Product: Kent Armstrong Split Tube Jazz Bass
Price Paid: US $80 used
Submitted
03/22/2005
at
03:36pm
by
brian
Email: brian_compton<at>hotmail dot com
Features
:
Pickup features: Passive single-coil
Impedence or other specs: 10K, Alnico Bar Magnet
Instrument
:
Model of guitar or bass: Fender '60s RI Jazz Bass
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock CIJ Fender pickups
Other pickups on guitar: Kent Armstrong Split Tube Jazz bridge
Artists using this pickup: ???
You musical style(s): Eclectic
Reason for pickup change: Unhappy with output of stock pickups (see below).
Sound
:
No Opinion
Perceived output level: Slightly more than stock, and much more even.
Tone: Very similar to standard Jazz Bass pickups, if slightly warmer. Nice boom in the neck & punch in the bridge.
Sonic evaluation: Used with a Tweed Bassman (live) or through an EHX 2ube preamp (direct recording). These are advertised as reverse-wound/reverse-polarity single coils (like stock J pups), meaning they *should* hum when used at different volumes, but I noticed no noise at all - a very nice surprise. The stock Japanese pickups were louder on the E-string than the other three, forcing me to adjust my attack to keep thengs even - needless to say, it got old fast. The Armstrongs have very even response throughout, probably due to the lack of separate poles. At any rate, they sound terrific.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I use flatwound strings (with mutes) for a more mellow jazz tone (Jazz on a Jazz bass? Is that legal?), and the Armstrongs compliment that style nicely.
Overall Rating
:
10
Comments: I bought a pair of these used for less than the price of one new pickup. I would definitely pay full price for a new set if they were stolen, though. Been playing Bass since I was 22, and guitar since I was 13. Had a few Fender basses, but the Jazz is the only one I've kept. Don't be put off by the "thin" sound of guitar lipstick pickups - the Armstrong bass tubes are fantastic.
