Question regarding bass guitar pickups?

Question

I just picked up my first bass guitar and there are two sets of pickups. I've been told they are two different types, jazz being one, I forget what the other is. My question is do I use both at the same time? Or one vs the other depending on what type of music I play? What's the difference between these two pickups. Thanks!

Answer 1

Answering your first question: The two pickups will have different tone as they are different types and at different places on the guitar.  You can select one, the other, or both to achieve the desired sound.  

The second question: The pickup closest to the bridge will give you a warmer tone (more treble) and richer harmonics.  This is good for anything that requires you to be heard (like solos or distinct bass lines).  It will outline your percussive sounds (slapping, popping) and make you stand out.  It is also wanted if you use effects like distortion or chorus.

The other pickup is darker and more mello.  It will give you the tone that you need to support a guitar or other instrument without taking attention away from them.  This is good for, as you know, jazz as well as country.  You can use this for solos and such, but it may not be as effective.

Also, in conjunction with each pickup, try messing with your tone k**b.  Turn it counterclockwise for a darker sound (more bass) and clockwise for a brighter sound (more treble).  It is wise to have it about halfway to all the way to the right for the best tone (in my opinion).

Answer 2

The pickup nearest the fingerboard is the bass pickup and has a much more bassier sound and more depth, smoother.

The bridge pickup is cleaner and brighter and used especially for slappin.

Now if you combine the 2 pickups, you get good punch sound with highs and lows emphasized.