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Hi,

I'm currently upgrading my (actually my brother's) old Aria Pro II bass (passive CTB series).

It has a precision and a jazz bridge pickup (PJ style).

I may buy a fender US P-bass pickup and a fender US J-bass bridge pickup. Would these match correctly from an output level point of view? I expect to use either one at a time or both, so I guess output level matters?

From the specifications I can find, it's fairly hard to know (to me).

I did google for previous records of such matching, but my findings are quite disappointing. Any help or experience appreciated!

If you need specs on the pickups for that bass, then check out http://www.matsumoku.org ...you should find any info in the models/labels/specs section http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/bass.html , or even in the forums (if the catalog section doesn't help) .

skylark44 wrote:If you need specs on the pickups for that bass, then check out http://www.matsumoku.org ...

Been there already... But my bass ain't recorded in it. From what I've seen, it's a made in Korea one from 89-90.

What I really need to know is how a stock US precision pickup would match a bridge Jazz one, especially outputwise. I don't know if this really matters, but I would expect both outputs to be somehow balanced in a PJ bass configuration... ?

Hi. I think you can install and match almost any pickups. Normally on instrument you suppose to be able adjust pickup height: closer or further from strings, this would also adjust pickup output level, this would allow to match two pickups. Hope this helps and I didn't say nonsense.

lietuvis wrote:Normally on instrument you suppose to be able adjust pickup height: closer or further from strings, this would also adjust pickup output level,

Makes sense indeed, thanks! Though I wonder how different the output are expected to be... I may go to my local music shop to check a P bass and a J bass at same amp settings!

Jason Lollar has some good info on pickup inductance. Even with a lower inductance, you might find that the J pickup sounds pretty well balanced because it emphasizes the high end a bit more than the P. If you feel the need you could always throw a blend pot in there to dial in the balance to taste.

"J" pickups are punchy & bright (great for slapping, etc..."P" pickups have more low end & rumble. Most stock-type "J" pickups are around the 6-7k output range, and most "P"-stlye pickups are usually around 8.2-8.6k...but several companies have hotter versions of both. The hotter ones usually incorporate ceramic, or AlNiCo-5 magnets...and most "vintage" ones use AlNiCo-2 magnets.

I agree, the differences between those two types of pickup are what make them a nice choice for a variety of tones. and you should be able to adjust pup heights to get the vols close between them. I don't know how much you use your tone control, but don't forget a treble bleeder cap to keep from losing volume when you roll the tone back, especially for that P bass pup. I also like using stacked pots when I rewire those types of bass controls, to give each pup their own vol/tone... split coil jazz pups can help kill the hum when playing them solo too...

You can buy the set for the P/J configuration. Basslines sells several different P/J sets.....

OKay, just an update...

I went for these Fender 62 pickups : 0992046000 for the Precision, and 0992123000 for the set of 2 JB pickups. My brother-in-law (whose job is to be a bass player) needed one JB neck pickup for his '75, so the set was useful in this very situation.

Now, on my bass, I drilled an extra hole to have a V/V/T configuration while keeping the 3-way selector. Other upgrades are CTS pots, switchcraft selector + jack, Gotoh tuners and new nut. It has also been shielded and properly wired.

The sound is very good (someone did remove the blanket tand pillow that had been over it) and the pickups match nicely. AND the bass is dead-silent, no matter what.

Thx for your input!

ps: I did find some interesting reading on this site : http://www.moore.org.au/pick001.htm. Happy browsing...

skylark44 wrote:"J" pickups are punchy & bright (great for slapping, etc..."P" pickups have more low end & rumble. Most stock-type "J" pickups are around the 6-7k output range, and most "P"-stlye pickups are usually around 8.2-8.6k...but several companies have hotter versions of both. The hotter ones usually incorporate ceramic, or AlNiCo-5 magnets...and most "vintage" ones use AlNiCo-2 magnets.

Standard P pickups are about 11K. This is why P/J basses don't balance well. You can find some under wound P pickups that will work, but then won't sound like a stock P.