Top 5 Recommended Bass Pickups

Everyone, do you like pickups?
You can easily replace a pickup by yourself, and it’s fun to experiment with them to get closer to the sound you are looking for.
This time, going along with the bass pickup theme, I am going to introduce recommended models that I will divide into single coil, split coil, and humbucker pickups.

Single Coil

Let’s start with single coils, which are found on a variety of instruments like Jazz basses.
The attack and the gorgeous sound made by slapping are very appealing.

Fender / Custom Shop 60s Jazz Bass Pickup Set

I would first like to introduce you to the Fender Custom Shop 60s Jazz Bass Pickup Set.
These are genuine Fender pickups, but they are made with that so-called “vintage sound” in mind.
The sound has a strong low-mid and fat tone.
It is not a “vintage sound” but rather an energetic sound that is easy to handle.
I didn’t feel that it sounded like a vintage sound because pickups from those days have already lost their magnetism and power.

Seymour Duncan / SJB-3b Quarter Pound Jazz Bass Bridge

This is another famous pickup.
The response is quicker and the sustain is longer since it was designed to use a larger pole piece than normal pickups. The larger pole piece allows the pickups to be mounted without worrying about slight discrepancies in pitch between strings!
The SJB-3n Quarter Pound Jazz Bass Neck is reverse-pole/reverse-wound against the bridge version, so any humming can be canceled by incorporating the set.
This one is recommended for those who want to create a rock sound on their Jazz basses.

For Bridges
Seymour Duncan / SJB-3b Quarter Pound Jazz Bass Bridge

For Necks
Seymour Duncan / SJB-3n Quarter Pound Jazz Bass Neck

Bartolini / 9S L/S

The BARTOLINI 9S L/S is another well-established standard!
The sound of the bass is not noticeable in a good sense, and it rounds out the flashy highs and the bandwidths that are too noticeable.
It’s a mature sound, but it’s definitely different from a sound that does not project well.

DiMarzio / DP123 BLACK

This model is another standard one! It was made with the Fender sound in mind, and it picks up sound from the top to the bottom with good balance. The height of each pole piece can be adjusted individually, allowing you to adjust the volume balance after switching pickups more precisely than with normal pickups.

Split Coil

Next, here is the split coil.
They produce a clear bass line and are very reliable in situations where the sound can be buried when playing in a band.

Freedom Custom Guitar / PB Vintage

This product was designed to have an airy feel of the Pre-CBS alder models, yet well defined and fat vintage sound.
It reproduces nuances in detail and is recommended for those who want a more grooving sound when playing in a band!

Humbucker

Finally, here are some recommendations for humbuckers!
They are loved by rock musicians and many other players because of their strong sound and resistance to noise.

Nordstrand Pickup / MM4.2

If you are wondering what the Nordstrand Handmade Pickups are, these are pickups that are hand-wound by Carey Nordstrand with his assistant in his workshop. Carey was a master luthier who has had the valuable experience of working for John Suhr for 5 years and knows Fender instruments inside and out.
The MM4.2 is a reproduction of the vintage Music Man, and is very well balanced and the unpleasant sound is nicely suppressed to create a sound that is very easy to use.
Do you think that the sound of the original Stingray is unbalanced?... Or the range is narrow?...
The MM4.2 is recommended for those who want to improve these types of issues!

Seymour Duncan / SMB-4D Music Man Ceramic

This last one is the SMB-4D Music Man Ceramic from Seymour Duncan, the king of replacement pickups!
A ceramic magnet is mounted on the bottom of the coil to increase the output, which gives it more power and excellent sound articulation!
It has good sound through all the bands and the balance of each string is good, so it is recommended for those who want to have a coherent and energetic sound!

Summary

In this issue, I introduced some traditional bass pickups.
There are some cases where one pickup can change the character of the sound and make it better! Or, it may change the flavor of the sound, but not that much or it might make it worse... This is an interesting thing about pickups! Pickups are only a part of the sound character of the instrument itself, so it’s interesting to see the infinite possibilities when combined with other parts! Let’s go on a journey to find the best combination that works for you!