Upgrading a Fender Jazz Bass

[Insomniac34]

I recently purchased a used mexican Fender Jazz bass with the intention to upgrade. At the moment, i plan on adding two DiMarzio DP123 J bass pickups and a Badass II bridge. I just wanted to get some feedback from experienced bassists who know their parts well. I would like to keep the pickups in the neighborhood of 100 dollars, and the bridge around 80 or so. Are these the best parts I can get for the cost? thanks.

[Jimbobntnr]

That's a really subjective set of questions. Those are all nice parts, yes, but I really liked Bartolinis.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Just like Jimbobntnr stated, those are really subject questions. It seems that a Badass II is the most popular bridge to upgrade to, though, but, as far as pickups go, that is up to what you want and what tone you are looking for.

[museic]

i would keep the original bridge unless you have problems with it and put the money towards some other pickups like nordstrands or lindy fralins... awesome jazz bass pickups in my opinion.. you wont find much of a difference from upgrading to a badassII bridge, the only reason i got a badassII is because my stock bridge was a dud.

i have some bartolinis in my jazz and they are also pretty awesome i think.

[Untitled]

Personaly i would put a Semore Duncan 1/4er pounder in the neck pickup place, if they do them for Jazz basses, im sure they do.

But thats me.

[Insomniac34]

sorry for my vague questions. I understand that the Badass II is pretty much renowned as a good bridge for Fenders, so I will just stick with that. As far as tone goes, I want the most modern tone I can get from a J bass. Not the smooth classic sound but something more heavy and rigid if you get what im saying. Heavier than the standard J sound but different from a P.

[Jimbobntnr]

that bridge sucks

[bottlerocket]

Hipshot A >>>> BA-II

Go Hipshot and stick in DiMarzio Jazz PUPs.

-Gav

[museic]

go for these bartolinis :

bartolini 9J#1 - Split Coil Hum-Cancelling Pickups
These pickups are split coil hum-cancelling designs - think of them as a "P-Bass* pair in box". These are wound to yield more "growl" from the Bridge pickup. They are very similar to our old 94J pickups, just ever so slighlty brighter at the bridge. These have stronger lows and low mids than the typical "vintage" tone.


that description sounds like what you want..

they are available at www.bestbassgear.com

[Jimbobntnr]

can someone dig up the jazz pup side by side samples??

[The Brad]

http://pickups.dmw.ftml.net/

No username pass is talkbass.

[Radiobass81]

For all suggesting Bartolinis:

I would like to keep the pickups in the neighborhood of 100 dollars

;)

Go DiMarzios.

[museic]

For all suggesting Bartolinis:



;)

Go DiMarzios.

bartolinis are like 115 dollars at best bass gear.. not too much more!

[Radiobass81]

I had a $190 pair and disliked them. I wouldn't be too confident on those.

[bottlerocket]

Bartolinis are so warm, though. I find they're lacking in the mid range and treble and don't offer good growl or anything.

-Gav

[Jimbobntnr]

Bartolinis are so warm, though. I find they're lacking in the mid range and treble and don't offer good growl or anything.

-Gav
My point was really that it was just a matter of preference.

http://pickups.dmw.ftml.net/

No username pass is talkbass.


awesome, thanks, Brad!

[bottlerocket]

My point was really that it was just a matter of preference.

Yeah, I know. I agree with you. I was offering my input about Barts.

I'm not a huge fan.

-Gav

[Mr. Pickle]

i would just like to state that i think the BA II is really, imo, the best bridge for the mexican jazz that i've tried (bridges). does the hipshot mount directly?

model j's are my favorite pups for under $100, but idk how heavy i would consider them. they're pretty midsy.

[ebe9]

From what you have said about wanting a very modern tone I would say either go EMG actives or ther Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder route, both of those from my experience have that brighter more hi-fi sound, the Duncans a little less so.

[ebe9]

Hated my EMGs.

I am also not a fan, but if he, as said, is looking for that "modern" tone, then they need to be mentioned at least.


To TS:

You need to get out their and try and play a variety of basses with different pickups and see what stands out for you in terms of tone.

[blizzard]

Hated my EMGs.

Well thats good for you.

Its all personal preference he might find that he loves EMGs. If you say you hated something you should say why as well.

[edgebass5]

DiMarzio Model J's all the way baby! As far as the bridge is concerned: Realize that you have to file your own saddles if you go with a Leo Quann Badass bridge. Both Gotoh and Hipshot make direct drop-in replacements for Fender basses that give you all the supposed high-mass benefits of a BA bridge without having to file your own saddles.

While filing your own saddles does allow you to have a more customized string spacing, it also allows you several chances to completely mess up the job and have a bridge that buzzes all the time, or a string spacing that you don't like.

[bottlerocket]

^ Thanks for backin' me, edge. <3

HIPSHOT A

DO IT.

ARE YOU SMOKING YET?!

-Gav

[Mr. Pickle]

While filing your own saddles does allow you to have a more customized string spacing, it also allows you several chances to completely mess up the job and have a bridge that buzzes all the time, or a string spacing that you don't like.

don't they make some factory filed ones now? i heard it somewhere.

[supercalifragilistic]

don't they make some factory filed ones now? i heard it somewhere.

yes they do. I think they call it the BA-III
and as far as modding a Jazz: try getting a series/parallel-switch installed. it's a cheap mod and you can get a Precision-esque tone from your J.
I'm still deciding on new pickups for my MIM Jazz, good luck to you, TS, and when you've decided and installed new pups be sure to let us know what you think of it :thumb:

[edgebass5]

ARE YOU SMOKING YET?!

smoke... baby needs to suck ash! baby needs to suck ash! :lol:

great reference Gav

[Polyamarous]

I like Seymour Duncan Quater Pounders, alot.
You could also add an active preamp to the mega bass.

[Mr. Pickle]

yes they do. I think they call it the BA-III

no, i believe the BA III is made to fit MIA's.