Uncle Mike
New member
Just wondering what the differences are between the different SD Jazzmaster models. If anyone can fill me in, I'd be grateful. Thanks in advance for any info!
Jazzmaster Pickup Question
- Thread starter Uncle Mike
- Start date
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Jazzmaster Pickup Question
I only have experience with the SJM-2 and SJM-1 sets. SJM-1 is pretty much classic.
The SJM-2s still sound like Jazzmaster pickups; depending on where you have the height they can be a decent amount louder than the vintage set, but for me the most marked difference is the additional bass/more rolled-off treble. Seriously- even with stock 1 meg pots the bridge in particular is quite a dark pickup compared to other single coils. The neck is a lot closer to vintage/less radical. They still sound like Jazzmaster pickups for the most part; there are additional mids but they're not too honky.
One thing about Jazzmaster pickups- the neck position has a LOT more output than the bridge for some reason, and to correct for that the SJM-2 set actually has a pretty big DC gap in the winds between neck and bridge; you still might wind up lowering the neck pickup. The SJM-1 set has a smaller gap between neck and bridge resistance-wise, so it's possible you'll experience an even bigger output drop between bridge and neck with that set, unless you adjust them pretty radically.
So unless really bright surfy leads are what you bought the Jazzmaster for, I would recommend a combination of SJM1 neck/SJM2 bridge (or just the SJM-2 set.) In fact I think Squier recognized this which resulted in their Duncan Designed Jazzmaster set approximating a copy of an SJM2 bridge and SJM1 neck (although somehow the Squier bridge pickup is even darker than the real thing.)
I only have experience with the SJM-2 and SJM-1 sets. SJM-1 is pretty much classic.
The SJM-2s still sound like Jazzmaster pickups; depending on where you have the height they can be a decent amount louder than the vintage set, but for me the most marked difference is the additional bass/more rolled-off treble. Seriously- even with stock 1 meg pots the bridge in particular is quite a dark pickup compared to other single coils. The neck is a lot closer to vintage/less radical. They still sound like Jazzmaster pickups for the most part; there are additional mids but they're not too honky.
One thing about Jazzmaster pickups- the neck position has a LOT more output than the bridge for some reason, and to correct for that the SJM-2 set actually has a pretty big DC gap in the winds between neck and bridge; you still might wind up lowering the neck pickup. The SJM-1 set has a smaller gap between neck and bridge resistance-wise, so it's possible you'll experience an even bigger output drop between bridge and neck with that set, unless you adjust them pretty radically.
So unless really bright surfy leads are what you bought the Jazzmaster for, I would recommend a combination of SJM1 neck/SJM2 bridge (or just the SJM-2 set.) In fact I think Squier recognized this which resulted in their Duncan Designed Jazzmaster set approximating a copy of an SJM2 bridge and SJM1 neck (although somehow the Squier bridge pickup is even darker than the real thing.)
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Uncle Mike
New member
Re: Jazzmaster Pickup Question
Well, sort of. I was hoping someone had tried a variety of JM models, so I could get at least a vague idea of what to expect. I had an original '62 JM for many years, and was hoping to get close to that sound. Yes, I read the descriptions of the different JM pickups!
Well, sort of. I was hoping someone had tried a variety of JM models, so I could get at least a vague idea of what to expect. I had an original '62 JM for many years, and was hoping to get close to that sound. Yes, I read the descriptions of the different JM pickups!
Re: Jazzmaster Pickup Question
The closest I've heard to that early 60's Jazzmaster sound is the Antiquity II. It has the right attack to the notes and that classic surf jangle to it.
The closest I've heard to that early 60's Jazzmaster sound is the Antiquity II. It has the right attack to the notes and that classic surf jangle to it.
Uncle Mike
New member
Re: Jazzmaster Pickup Question
Thanks! I'll give them a try.
Thanks! I'll give them a try.
