Mustang Bass PICKUP SHOOTOUT: Seymour Duncan vs. FAT Curtis Novak. Which sounds Best?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ย. 2022
- In this video, I replace the stock Seymour Duncan pickups in my JMJ Mustang bass with Fat style Curtis Novak pickups. We hang out and compare the two pickups sound. Which do you think sounds better?
I am using semi-round strings in this demonstration.
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After a few days of playing, I really like the Novak’s. In the video I matched the volume for the comparison, but the Novak’s have higher output. I notice a big difference going straight into my flip top which is hitting the preamp harder and I am really digging the creamy tones I am getting. Hoping to post an update again after a couple upcoming gigs.
Yay for a second video. Can’t wait! 😊❤
Can’t you get the same by pushing the gain a bit with the original pickups?
Update time?
To my ears, the SD pickups that came in sound better, only slightly however. You’re good to go either way! Well done.
Hands down Novak. Tone at half sounds good to my ears. I actually put Nordstrand Mustangs in my JMJ and they smoke.
Congrats on 10k!! That’s so great man. And I totally agree about being feeling closer to the instrument when you do the work yourself.
THANK YOU!!! I’ve been looking for a comparison between the SD and a Curtis Novak Fat Stang Bass pickup for a hot minute.
Thank you for great demos!
congrats on 10k subs. just picked up a classic vibe p bass like 6 weeks ago and really learning so much from you. as for the covers, i'm gonna go with cream!!
I actually modeled my classic vibe mustang after this. I remember messaging you and you turned me towards Novack pickups. I reached out to them and found out JMJ was an artist of theirs and he told me he used the mustang vintage set. That’s what I put in mine and they sound great. They are probably closer to the Seymour Duncan’s. Thanks for the videos!
Love how you did the comparison with EQ visuals.
My favorite recorded bass tone is from Tame Impala. And with the pick, that fatter pickup with a bit more click/attack comes closer to that. Will order these!
I like the Curtis Novak. That sounds good.
I got a 78 mustang that sounds so good I had to reconsider what I thought I knew about tone and why sound I actually am going for. The thing I love most about the sound is that clicking you get when you play with a pick. It is so retro and still fits in so well with most modern music and the percussive element makes you really think about where you lay your notes. I got my pickups set as high as they go to get them as hot as possible just to get that sound and a bit of low end overdrive on top. The sound sits so extremely well together with other instruments both live and in the studio.
I really like doing as much work on my guitars and bass as much as possible. I feel that it helps understand how the sound works and get from the strings to front of house. If you could show more I would appreciate it
Hey Philip! Nice video as always! I got an impression that by dialing the tone back you kind of tend to recreate the sound of the original pickups.
Congrats on 10K subs. Keep up the good work. Love the channel.
I really can't tell a big difference between the SD and CN not being in the room.
Thanks Judi! ⚡️
The new pickups sound great, that high brightness was the first thing that jumped out at me. I don't think it sounds harsh at all, and I wouldn't be too shy about that top-end pronounced vibe they have, it lends a lot of clarity. And as you demonstrated you can dial it back w/the tone knob if you don't want that for a given song - overall it gives you a lot of cool range to play with. Some songs may call for a little more punch.
Congrats on the 10k & new p/u’s. Think of the extra top end/ clarity as headroom that your tone control now has. May be cool to push that headroom into a fuzz or other fx. I thought the Fender p/u’s sounded fine, but the Curtis Novak p/u’s sound much more versatile. Lots of punch, lots of clarity. I wonder if the Fender’s would’ve presented similar qualities if they were raised closer to the strings.
cool video. I have curtis novak gold foil pickups in the neck and bridge of my strat with a curtis novak lipstick pickup in the middle. I really really like them. your video seems to show that the CN fat pickups produced more low end but also had a nice openness to the sound, It seems like they had a smoother frequency response through the mids. The Seymour Duncans sounded a bit more focused and tight with a large spike at 100hz and 200 hz. Great video. Nice upgrade for your bass.
The stock pickup seems more "laid-back" to me and is something I'd prefer as an option that's farther from my Jazz Bass; good comparison, thanks for the video :)
Love the bright extra high end, almost clicky from the new ones!
Not necessarily what you want from a bass guitar.
@@richsackett3423 I like it on short scales...
That sound you get reminds me of Carol Kaye’s sound
Beautiful!!!!
Your course is hepling out indeed! Also, I am very used to changing pickups&stuff on my instruments. It does bring a new connection to your instrument, but it is time-consuming.
I like them both. Couldn't say one is better than the other. I'd just use them in different situations.
Agreed! ⚡️
It's a great sounding bass; they both sound very nice. Can hear that the Novak's are more defined, and maybe more musical. But, for me myself, I prefer the original Seymour Duncan's - they're warmer, that's what I look for in a Mustang bass. But unlike the Squier CV, they have touch of low-mid P Bass-like growl. So it sounds great to me. I prefer the way the black pickup covers look with more contrast against the pickup cover. I'd quite like to try a set similar to these Seymour Duncan pickups in my Squier CV Mustang. Wonder if it could inch it a bit closer to that nice JMJ sound.
Congrats on 10k! I think they both sounded great. Feel like selling those Duncans? My CV Mustang could use an upgrade.
I agree the cream is the way to go
Nice! The algorithm really worked out here. I have a ‘76 Arctic White Mustang with everything original except for the strings (obviously) and the mutes on the bridge have worn away or removed. Not sure really what happened; they were gone when I bought the bass. I was just talking to a buddy about pickup options but I’m really battling over leaving it stock for resale or doing some experimenting.
I love the new pickups! Color is up to you, but I’m voting for crème or black!
Thanks Brighton!
you can roll off the click of the novaks, but you can't add that back to the seymours so easily. Love that they have some breath, sounded great with some tone rolled off too!
You concluded what I was hearing too I think. The SD were more well rounded in lower mids which is great on the Mustang. The Novaks had a clacking unforgiving top whilst everything else was in the bottom and peaking out. Would be great for Dub stuff with the right amp and speaker set up. The top was quite annoying. Thanks for sharing. Good editing and comparison. Keeping the pickup covers separate colours was a nice touch.
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Glad to have you here ⚡️
Modding videos are right up my street, I'd be happy to see more. The pickups? I listened on headphones and there was barely any difference to my ears (TH-cam compression not helping of course) finger style, a little more upper mids on the Novaks with a pick, perhaps. The increased output is where the Novaks will come into their own, as they'll be able to drive the front end of an amp easier, if that's what you want of course. It'll be interesting to hear what you think in a band context. I'll be sticking with the SD pickup in my JMJ for now.
Nice! Yep, spent some time today playing straight into the flip-top and really noticed the difference. Thanks for sharing! ⚡️
No question, I think the Curtis Novaks sound better. I'm looking into some Nordstrand NM4 Mustang replacements and your video influenced my decision!
I love the cream covers- but i like the softer, more old school sound from the Duncans. If you’re satisfied with the tone knob being knocked down a little, the extra output and having access to the extra treble to excite an overdrive could make the instrument more flexible for different situations…
My vote- put the cream covers over the Duncan pickups 😂
Great stuff, thanks for sharing, congrats for the numbers! 🎉
Nicely said Craig! Thanks for sharing ⚡️
The cream covers with the pearl guard is the way
As far as the pickups go, the Novaks sound amazing. Been looking at some for my Tele because I hear good things about them.
good video! I have noticed in videos that I have seen of the jmj mustang that when it is not played it makes a lot of background noise, and there is a moment in your video that it does seem to do it when you do not make contact with the strings?... is that it? So?. And does Novak do it with pickups too?
I think the Novaks bring out the shortscale thump of that bass a bit more and the added clarity is always a bonus, especially if the tone knob can take off that edge without losing too much definition.
But: I've always loved the way that bass looked with the black covers and I'm not sold at all an the cream. It's missing contrast now.
Nice! Thanks for sharing ⚡️
What is that little woody thumb test you have? I love it!
In the past 6 months I put together a David Gilmour inspired Partscaster Strat, and a Hybrid P-Bass with a J-Bass neck, so I'd totally watch you build your next bass
Awesome! Thanks Zachary
Thanks for making this video! I prefer the thick, smooth, lower frequency SDs. The stock SDs in the JMJ remind me of the stock SDs in my CIJ, which I love (I’m not sure if there is a difference).
Nice!
Both sound incredible, but to my ears, I preferred the Curtis Novak pickups.
Love the sound!
Phil congrats on the 10k!
It's a lot easier telling the difference between a good pickup and a crappy one! These both sound good to me. I do find the Duncans a bit brighter in the high end. But being able to roll it back isn't a bad thing. You may find situations where you need a bit more treble. Also, how does it sound with a little distortion?
Thanks for the video!
Thanks Bill! I shot a longer form video demoing effects and decided to leave it out, but it sounds awesome with overdrive and a bit of fuzz. Thanks so much for watching! ⚡️
@@philipconradmusic please post a longer version! Or maybe you need a patreon for that kind of content. I’m here for the mustang content. Would definitely enjoy that comparison. Congrats on the 10k!
I loved the tone at half. But that might be my vintage sound sensibility talking
For now, I´m totally happy with the original pickup.
Congrats on the 10k! I have a vintera mustang and I have been looking for new pickups for it. I’ve never been able to find the jmj pickup to install them on my mustang. I might try one of those Curtis Novak. If you ever want to sell the old jmj pickups, let me know! 😊 BTW, Where did you get that cool looking wooden thumb rest?
I can’t remember where I got it, sorry! Thanks for watching! ⚡️
Thanks! 😎
Thanks for watching!
I really hete the tone, but I really really love the way you use it, that proves that is not the tone but how you mix it, congrats!!
Thanks? 😆
I changed pickups in almost all my guitars and basses.
Hey Philip, curious, where did you get the white covers? and are they vintage size? Thanks!
as a luthier and avid curtis novak supporter im very happy to see people using them to upgrade. its so wonderful to hear
His stuff is great. LOVE the Darkstar!
I just installed these in my Jmj last night. They are so much fuller.
What strings do you play on your Jmj?
The CNs seem a bit smoother sounding, also, the cream looks better than the black 👌🏻
Thanks Nancy!
I got the cream covers too for my CN Mustang upgrade. They look great on the Fender Vintage White of the bass w/ a red pearloid pickguard!
Considering the synths that JMJ plays alongside the SD's are probably a better fit for him. I'm guessing though with what you play the Novak's will be just the ticket.
I'm listening through good headphones via my laptop and hear a touch more mids in the Curtis Novak one, but otherwise not really _all_ that much of a difference 🙂 And great that you enjoy modifying your instruments and soldering and stuff 😊 I've been doing it myself every now and then for many years, but I'm always glad once that tinkering's done 😄
Agreed - other than a slight bit more mid range, they sound practically the same to me. Both sound good.
@@ryanchrisxp - Yeah, I didn't actually hear any difference at all in the very first sample! 😄 The Curtis Novak's main purpose must be linked to its higher output somehow!? 🙂
I spent some time today playing bass straight into my flip-top. Noticed much more of a difference hitting the preamp harder. Thanks for sharing! ⚡️
@@philipconradmusic - Aha! ☝😀
Thank goodness others thought there wasn’t too much difference! They sounded different but would it be noticeable with guitar, keyboard and vocals going on as well as drums? I could certainly get that midrange boost with my preamp
Philip great vids! As I contemplate getting the JMJ, I wanted to ask if you run into neck dive with this bass? I've seen some folks complain about that
I have not, but I use a wide leather strap so I don’t usually run into neck dive personally.
I just noticed that it looks like the bass is routed to fit precission pickups at the 2:16 mark of this video.
My Mustang Bass hero was (is) Bill Wyman.
Which strings do you use with the JMJ?
I think the S-D's sound the way I'd expect the Jaguar to sound, however the CN's sound great as well. I'm not a big fan of the "clacky" sound sooooo, probably I'd pick the Seymour Duncans ...Just so I don't sound indecisive, the cream pick-ups are the way to go!!! 🙂
Awesome! Thanks for sharing ⚡️
Any experience/interest in playing with Lollar mustang bass pickups? Thinking of buying one, but since there’s not that many good videos showcasing how it sounds, I’m a bit on the fence.
I have lollars on my J bass and really like them, but I’ve never tried their Mustang pickup..
Oh yeah! Love mods. The Novak seemed to be more pronounced, likely having something to do with how much hotter they were. Adds more versatility to that bass...
I like the Seymour Duncans better. I put a SD Custom Shop P/U in my MIJ 2007 Mustang Bass and it sounds great to my ears.
Duncans are great! Main difference I noticed was the output level. Thanks for watching!
I like Seymour Duncan Better with pick, It gives the bass such a unique vintage sound
I love both! Thanks for watching ⚡️
@@philipconradmusicyeah, they both are pretty sweet
Novak fosho. Funny I'm working on a mim Mustang PJ bass now. Babicz/Gotohs so far. Been looking at Lollar and Fralin pups so far. I will check out Novak.
New sub by the way.
Seymour Duncan for me.
I think they sound great. I might drop them in my American Performer Mustang. I'm not crazy about those Yosemite pickups.
I put Seymour Duncans on my AP, huge difference! Totally recommend you upgrade. The Yosemites have good tone, but lack punch IMO
@@chuckybastard Thanks! Were they a direct fit, or did you have to make the spacing bigger?
@@mattrudybass they are slightly bigger, I did some minor sewing of the edges but I’m pretty sure you can get a JMJ pickguard, or even a Vintera model pickguard that fits the body of the AP.
@@mattrudybass @Guillermo I thought there was supposed to be pickup compatibility problems mixing any Jazz and Mustang pickups that were not the specially made to work together like the Performer Yosemite pups? Something to do with the wound direction and magnetic poles of the original mustang style pups? Can either of you speak to how you were able to swap them out for SD or CN... any hum problems, etc?
@@chuckybastard See above👆
Are you adding any color to the demo? Or is it completely clean?
Clean. Straight into Apollo twin, no plugins on the bass.
I prefer the seymours but they sound very similar. The novaks just like they have a touch more sprink in the higher freqs, not necessarily any better or worse and probably wont matter that much in a mix with a guitar.
I think the new ones has a more of a vintage tone, for sure
I prefer the Duncans
If you wanted more output you could have turned the volume up on the amp using the Seymour Duncans. I can't hear much difference at all.
which one has more low mid presence?
Need a help guys. Do you think it's better to get a Squier Classic Vibe 60's and do an upgrade( change pickups for a Novak's or Seymour Duncan or Nordstrand). Or with this money, buy a Fender Road Worn JMJ?
Both would be wins! And the stock pickup in the Squier I actually really like. Checkout my Mustang shootout video to hear. I don’t think you would go wrong either way.
hey where did you get your seymore duncan pickups from?
They came with the JMJ signature bass ⚡️
@@philipconradmusic thanks for clarifying! Planning on getting the American made mustang bass, tried it in store and felt great.
I think the Seymour Duncans sound noticeably better.
The Seymour Duncan's are smoother!
Yes I think you are right ⚡️
The new PU's are nice, but I like the original PU's better. The new ones have a tinniness to my ears that I did not like as much. If it were me I'd leave the originals in it.
Your other basses might get jealous!
I prefer the stock. Maybe if there was a non-hot model I would prefer it. I do swap pickups and experiment a lot.
Thanks for sharing!
Question: How did you get the pickups back on the pickguard?
Just with a screwdriver and some patience
@@philipconradmusic I have a screwdriver, I don't think I have the patience.
The Novaks look closer to the strings?
I was also wondering if that was considered.
One isn't better than the other.
I liked the oomph of the SD a little more than the clarity of the CN's, but that's just personal preference or even flavour of the day.
Both my basses are short scale, but some days I want to play my oomphy Ibanez Mikro, other days I'll prefer the punchy clarity of my Gretsch Junior Jet 2.
I do prefer the cream PU covers on your Mustang though, fewer different colours on one instrument usually work better for me.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing! ⚡️
Novack pickups sound the best.
Seymour Duncan or Curtis Novak?
SD sounded best for your playing style
Curtis Novak for sure!
CN had better clarity, SD had better thump. I think the SD thump worked better with the drums.
I put the same Curtis Novak p'ups in my MIJ '66 2010 Mustang Reissue. While it of course had Fender not Seymour Duncan pickups, I'd say I'd draw the same conclusions as you: hotter, more bottom AND more top end - almost too much. Before the upgrade, I always ran the tone full on. Now, like you, I it roll off sometimes. However, I find I am changing my playing style to play much more gently - no diggin' in. If I do this, I run the tone full on (I also get more out of some of my pedals w/ the hi-end info). This way I get both "fatness" and clarity. Now the tone knob is really a tone shaping tool; before I could have taken it out w/o noticing much.
tie
5:14 I’m sorry, but this looks soooo much like Buyer‘s Stockholm Sydrome in action.
What do the recording engineers have to say? I think if those guys like the Mustang w/the Novaks and they aren't requesting you play yr PBass instead then you hit a home run.
Fat pickups make me feel bad about myself. :)
This is blasphemy, however- you're going to help a lot of people here. It's no surprise, but the Novak pickups sound as good or better than the Seymour Duncans, which in this guy's opinion, are one of the best new pickups in a Fender bass in this decade. Did you keep the Novaks on your bass or did you switch back?
Cream looks better. All the way!!!
Love pickup shootout videos, excited for this one! They're both quite similar to my ear, but i'd say the SD just slightly edges out the Curtis Novak,
That said looking through the Curtis Novak website, they have so much interesting, original, different pickups and options, so I'd say they both have their place!
Not close. The Novaks were bright and reminded me it is short-scale bass. Very little thump at all. I see guitarists liking the Novaks because it has things guitarists listen for rather than what bassists do. They don't know you really don't get to keep all that high end when everyone starts playing. You need to mark out the bass as yours. The Novaks aren't rhyming with any but the smallest kick drum. The SDs work perfectly to address the ~challenges~ of the Mustang Bass. Again, not close.
BTW: Using different color covers is genius. Totally using that.
Fat guy Curtis sounds better.
The Novaks sound fat and smooth, the stock ones also groove but cut more. Would be hard choice for me. Thanks for the video!