pickup claws

markocaster · Post by **markocaster** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:13 am

I just noticed that my CIJ Jag doesnt have the pup claws installed. previous owner put seymore duncan quarter pounders for jag in the guitar. I have the old pups and the claws, should I put the claws back in , or do they not work woth these pups? cheeers

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:36 am

Optional. Although some people claim they cause feedback.
If you try them make sure you connect the grounding wire to the claw.

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:56 pm

Weren't they supposed to shield--or what are they for?

mellowlogic · Post by **mellowlogic** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:17 pm

DGNR8 wrote:Weren't they supposed to shield--or what are they for?

To look kewl

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:08 pm

DGNR8 wrote:Weren't they supposed to shield--or what are they for?

To increase sustain by changing the shape of the pickups magnetic field supposedly. But theres other theories like the one you said.

Jagermeister · Post by **Jagermeister** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:15 am

...theoretically, it would widen the magnetic field and lead to the tone being fatter... Though I've never had mine without the claws.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:06 pm

Jagermeister wrote:...theoretically, it would widen the magnetic field and lead to the tone being fatter...

Could be so dude, which makes you question the choice of 1meg pots with the singles. I think 250k is more suitable for single coils anyday.
In fact, i'd like to know if the improved MIM Jaguars have continued using 1meg pots. Seeing as they have moved the trem forward and used a TOM on certain models as an improvement.

Post by **dots** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:04 pm

the 1meg to 250k pots idea is a simple project i think i might try on the av jag. i'm pretty sure the hh came with 500's or 250's, but whatever, it sounds great whatever it is. i am very curious to compare the av with less brittle producing pots, though.

back to the original topic, i've read sooooooooooooooo many theories and explanations for the pickup claws, and i don't which to believe as they all sound plausible. the best idea yet is that they LOOK COOL.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:01 pm

Aye, i bought the burgundy mistz Jag as a 'test bed' for all projects but as it happened the 1meg pots work great with the full size bridge humbucker i fitted so never changed the pots.

Jagermeister · Post by **Jagermeister** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:07 pm

Fran wrote: improved

I seriously doubt that

I've played Jags with TOMs before and wholly prefer the original bridge, the trem seems to work better and have a bit more range, as well as a "looser" feel with the stock bridge... I prefer the sound of the stock bridge. I yet to have had my hands on an MIM however.

Back on topic in any case, why question the use of the claws and the 1 meg pots together? It would logically seem to "cancel the other out", and probably serve to give the Jag a great deal of its character by simultaneously brightening and fattening the tone... On a side note I suppose they add a shielding element...

I'd never take the 1 megs out of my Jag, they seem to serve to make the guitar louder and bigger sounding (I'm almost ready to switch 1 megs into my Mustang to test this...)

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:26 pm

Jagermeister wrote: I'd never take the 1 megs out of my Jag and Fran, you are homosexual , they seem to serve to make the guitar louder and bigger sounding (I'm almost ready to switch 1 megs into my Mustang to test this...)

Er... no, i'm not.

Srsly dude, i've got 500k pots in my 'Stang and it is total rawk. And yeah, the Jag, look at them claws.. they rise to each polepiece. If they were copper i'd go for the 'shielding' theory but otherwise not.

Jagermeister · Post by **Jagermeister** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:09 pm

haha, mine has 250k and I imagine 500k for mine would be a step in the 1 meg direction, of course I'll still have single coils...