So I just bought my first Jag...

[jamieb]

...and love it. I played one on a recent visit to the US, fell in love and, disproving the notion that you can't buy love, uh bought one.

It's a 2004 CIJ. I would have loved a vintage but thought it prudent not to buy one considering A) the prices of them and B) I wasn't sure how I'd get on with a Jag long term and thought a cheaper option would be best; in the short term at least. Anyway, I digress, time for the questions.

Don't worry I'm not about to ask if I should change the bridge, ask why my trem arms keeps falling out or what all the switches do. I'd like a few opinions, however, from those who've changed the stock bridge pup. If so, what to and why? I'm currently considering a SD JB JR purely because the stock pup seems a bit too...limp wristed. I guess I'm after something which doesn't fly in the face of the Jaguar but has a bit more thump. Likely stuff to be played on it = MBV, Dinosaur JR, KURT etc.

Thanks in advance as always...

EDIT: Embarrassingly I've posted this in the wrong place. FAIL. Admins, would you mind relocating this post?

[Justin J]

i've found that bridge pickup is weak on all the jags i've ever played, even my '62. i almost always just use the neck position, so it's not a big deal for me. i know robroe is fond of the seymour duncan SJAG3s. unfortunately there's not a whole lot of options for jag pickup replacements.

[aen]

Well, I'd say there is, since you can drop in any pickup ever made for a strat.

[jamieb]

Well, I'd say there is, since you can drop in any pickup ever made for a strat.

I think he meant there aren't many which remain at least vaguely faithful to the original specs, I guess.

[Justin J]

strat pickups won't fit in the claw.

[James]

Fuck the claw.

[Reece]

Fuck the claw.

Precisely. You don't need the claw.

[markocaster]

I have SD Quarter pounders for Jag in mine. Nice pups

[Fran]

Some Strat pickups fit in the Claw and if they dont you can cut the triangular plastic base off. It serves no important purpose.
The bands you have named still use(d) single coils though, except for kurDtz. So, if i were you i'd stick with trying out singles and keeping the Jaguars character and keeping the aesthetics is always a good thing.

I've tried quite a lot..
SD QP
Lace Sensors
SD JB Jr
SD Hotrails
SD Vintage

I think overall, without loosing the Jaguars character i prefer the SD QP for Jaguar. Its still a single but handles gain better, more tonal range, more or less noiseless and better response. BUT it will feedback if your not carefull. On the other hand the Hotrails was good for a more 'Rock' tone but it will never match a full size humbucker so i took that out.
Ultimately there are many Jaguar models available now, if you crave humbucker sounds then the HH and MIM models already give you them options.

[MattK]

Precisely. You don't need the claw.

NOOOOOOO!

[Justin J]

Fuck the claw.

Precisely. You don't need the claw.

but jaguar pickups are designed to fit in the claw. hence, there aren't many aftermarket jaguar pickup options. it wasn't my intention to imply that other pickups couldn't be used.

[sonicboom]

Arty congrats on getting the Jag. I'll fall in behind the Vote For SD QPs - what Fran said is bang-on.

I'd just add a health warning to that tho....I replaced both bridge and neck on my CIJ Jag, and I'm not sure doing both wasn't overkill - in retrospect I think I preferred the tones from the stock neck pup. The neck SJAG3 ain't as clear and bell-like, I think.

Just a thought, like.