Thank you so much for this demo. Honestly to God I really tried to be fair with all four sets. The one set that over and over has the sound that is the most appealing to me are those Apollo ones, which I never heard of before today. Already made up my mind from this video to save some money for those.
This confirms what I was hoping would be true when I ordered new pickups for my PJ: the SJB-2 bridge pup has the perfect vibe to mix with a quarter-pound P-bass pickup in the neck. Thanks for a great video!
Came to the comments first and seen everyone talking about the Apollo pickups and I wanted to see what the hype was all about and MY GOD. The Apollos just sound absolutely incredible. They’ve just got that little *extra* razzle dazzle on them.
SJB-1's all day! That vintage tone always sounds great in a live band mix. Quarter Pounders, be it a Precision bass or Jazz bass, always seem to sound great at home when practicing then get lost in the mix when playing live. YOU NEED THE MIDS!
Nothing an eq pedal or a tube screamer on low-gain setting can't help out with, though. Of course it's alll a matter of taste and what your role in the band it. I'm more of a "hold that bottom and drive" guy than a "guaranteed bass solo on every song" guy ;)
The Apollo pickup set sounded the best to my ears. All the others sounded somewhat dull like they were missing all the treble. I think the reason I like the Appollo more is that these are essentially Precision bass pickups in a Jazz bass pickup cover. They have the punch and clarity that you usually need a Precision for.
I have had the QP for 20 years and they are good. I only bought them because they were so cheap in those days (about £30 each) but If I was to switch now I would go for the vintage ones. QP are very good for rock and everything agressive but these days ive calmed down a bit ;-)
A very helpful video. I bought Quarter Pounds in the end for a bit of vintage beef (my other bass handles bright and punchy). Very pleased with the results.
@@TheBassChannel Yeah it's just funky because everyone's gushing about the Apollos, and to be honest I found them a bit too hi-fi and wide-range for my taste. I feel like the SJB's did the brighter sound much better without getting too bright like the Apollos. The SJBs had plenty of cut while still retaining that J grunt and growl
I wish each demonstration of each pick up was labeled. It would make it easier to remember what y'all were talking about/ playing haha. Other then that, I still love this video. I watch it every so often just to make sure I buy one of these.. some day haha
Noiseless passive pickup comparison would be great, both versions of the Duncan Hot Stacks, the Apollos, maybe the most recent Fender Noiseless. Perhaps throw in the EMG JVX actives for a double compare. What do you say?
The Apollo set set curiously sound the most polite. They seem very low in output even compared to the vintage jazz set. Not for me, I like some hair on my tone!
Great job man, GREAT JOB!!! THIS IS A VIDEO THAT ALL US J-BASS GUYS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR, FOR A LONG TIME! Instead of comparing different videos with completely different sound quality in each one, then trying to come to conclusions on sounds and stuff.. Thanks again! Do the same thing again, but with the Seymour Duncan P bass pickups bro, please! Hashtag= Just sayin'
SJB-1s for me. They make the jazz bass sound just like it should. SJB-2s are ok, fatter jazz bass tone. SJB-3s are just too hot and lack some mids. Apollos are nice, punchy and modern sound.
Also this has been one of the most helpful comparison videos ever. I’m about to “hot rod” a used bass I got from my local music store and this video has helped me IMMENSELY. Thank you, sir! 🫡
Thanks for the comparison. I feel like the Quarter Pounder bridge will sound great next to my Geezer Butler EMG neck pickups. I want a real nice growl.
They all sound great…. IMO it’s just a matter of taste and the way you want your basic sound to be. But never forget: the real flavor is in the fingers!!!
An Apollo bridge pickup seems like the perfect solution for my problems with the current Fender MIM Mustang P/J bass. My only previous experience has been toaster style humbuckers and split coil P-bass humbuckers. I recently bought a new bass and started playing again. The Mustang P/J feels great. It's very easy for my small, older hands to play. I almost don't miss my vintage P-bass. There are only a few problems with the Fender Mustang P/J: 1.The rubber band like quality of the stock Fender round sounds. This can easily be fixed with some good flatwound strings. 2. The Jazz bridge pickup sounds a bit weak and thin, especially since there is no blend control, just a three way selector switch. 3. Having never owned a Jazz bass before, this last one bothers me the most. The Jazz bridge pickup is pretty noisy when the gain is cranked up and the tone is near 100%. The tone on the Precision pickup is not exactly amazing, but it's adequate and at least there's no noise. I guess I didn't notice the noise from the J pickup in the guitar store, because I didn't have the gain and the tone turned up. Now, that I know the noise is there, it really bugs me. I just have one question. If I installed an Apollo bridge pickup in my Mustang would it be compatible with my stock Mexican Fender P pickups? Will the two different brands of pickups be out of phase with each other? I've never been a big tone chaser before. I don't need perfect tone. I just want clean, quiet, balanced signals and a couple of tonal options.
You’ll be fine, no incompatibility issues. You really need a hum cancelling bridge pickup in a pj bass because, as you found out, a single coil will hum badly. As a bonus, most of the hum cancelling pups will have a higher output.
Don’t sleep on the old MIJ Marcus Millers, you can get that same kickass 70’s passive sound as the Geddy Lee and have the option to switch to an active 2-band boost preamp.
@@doczooc For real though...seriously considering replacing the bridge pickup in my PJ with one of these. That said, I do like how my existing J pickup blends with the P when both are on for a classic clanky thrash tone.
SJB-1 sounds like a Jazz to me, though I just got an SJB-2 for a PJ. The Quarter-Pound J's are too hot and scooped. The Apollos sound like EMGs with a preamp, holy smokes.
I just bought a set of the sj5 3's... this review really gave me a fantastic idea of what to expect. My '06 MIM jazz bass will be my go-to passive studio bass and I feel that the quarter pounders won't get lost in the mix and will push-through the groove. Also, you always do a great job with helping us understand your content, thanks and peace.
Iv always wanted the jazz sound so I bought a 2019 performer jazz. I just ordered a quarter pounder, but now I’m thinking of buying a higher end Spector.
No, I don't have fancy technology to record like this, or the skills to solder new pickups in/out, or the money to buy all those sets and try them, myself, but... Slap technique on a Jazz Bass is a very popular thing, as well as pick playing. Each one of those two techniques would have brought out more, and more useful sonic differentiation between each one of these pickups sets, beyond the fingerstyle-only used. Thanks for installing these in a regular MIM Jazz Bass. Good job, yes, but with a few small procedural changes employing commonly-used techniques and the sonic revelations that would come from them, this demo could have been SO MUCH more useful in terms of making a purchase decision for a much broader spectrum of bassists.
Since SJB-3 are not humbuckers, how noisy can they be compared to the Apollos? I like their tone, but I'm looking for silent yet punchy, growly pickups, because I base my sound on different modern distortions, trying to get a modern fuzzy tone.
It's interesting, i am considering the QP set for my Mim Jazz but these Apollos sound great. I am a little concerned about the grinding highs going byebye if i change pickups and these Apollos are very sparkly, plus they are noiseless.
Wow the Apollo sounded really good, would anyone recommend this for blues music? I play a MIM Standard Jazz and I feel it’s time to upgrade the pups. Would these do?
Did u install each Apollo pickup in parallel or serial mode? I thought about using a push/pull knob for each volume and thus change the wiring modes. Possible?
Its such a hard thing to decide jcjfjr I really want something smooth, warm, mellow and soft While still not being too growly or sharp Can someone with experience with these pickups share their opinion on whats best for that?^^ (I play with flatwounds btw)
I'm digging the SJB-1 Vintage and the Apollo pickups.
The Apollo set is my favorite set! They sound very clear and punchy! I was going to buy the Hot set, but y'all have my sold on the Apollo set!
Also did y'all remove each pick up then recorded, or did y'all have a bunch of identical bases laying around haha
Yep hands down, i have the JSB2s but im going to buy a set of Applo's
It’s a must have pick up for a bass guitar collection
----- 1 2 3 A
N 3:49 6:47 9:32 11:30
NB 2:40 5:42 8:27 11:07
B 4:40 7:36 10:21 12:19
Thanks for taking the trouble to post this - very handy.
Thanks
Thanks.
Legend my friend! Thank you!👍🏻
Thanks!
Probably best demo I've ever seen of anything ever. Comprehensive!
I have an Apollo on neck and Bartolini dual coil bridge with a G&L JB-2 bass. They work surprisingly well with each other, and very quiet, no hum.
Thank you so much for this demo. Honestly to God I really tried to be fair with all four sets. The one set that over and over has the sound that is the most appealing to me are those Apollo ones, which I never heard of before today. Already made up my mind from this video to save some money for those.
This confirms what I was hoping would be true when I ordered new pickups for my PJ: the SJB-2 bridge pup has the perfect vibe to mix with a quarter-pound P-bass pickup in the neck. Thanks for a great video!
SJB-3'S 4 LYFE
I don’t know, that Apollo set is giving it a run for its money...
I bought the SJB-3 because of Patricks channel.. These apollos though....
Since SJB-3 are not humbucking, how noisy can they be compared to the Apollos?
Neck: SJB-3
Bridge: Apollo
im a quarteer pound guy, but the apollos are sounding pretty convincing
Agree. I use 1/4 lbs. but the Apollo’s sound clear and punchy. Very nice.
Apollos disappear in the mix. It‘s the old phenomenon: if it sounds good by itself it sounds probably bad in the mix.
@@SevanStick wich one is the best ?
The Apollo neck pickup sounds like a P Bass. If only my Aerodyne were a J configuration, I’d buy these.
I had the Apollo’s and I replaced them with 70-74’s .. because Apollo’s just would get buried in the mix..
Came to the comments first and seen everyone talking about the Apollo pickups and I wanted to see what the hype was all about and MY GOD. The Apollos just sound absolutely incredible. They’ve just got that little *extra* razzle dazzle on them.
yep its true, i gotsta get a pair soon.
SJB-1's all day! That vintage tone always sounds great in a live band mix. Quarter Pounders, be it a Precision bass or Jazz bass, always seem to sound great at home when practicing then get lost in the mix when playing live. YOU NEED THE MIDS!
Nothing an eq pedal or a tube screamer on low-gain setting can't help out with, though. Of course it's alll a matter of taste and what your role in the band it. I'm more of a "hold that bottom and drive" guy than a "guaranteed bass solo on every song" guy ;)
The SJB-1 Vintage and the Apollo Linear sound the best to me.
SJB-1 for me
Those Hot bridges are PHAT. Never heard the Apollo before, I really liked them.
Awesome demo, guys. I personally like the quarter pound and the apollo pickups.
The Apollo pickup set sounded the best to my ears. All the others sounded somewhat dull like they were missing all the treble. I think the reason I like the Appollo more is that these are essentially Precision bass pickups in a Jazz bass pickup cover. They have the punch and clarity that you usually need a Precision for.
Listening to the apollo neck solo’d made me confident in buying a j instread of a p
Kind of!! More like a 'Ray to my ears, but with the definitive jazz flavor baked in there.
No doubt makes my SJB2's sound wimpy
I don't find they sound like precision at all, but they are split coil so there is so e truth to that!
Really love the SJB-2s...really never heard of them before this.
I love how you left only one screw to to hold the pickguard and control plate for quicker pickup change.
I have had the QP for 20 years and they are good. I only bought them because they were so cheap in those days (about £30 each) but If I was to switch now I would go for the vintage ones. QP are very good for rock and everything agressive but these days ive calmed down a bit ;-)
I've got the Quarter Pounders on my Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz but man, those Apollos are next level. Might have to change 'em up.
Im in a similar pickle. The Apollos have a treble thing that is turning me off. 1/4 pounder with cheese please.
Seriously! I put Quarter Pounders in my 60's Classic Vibe jazz. They are nice and beefy but I want the brightness of the Apollo.
A very helpful video. I bought Quarter Pounds in the end for a bit of vintage beef (my other bass handles bright and punchy). Very pleased with the results.
I feel weird because I felt the SJB-1's were the best here.
Nothing weird about that. It’s a solid set!
@@TheBassChannel Yeah it's just funky because everyone's gushing about the Apollos, and to be honest I found them a bit too hi-fi and wide-range for my taste. I feel like the SJB's did the brighter sound much better without getting too bright like the Apollos. The SJBs had plenty of cut while still retaining that J grunt and growl
they were good....
I agree, they sounded the most balanced and most like a Jazz. The others sound too scooped to me.
I found the Apollo the worst sound, to my very personal taste. I dig the sjb1 … and maybe the sjb2
The vintage ones are the best sounding to me. You have a very clean basis... you can always add volume mids.. etc.
The Apollo pickups sound "good" in the video, but they have this active-sounding, processed vibe to them that likely wouldn't sit well in the mix.
I wish each demonstration of each pick up was labeled. It would make it easier to remember what y'all were talking about/ playing haha. Other then that, I still love this video. I watch it every so often just to make sure I buy one of these.. some day haha
I Bought the APOLLO.. Love them..
It'd be great to hear how they all compare to Antiquities!
I’ve been waiting for this for so long! Thinking of adding a J pickup to my p bass.
Thanks Nick! SJB1 has better output to my ears and the tone is perfect eargasm! Time to get one.
I hear all of the SJBs and they sound amazing...but when I hear those Apollos I get a violent eargasm
Best bass channel EVER! love your reviews guys!
I now heir that i need to replace my fender with the Apollo, Great video
Noiseless passive pickup comparison would be great, both versions of the Duncan Hot Stacks, the Apollos, maybe the most recent Fender Noiseless. Perhaps throw in the EMG JVX actives for a double compare. What do you say?
Gonna have to agree with the consensus here: sjb1 and apollo for me
With the Apollo, it's like a blanket has been lifted off the speakers.
The Apollo set set curiously sound the most polite. They seem very low in output even compared to the vintage jazz set. Not for me, I like some hair on my tone!
Dude im even thinking about swapping out my quarter pounders for those Apollo pickups 😯
That bridge looks pretty sick
I’m a quarter-pound guy, but the Apollo’s sound pretty friggin’ money
Would love to see a review of the Seymour Duncan Heavy Weather Jazz Bass pickup set...!
Your little demo riff is so siiiiiick
Great job man, GREAT JOB!!!
THIS IS A VIDEO THAT ALL US J-BASS GUYS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR, FOR A LONG TIME!
Instead of comparing different videos with completely different sound quality in each one, then trying to come to conclusions on sounds and stuff..
Thanks again!
Do the same thing again, but with the Seymour Duncan P bass pickups bro, please!
Hashtag= Just sayin'
Seymour Duncan Precision Bass Pickup Comparison th-cam.com/video/kSRgJje8tmI/w-d-xo.html
You should do a Dimarzio comparison as well!
SJB-1s for me. They make the jazz bass sound just like it should. SJB-2s are ok, fatter jazz bass tone. SJB-3s are just too hot and lack some mids. Apollos are nice, punchy and modern sound.
Perfect timing. Thx for the review. Apollos ftw 👍🏻😎
I'd love a p bass pickup comparison if possible!
that exists, look in the channel
Seymour Duncan Precision Bass Pickup Comparison th-cam.com/video/kSRgJje8tmI/w-d-xo.html
vintage and the apollo are best
I'm amazed at how much the split coil Apollo sounds like the single coil SJB-1.
Also this has been one of the most helpful comparison videos ever. I’m about to “hot rod” a used bass I got from my local music store and this video has helped me IMMENSELY. Thank you, sir! 🫡
Thanks for the comparison. I feel like the Quarter Pounder bridge will sound great next to my Geezer Butler EMG neck pickups. I want a real nice growl.
Best comparison. It helped me made my choice. Thnx a lot.
They all sound great…. IMO it’s just a matter of taste and the way you want your basic sound to be.
But never forget: the real flavor is in the fingers!!!
We need an update with the heavy weather’s included!
An Apollo bridge pickup seems like the perfect solution for my problems with the current Fender MIM Mustang P/J bass. My only previous experience has been toaster style humbuckers and split coil P-bass humbuckers. I recently bought a new bass and started playing again. The Mustang P/J feels great. It's very easy for my small, older hands to play. I almost don't miss my vintage P-bass.
There are only a few problems with the Fender Mustang P/J:
1.The rubber band like quality of the stock Fender round sounds. This can easily be fixed with some good flatwound strings.
2. The Jazz bridge pickup sounds a bit weak and thin, especially since there is no blend control, just a three way selector switch.
3. Having never owned a Jazz bass before, this last one bothers me the most. The Jazz bridge pickup is pretty noisy when the gain is cranked up and the tone is near 100%. The tone on the Precision pickup is not exactly amazing, but it's adequate and at least there's no noise. I guess I didn't notice the noise from the J pickup in the guitar store, because I didn't have the gain and the tone turned up. Now, that I know the noise is there, it really bugs me.
I just have one question. If I installed an Apollo bridge pickup in my Mustang would it be compatible with my stock Mexican Fender P pickups? Will the two different brands of pickups be out of phase with each other? I've never been a big tone chaser before. I don't need perfect tone. I just want clean, quiet, balanced signals and a couple of tonal options.
You’ll be fine, no incompatibility issues. You really need a hum cancelling bridge pickup in a pj bass because, as you found out, a single coil will hum badly. As a bonus, most of the hum cancelling pups will have a higher output.
@@trappenweisseguy27 Thanks!
The only two jazz basses I would buy is the American geddy lee and the the American vintage 62 and both would have the Apollo pickups
Don’t sleep on the old MIJ Marcus Millers, you can get that same kickass 70’s passive sound as the Geddy Lee and have the option to switch to an active 2-band boost preamp.
Thanks so much! This is exactly what I was looking for.
Me: I hate how J-bass pickups sound.
Apollo: Hold my beer!
No wonder, they are P pickups in J disguise...
@@doczooc For real though...seriously considering replacing the bridge pickup in my PJ with one of these.
That said, I do like how my existing J pickup blends with the P when both are on for a classic clanky thrash tone.
Idunno, I felt the plain ol SJB-1's smoked them.
Exactly!
SJB-1 sounds like a Jazz to me, though I just got an SJB-2 for a PJ. The Quarter-Pound J's are too hot and scooped. The Apollos sound like EMGs with a preamp, holy smokes.
They’re a little darker and less lively sounding than the 1. They will have more oomph from the bridge pickup though.
Those Apollo ones hit the mark for my ears!❤🎉🎈🎸🎶🥂🍾✨👍🏾🤣
Thank goodness for the Genre Recommendations. 😂
I just bought a set of the sj5 3's... this review really gave me a fantastic idea of what to expect. My '06 MIM jazz bass will be my go-to passive studio bass and I feel that the quarter pounders won't get lost in the mix and will push-through the groove. Also, you always do a great job with helping us understand your content, thanks and peace.
I like the Apollo and the Quarter pounder
Iv always wanted the jazz sound so I bought a 2019 performer jazz. I just ordered a quarter pounder, but now I’m thinking of buying a higher end Spector.
It's all that KSM bridge
Nice test! What pots did you use? 250k or 500k?
Early pre PBS jazz pups were ceramic - not Alnico
No, I don't have fancy technology to record like this, or the skills to solder new pickups in/out, or the money to buy all those sets and try them, myself, but... Slap technique on a Jazz Bass is a very popular thing, as well as pick playing. Each one of those two techniques would have brought out more, and more useful sonic differentiation between each one of these pickups sets, beyond the fingerstyle-only used. Thanks for installing these in a regular MIM Jazz Bass. Good job, yes, but with a few small procedural changes employing commonly-used techniques and the sonic revelations that would come from them, this demo could have been SO MUCH more useful in terms of making a purchase decision for a much broader spectrum of bassists.
Well done, super helpful - thanks!
apollo hands down
Thanks for the amazing video!
KSM bridge too? Wonderful!!!!
Since SJB-3 are not humbuckers, how noisy can they be compared to the Apollos? I like their tone, but I'm looking for silent yet punchy, growly pickups, because I base my sound on different modern distortions, trying to get a modern fuzzy tone.
Them Apollo’s! Yum!
Apollo for the Bite, SJB 1 for the low end
It's interesting, i am considering the QP set for my Mim Jazz but these Apollos sound great. I am a little concerned about the grinding highs going byebye if i change pickups and these Apollos are very sparkly, plus they are noiseless.
Wow the Apollo sounded really good, would anyone recommend this for blues music? I play a MIM Standard Jazz and I feel it’s time to upgrade the pups. Would these do?
Have y'all guys done a dimarzio jazz bass pickup comparison
Vintage for sure. Most presence out of any of the first 3. Then Apollo is ice-picky.
can't go wrong with the vintage, just the way a jazz bass should sound
Those Apollos are awesome. GROWL
Did u install each Apollo pickup in parallel or serial mode? I thought about using a push/pull knob for each volume and thus change the wiring modes. Possible?
You cant go wrong with the quarter pounders.
SJB3
SJB1 then Apollo then Quarter Pounders.
Thanks!
Its such a hard thing to decide jcjfjr
I really want something smooth, warm, mellow and soft
While still not being too growly or sharp
Can someone with experience with these pickups share their opinion on whats best for that?^^
(I play with flatwounds btw)
I wonder what a jb1 neck with an Apollo bridge would sound like...
Can you change those covers on the Apollo pickups? The magnets cut my finger tips.
How to adjust the height of these pickups ? because they have much more exhaust than ordinary singles
What would you recommend if I put a Stingray Humbucker at the Bridge and one of these at the neck?
The Apollo's are Amazing!!!!! Love the sjb1's also. Freaking hate the hot's and sjb3's.....b
Apollo`s ... Great balance !!!!!!
Always good to know i can play any genre of music with a product. 🙄
Can you get the Apollos without the Seymour Duncan logo?
I'm gonna do a '74 Fender Jazz bass build, but I want it to look "authentic".
You can get different covers.
Sounds very cool!!!
great video
Anyone combine an Apollo neck with a Noiseless bridge?
I didnt see the link for the Obsidian Wire Kit?
these swap in with no need for any modifications needed?
im mostly looking at the buckers currently