Bartolini 9CBJD

Pickup features: Jazz bass pickups, passive, hum cancelling dual coil. Bridge pickup is slightly longer than the neck pickup, as is standard in older Fender J-basses.

Internally these have blade-shaped magnets to cover any and all string spacing widths.

Model of guitar or bass: 1978 Fender Jazz bass, Made in USA.

Position: bridge and neck

Pickup being replaced: stock Fender pickups original to this bass

Other pickups installed on the instrument: none

Artists using this pickup: not known

Reason for changing the pickup: Original bridge pickup developed an intermittent noise problem, prompting the replacement. I had been thinking of it for some time as I felt my instrument was lacking a little "oomph" on the bottom end and the notes in the higher register sounded a little thin.

Output level: Lower than the stock Fenders. Not a problem with an
amp or recording devices but a little annoying with my headphone practice amp.

Amps and effects: Old Traynor 60W combo amp, Boss Pandora PX4B headphone practice amp / amp emulator / multieffects processor.

Tone: Like my old stock Jazz Bass pickups, but better. A little more emphasis in the bottom end, a fatter sound overall. Nice high end with a good "burp" when strings are snapped.

What style of music do you play? Is this a good match: Rock/pop/soul.

For which positions is this pickup (un)suitable: No complaints about unsuitability. The pickups provide a great basic sound, if I want something warmer or cooler I can use my effects and amp to tweak it.

If it was destroyed or stolen, would you buy it again or get something else: I'd buy these pickups again in a heartbeat.

How long have you been playing? What other gear do you own: Playing for 25 years. I also play a '68 Hofner Beatle bass and a custom-made fretless 4-string as well as a '79 Fender hardtail Strat.

What do you love about it? What do you hate?
I love the lack of any noise --- these pickups are incredibly quiet with no hum, even soloed. A real treat after using the stock Fenders for so long with their single-coil hum.

Did you compare it to other products? Which ones?Why did you choose this one?
I compared these to active EMGs and eventually went with the Bartolinis because I don't really require the active output, I was worried about fitting the battery in the existing cavity, and the EMGs are a lot more expensive. I also assumed I would be pretty happy with the sound of either product.

Anything you wish it had?
- A little hotter output.
- It would have been nice if Bartolini provided replacement screws. I used the original screws but it looks a little funny with old rusty screws holding these pristine, scratch-free pickups in place.

Are you satisfied with this pickup or still searching forthat sound?
Very satisfied, I'd recommend this for anyone looking for an easy replacement that eliminates noise and keeps the traditional sound of a J-bass while improving on it.

Anything else you'd like to share?
These are really noise-free, I can't get over just how noiseless they are.

Installation is easy for anyone with a little experience with a soldering iron and a little patience adjusting the height.

Pickup features: Jazz Bass shape neck (short) and bridge (long) pickups with dual in-line hum cancelling coils. Can be used passive or active.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: USA Fender Jazz bass
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: I replaced both the stock Fender USA neck and bridge pickups with a set of the Bartolini 9CBJD pickups, a TC3 preamp, and had the controls rewired for Volume, Blend, and Tone.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): rock, blues, soul, country
Reason for pickup change: I got tired of the hum in single coils when solo'ed, and I wanted a fatter lowend and with more upper-mid clarity. The USA Fender single coils are good pickups, dont get me wrong. I simply needed more versitility with no noise.

Perceived output level: Installed with the Bartolini TC3 preamp (simple gain preamp/set to 14db+), the pickups output is perfectly hot. In passive mode, the output is low-ish - slightly less than the stock USA Fenders.
Tone: These were designed to sound like vintage Jazz bass pickups with a slight bump in the low mids. Fat, yet balanced.
Sonic evaluation: USA Fender Jazz bass w/rosewood fingerboard into an Ashdown ABM500 EVO amplifier driving a 4ohm Eden 410XLT. I've had the Bart set in my Jazz bass for 3 months and have played quite a few live gigs and recording sessions in that time. These pickups capture the sound I was wanting in the most perfect way. With my rig, the bass really sounds tremendous. I never thought a Jazz bass could sound so darn good- clear, articulate highs...sweet and punchy mids...lows that are fat, filling, and juicy sounding. EMG cant compete with these at all. Not even close.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, Blues, 60s-70s Soul and R&B, and Country. No complaints so far regarding the sound of my bass at gigs or sessions.

Comments: I would absolutely recommend these pickups. I've been playing bass on a semi-pro level for 13 years and have seen, heard, and played 'em all. I'm not one to gush, but really...these are some killer Jazz bass pickups. Combined with the Bart TC3 preamp it's a night and day difference. Bill Bartolini- if you read this, endorse my ass!