hello, pickup question

[zenfascist]

Hey I'm new to the forums so sorry if this is a common question but...

 

I have this fretless jazz bass that I like a lot , but I hate those stupid exposed pole piece thingies. I'm looking for a similar sounding pickup with a little higher output, and maybe a little more beef and punch with price not being much of an issue. I'm also not a fan of active electronics.

 

BTW I have another j bass that I've had since the beginning that has stickers on it because I used to be young and retarded, what would be the safest way to take these off? Thank you!

[4string]

Welcome to the forum. I like the EMG Noiseless Pick-ups and the new Ford Pick-up.

 

Try using one of the sticker removers or lighter fluid, try a test area on the back first.

[zenfascist]

Okay, I'm on the EMG website. When you say noiseless, are you referring to a specific model?

[mike fitzwell]

To get rid of your stickers, try this:

 

As always test first in a non-conspicuous area.

[i_wanna_les_paul]

Dimarzio Model J's have black pole pieces, and they'll have a traditional Jazz tones.

 

Dustin

[bassman1956]

Passive pups are fine, so is passive pups with no pre-amp. All the big makers have passive jazz pups. Some have active. And some have hum-canceling too.

 

Hum-canceling jzz pups are in two flavors: either as a split single-blade, or twin full-length blades.

 

Makers are Bartolini, DiMarzio, Nordstrand, Rio Grande, Seymour Duncan, and several others. Many on-line stores handle them.

 

From what you say, my first guess would be Barts.

[zenfascist]

Thanks everyone. I have the duncan quarter punds in my other jazz with frets, and they're hotter than hell, which I like, but not to accompany my fretless. I want a sound with enough warmth and groovin low end that I could play it in a kind of hip-hop context, but I'm also a fan of overdriven fretless with power chords sound, a la Greg Edwards of Failure.

[sunburstbasser]

Hmmm....

 

Bartolinis tend to be pretty warm pickups. I'd usually recommend Nordstrands or Ultra Js, but I think the Barts will be a little warmer, slightly lower on output but no polepieces. The humbucking models will have enough output for anything you do, or so I'd guess. They don't need a preamp or a battery.

 

Hum-cancelling or humbucking is good for distortion, helps cut down on noise a lot.

[zenfascist]

Okay cool. I've tried bartolinis before, but they were in something very different from a jazz bass. You wouldn't happen to have sound clips would you?

 

BTW It's not necessarily the pole pieces that bug me, it's just when they stick out and get in the way.

[Jacosportrait87]

Maybe look into some 'covered' basslines for your jazz. They'll still sound similar to your jazz moreso in my experience than some other brands.

[sunburstbasser]

Originally posted by zenfascist Okay cool. I've tried bartolinis before, but they were in something very different from a jazz bass. You wouldn't happen to have sound clips would you? BTW It's not necessarily the pole pieces that bug me, it's just when they stick out and get in the way.

 

No, unfortunately, as the basses I own don't have Barts in them.

 

Bartolini makes a LOT of pickups, and the tones can really vary. I've noticed distinct warmth in the various ones I've heard and played, which is why I think you might want to give a set a try.