Jazzmaster bridge pickup question - RESOLVED!

[DarkAxel]

Hey guys

it has came to my attention I have trouble getting a really NICE sound out of my Elements with my jazzy... BUT ONLY FROM THE BRIDGE PICKUP

it's a Squier VM Jazzmaster. Even on clean sound it seems to me that the bridge pickup might have the bridge pickup qualities in the sharpness and all, but the difference to middle and neck positions is just too damn huge. it gets too harsh... and it gets only more prominent with the Elements on - and it's not in the settings, I've just spent the whole evening trying to tweak the sound right

so i'd like to know what should i look for? I want it to sound like a bridge pickup but with less top end shrill and more body. Good price is only a plus, not really psyched to pay top prices

[theavondon]

Also interested in this.

[skullservant]

Maybe check out a P90 in a Jazzmaster cover? I know that The Creamery and Porter pickups both make models like that

[Ancient Astronaught]

Sounds to me like you need a humbucker in a jazzie p/u housing. It will tame the high end and definitely add more body as well as probably match the output of the neck a lil better. I had very similar issues with my jazzies before I decided to sell them for humbucker guitars again.

[DarkAxel]

Hmm... My beef with humbuckers is that most of those i've tried had that... "flat" sound to it. I like stuff more twangy with attack that out, for example like the middle position does...

i've been thinking about Wide Ranges, maybe I could have one made by Creamery or Mojo pups, both are from the UK, so there would be no customs for me... I've heard there's a bit of a problem with splitting them, which could cause some hum in the middle position due to three coils active, but if I were getting a boutique pickup, there should not be a problem to ask them to make the splitting possible, right?

the main question is... are Wide Range pickups close to what I'm looking for?

[skullservant]

guuuuurl I'm tellin' you P90's!

[DarkAxel]

Might check that out as well

them creameries are quite expensive though I'd rather look at Mojo's, those are about 20Ł cheaper and i've heard good things

my concern is - can P90 bring the brootz? SOmetimes i like/need that I know how to work the right hand (TWSSIAJ)

[skullservant]

I will say that I ONLY play p90's now, after being a humbucker fan for years

[transients]

Maybe just lower the pickup until it sounds how you want it to sound

closer to strings = louder, more brittle, could possibly screw with tuning/intonation
farther from strings = mellower

a little pickup adjusting goes a long way

if you're really set on a new pickup, maybe get a duncan antiquity 1 as they tend to be darker, if you want humbuckers, wideranges are great, but expensive - i've tried the lollars and the novaks and they're both fantastic and gel with 1meg pots that JMs have quite well.

[Holy Schnikes]

Maybe just lower the pickup until it sounds how you want it to sound

closer to strings = louder, more brittle, could possibly screw with tuning/intonation
farther from strings = mellower

a little pickup adjusting goes a long way

This.

I've noticed moving 'em farther away opens things up considerably, balances EQ, and even increases clarity and output if you had 'em too close to start with. Opposite goes for moving 'em closer obviously.

The Custom Shop pickups that came in my '58 Closet Classic Jazzy are perfection tho, high output and smooth, never brittle or thin. The neck and bridge are matched perfectly in terms of output and they're not hella loud or squealing all the time. Couldn't be happier with those but I'm sure they're outrageously priced.

[Ancient Astronaught]

my concern is - can P90 bring the brootz? SOmetimes i like/need that I know how to work the right hand (TWSSIAJ)

Without a doubt... YES. Most definitely yes. P90's rival high gain humbuckers for the brootz, except they have more cut and chord clarity. Maybe try picking up a jazzie bridge p/u out of aeither a MIJ or Squier J. Mascis sig model, they are p90 style jazzie pickups. I put a set in my old MIJ jazzy and loved em much higher output, fuller tone, but still tons of Kerrrrrang.

[DarkAxel]

Tried to lower the pickups, the sound just... is not right for me

my concern is - can P90 bring the brootz? SOmetimes i like/need that I know how to work the right hand (TWSSIAJ)

Without a doubt... YES. Most definitely yes. P90's rival high gain humbuckers for the brootz, except they have more cut and chord clarity. Maybe try picking up a jazzie bridge p/u out of aeither a MIJ or Squier J. Mascis sig model, they are p90 style jazzie pickups. I put a set in my old MIJ jazzy and loved em much higher output, fuller tone, but still tons of Kerrrrrang.

cool to know, thanks

[Holy Schnikes]

Yeah, any single coil with enough output is perfectly capable of bringing the brootz. Most sound more open and clear and lively than HBs as well. I've always been a fan of HBs until getting my mind recently blown by some singles or coil tapped guitars.

[DarkAxel]

I just don't have much experience with P90s, so that's why I'm asking

[DarkAxel]

Hmm, so from the research i've done (money incoming soon), the problem is in the wounding of the pickups, right? From the pictures comparing "true" Jazzmaster pickups and the newer RI pickups (i believe including the squier models) such as this



the modern one seems to me more similar to a strat pickup no wonder it's so sharp and brittle...