70's Jazz bass?
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 6:58 pm
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I have the same bass, no issues what so ever with hum. I would say it's probably the quietest single coil pick up I've ever owned. Weird how you're having the hum. The only basses I've owned with out hum what so ever are the ones with EMG's on them. Good luck with the Ultra Jazz.

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