Best Pickups for 4-String J-Bass Under $200 2026
Affordable pickups for 4-string j-bass under $200 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
DiMarzio DP149BK
by
DiMarzio
Vintage Restoration
Professional Performance
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Improves tone and output
✓ PROS
- • Many vintage and modern options
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✗ CONS
- • Installation voids warranty
- • Can be expensive for premium pickups
DiMarzio DP149BK, Pickup Set, Ultra J-Style, Neck & bridge, Colour: Black
⭐
4.6/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 203565
$197
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan SJB-2N BLK
Tone Enhancement
Professional Performance
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✓ PROS
- • Professional upgrade option
- • Improves tone and output
✗ CONS
- • Can be expensive for premium pickups
- • May need additional electronics work
Seymour Duncan SJB-2N BLK, E-Bass, Neck position, With more output and punch than the vintage pickup, this pickup...
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 183548
$128
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan AJB-1b Bridge 4-string
Vintage Restoration
Tone Enhancement
Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Professional upgrade option
✓ PROS
- • Can dramatically change bass sound
- • Professional upgrade option
✗ CONS
- • Requires technical installation
- • May need additional electronics work
Seymour Duncan AJB-1b Bridge 4-stringPickup for Electric BassActive single coilBridge positionModern punch and attack...
⭐
4.7/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553996
$197
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Seymour Duncan STK-J1B J-Bass Bridge 4
Jazz Bass Upgrade
Studio Recording
Tone Enhancement
Key Feature:
• Improves tone and output
✓ PROS
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
- • Professional upgrade option
✗ CONS
- • Can be expensive for premium pickups
- • May need additional electronics work
Seymour Duncan STK-J1B J-Bass Bridge 4Pickups for J-Style Electric BassSingle coilsFor bridge position4-String...
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 561371
$160
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Seymour Duncan STK-J2B
Vintage Restoration
Jazz Bass Upgrade
Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Improves tone and output
✓ PROS
- • Many vintage and modern options
- • Improves tone and output
✗ CONS
- • May change original vintage value
- • Requires technical installation
Seymour Duncan STK-J2B, Hot Jazz Stack Bass Pickup, Fat authentic vintage jazz bass tone, Elimination of mains hum...
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 180531
$164
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
DiMarzio DP123Creme Set
by
DiMarzio
Jazz Bass Upgrade
Studio Recording
Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Can dramatically change bass sound
✓ PROS
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
- • Professional upgrade option
✗ CONS
- • May change original vintage value
- • May need additional electronics work
DiMarzio DP123Creme SetBass Pickup SetJ -Style BassConsisting of neck and bridge pickupDry tone with very direct...
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 234557
$197
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Fender Original Jazz Bass PU Set
by
Fender
Studio Recording
Jazz Bass Upgrade
Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Professional upgrade option
✓ PROS
- • Professional upgrade option
- • Many vintage and modern options
✗ CONS
- • May need additional electronics work
- • May change original vintage value
Fender Original Jazz Bass PU Set, Pickup Set, Original jazz bass PU vintage set, For electric-bass, Neck + bridge...
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 169406
$147
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Seymour Duncan STK-J2N
Professional Performance
Tone Enhancement
Vintage Restoration
Key Feature:
• Improves tone and output
✓ PROS
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
- • Improves tone and output
✗ CONS
- • Installation voids warranty
- • May change original vintage value
Seymour Duncan STK-J2N, Pickup, Hot Jazz stack bass, Fat authentic vintage jazz bass sound while eliminating hum...
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 244427
$164
#9
⭐
4.4/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Seymour Duncan SJB-1B BK
Vintage Restoration
Tone Enhancement
Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Can dramatically change bass sound
✓ PROS
- • Professional upgrade option
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✗ CONS
- • Installation voids warranty
- • May need additional electronics work
Seymour Duncan SJB-1B BK, J-Style Pickup, Vintage jazz bass®, For bridge position, Colour: Black
⭐
4.4/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 179278
$131
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan SJB-3B BK
Jazz Bass Upgrade
Modern Sound
Vintage Restoration
Key Feature:
• Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✓ PROS
- • Can dramatically change bass sound
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✗ CONS
- • May change original vintage value
- • Installation voids warranty
Seymour Duncan SJB-3B BKJ-Style PickupBridge positionSpecially developed for bass playerswho seek a powerful attack in...
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 172080
$131
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky J-Style Bass Pickup Bridge
by
Sadowsky
Modern Sound
Professional Performance
Jazz Bass Upgrade
Key Feature:
• Professional upgrade option
✓ PROS
- • Improves tone and output
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✗ CONS
- • Requires technical installation
- • May need additional electronics work
Sadowsky J-Style Bass Pickup BridgePickup for Electric BassStacked Coil pickupFor the bridge positionHum-cancelling...
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620740
$175
#12
⭐
5.0/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
EMG J Set
by
EMG
Modern Sound
Jazz Bass Upgrade
Vintage Restoration
Key Feature:
• Many vintage and modern options
✓ PROS
- • Many vintage and modern options
- • Can dramatically change bass sound
✗ CONS
- • Requires technical installation
- • May need additional electronics work
EMG J-Set Bridge Pickup BlackActive pickup set for electric bassFor J-Style modelsClassic jazz bass characteristics...
⭐
5.0/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 152405
$160
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Fender Ultra Noiseless J-Bass Vintage
by
Fender
Studio Recording
Jazz Bass Upgrade
Tone Enhancement
Key Feature:
• Can dramatically change bass sound
✓ PROS
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
- • Improves tone and output
✗ CONS
- • Requires technical installation
- • Installation voids warranty
Fender Ultra Noiseless J-Bass VintagePickup set for 4-string electric bass2 Noiseless single coilsFor Jazz Bass...
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 499099
$197
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Seymour Duncan AJB-2B Jazz Bridge 4-String
Modern Sound
Vintage Restoration
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✓ PROS
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
- • Improves tone and output
✗ CONS
- • Requires technical installation
- • Installation voids warranty
Seymour Duncan AJB-2B Jazz Bridge 4-StringPickups for Electric BassSingle coilFor the bridge positionVintage style tone...
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 554088
$197
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Bartolini 4-Str J-Bass 9JS1 Neck BK
by
Bartolini
Vintage Restoration
Professional Performance
Modern Sound
Key Feature:
• Improves tone and output
✓ PROS
- • Professional upgrade option
- • Designed specifically for Jazz Bass
✗ CONS
- • Can be expensive for premium pickups
- • Installation voids warranty
Bartolini BA 9JS1 NeckPickups For 4-String Jazz BassNeck positionSingle coilCeramic magnetsDimensions: 19 mm /...
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 210714
$127
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.
