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Best Pickups for 4-String J-Bass Under $100 2025

Affordable pickups for 4-string j-bass under $100 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz Bass Upgrade For Studio Recording For Professional Performance For Tone Enhancement For Vintage Restoration For Modern Sound
BRANDS: Seymour Duncan Fender EMG DiMarzio Sadowsky Lollar
Sadowsky J-Style Bass Pickup Long 4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sadowsky J-Style Bass Pickup Long 4

by Sadowsky
Vintage Restoration Professional Performance Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Many vintage and modern options
✓ PROS
  • • Professional upgrade option
  • • Can dramatically change bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Can be expensive for premium pickups
  • • Installation voids warranty

Sadowsky J-Style Bass Pickup Long 4Pickup for Electric BassJ-StyleShielded2-conductor connection cablePassiveDC...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610282
$76
Buy at Thomann View Details
DiMarzio DP148 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

DiMarzio DP148 BK

by DiMarzio
Professional Performance Studio Recording Jazz Bass Upgrade
Key Feature:
• Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✓ PROS
  • • Can dramatically change bass sound
  • • Professional upgrade option
✗ CONS
  • • Can be expensive for premium pickups
  • • Installation voids warranty

DiMarzio DP148 BK, Ultra J-Style PickupDiMarzio was first to offer replacement pickups for electric-guitars and -basses...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 152386
$98
Buy at Thomann View Details
DiMarzio DP148 CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

DiMarzio DP148 CR

by DiMarzio
Professional Performance Vintage Restoration Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✓ PROS
  • • Many vintage and modern options
  • • Can dramatically change bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Requires technical installation
  • • May change original vintage value

DiMarzio DP148 CR, Ultra J-Style Pickup, More output then Model J, Bridge position, Colour: Creme

⭐ 4.7/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 175552
$98
Buy at Thomann View Details
DiMarzio DP147 Creme - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

DiMarzio DP147 Creme

by DiMarzio
Jazz Bass Upgrade Modern Sound Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Many vintage and modern options
✓ PROS
  • • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
  • • Can dramatically change bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Requires technical installation
  • • May change original vintage value

DiMarzio DP147 Creme, Pickups For Electric Bass, Ultra J-style pickup, For 4-string, Position: Neck, Colour: Cream

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 265149
$98
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky J-Style Bass Pickup Short 4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky J-Style Bass Pickup Short 4

by Sadowsky
Tone Enhancement Studio Recording Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✓ PROS
  • • Many vintage and modern options
  • • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✗ CONS
  • • May change original vintage value
  • • Requires technical installation

Sadowsky J-Style Bass Pickup Short 4Pickup for Electric BassJ-style single coilShielded2-wire connection cablePassiveDC...

⭐ 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 610277
$76
Buy at Thomann View Details
Tesla VR-B1 Bridge BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Tesla VR-B1 Bridge BK

by Tesla
Studio Recording Tone Enhancement Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Professional upgrade option
✓ PROS
  • • Improves tone and output
  • • Professional upgrade option
✗ CONS
  • • May change original vintage value
  • • May need additional electronics work

Tesla VR-B1 Bridge BKPickup for Electric BassJ-style single coilString spacing: 59.1 mmConnections: 2-wireDC...

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611391
$54
Buy at Thomann View Details
DiMarzio DP147 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

DiMarzio DP147

by DiMarzio
Vintage Restoration Studio Recording Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✓ PROS
  • • Professional upgrade option
  • • Many vintage and modern options
✗ CONS
  • • May change original vintage value
  • • Can be expensive for premium pickups

DiMarzio DP147, Pickups For 4-String Electric Bass, Ultra J-Style, For neck position

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 113146
$98
Buy at Thomann View Details
Tesla Opus-JB Bridge BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Tesla Opus-JB Bridge BK

by Tesla
Tone Enhancement Studio Recording Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✓ PROS
  • • Professional upgrade option
  • • Many vintage and modern options
✗ CONS
  • • May change original vintage value
  • • Requires technical installation

Tesla Opus-JB Bridge BKPickup for Electric BassJ-style single coilPassiveConnections: 2-wireString spacing: 59.1 mmDC...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611403
$83
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Pickups for 4-String J-Bass

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced pickups for 4-string j-bass typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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