Looking for some Jazz Bass pickup recommendations

Svartmetall · August 2023

Hi, guys - I have a lovely old Tokai JB from about 1983 which has an amazing unplugged tone, but the pickups seem weak and are I suspect the instrument's Achilles heel. I'd like to put in some pickups that really do the thing justice but am not very conversant with bass pickups on the whole; I want to stay with passives, so what would people recommend (bearing in mind that I'm on pennies above minimum wage, so the sort of hand-wound-by-elves-on-the-slopes-of-Mount-Fuji-on-the-Spring-equinox ultra boutique stuff won't be affordable for me) as pickups to get the most out of a Jazz Bass?

Funkfingers · August 2023

DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pair for fingerstyle Rock playing. Area J pair for more traditional sounds.

Don't be afraid to try active pickups and/or control electronics. Duncan Lightnin' Rods sound and feel pretty darned close to passives.

EMG makes several J variants. Counter-intuitively, the blade polepiece and ceramic magnet -J model sounds more believably "vintage" than the -JV model with exposed alnico rod magnet polepieces.

I am especially fond of the long-discontinued Duncan Active EQ series pickups - the ones with the little DIP switches.

UnclePsychosis · August 2023

I put Dimarzio Area J pickups in my jazz and really like them.

Think they cost me about £100 second hand.

fretmeister · August 2023

EMG J set. Lovely things. Designed to be like 1960s pickups without the hum.

Bobby Vega can’t be wrong!

ICBM · August 2023

Duncan Hot Jazz Stacks. Passive, but fatter sound and no noise.

BigLicks67 · August 2023

I’m also the owner of an 83 Tokai Jazz Bass and I would say there is nothing inherently wrong with those pickups that a good amp or preamp cannot resolve. My advice would be keep your money in your pocket.

Ossyrocks · August 2023

I have a set of Fender Custom Shop 60’s Jazz pickups for sale, advertised over on BassChat. They are really nice pickups. I’m selling because I sold the bass they were in and bought a vintage Jazz.

Rob

Svartmetall · August 2023

Thanks for the ideas, guys - will mull this over and have a think.

steamabacus · August 2023

With the rise in cost of Duncan, etc. I'd recommend looking at Tonerider. I have no experience of their Jazz pickups but the Tonerider Precision pickup I have in my Squier is excellent. The Tele set I have are great too.

Northwest Guitars is where I bought from - good prices and service.

GuyR · August 2023

I have a mid 80s Tokai JB and agree re the pickups. The inherent tone unplugged is lovely. I’ve never got round to changing them but they are a weak point IMO.

There’s usually something worthwhile advertised in accessories on Basschat and it is an excellent and trustworthy community in my experience. Fender CS, Seymour Duncan etc. All would be an upgrade. Second hand means no depreciation and little risk if you don’t like them.

Svartmetall · August 2023

Wasn't aware of Basschat, so thanks - will investigate.

nacnudnai · August 2023

Svartmetall said:

Hi, guys - I have a lovely old Tokai JB from about 1983 which has an amazing unplugged tone, but the pickups seem weak and are I suspect the instrument's Achilles heel. I'd like to put in some pickups that really do the thing justice but am not very conversant with bass pickups on the whole; I want to stay with passives, so what would people recommend (bearing in mind that I'm on pennies above minimum wage, so the sort of hand-wound-by-elves-on-the-slopes-of-Mount-Fuji-on-the-Spring-equinox ultra boutique stuff won't be affordable for me) as pickups to get the most out of a Jazz Bass?

I may have a set of Area Js lying around if you end up being interested in them - let me know, I wouldn't be after much for them.

nacnudnai · August 2023

nacnudnai said:

Svartmetall said:

Hi, guys - I have a lovely old Tokai JB from about 1983 which has an amazing unplugged tone, but the pickups seem weak and are I suspect the instrument's Achilles heel. I'd like to put in some pickups that really do the thing justice but am not very conversant with bass pickups on the whole; I want to stay with passives, so what would people recommend (bearing in mind that I'm on pennies above minimum wage, so the sort of hand-wound-by-elves-on-the-slopes-of-Mount-Fuji-on-the-Spring-equinox ultra boutique stuff won't be affordable for me) as pickups to get the most out of a Jazz Bass?

I may have a set of Area Js lying around if you end up being interested in them - let me know, I wouldn't be after much for them.

I do indeed have a set of Area Js lying around. Cases are a little scuffed, so I'd be happy with £75 the set posted.

ChrisCox1994 · August 2023

definitely check out eternal guitar and pickups, Dave hand winds some of the best pups ive tried, ive got a pair of his fat vintage style J bass ones in my 80s fender 62 reissue that had the same weaknesses as your tokai probably does

https://www.eternal-guitars.com/product-page/jb-64-jazz-bass-pickup

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Looking for some Jazz Bass pickup recommendations

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