Jazz bass pickup replacement suggestions?

[paologregorio]

Hi all,

All right, this is my first non-Rickenbacker technical question, I think...

I need to replace the OEM vintage type jazz bass bridge pickup on my Geddy Lee J-Bass. I can either buy the OEM vintage style Fender p/u for $70, or buy the "Basslines" brand replacement for $57.95. Has anyone compared these two?

Here's the link for the Basslines pickup: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=300318


Any replies would be appreciated, thanks!

[jps]

I'd go with the Seymour duncan, they make great JB pickups. I have a Classic Stack in my '97 California Precision Special along with a Vintage P pickup from SD. Another source who has a fantastic reputation is Lindy Fralin.

[paologregorio]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I looked at Lindy Fralin for $80: http://www.fralinpickups.com/bass.asp

Here's Basslines again: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=300318

What is the difference between Lindy Fralin at $80, the OEM Fender replacement at $70, and the
Basslines(this is a Seymour Duncan made pickup) replacement at $58?: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=300318

I was pretty happy with the original bridge pickup sound on my Geddy Lee J bass, so I don't really want to mess with the sound. I am also not a regular bassist. I just want it to sound right and be fully functional.

Any clarification would be appreciated. Thanks!

[jakeox]

For what it's worth, if you troll eBay for a while, you can get great deals on pickups still in their original packaging. You can get a pair of Fender Original J-bass pickups (I believe this is what comes stock on Geddys) for less than $70, and I managed to find a pair of Fender Custom Shop 60s pups for around $80. If you only need one, I'm sure you could sell the other half of the set and get a good chunk of your money back.

I have custom shop 60s in my Geddy-like bass (Geddy Lee sig. neck on a Warmoth chambered maple body), and I felt like they were pretty similar to the fender originals, just a little ... more. Not really hotter, but the sound was just a little further in that old-school direction, and still more than capable of the signature Geddy growl.

[paologregorio]

Ah, that's a good idea. Thanks ! I'll check it out! Any other opinions on the Duncan Basslines vs. Fralin, vs. stock Fender would still be appreciated. Thanks again.

[ben_brown]

Joe Barden also makes great replacement pups for the jazz bass.
http://www.joebarden.com/main.php

[rickcrazy]

Nice to see J-Bass-style pickups having polepieces that match fretboard radius for a change...

[jps]

Nice to see J-Bass-style pickups having polepieces that match fretboard radius for a change...

+1000!

[heinpete]

I can strongly recommend the Bartolinis JW4 (J-bass single coil with WW kind of magnet structure) , even playes with passive electronics, they are brilliant with all vintage vibe!

Ouch! they don't produce them anymore!? Maybe it is called 94J...?

[ajish4]

FWIW,

I've had both Duncan Basslines and Lindy Fralin's.

I had a MIM Fender Jazz. I didn't like the stock pups. They weren't the vintage USA's, they sounded thin. I installed a set of Duncan Basslines in it and WOW, it was a fantastic sounding bass. VERY VINTAGE. I sold the bass due to issues that couldn't be resolved with the neck. I STILL want a RI 62 or 75 Jazz, either MIJ or MIA.

I also have a CHEAP and I mean C H E A P ($75.00 delivered) Wasburn Lyon LB40. Actually, I like it so much, a backup is en route!
ANYWAY, I put a set of Lindy Fralin's in it. They were wound +5% for that little extra MID bite. They are AMAZING. TOTAL VINTAGE JBASS sound with a little kick.

I've tried Barts too, and I didn't like them half as much as the Lindy's.

A fellow forumite, I THINK it was Bob Scott, said he "nailed that classic vintage Jazz sound" with the Lindy's". SIMILAR to these....see link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Lindy-Fralin-P- ... dZViewItem

I think I paid about $180.00 for the set brand new.

Hope it helps with your decision, but I don't think you can go wrong with the Lindy's or the Basslilnes. The Basslines were a bit DEEPER. I just wanted a little more MID bite which is why I ordered the +5% overwound Lindy's.
http://www.fralinpickups.com/choose.asp

[jps]

So, there you have it! All you need to know to replace those Fender pickups; I'd recommend replacing both at the same time, not just the bridge PU.

[paologregorio]

Thanks for all the info everyone!!!