Di Marzio Ultra Jazz DP149 vs Model J DP123

Sound comparison between the Di Marzio Ultra Jazz DP149 and Model J DP123 pickups. The Model Js sound fuller and punchier, but also darker compared to the Ultra Jazz, which have more clarity and articulation.

Volume pots are CTS 500k and tone is CTS 250k
Strings are Rotosound RS66LF 45-105

00:00 Di Marzio Ultra Jazz
00:20 Di Marzio Model J
00:40 Ultra Jazz VT Bass
01:00 Model J VT Bass
01:20 Neck Pickup
02:09 Both Pickups
02:55 Bridge Pickup
04:14 Slap
04:41 Neck VT Bass
05:32 Both VT Bass
06:20 Bridge VT Bass
07:38 Slap VT Bass

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[MG-vois]

I like the Model J pickups. They have a fuller sound. It's easier for a sound engineer to reduce certain frequencies, and harder to add frequencies that are not present.

[barrygoodson]

The model J wins hands down to me. Way punchier thank the Ultra J. Glad I heard this as I was gonna pick up a Ultra J but now I'll get the Model J, thanks !!

[shugemery]

This demo was outstanding and truly helpful on my decision. Will listen a couple more times. Leaning towards the Model J so far.

[PurpleWatchtower]

They're both brilliant sounding pickups can go either way 👏🔥

[Oran_Lee_Bass]

WOW!! Those Ultras sound like my beloved 1990 Rickenbacker 4003!
Wish I could hear both pickups with different tone settings. Either way, I’m pretty set on the Ultras.

And both of us are playing Peace Sells wrong. You got the first part right with the 7th fret A to 8th fret (except I don’t think Dave Ellefson does a pull-off). I always hit the A# on the 8th fret twice which watching/hearing you, I now know I’m playing it wrong.
But on the second part/end of the riff, it goes up, not down, from the 5th fret A to the 6th fret A#. 😉
Sounded amazing nonetheless!
Cheers!

[timmiller]

I've had the Model J's for a long time. They are really excellent. *** Don't overlook the ability to adjust the pole height with a hex key (same size as for bridge adjustment). *** The Ultra Jazz don't have this. It allows you to get the volume of each string the same regardless of the action height of each string. The face of the pickup body is linear, but the fretboard (and therefore my string height) is along an arc. Another thing is, this lets you have a "hot" tone even if you play with a higher action. I notice Oliver has an impossibly low action! Very cool. But I play much higher (I really don't like fret buzz) and so the Ultra Jazz would have nowhere near the signal level that I can get with the Model J / DP123s. Thanks for this well-produced video, Oliver.

[bazZzment]

Wow, that Model J neck pickup has such a wonderful punch. Perfect for when you want to emulate a P Bass. I have Kloppmanns in my 60s JB but I kinda want that now. 😅

[altumpaul]

I would love to see you do a relentless jazz set compared to these

[billlord]

I picked up a Waterstone Jazz Bass (Korean-built, based and set up in Nashville) about 15 years ago. At times I thought about selling it, as it never quite moved me sonically. I finally got around to modding it, replacing the bridge, doing a CTS rewire, and dropped in a pair of DiMarzio DP123 pickups. What a difference. I can't imagine parting with it - it sounds great. So glad I held onto it and so glad I got the DiMarzio 123s. I like that fuller-leaning tone and they get bright enough for my liking.

[Bassic]

I like the bite and growl that the Ultra Jazz pickups offer!!!! I'm seriously considering replacing the pickups in my Sire V7 5 with these!!! Thank you for a great comparison video!!!

[hushpuppykl]

I got the Ultra Jazz in my ‘78 Jazz Bass … I like how it cuts through clearly.

[Theospeak]

Great demo, I have the Model J DP123's installed on my '78 J and I love them. They give it much more of a classic precision sound and fill in the low end in a way that normally takes preamps and other electronics to achieve with the standard pickups.

[noah]

I appreciate that the cure is often an example

[ah]

Great comparison video, done well with excellent editing.
Many Youtubers could learn a lot from your productions.
Both pickups sound great, but the Ultra Jazz sounds a little fuller in the bridge position.

[twenkmcwanzer]

Great vid. Thanks for this. Model J is the one for me.

[Zekla]

Choice is easy. Ultra jazz sounds like single coil jazz pickups, model j sounds like P pickups. You like j or p?

[szrnkabela]

Laura Lee of Khruangbin 👩🏻plays the Ultras in her SX Jazz Bass 🎸 with Dimarzio Chrome Flatwounds. Cuts easily through the mix.

[droppinlikefliesBand]

Both sound great, I do notice like the Model J. DiMarzio pickups all sound great when cranked or pushed.

[myflyisopen.]

The Ultras have that crispness and twang I cannot tolerate. It even creeps up with the tone down. Model J all the way!

[jamessmith-zkco]

I love the Ultra Jazz. They've got a little extra sumthin sumthin!