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Being a guitar newb, I don't have any real exposure to different types of pickups other than the stock CV 50s Tele I had and the CV Duo-Sonic and BT Jazzy I have now. I don't like the stock humbucker (nasal and generally shit-sounding unless used with distortion) in the BT JM and am not sure what to go with--single coil or a humbucker. A friend recommended a Gretsch Filtertron for a jangly tone and because he feels it's sort of a cross (sonically) between a single coil and a humbucker.

Would it help if I listed guitar tones of bands I like in order to get some feedback or input?

Yep - you definitely want a tone in mind when you go shopping, otherwise you'll end up blowing too much money.

I usually feel you can't go wrong with a good, vintage-wound PAF like from GFS. One wound in the 8-9k range gives a nice balanced tone that isn't too exaggerated in any frequency, and is cool enough that you can get a clear clean tone. It's also the industry standard, so it makes it easier to pick another PUP if it isn't quite right.

I'm guessing the stock one in there is a Duncan-Design JB, which is super middy and really only designed for overdrive.

Thanks, Will.

Just to throw some bands out there whose guitar tones I really like: The Smiths, The Church, Echo & the Bunnymen, Robin Guthrie/Cocteaus, Slowdive, Kitchens of Distinction, The Stone Roses, earlier REM, The Police, The Chameleons, The Ocean Blue, Moose, The House of Love, The Cure, Rain Parade, JAMC.

You'd probably quite like a Filtertron, then. The trick is finding one in standard HB size that still has the sound. From my understanding, the GFS one doesn't come close. TV Jones has probably the best, but then you're up around $150.
My other thought is a '57 Classic - sort of a brighter, more open PAF. Some people think they sound a little thin, but it might be what you're after.

I don't know if a P90 would get you there - I think of their tone as being more midrange-snarl than jangle.

What amp are you using?

Try a Duncan 59 humbucker . You'll love it . And while you're at change that P90 in that BT . GFS makes one to rave about and it's pretty cheap. I like the Blacktops ( especially the JM) but they really cheaped out on the electrics .

I like the Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker that I have in one of my Jazzmasters.

Will wrote:What amp are you using?

I have a Pathfinder 15r and use a variety of pedals (and sometimes rack effects), but I never really get to play it without headphones as I'm in an apartment with paper-thin walls and floors.

Rox wrote:Try a Duncan 59 humbucker . You'll love it . And while you're at change that P90 in that BT . GFS makes one to rave about and it's pretty cheap. I like the Blacktops ( especially the JM) but they really cheaped out on the electrics .

The P90 is the pickup for the neck, correct? I figured there would have to be some major corners cut to make the BT so cheap because it's almost half the price of the CP (just couldn't afford the CP at the time). I went with it because it's the most comfortable guitar shape for me.

the blacktops don't come with p-90's, so i dunno what dude is on about.

hotrodperlmutter wrote:the blacktops don't come with p-90's, so i dunno what dude is on about.

Neck pickup is a P90?

No, it's a Jazzmaster pickup, entirely different thing.

the stock pickup is actually worse clean than the JB...the stock one is more mid-rangy and more compressed

for an HB 4u I would say 59...or maybe a filtron like u stated, I have no experience with the filtrons thou....and the p90 would be good too

I feel the stock JM pickup in the neck is great..clear full and VERY punchy..... may not be for fender single purists as it is hot for a fender neck pickup

in about 2 weeks I will have a Gibson 490t out of a Gibson SG available if ur interested, its basically a Gibson 57 with a tad more mid.... just an idea, but it sounds like u may be happier with something less Humbuckerish

Rox wrote:Try a Duncan 59 humbucker . You'll love it . And while you're at change that P90 in that BT . GFS makes one to rave about and it's pretty cheap. I like the Blacktops ( especially the JM) but they really cheaped out on the electrics .

I think the 59 is a good bridge pup, but i really dislike it in the neck. In my charvel the it's very bright and way too glassy. Right now i'm using the dimarzio liquifire/crunchlab combination and have been really digging it. I've actually completely switched to dimarzio lately, i suggest you try out one of their pups.

Currently making the same decision.
I'm honestly thinking about putting a Lace Drop and Gain in my bridge for teh metalz. I'm wondering how such a high powered pickup might contrast to the neck pickup though...

Since all of us here who bought a BT JM are wanting to switch out the humbucker, I'm wondering why/how Fender chose the stock humbucker. Is it because it was particularly cheap? I've seen others wanting to do the same on other guitar forums, too.

It's a really crap bucker, but look at the price of the guitar. I think they just wanted to keep costs down.

It's not unusual for people to change the pickups in Jazzmasters. The pickups that came in my 2 Japanese JM's were rubbish and I swiftly changed them out. I guess it's just a way for them to a. keep the cost down and b. make a bit more profit.

I don't think i've ever owned a stock Fender guitar that I was happy with the pickups, apart from an '85 Telecaster Custom.

I actually quite like the Blacktop Jazzmaster Neck pup. It's just that bucker, it's so nasal and sterile sounding.

Same here--I'm fine with the neck pickup and actually just use it or the combo setting most of the time.

Hey guys, since this seems to be a big issue with the bridge pu I will try to get a demo of mine with the JB in the bridge...... I will see if my boy has his home studio up and running yet, so no guarentees........ but if he does I will get a quick n nasty audio demo for ur ear holes