Which pick ups should i buy to make my Jaguar reissue sound like a strat? Urgent!!

[bozoflo]

Hi

I've got a Jaguar Japanese reissue. I'm in the process of selling it to buy a strat. The reason being the pick ups on the Jag are so inspid, dry and trebly. I've had the pick ups waxpotted as they wailed like a baby every time it looked at an amp. Its stopped wailing, but i can't get a decent tone. I'm looking for something that can do pop and rock-heavy rock, funk etc. I'd rather change the pick ups and keep the guitar if i can as its so bloody beautiful. If not, then i guess its goodbye and hello strat. I was thinking the seymour Jag 2 hot pick ups but worry it won't handle the rock element and might start wailing again. I'm not sure about the Jag 3 quarter pounders. They won't wail, but will i be able to do pop and funk? I have a USA Telecaster, and Gibson SG as my other guitars. Both are dependable and brilliant at what they do, but the strat seems so versatlie? The auction ends in a few hours, so i need help pronto if i'm going to pull it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Which pick ups should i buy to make my Jaguar reissue sound like a strat? Urgent!

Most standard pups in fenders I found to be weak and thin, but wax potting them will make them lifeless/flat as well. SC pickups will tend to be loud hum wise, but a decent quality pickup shouldn't squeal unless its under high gain - then you should be choosing a SC sized HB anyhow.

I'm assuming a strat pickup shape will work here, but any of the custom flat/staggered/stack depending on tonal qualities needed - listen to the soundbites to get an idea of what the differences are. There is also a hot Jag pickup too. Also - realise that clean tone funk will be compromised by strong pickups.

I have a feeling that your Jag will still sound like a Jag even with a strat pup in it. Tele's never really sound like strats so I can't imagine it would be different with a Jag. Celebrate it for what it is, and play Under The Bridge with authenticity!!!

 

[bozoflo]

Re: Which pick ups should i buy to make my Jaguar reissue sound like a strat? Urgent!

Most standard pups in fenders I found to be weak and thin, but wax potting them will make them lifeless/flat as well. SC pickups will tend to be loud hum wise, but a decent quality pickup shouldn't squeal unless its under high gain - then you should be choosing a SC sized HB anyhow.

I'm assuming a strat pickup shape will work here, but any of the custom flat/staggered/stack depending on tonal qualities needed - listen to the soundbites to get an idea of what the differences are. There is also a hot Jag pickup too. Also - realise that clean tone funk will be compromised by strong pickups.

I have a feeling that your Jag will still sound like a Jag even with a strat pup in it. Tele's never really sound like strats so I can't imagine it would be different with a Jag. Celebrate it for what it is, and play Under The Bridge with authenticity!!!

Thanks alot Alex. So basically if i want the versatility of the strat then i should buy one?

I did prefer the tones of the 'Hot' jag pick up, but i was worried it would still squeal. That said, i don't know if the original pick ups squealed because they are rubbish, the amp and distortion were on at the same time, or if it was me....

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Which pick ups should i buy to make my Jaguar reissue sound like a strat? Urgent!

I have a feeling that your Jag will still sound like a Jag even with a strat pup in it. Tele's never really sound like strats so I can't imagine it would be different with a Jag. Celebrate it for what it is, and play Under The Bridge with authenticity!!!

+1

The scale length, the 1meg pots and, especially, the hardware will always make the Jaguar sound a certain way. I Seymourised my CIJ Jag with Antiquity I and II pickups and USA pots. It is possible to add a centre pickup but it will still sound like a Jaguar/Cyclone/whatever.

 

[Electroman]

Re: Which pick ups should i buy to make my Jaguar reissue sound like a strat? Urgent!

Everything has been said, if you want a strat sound get a strat.
To make a Jag sound like a strat is like to make a les paul sound like a jazzmaster.
Believe me, if i were in usa i would trade you Jag for one of my strats

Good luck

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Which pick ups should i buy to make my Jaguar reissue sound like a strat? Urgent!

Strats are ubiquitous and cheap while Jaguars are specialized and expensive. With enough work you can make Kobe beef into a quarter pounder with cheese, but it doesn't make economic sense.

 

[bozoflo]

Re: Which pick ups should i buy to make my Jaguar reissue sound like a strat? Urgent!

Everything has been said, if you want a strat sound get a strat.
To make a Jag sound like a strat is like to make a les paul sound like a jazzmaster.
Believe me, if i were in usa i would trade you Jag for one of my strats

Good luck

I'm in London, where are your strats???

Guys, i appreciate the feedback, i really do. I was always anti stratocasters, didn't think they looked sexy, and as you say, were ubiqtious. I always used my Telecaster, it did everything i wanted it to. So did the SG when i got that, and though i've had the Jaguar for more than 5 years, i rarely play it because it does sound so painfully thin, and i'm not into surf music. If i could make it more meaty i would probably keep it, it does look great after all, it just needs to have a sound that gives me a reason to plug it in. If anyone has tried the quarter pounder, or hot pick ups, could you give me some feedback? The sound samples on the site are useful, but there's nothing like first person feedback.

cheers

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Which pick ups should i buy to make my Jaguar reissue sound like a strat? Urgent!

I'm in London, where are your strats???

i've had the Jaguar for more than 5 years, i rarely play it because it does sound so painfully thin, and i'm not into surf music. If i could make it more meaty i would probably keep it, it does look great after all, it just needs to have a sound that gives me a reason to plug it in. If anyone has tried the quarter pounder, or hot pick ups, could you give me some feedback? The sound samples on the site are useful, but there's nothing like first person feedback.

cheers

The reason why your MIJ/CIJ Jaguar sounds thin and weedy is largely down to the gutless OEM pickups. As mentioned earlier, I arrived at the pairing of SD Antiquity I (bridge) and Ant II (neck) PUs on my Jag. This was after various experiments with other SD pickups including the SJAG-1b "Vintage" and an SSL-3T Hot for Stratocaster. (I was hedging my bets with the SSL-3T. I knew that, if it did not suit my Jag, it could go to a friend for his MIM Strat.)

IMO, the Hot PU was too hot for a Jag. Hot is not really what Jags do. I love Jags for all of the textural creaks and squeaks that the hardware contributes. I accept the design for what it is.

For a raft of brilliant modifications to try on your Fender offset waist guitar, check out www.jag-stang.com

For an idea of what a SD Antiquity II neck position Jaguar PU sounds like through mild valve overdrive, listen to "I Think I'm A Mother" by P J Harvey.