Probably the best proper comparision on youtube.. with full range of jazz bass pickups. Awesome work. I believe it take some "pain in the ass" for adjusting and changing. But you helped me much, and i guess a lot of people to. Cheers!:)
+Eduards Zagainovs I had the same thoughts... Must have been a tremendous f-in pain in the ass, however the result is incredible and extremely informative. Thanks!
This comparison is amazing, much tks! Can you remember the output of the Lindy Fralins? Was the output -5% underwired / stock / +5% overwired or +10% overwired? That would be very valuable for me to know. Tks
This is the wrong way to do a comparison. You're supposed to use different strings for each pickup, play different music, talk a lot, and have a 5 minute intro.
Sampled notes from all different pickups in this video and checked them in the mix with other instruments in my Cubase. The Lindy Fralins are unbeatable in Genres Funk, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Reggae. They sit so tight in the mix it hurts. And you feel the key of the bassnotes in your spine!
Lindy Fralin's flavor is traditional with body. My choice. EMG sounds like other bass, not a JB, despite of the nice round sound. Best comparison test ever, thank you so much!
In this test I slightly preferred the nordstrands, with the Falins second and dimarzio’s third… but I bought the dimarzios because here in Australia they cost about 40% less, and the difference is very small. I almost talked myself in to spending 2/3 more, but reality is I usually play with some gain or fuzz which would clip away any difference anyway. All these years later this series is still the definitive test on TH-cam tbh
perfect comparison, thank you so much. i think now i can pretty much downsize to either nordstrand, bartolini or lindy's. Nordstrands are the ones that distinguish the most though, they are so punchy its amazing.
This is straight up one of the best bass videos on TH-cam. I came to compare the EMGs to the Seymours. Liked the Bartolinis better. Still didn't hear a big enough difference to buy new pickups. Cheers
Nordstrand and Bartolini. Because "it's all there", the warmth, the richness in frequencies and also beautiful highs. My problem with EMGs is that, like shown in this video, the highs are strident, and I miss a lot of raw material that should come from a pickup. If the tone is complex enough, like in Nordstrand and Bartolini, I can just EQ it later and put more punch on it, maybe scooping the frequencies even (I use to do it for slapping). IMO - and this is personal -, a good pickup should bring up as much material as possible from the instrument to the output, and not necessarily a finished tone (this you can accomplish with gear).
This video was incredibly helpful to me - so many thanks. I picked up a gorgeous Korean-made jazz bass made by Waterstone (based in Nashville) about 15 years ago (discontinued model sale). At times I thought about selling it, as it never quite moved me sonically, but it is a really good playing and beautiful bass. I finally got around to modding it, replacing the bridge, doing a CTS rewire, and - based on what I heard in your video - dropped in a pair of DiMarzio DP123 pickups. Okay, now we are talking. I can't imagine parting with it - it sounds great. So glad I held onto it and so glad I got the 123s. Thanks again!
Man thanks a lot for this video! I guess that takes a lot of time to do it! Great job on that, plus You Just convinced me to keep my Lindy Fralin picks on it! haaaaa
bartolini is the perfect balance, i had 62 original fender pickups and i changed for bartolini j9 and changed dramatically the sound for better of course. its only my opinion
Active pickups with high output typically make a better "first impression", but this can be pure misconception. Really good work anyway , helpful video, thank you!
Thanks for posting. Not a great deal of videos demonstration different bass pups, positions, and such all on the same bass (the only real way to test them). Great video. Im subscribing in hopes you keep these comparison videos coming.
This is by far the best, most informative, and to the point review series I have ever seen. Thanks for this- I loved the nordy's, but the emg's really do it for me everytime. Not a ver forgiving pickup, mind you- but they let your fingers do the talking. Bartolini's as well, The Bart's have a "rolling" quality and sound very consistent. Just a tad dark. Thank you again, this is a great series.
They do, I have the soap bars in another bass and they are deep and round sounding also a bit dark but it works really well went I want something deep. I have Fender Noiseless gen 4 in my Jazz and am considering something different. This demo unfortunately didn't help :)
Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and diligent video. I'm looking to add some oomph to my Jazz bass and you helped me narrow the selection. It's the Lindy Fralins or DiMarzios. Cheers.
Excellent video. thank you very much for your contribution, very good example of groove to commando the pups. I like them all, even though the sound of wood is heard. horrible for me the EMG, they destroy the natural sound of the bass. Do you want all the basses to sound the same? then put EMG to all. great to my ears: Dame Sanctus, duncan and dymarzio
The difference is so minute I'd just go with stock solely for economic reasons. But rating them based on how I play and how it sounds in the video its: 1. Lindy Fralin 2. Nordstrand 3. Fender Original 4. Fender '74
Being an active(high-output) pickup gives us a first good impression. but if you listen carefully you will notice that the bass tone seems a bit unnatural and unbalanced, in my opinion. Anyway it is a subjective perception, it's about taste.
Great¡¡¡¡. Big diferences there¡¡¡¡¡ I really appreciate the time you invested doing that¡¡¡¡.But EMG's volume is louder than for the rest of the demo pickups, so I can not consider them(human brain consider louder=better sound, wich can not be correct)....anyway thank you so much
I hear the EMGs amplifying a lot of extraneous high end noise like the strings hitting the frets more than the others. I have EMG JVs which do the same thing. I thought it was my action being too low or just my sloppy playing but after hearing this I think it's a characteristic of the EMGs boosting the high end frequencies.
The Nordys and the Fralins have the most harmonic overtones in the mids/highs without losing punch (my preferred tone). The others are either too dull/blunt, or lifeless-but-full-range, and lastly EMGs are too scooped/bright (used to use them).
Super cool that you did this comparison! I find it really hard to tell the differences though as I'm a complete bass noob, just got my first jazz bass. I think it's much easier to hear the differences in guitar mics! Guess I'll just have to train my ear before going out and buying new mics for my cheapo bass... :)
hey all...I loved this guy for going though all the trouble to do this....I ended up with a EMG-JVX and I love it..i truly do and its a joy to play it....but see, I have a problem...I have a PJ bass...its Mexican but I don't give a shit..the neck is like glass...it feels good...it was a gift so it was free...the P pick up in it is meh and kinda noisy.... my gut reaction is to stick or find a EMG P for it....ive looked all over the NET for the same kinda comparison as this video only using P pick ups in the sound test...can some one help me out? I like active pick ups...clean and crisp..i don't like dimarzio or SD and that goers for 6 string guitars too..can some one msg me on facebook IM damian moss and I really want to get this out of the way...im putting titan tuners on the bass and a high density bridge..get the p sorted out, as it is its already my go to bass because it does everything...but it could be better so anyone who is kind enough to help I would really appreciate it..im doing demos and play alongs.. and ppl know I hit notes and I'm on time but when I hear the play back I'm not entirely pleased with the P's performance.. thank you all..
The Nordstrands were the best. Full round bottom with a nice smooth top end that wasn't too sharp. Surprisingly I liked the Duncan's too...similar bottom as the Nordy's.
I'm really impressed by the Dimarzio DP123's. They got a really fat and round sound. But I have a feeling they would get a bit muddy in a mix. Still... They sound so much like the Lindy Fralins for a third of the price. I'm torn, cause when he plays the low notes you can really hear the clearity of the Lindys in comparison.
Dame Sanctus are similar to Groove Kings, the second having more low end. The fenders are the lowest output out of the bunch. The Nordstrands (like all nordstrand to my ears ) sound too clear , lacking warmth in the middle. The quarterpounders are too scooped to sound good fingered. The emgs being active have higher output and their tracks have higher volume than the others so no safe conclusions can be made about them. No pickups stood out from the others imo. Thanks for the review
I have 2 jazz pieces exactly the same. I have the dimarzio dp123 in one Lindy fralins in the other very similar in tone the fralins are alnico cost about 240 bucks dimarzio 119 both basses sound very good if you have CTS 250 pots with an orange drop capacitor..047 if Daddario nickles you're not going to notice the difference live. One base is rosewood fingerboard the others maple the difference in tone at this point is in the neck. The maple has a little more snap than the rosewood. It's not always the pick ups that make the difference, but the neck material is a big difference. If you want something that cuts through the mix maple is the way to go if you want something a little darker, the rosewood does it as far as body wood alder very good.
This kind of video should really be uploaded in high quality. It's an old video so that probably explains it. But yeah the subtle differences in this kind of comparison video get almost completely lost when the quality gets mashed down to 360p.
99.9% of the audience wont know any difference and wont even care. All these pickups are good. For me I liked the Fralins and Nordstrands and the Dimarzio Nice playing by the way!
What model are the Dame Sanctus? I have listened over and over again, and even though they are Korean they just sound really good to me. Similar to the Nordstrand, but still a bit more pleasant to my ears.
Where do you get the Swing Groove King Pickups? The Dame Sanctus and The Swing Groove King Pickups sound the best to me and I can't find them anywhere.
Now do the same video, except use a pick this time. :) Just kidding of course. But I do play with a pick. I have Lindy Fralin's in my jazz bass. I had the neck overwound and they are the hum canceling type.
0:08 Dame
0:32 Groove King:
0:59 Fender Original
1:24 Fender 74
1:49 Lindy Fralin
2:14 Dimarzio Double Penetration
2:39 Nordstrand
3:04 Bartolini
3:29 Duncan Quarter Pound
3:55 EMG J
4:19 EMGJVX
+Matthew Foy Dimarzio Double Penetration ? Funny but you would have some funky results googling that...
Thank you.
But I think all pickups are similar sounds
And he is professional bassist
Any pickups doesn’t matter for him
Cuz good skill lol
@@realnewyorkstyleif you really think that all these pickups sound the same you have a big problem…
Probably the best proper comparision on youtube.. with full range of jazz bass pickups. Awesome work. I believe it take some "pain in the ass" for adjusting and changing. But you helped me much, and i guess a lot of people to. Cheers!:)
+Eduards Zagainovs Thank you!
+Eduards Zagainovs I had the same thoughts... Must have been a tremendous f-in pain in the ass, however the result is incredible and extremely informative. Thanks!
This comparison is amazing, much tks! Can you remember the output of the Lindy Fralins? Was the output -5% underwired / stock / +5% overwired or +10% overwired? That would be very valuable for me to know. Tks
This is the wrong way to do a comparison. You're supposed to use different strings for each pickup, play different music, talk a lot, and have a 5 minute intro.
Haha, so true :D
HAHAHA
No.
😂😂😂
He didn't screw around with the tone knob, either.
Sampled notes from all different pickups in this video and checked them in the mix with other instruments in my Cubase. The Lindy Fralins are unbeatable in Genres Funk, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Reggae. They sit so tight in the mix it hurts. And you feel the key of the bassnotes in your spine!
This is how you do a pickup comparison video. Very helpful. Thanks!
Lindy Fralins have nice detail, arent harsh, spikey or muddy and have the best frequency response (IMHO).
Both EMG's Sound Fantastic
DiMarzio DP123 is also hum-canceling. It is a split-coil pickup (which is roughly a Precision pickup in a Jazz Bass pickup housing).
You are a freaking God for doing this. Must have taken quite a while and put a nice dent in your wallet.
Lindy Fralin's flavor is traditional with body. My choice. EMG sounds like other bass, not a JB, despite of the nice round sound. Best comparison test ever, thank you so much!
Passive : Nordstrand Active : EMG Jvx
They all sound good in their own way. I liked the DiMarzio, Fralin and EMG JVX best!
In this test I slightly preferred the nordstrands, with the Falins second and dimarzio’s third… but I bought the dimarzios because here in Australia they cost about 40% less, and the difference is very small. I almost talked myself in to spending 2/3 more, but reality is I usually play with some gain or fuzz which would clip away any difference anyway.
All these years later this series is still the definitive test on TH-cam tbh
perfect comparison, thank you so much. i think now i can pretty much downsize to either nordstrand, bartolini or lindy's. Nordstrands are the ones that distinguish the most though, they are so punchy its amazing.
This makes you a bass hero imo. Thanks. Super helpful!
This is straight up one of the best bass videos on TH-cam.
I came to compare the EMGs to the Seymours. Liked the Bartolinis better. Still didn't hear a big enough difference to buy new pickups. Cheers
Thank you so much!
Nordstrand and Bartolini. Because "it's all there", the warmth, the richness in frequencies and also beautiful highs. My problem with EMGs is that, like shown in this video, the highs are strident, and I miss a lot of raw material that should come from a pickup. If the tone is complex enough, like in Nordstrand and Bartolini, I can just EQ it later and put more punch on it, maybe scooping the frequencies even (I use to do it for slapping). IMO - and this is personal -, a good pickup should bring up as much material as possible from the instrument to the output, and not necessarily a finished tone (this you can accomplish with gear).
This video was incredibly helpful to me - so many thanks. I picked up a gorgeous Korean-made jazz bass made by Waterstone (based in Nashville) about 15 years ago (discontinued model sale). At times I thought about selling it, as it never quite moved me sonically, but it is a really good playing and beautiful bass. I finally got around to modding it, replacing the bridge, doing a CTS rewire, and - based on what I heard in your video - dropped in a pair of DiMarzio DP123 pickups. Okay, now we are talking. I can't imagine parting with it - it sounds great. So glad I held onto it and so glad I got the 123s. Thanks again!
Thanks for the awesome videos,it actually helped me select my pickups. Lindy Fralin it is, sounds best for me.
Thanks for the effort. You have made a great comparison demo, it convinced me to keep building basses with EMG Js stuffed in them.
Excellent public resource you've made. Thanks!!
As a bass player who loves to mod, I just realized that not a single listener in a crowded hall would notice any difference.
Except the EMGs. The active ones. They had much more treble and mid presence. Almost all the other ones sounded the same.
Man thanks a lot for this video! I guess that takes a lot of time to do it! Great job on that, plus You Just convinced me to keep my Lindy Fralin picks on it! haaaaa
Nordstrand is luxry and classy.
And Lindy has low frequency sound and a little warm.
These are my favolite sound !
Thanks for this movie.
bartolini is the perfect balance, i had 62 original fender pickups and i changed for bartolini j9 and changed dramatically the sound for better of course. its only my opinion
I think the Lindy Fralin has the best low end growl and that is what is important to me. Both EMG's are a close second.
Active pickups with high output typically make a better "first impression", but this can be pure misconception.
Really good work anyway , helpful video, thank you!
Thank you for your greatly detailed and informative comparison video.. Now I know I want to get the Lindy Fralins
I like the Bartolinis the best - for me they mix the best with the drums
Thanks for posting. Not a great deal of videos demonstration different bass pups, positions, and such all on the same bass (the only real way to test them). Great video. Im subscribing in hopes you keep these comparison videos coming.
This is by far the best, most informative, and to the point review series I have ever seen. Thanks for this- I loved the nordy's, but the emg's really do it for me everytime. Not a ver forgiving pickup, mind you- but they let your fingers do the talking. Bartolini's as well,
The Bart's have a "rolling" quality and sound very consistent. Just a tad dark.
Thank you again, this is a great series.
They do, I have the soap bars in another bass and they are deep and round sounding also a bit dark but it works really well went I want something deep. I have Fender Noiseless gen 4 in my Jazz and am considering something different. This demo unfortunately didn't help :)
THANKYOU ! This is a huge help in making upgrade decisions.
The Dimarzio's sounds great
EMG J's or Dame Sanctus were my fav tone in this video, thanks for putting this together!
Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and diligent video. I'm looking to add some oomph to my Jazz bass and you helped me narrow the selection. It's the Lindy Fralins or DiMarzios. Cheers.
great job! 🙏🙏🙏🙏One of the best compressions!👌 Thanks! 👍👍👍👍
You are God of bass pickups!!!!
Excellent video. thank you very much for your contribution, very good example of groove to commando the pups. I like them all, even though the sound of wood is heard. horrible for me the EMG, they destroy the natural sound of the bass. Do you want all the basses to sound the same? then put EMG to all. great to my ears: Dame Sanctus, duncan and dymarzio
Can't beat the EMG J's...I am thinking about Nordstrands lately, not as clear or punchy as the EMGs but a good secondary I think.
The difference is so minute I'd just go with stock solely for economic reasons. But rating them based on how I play and how it sounds in the video its:
1. Lindy Fralin
2. Nordstrand
3. Fender Original
4. Fender '74
EMG JVX are all the way!!!
If you like active p-u !! They are powerfull indeed
Being an active(high-output) pickup gives us a first good impression. but if you listen carefully you will notice that the bass tone seems a bit unnatural and unbalanced, in my opinion.
Anyway it is a subjective perception, it's about taste.
@@ValterKabas Very well said.. I agree with this as an EMG user myself!
Great¡¡¡¡. Big diferences there¡¡¡¡¡ I really appreciate the time you invested doing that¡¡¡¡.But EMG's volume is louder than for the rest of the demo pickups, so I can not consider them(human brain consider louder=better sound, wich can not be correct)....anyway thank you so much
Far too little views. Great video. Can only imagine the time it took to change the pickups out alone. ;p
I hear the EMGs amplifying a lot of extraneous high end noise like the strings hitting the frets more than the others. I have EMG JVs which do the same thing. I thought it was my action being too low or just my sloppy playing but after hearing this I think it's a characteristic of the EMGs boosting the high end frequencies.
Now I'm gonna have that song stuck in my head for days!😂
The Nordys and the Fralins have the most harmonic overtones in the mids/highs without losing punch (my preferred tone).
The others are either too dull/blunt, or lifeless-but-full-range, and lastly EMGs are too scooped/bright (used to use them).
Just watched the video again and saw the strings mentioned. Thanks
Super cool that you did this comparison! I find it really hard to tell the differences though as I'm a complete bass noob, just got my first jazz bass.
I think it's much easier to hear the differences in guitar mics! Guess I'll just have to train my ear before going out and buying new mics for my cheapo bass... :)
thanks for these demos
hey all...I loved this guy for going though all the trouble to do this....I ended up with a EMG-JVX and I love it..i truly do and its a joy to play it....but see, I have a problem...I have a PJ bass...its Mexican but I don't give a shit..the neck is like glass...it feels good...it was a gift so it was free...the P pick up in it is meh and kinda noisy.... my gut reaction is to stick or find a EMG P for it....ive looked all over the NET for the same kinda comparison as this video only using P pick ups in the sound test...can some one help me out? I like active pick ups...clean and crisp..i don't like dimarzio or SD and that goers for 6 string guitars too..can some one msg me on facebook IM damian moss and I really want to get this out of the way...im putting titan tuners on the bass and a high density bridge..get the p sorted out, as it is its already my go to bass because it does everything...but it could be better so anyone who is kind enough to help I would really appreciate it..im doing demos and play alongs.. and ppl know I hit notes and I'm on time but when I hear the play back I'm not entirely pleased with the P's performance.. thank you all..
A bit late but a nice offering from emg is the geezer pickups but you probably wouldn’t like them since they are passive
EMGs, both models. Maybe it's because I use SA model on my Strat and the sound is great. ;-)
The Nordstrands were the best. Full round bottom with a nice smooth top end that wasn't too sharp. Surprisingly I liked the Duncan's too...similar bottom as the Nordy's.
Smooth player! I like the EMG JVX, the Barts, and the Dimarzio's the best.
I'm really impressed by the Dimarzio DP123's. They got a really fat and round sound. But I have a feeling they would get a bit muddy in a mix. Still... They sound so much like the Lindy Fralins for a third of the price. I'm torn, cause when he plays the low notes you can really hear the clearity of the Lindys in comparison.
Dame Sanctus are similar to Groove Kings, the second having more low end. The fenders are the lowest output out of the bunch. The Nordstrands (like all nordstrand to my ears ) sound too clear , lacking warmth in the middle. The quarterpounders are too scooped to sound good fingered. The emgs being active have higher output and their tracks have higher volume than the others so no safe conclusions can be made about them. No pickups stood out from the others imo. Thanks for the review
I like the Lindy Fralin set. I'm not familiar with that brand but now I'm a fan :)
Wow. They all sound great. The Fender p/u are the weakest output sounds like.........EMG. that growl.
Amazing effort...great,
Thank you for making this video.
Do tell what type of Lindy Fralin did yo use in this A/B.... comparison test.BTW,very informative stuff here.Thanks! (y)
DiMarzio gave me chills on the higher notes and well earned its name. Fralin a close second.
I've tried the Quarter Pounders on my jazz and I'm moving to the Fralins after watching this. They have the real Geddy tone.
Swing Groove King
Lindy Fralin
Dame Sanctus
Leaning towards the Fralins or Nordstrands
They will all work ,not enough difference to matter
The difference is so small
It's true but, you to be able to feel the differences you need to see the video in better quality (360p) and have good headphone amplifier boxes or
I don't know how you can say that because there is such a big difference in dynamics between each pickup.
I have 2 jazz pieces exactly the same. I have the dimarzio dp123 in one Lindy fralins in the other very similar in tone the fralins are alnico cost about 240 bucks dimarzio 119 both basses sound very good if you have CTS 250 pots with an orange drop capacitor..047 if Daddario nickles you're not going to notice the difference live. One base is rosewood fingerboard the others maple the difference in tone at this point is in the neck. The maple has a little more snap than the rosewood. It's not always the pick ups that make the difference, but the neck material is a big difference. If you want something that cuts through the mix maple is the way to go if you want something a little darker, the rosewood does it as far as body wood alder very good.
The actives are such a big difference.
This kind of video should really be uploaded in high quality. It's an old video so that probably explains it. But yeah the subtle differences in this kind of comparison video get almost completely lost when the quality gets mashed down to 360p.
I think for this video the EMG JVX had the best growl of them all. The San Damascus sound really good along with the Dimarzio and Nordstrads.
EMG’S BOTH Sounded the BEST IMO
Nordstrands and Bartolinis sound tight but thin, Emgs both had a dynamic and powerful bass sound
you changed my life.....jvx...good lord...
The Dimarzios are also hum cancelling.
Goes to show not enough difference to matter live but those Swing Groove King pickups blew me away. I've never heard of them
a question: bartolini are single or hum-canceling dual coil?
Hi! thx for the video. Helped a lot. I was about to order barolini`s but they didnt sound any good compared to others:)
EMG J(Active) wooowwwwwww :D
The Volume drop with the Fender ones was a crazy. It's such a decrease in volume. IDK If it was because you were farther away from the camera though.
Great Job! Now I don't need to replace my Japanese Jazz pickups...they all sound the same!...or...do I need an Opthamology appt.
Thanks for This Great Video! Perfect! - Ernie Leblanc
99.9% of the audience wont know any difference and wont even care. All these pickups are good. For me I liked the Fralins and Nordstrands and the Dimarzio Nice playing by the way!
The last set,fantastic!
Is it me or the Dimarzio and the Fralins sounded the best? Thanks for the comparison!
I agree.
Fralins followed by Dimarzio, though for the price Dimarzio is the winner hands down.
XD totally agree!
Both EMG's sounded best by far to me.
I agree...
Bartolini, Nords, Fender orig, and double penetration for the name
Awesome, thanks a lot.
What model are the Dame Sanctus? I have listened over and over again, and even though they are Korean they just sound really good to me. Similar to the Nordstrand, but still a bit more pleasant to my ears.
I have playing base for 7 years and I cant hear the difference. Only active pickups sounds more articulated. All others are simmilar
Great video!!!
There's God, then there's you. Thank you
same question. are the nordstrands NJ4SE or NJ4SV?
Where do you get the Swing Groove King Pickups? The Dame Sanctus and The Swing Groove King Pickups sound the best to me and I can't find them anywhere.
Groove Kings are the best i think... Where can someone buy these pickups?
Dimarzio, hands down the best at least in this scenario.
Duncan the best...nice video man
Thank you!
were the Fralins single coil or split-coil? thanks for all the hard work making the comparison!
just single coil. not split. thank you!
@@BasicBassTV Were these Fralins some percentage overwound or standard version?
Which bass is this? Does it have 60’s or 70’s pickup spacing?
Which Fender Originals are these? Model name, year of production and any other info very appreciated
kill me but all sound quite similar...
Now do the same video, except use a pick this time. :) Just kidding of course. But I do play with a pick. I have Lindy Fralin's in my jazz bass. I had the neck overwound and they are the hum canceling type.
Been searching for a place to buy the Dame sanctus pickups with no luck. Any ideas?
do you have a pre-map on your j bass? i love the knobs on the control plate
Nice Demo! I just wanna know if you still happen to know the exact model name of the Nordstrand, Cheers!
Fender vintage `60 and Seymor Duncar
What happened to the pick guard screws in the first part?