Newb needs help with pickups

[Iammykhakis]

I have a Fender Deluxe Active P Bass. The single jazz pickup sounds a little weak to me. Probably why the Jazz bass comes with two of them. Anyways I'm thinking about replacing the pickup with something more substantial. Can you guys tell me which pickup will add the depth and substance I'm looking for?

[Emprov]

The tone of the J pup has a lot to do with it's placement as well so keep that in mind -- if you need a bit more beef to it, I'd roll in a bit of the P. That being said, I usually run all my basses with the bridge pup on full and just a hint of neck.

[Dancebass]

First thing, do you have both volume knobs on the bass maxed out at 10?

 

You do not want that for this bass, roll a little off the knob for one of the pickups and it should allow that jazz pick up to open up for you a bit.

 

It's some kind of phase cancelation thingy that I can't explain to ya. It's just known. I've done it myself. This is the way I test it.

 

Plug into the amp, turn both volume knobs on the bass up to 10 and hit a note. Let the note sustain then slowly, gently, roll one of the volume knobs down a bit. You should be able to hear a significant volume boost at some point when the phase cancelation shuts off. Then just leave the knobs were they are and rip!

[Iammykhakis]

 

First thing, do you have both volume knobs on the bass maxed out at 10?

 

 

There is only 1 volume knob and a pan knob.

 

I'll try backing off the P pickup and then slowly rolling it back in until I get the sound I want.

 

I still wouldn't mind some suggestions for a stronger J pickup.

 

Thanks for the help.

[Kindness]

There is typically going to be a difference in output between a P pickup and a J pickup in their traditional PJ placement. If not for the P, you wouldn't notice the J's weakness. That said, the best way to balance the pickups is to get a higher output J-style pickup, such as a stacked hubucking J pickup. This will also eliminate the single coil hum you get from the J pickup.

[Dancebass]

ok cool, one knob. Don't know what comes in that one stock but my Jazz bass has active EMG's and it has gain for days!!!

[Kindness]

 

It's some kind of phase cancelation thingy that I can't explain to ya. It's just known. I've done it myself. This is the way I test it. Plug into the amp, turn both volume knobs on the bass up to 10 and hit a note. Let the note sustain then slowly, gently, roll one of the volume knobs down a bit. You should be able to hear a significant volume boost at some point when the phase cancelation shuts off. Then just leave the knobs were they are and rip!

 

 

From what I can tell, this is because when both pots are open, each pickup acts as a shunt to ground for the other. Thus, you lose some of the output. Once you place a little resistance between the two pickups (by rolling back either pot) you eliminate the effect and prevent the loss of output.

[Davedblyoo]

Check into either a Hot Stack for Jazz bridge pickup or a Classic Stack for Jazz bridge pickup from Seymour Duncan. I'm using a Classic Stack in my Peavy Unity P/J style bass and have been happy with the results for about thirteen years now.