AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Pickups for 5-String J-Bass 2026
The top pick is Fender 099-2291-000 Ultra Noiseless Stratocaster Hot Pickup Set ($219). Tesla VR-B2 Neck BK gives you the most for the money at $52. Seymour Duncan Apollo Jazz Bass 5-String 67 / 70mm Pickup Set leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 19 models across 8 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
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All Pickups for 5-String J-BassTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Fender 099-2291-000 Ultra Noiseless Stratocaster Hot Pickup Set
Ultra Noiseless J-Bass V Set · Fender
35 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Strings5-string
If you play a 5-string Jazz Bass and want less hum from your pickups, you may like this set. You get two noiseless single coils, one for the neck and one for the bridge, made for Jazz Bass models. It suits you if you want a quieter bass without changing much else about your instrument.
Pros
- Two noiseless single coil pickups for a 5-string J-Bass, one at the neck and one at the bridge
- Designed to cut electrical hum, so it runs quieter than standard single coils
- Complete set in black that covers both pickup positions in one purchase
81AudioFu
Index↓ 6.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$233 · Aug 17$219 now$219€196 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Seymour Duncan SJ5-3s Quarter Pound 5-String Jazz Bass Pickup Set
SJ5-3S J-Set · Seymour Duncan
16 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Strings5-string
This is a pickup set for a 5-string J-style bass, so that is the bass you will need to use it with. Seymour Duncan describes it as high-output true single-coil, which makes it a fit if you play blues, classic rock, garage, heavy rock or nu metal.
Pros
- Set of pickups made for a 5-string J-style bass
- SJ5-3 high-output true single-coil design
- Quarter-pound pickup set made for 5-string J-bass
Cons
- Made only for 5-string J-style basses, not other bass styles
74AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$245 now$245€219 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Seymour Duncan Apollo Jazz Bass 5-String 67 / 70mm Pickup Set
Apollo J-Bass 5 67/70 Set · Seymour Duncan
14 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Strings5-string
You get a matched pair of split coil pickups made for a 5-string jazz bass. They use Alnico 5 rod magnets and a Forbon coil body, and each one is handmade in the USA. This set suits you if you have a 5-string jazz bass with string spacing of 67 mm at the neck and 70 mm at the bridge, and you want pickups in the jazz bass format.
Pros
- Alnico 5 rod magnets are used in this pickup set
- Split coil design follows the jazz bass pickup format
- Handmade in USA with a Forbon coil body
72AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$323 now$323€289 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Bartolini MK5CBC-T Dual Coil Soapbar 5-String Bass Bridge Pickup
5-string J-Bass Set Black · Bartolini
8 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Strings5-string
If you own an American Standard V J-Bass with five strings, you can use this matched neck and bridge set to replace your pickups. The split coil design with dual inline hum-killing wiring is built to keep hum down. Just remember to get your own screws and springs before you install it.
Pros
- Neck and bridge pickups sold together as one matched set for a 5-string J-Bass
- Split coil design with dual inline hum-killing wiring
- Ceramic blade magnets (ferrite) with carbon steel magnet configuration in a black cover
Cons
- Screws and springs are not included, so you need to get them yourself
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$256 now$256€229 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
If you play a 5-string J-style bass, you will want this set. It is the original EMG J set for that instrument, and it is active with ceramic magnets and medium output. It suits you if you want a classic jazz bass character with a wider frequency range, and it comes with solderless connections, all the cables and the controls you need.
Pros
- Original EMG J set designed for 5-string J-style bass with a classic jazz bass character
- Ceramic magnets and a wider sound frequency range
- Made in USA with EMG's exclusive solderless installation system
Cons
- Needs a battery and battery cable to run, so plan for power before you install
69AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$189 now$189€169 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
If you play a 5-string J-style bass and want a passive single coil pickup, this one is a good fit for you. It has a shielded build, Alnico III magnets, open pole pieces, and a black cover, and it comes with a 2-conductor cable. It suits you if you want to keep your bass wired the simple, passive way with a pickup made for 5-string J-style basses.
Pros
- Alnico III magnets are used, matching the classic J-style build
- Open pole pieces are fitted, so you can set each string's height and position
- Includes a 2-conductor connection cable for quick wiring
Cons
- Passive design, so it needs a standard passive bass wiring setup with no active preamp
66AudioFu
Index↓ 2.8%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$79 · Aug 17$77 now$77€69 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
This is a passive J-style single coil pickup for a 5-string bass, with an Alnico III magnet and open pole pieces. You get a shielded pickup that runs without a battery or power supply. It suits you if you want a simple replacement or upgrade for a 5-string J-style bass.
Pros
- Shielded design helps cut hum from nearby electronics.
- Alnico III magnet is a fixed, known material for this pickup.
- Open pole pieces give the pickup a simple, direct build.
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- Strings5-string
This pickup gives that familiar, punchy J-Bass tone with its Alnico V magnet and tight 67.2 mm string spacing. It works well on a 5-string bass but lacks a stated output level, so you may need to adjust your preamp. Great for players who want a clear, direct sound without extra hum.
Pros
- J-style single coil design for classic J-Bass tone
- Alnico V magnet ensures strong output
- Low DC resistance of 7.5 kOhm for clarity
Cons
- Black cover hides wiring color for easy identification
- No output level specification limits gain staging
61AudioFu
Index↓ 2.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$54 · Aug 17$52 now$52€47 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
This is a bridge pickup for a 5-string J-style bass. If you have a J-style bass and want a split coil that cuts hum, this one is worth a look. It fits both Fender American Standard V cut-outs and the narrower cut-outs found on many modern J-style basses.
Pros
- Split coil design with dual inline hum-killing for a quieter signal
- Fits both Fender American Standard V cut-outs and narrower modern J-style cut-outs
- Ceramic blade magnets with carbon steel, brass and copper pole parts
Cons
- Installs only into a bass with a J-style pickup cut-out that fits its 60–81 mm width
57AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$126 now$126€113 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
If you play a 5-string J-bass and want a crisp, focused attack, this set is worth a look. You get two single coils, one in the neck and one in the bridge position, with ceramic magnets and a modern output. Keep in mind that screws and springs are not included, so have them ready before you install it.
Pros
- Two single coil pickups, one in the neck position and one in the bridge position
- Improved treble reproduction and definition for crisp attack and focused sound
- Ceramic magnets for the pickups
Cons
- Screws and springs are not included, so you need to get them for installation
57AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$210 now$210€188 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 19 pickups for 5-String J-Bass
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Bartolini BRP57CBJD-L3 Classic Series 5-String American Standard J…5-Str Classic J-Bass Set Black · Bartolini57Stable$245€219$245€219Check ↗
- 12
Sadowsky J/J-Style Bass Pickup Set N/B5Sadowsky57Stable$401€359$401€359Check ↗
- 13
Sadowsky J/J Pickup Set 5 NCSadowsky57Stable$423€379$423€379Check ↗
- 14
Seymour Duncan SJB5-3b Quarter Pound JazzSeymour Duncan54Stable$122€109$122€109Check ↗
- 15
EMG 40J-B 5-String Single Coil J Bass Pickup40J Bass Pickup · EMG53Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 16
Bartolini BRP59J-LN1 Original Bass Series 5-String J Bass Dual…5-Str Original J-Bass Neck BK · Bartolini53Stable$133€119$133€119Check ↗
- 17
Bartolini BRP59J-LN1 Original Bass Series 5-String J Bass Dual…5-Str Original J-Bass Set BK · Bartolini53Stable$267€239$267€239Check ↗
- 18
DiMarzio DP549 Ultra Jazz 5 Set BKDiMarzio51Stable$211€189$211€189Check ↗
- 19
Lollar J-Bass 5S SetLollar46↑ 10.5%$352€315$352€315Check ↗
Pickups for 5-String J-Bass by the numbers
Measured across all 22 models we track, not a sample.
Median $210 — half of all pickups for 5-String J-Bass here cost less.
median of 22 models · 5-string–5-string
How to choose the best pickups for 5-String J-Bass
Voicing
This is the big one. Do you want a scooped, modern tone for funk and slap? Or a warmer, more vintage growl for Motown and classic rock? Pickup voicing dictates the fundamental character - the balance between the low-end thump, the mid-range honk, and the high-end sparkle. It's not just about "bass" or "treble," it's about how those frequencies interact.
Output Level
A hotter pickup will drive your amp harder, giving you more breakup and sustain. But be careful - too hot, and you'll fight the mix, especially with a busy band. Consider your playing style and the amp you're using. A passive pickup with a higher output might need a darker EQ setting to tame it.
Balance Between Strings
5-string basses are notoriously tricky. It's easy for the low B string to sound weak or muddy, or for the other strings to be too hot in comparison. A good 5-string pickup set will prioritize balance, ensuring each string contributes evenly to the overall tone. Look for pickups specifically designed for 5-string applications.
Construction & Magnet Type
Alnico magnets generally offer a warmer, smoother tone, while ceramic magnets are brighter and more aggressive. Coils wound tighter tend to have more output and a more focused sound. The quality of the components - wire gauge, winding technique - makes a difference in clarity and noise reduction.
Wiring Options & Compatibility
Some pickups offer different wiring options (e.g., series/parallel, coil-split). Consider what you want to achieve tonally and whether your wiring harness is compatible. A poorly wired pickup can sound awful, no matter how good it is on its own.
Buying guide
So, you're looking to breathe some new life into your 5-string J-Bass, huh? It's a common quest - that stock pickup sound can be... fine, but rarely inspiring. Upgrading your pickups is often the single biggest tonal change you can make, especially on a J-Bass where the pickup configuration already offers a ton of sonic possibilities. Let's dive into what you need to consider before dropping some cash.
Don't chase the loudest pickup. A good pickup doesn't just make things louder, it makes them better. Cheap pickups often cut corners on materials, resulting in muddy lows, brittle highs, and a generally lifeless tone.
Spending a little more on a reputable brand known for its 5-string expertise will almost always pay off in the long run - especially if you're trying to cut through a band or record clean.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 22 pickups for 5-String J-Bass from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Will a 4-string pickup work on my 5-string?
No. The spacing is different, and the low B string is a completely different beast. You'll get an unbalanced and often unusable sound.
My amp sounds muddy. Is it the pickups?
It could be. But often, pickup issues are compounded by amp settings. Try your pickups with a different amp and EQ before assuming they're the sole culprit. A bright pickup can also make a dark amp sound even muddier.
What's the difference between a P-bass and a J-bass pickup?
P-bass pickups are generally thicker and warmer, with a rounder low end. J-bass pickups have more clarity and articulation, a brighter high-end, and a more scooped mid-range. They respond differently to your playing dynamics.
I play mostly slap bass. What should I look for?
Look for a pickup with a bright, articulate voicing and a strong high-end presence. A hotter output can help drive the amp for that percussive slap tone, but be mindful of muddiness. Consider a pickup designed specifically for slap bass, as they're often voiced to handle the demands of the technique.
Can I install the pickups myself?
It's doable, but be comfortable soldering. There are tons of online tutorials, but a mistake can fry your electronics. If you're unsure, take it to a qualified tech - a bad install can ruin even the best pickups.
