SD Pickups for HSS Jazzcaster Grunge Tone?

[Logan3036]

Me and a couple friends are trying to start a late 80's/early 90's inspired grunge band. Yes, I know it's frowned upon amongst most people to copy a genre, and we should just "create our own style", but we're trying to add options in our area veered away from the current pop-punk scene. Because of this, we've decided to use the same or similar instruments and equipment as they did during the grunge era (Fender amps, EHX pedals, Jazzmasters/Jaguars). That's where I have a problem. Being a left handed guitarist, I don't have many options to choose from in regards to a popular brandname "grunge" guitar, such as a Fender Jaguar. I found a company called Warmoth that will build a Fender copy for me, so I used their online builder to create this beauty right here:



Warmoth Jazzcaster
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fretboard: Rosewood
Pickups: HSS
Bridge: Gotoh Humbucker Tele Bridge

As you can see, even though its a Telecaster inspired version of a Jazzmaster, it's pickups are routed as an HSS Stratocaster. Right now I'm trying to decide on what pickups I should put into it. As I said, I'm looking for a late 80's/early 90's grunge tone, like Mudhoney or Nirvana. I think I'm going to put a JB Humbucker in the bridge position, but I'm not really sure what to do with the neck or middle positions. Possibly Hot Strats? Or Custom Staggered? Maybe even a Hot Rail in there? Something else? If anyone has experience in the genre with SD pickups, I'd love to hear from you. Or even just an educated guess would be great, as it would probably be 1000x of a better guess than mine. Thanks everyone in advance.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: SD Pickups for HSS Jazzcaster Grunge Tone?

I'd say either cool rail or vintage rails. I don't know what options you had on the neck, but a pretty basic one is about 250 + tuners + about 750 for that body with hardware and electronics, and add in extra for a fret job and setup after its assembled. By that point you're getting pretty close to the price of a lefty Kurt Cobain sig jaguar.

 

[elelpe]

Re: SD Pickups for HSS Jazzcaster Grunge Tone?

As long as you have JB in the bridge, you're already in the ballpark. During grunge era, they used any affordable gear they could get. I'd suggest SSL-6 or its noiseless version, STK-S6 for both middle and neck position just because it can keep up with JB in the bridge and will make for a versatile set.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: SD Pickups for HSS Jazzcaster Grunge Tone?

I both suggestions.

Do you want a strat type neck tone or a humbucker type neck tone? If HB neck, what about a Lil 59 neck and Duckbucker middle? (Play on the cool rails/vintage rails) Basically an everything axe set with full size JB. All noiseless, neck PAFish tone and middle Stratty tone.