What about replacing the pickups in your ABII?

[quote="BuffaloBob":3v680pef]Can some of you guys who own, have owned or at least have played a Super J 5 give me some idea of the tone these basses have? Can they do a traditional Jazz as well as a Dingwall jazz sound? Is the tone even better than a trad jazz? How does the sound compare to a standard ABII? Are they more versatile in sound? I am considering a purchase of one, but I would probably have to give up my ABII-5 with FD1s in order to justify the cost. I really love my ABII-5, but it is not the most versatile bass tonally, which has me looking at picking up a PJ or a Jazz and a P-Bass. I was thinking maybe the best move would be to sacrifice the ABII for a Super J 5 if I can satisfy the need for a more traditional Jazz and P-Bass sound.[/quote:3v680pef] Hi BuffaloBob here is the edited post (which includes the answer to your question) The Super J5 is not an AB or a Prima/Z. It holds it's own. It's more mid-full and mid-defined. It's like a J but with more body and clarity (definitely not a trebly sound), and then some. The Super J5 is a different animal all together. It does not have the B string boldness of the AB II 5 In my understanding the FD1's are not giving you the body you are currently looking for (they are more mid scooped than the FD3's). I would go for a pair of Mach II (4L model) and I am sure you will get more tones out of it (compared to what you have now). In reality the FD's are P-arranged coils in a soapbar housing, so you will get into the P territory. If you still crave for the J school of tone the Super J5 is the ultimate choice IMHO

[quote="Uncle Balsamic":96glgftu]What about replacing the pickups in your ABII?[/quote:96glgftu] I have certainly considered this, and it is a very viable suggestion. The problem is, I really like the tone the FD1s of my ABII give, but to me it is not a versatile tone for a wide range of musical genres. So for the songs I use it on, it gives that great growly, grindy modern tone that cuts through like a knife. Also, I ended up putting Chromes on it to tame down string noise and harmonics, and I am not really digging the feel of the Chromes, although the Chromes truly do tame the bass in a way I like. It is really sort of a dual-edged sword in many ways. So I have considered buying some more current PUPs and experimenting. I also really love my Z2-4, which has the Barts that Sheldon originally spec'd for the Z2s. The tone is sort of a darker MM tone, and the bass plays so wonderfully. But again, while the tone is awesome and much more versatile than my ABII, it still does not quite achieve that more traditional PBass and/or Jazz tone that is so nice to have in the arsenal. Again, I could try the current PUPs used for Z2s, but I also hate to mess with the uniqueness of the bass. So, I might get more versatility from changing PUPs and it would surely be cheaper than adding another bass, BUT I also could end up with a lot of expensive PUPs and still be unhappy. I need to go out and buy the winning lottery ticket!!

[quote="fullrangebass":3vw24xqp][quote="BuffaloBob":3vw24xqp]Can some of you guys who own, have owned or at least have played a Super J 5 give me some idea of the tone these basses have? Can they do a traditional Jazz as well as a Dingwall jazz sound? Is the tone even better than a trad jazz? How does the sound compare to a standard ABII? Are they more versatile in sound? I am considering a purchase of one, but I would probably have to give up my ABII-5 with FD1s in order to justify the cost. I really love my ABII-5, but it is not the most versatile bass tonally, which has me looking at picking up a PJ or a Jazz and a P-Bass. I was thinking maybe the best move would be to sacrifice the ABII for a Super J 5 if I can satisfy the need for a more traditional Jazz and P-Bass sound.[/quote:3vw24xqp] Hi BuffaloBob here is the edited post (which includes the answer to your question) The Super J5 is not an AB or a Prima/Z. It holds it's own. It's more mid-full and mid-defined. It's like a J but with more body and clarity (definitely not a trebly sound), and then some. The Super J5 is a different animal all together. It does not have the B string boldness of the AB II 5 In my understanding the FD1's are not giving you the body you are currently looking for (they are more mid scooped than the FD3's). I would go for a pair of Mach II (4L model) and I am sure you will get more tones out of it (compared to what you have now). In reality the FD's are P-arranged coils in a soapbar housing, so you will get into the P territory. If you still crave for the J school of tone the Super J5 is the ultimate choice IMHO[/quote:3vw24xqp] Thanks for your time Fully. It is much appreciated. Smallmouth Bass sent me some clips of his SJ-5 (my thanks again to him as well!!), and I REALLY like the tone. It has a nice rich and darker tone, but as you say, it is like a traditional jazz with clarity. I think that would really work for me. As I mentioned above, I have considered trying the more current PUPs in my ABII. The thing about the FD1s is that in parallel mode, they have a very wonderful deep and huge bass sound, as well as a great growly, grindy edge which just kicks butt for certain songs. But, I really find the other settings not as useable for me. Especially either PUP soloed. The bridge soloed is very thin and trebly, even with lot's of bass boost, and the neck is P-Bass-like but lacking in depth as well. Also, until I put Chrome flats on it, the sound was really super zingy. Lot's of string noise and harmonics with the SS strings that I found hard to control even with careful technique. BUT, people who heard me play with my band said, wow, that bass really cuts through. So I don't know! I wish I was richer so I could just buy one of each model and be done with it!! I'm going out to buy another lottery ticket!

If you can make a trip to Toronto, you can try my Super J 5, bring along your bass and compare them as well

Wow! Really kind offer. I may just take you up on that! I can bring my rig as well. Will that be a big pain in the butt at the border though?? I've never brought a bunch of music equipment across the border. I guess as long as you declare everything, it should be OK. Maybe sometime towards the end of next week?

I have a nice Aguilar rig as well as a small SWR baby blue, which is a good reference amp. The less gear you have in your car the less hassle actually, generally speaking. If they suspect that you are travelling to play a gig they will give you a headache, otherwise it's pretty easy. Next week towards the end of the week is possible. I'll PM you with my contact info.

Anyone seeing any Super J 5's on the used market yet???

You won't see mine there! No, I haven't seen any but I haven't really been looking either.

Didn't think so Not sure I could really bring myself to do it, but I've been thinking of trading my AB-II fiver on one. Guess time will tell...

Funny seeing this thread revived and so I need to make an updated comment. While I would still love to have a Super J 5, and probably a Super PJ 5 to be exact, now that I have been doing regular gigs so I can hear my basses in a mix, there is no way in hell I am ever selling my ABII with FD1s. That bass just kills in my band's 90's to present rock mix. While it is somewhat scooped and it is somewhat modern sounding, I wouldn't trade that sound for the world at this point. It is so deep and growly and clear and articulate all at the same time. I did install the Hybrid Treble Control on it, and that gives me all the tonal options I need. If my work ever picks up so I can afford it, a Super PJ 5 is on my list, and maybe even another ABII-5 with the latest and greatest PUPs, tone chambers and walnut neck, but not at the expense of my mahogany bodied ABII-5 with FD1s.

[quote="BuffaloBob":wjulzf90]Funny seeing this thread revived and so I need to make an updated comment. While I would still love to have a Super J 5, and probably a Super PJ 5 to be exact, now that I have been doing regular gigs so I can hear my basses in a mix, there is no way in hell I am ever selling my ABII with FD1s. That bass just kills in my band's 90's to present rock mix. While it is somewhat scooped and it is somewhat modern sounding, I wouldn't trade that sound for the world at this point. It is so deep and growly and clear and articulate all at the same time. I did install the Hybrid Treble Control on it, and that gives me all the tonal options I need. If my work ever picks up so I can afford it, a Super PJ 5 is on my list, and maybe even another ABII-5 with the latest and greatest PUPs, tone chambers and walnut neck, but not at the expense of my mahogany bodied ABII-5 with FD1s.[/quote:wjulzf90] I guess that's what I needed to hear. I too think I'd miss the ABII-5...