Jazzmaster Pickups sonic character

weird_oh84 Joined: May 24, 2023 Posts: 198	Posted on Jan 26 2025 06:57 PM If you had to describe the sonic characteristics of a JM and its pu’s what would that be, as compared to a Strat? Do JMs tend to sound “woody” in the bridge and neck position? Top
Reverbenator Joined: Jul 26, 2015 Posts: 260 San Diego, Ca	Posted on Jan 26 2025 08:05 PM Good question. As you have likely noticed, Jazzmaster pickups are larger and flatter than a Strats pickups. It has generally been my understanding that they have approximately the same number of windings (turns), but since the Jazzmaster uses bobbins where the top and bottom are much closer together, the wire gets spread farther out, ultimately giving the Jazzmaster more wire wrapped around the pole pieces. (Which will give them more output.) I’m not sure how you’d describe the the different sounds of each pickup, but for lack of any other words, Strats sound sharper. (Pointier?) They have a sound that has less bottom end, and more mids and highs; Jazzmasters sound a bit rounder and fuller, with more emphasis on the mids and lows. (To be clear, they’re not by any means lacking on the high end.) I have both Strats and Jazzmasters, (American and Japanese made) with good quality pickups, and I like them all. Which do I like better? It depends on what exactly I’m playing. I’m sure there are other forum members who may describe them differently, and I encourage them to chime in. I hope this helps. — -Cheers, Clark- -Less Paul, more Reverb- Last edited: Jan 26, 2025 20:08:54 Top
Redfeather Joined: Jul 30, 2016 Posts: 896	Posted on Jan 26 2025 08:42 PM I'm inferring from this post that you don't possess a Jazzmaster. If I'm right about that, stop what you're doing and what you're wondering and go get one. You will understand. Of course, you will then also need to arrange procurement of a Jaguar because you really can't get one but not the other. Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 156	Posted on Feb 09 2025 02:26 AM Redfeather wrote: I'm inferring from this post that you don't possess a Jazzmaster. If I'm right about that, stop what you're doing and what you're wondering and go get one. You will understand. Of course, you will then also need to arrange procurement of a Jaguar because you really can't get one but not the other. This has been my experience too. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4467 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Feb 09 2025 07:46 PM I would describe JM pickups as bright, but not piercing. A Jaguar is more focused, and can be painfully bright, although through the right signal-path/amp, a Jaguar can sound amazing, and be very mellow. I’ve never owned a JM, it’s the only non student Fender I haven’t owned (including a Coronado) but I’ve played JMs on a number of occasions and really love the sound. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top

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Jazzmaster Pickups sonic character