I have a Samick bass that isn't worth very much, but that I rather like.

It has a p-bass style split pickup that (to my inexpert ears) sounds just like it should (BBE DI --> Mackie VLZ preamp --> compressor on the insert --> out the mains).

It also has a jazz bass style pickup near the bridge. (From pics, it seems to be rather nearer the bridge than the bridge pickup on a jazz bass.) This pickup sounds thin and weedy and sad.

I was thinking of upgrading the bridge pickup. I remember a piece of Zen's wisdom from another thread, in essence that it's OK to spend a couple of bucks here, because I can always put the original pickup back in if I decide to send this guitar up the river. A bass player I know has suggested a couple of brands.

Nevertheless, before I proceed, I think I need to educate my ears a bit, because I'm not really sure what the bridge pickup on a jazz bass is supposed to sound like, and I don't feel like imposing myself on the good graces of a guitar shop where I haven't the slightest intention of buying anything.

Sooo…..

What I'm hoping for from y'all is a list of famous hits with jazz bass bridge pickups in 'em. I don't care what style of music it is; in fact I'd like to hear the gamut, from jazz/blues to metal (if indeed that pickup figures in that style).

That might help me decide whether it's worth my while to upgrade, or whether they all sound thin, weedy and sad.

TIA,
ryan

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http://ryanmead.net

Check out Weather Report's Teen Town on Heavy Weather.

Just the kind of thing I'm looking for! Thanks tts, I'll try and track it down.

I should mention that the pickups the guy recommended were Lindy Fralin and S-D Antiquity. Also (rather obviously I suppose), the bass is passive and it would take a lot of work to persuade me to convert it to an active bass.

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http://ryanmead.net

Quote twotoedsloth:

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Check out Weather Report's Teen Town on Heavy Weather.

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If I swap the pickup will I be able to play like Jaco???

Suitable for melodic noodling into a distorted signal chain, then.

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http://ryanmead.net

Yes, a new pickup will allow you to sound exactly like Jaco.

Note that Jaco is currently dead, so this is less tricky than it used to be.

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Instant gratification is actually pretty good. It's fast as well.

Quote SecretSam:

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Yes, a new pickup will allow you to sound exactly like Jaco.

Note that Jaco is currently dead, so this is less tricky than it used to be.

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http://ryanmead.net

Quote SecretSam:

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Note that Jaco is currently dead, so this is less tricky than it used to be.

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Your use of the word "currently" makes me worry that you know something about a future zombie apocalypse.

I have a Jazz Bass with Lindy Fralins in it and I can indeed get the 'Jaco sound'.
Note though, to get that sound you need to solo the bridge pickup, then boost the bass control on your amp or whatever you are running into. Try doing this before swapping pickups out.
Try boosting the mids too for more 'bark'.

Dan

Thanks Dan, I'll try that this weekend with an amp sim.

Working on this from another angle, I'm going to give a listen to all of the players after whom signature models have been named, though the only names on this list I recognize are Jaco and Geddy Lee.

Geddy's sound on Moving Pictures (on which he reportedly used a jazz bass) is surprisingly clean; I don't think I could accomplish that sound with this bass/pickup.

The bass itself has a rather small light body and I'm wondering how much it contributes to the tone.

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http://ryanmead.net

Geddy Lee also retrofitted a Bad Ass bridge. For what it's worth, you might consider active pickups, then you have the most options tonally available to you.

Been playing an EMG active PJ setup almost since they started making them.

Jazz bass pickup sound off the bridge pickup always sounds pretty thin on its own.

I run the precision part full out and then dial in jazz tone as needed.
And I find myself doing the same at my mates studio where the weapon of choice is his jazz.

Try experimenting with amp and guitar settings before you spend any money.

Oh and my new darling is.... a stock Mexican Precision!

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Me? But I`m such a loveable old bugger!

Ivan's back from the dead!

Yeah, I'm coming to the conclusion there's not a whole lot to be gained by swapping it out, at least in the short term.

Oh and I picked up a 1978 Mustang Bass on the weekend so I'm just going to forget all about that pup position for now ...

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http://ryanmead.net

Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated.

I am, however, in rural France, which sometimes feels similar to what I imagine death is like....

QUIET.

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Me? But I`m such a loveable old bugger!

This thread can die though! Sold the bass in question last week.

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http://ryanmead.net