So, what's your favorite Jazzmaster pick up set?

[Jaguar018]

Whenever this ageless question pops up I wonder about the follow-up one: do you ever wonder just how different these pickups really sound from one another? If you just go with all of the similar types that are variations of the original version(s) how much of a difference is there?

I get caught up in the romantic story of the artisanal winder (many with beards, Chuck Taylors or worn-in leather work boots, and horned rimmed glasses in my mind's eye) trying subtly different combos and getting that 'woody' tone from magical magnets and wires. They all seem pretty cool to me and I haven't been able to tell much of a difference in the sound of Novaks vs Lollars vs Fralins vs Duncans vs whatevers.

[welshywelsh]

Whenever this ageless question pops up I wonder about the follow-up one: do you ever wonder just how different these pickups really sound from one another? If you just go with all of the similar types that are variations of the original version(s) how much of a difference is there?

I get caught up in the romantic story of the artisanal winder (many with beards, Chuck Taylors or worn-in leather work boots, and horned rimmed glasses in my mind's eye) trying subtly different combos and getting that 'woody' tone from magical magnets and wires. They all seem pretty cool to me and I haven't been able to tell much of a difference in the sound of Novaks vs Lollars vs Fralins vs Duncans vs whatevers.

In isolation I'd be inclined to agree. In a band setting though, night and day between my Antiquity IIs and my Novaks I've found (Novaks being the better ones).

[Marc]

Just ordered a set of Q 65 plain enamel JMs from Croatia

[andy_tchp]

Not really.

Huge difference between the Sunday Handwound 'woody' set and the Novaks they replaced (which were pretty ordinary TBH.)

[GilmourD]

Not really.

Huge difference between the Sunday Handwound 'woody' set and the Novaks they replaced (which were pretty ordinary TBH.)

Did you get the regular Woody in the bridge or the Plus? I went regular and they're stellar!

[andy_tchp]

Not really.

Huge difference between the Sunday Handwound 'woody' set and the Novaks they replaced (which were pretty ordinary TBH.)

Did you get the regular Woody in the bridge or the Plus? I went regular and they're stellar!

I assume just the regular 'Woody'; there were no options when I bought these - this was back in 2015 when Tim would wind a few pairs in batches then list them in the classifieds here (at ludicrously low prices. I just checked, $60USD for the set! )

[guitarsammy]

Whenever this ageless question pops up I wonder about the follow-up one: do you ever wonder just how different these pickups really sound from one another? If you just go with all of the similar types that are variations of the original version(s) how much of a difference is there?

I get caught up in the romantic story of the artisanal winder (many with beards, Chuck Taylors or worn-in leather work boots, and horned rimmed glasses in my mind's eye) trying subtly different combos and getting that 'woody' tone from magical magnets and wires. They all seem pretty cool to me and I haven't been able to tell much of a difference in the sound of Novaks vs Lollars vs Fralins vs Duncans vs whatevers.

I found swapping out the PV65s/AV65s made a big difference.

Probably the main issue for me was that the bridge pickup had the same output as the neck, so even with maximum adjustment of the pickup heights I couldn’t get enough output from the bridge. It made for a problematic volume drop when switching from neck to bridge, but also meant that the middle position sounded very similar to the neck, and the bridge position just sounded thin, weedy and a bit shrill.

New set I ordered from Mojo had an overwound bridge, so that resolved that main problem. I *do* think they sound better overall though (generally a little darker and meatier). But the overwound bridge is the main difference.

Of course, a lot of this is down to personal preference.

[Jaguar018]

I found swapping out the PV65s/AV65s made a big difference.

New set I ordered from Mojo had an overwound bridge, so that resolved that main problem. I *do* think they sound better overall though (generally a little darker and meatier). But the overwound bridge is the main difference.

Of course, a lot of this is down to personal preference.

Not really.

Huge difference between the Sunday Handwound 'woody' set and the Novaks they replaced (which were pretty ordinary TBH.)

I think a lot of people do notice some kind of positive difference. Clearly there are plenty of guitars that don't have the right set in them and benefit from the different winds/outputs/magnets that get to one's ideal sounds.

I think my main issue is that I never have been blown away with a new set. At this point I have some pretty solid amps and pedals so I can't blame that for my issue. The Novaks that I have in my Firebird JM hybrid are really good-- but why am I batting my eyelashes at Sunday Handwounds? Detailing your experience, andy_tchp, isn't helping.

[andy_tchp]

I think a lot of people do notice some kind of positive difference. Clearly there are plenty of guitars that don't have the right set in them and benefit from the different winds/outputs/magnets that get to one's ideal sounds.

I think my main issue is that I never have been blown away with a new set. At this point I have some pretty solid amps and pedals so I can't blame that for my issue. The Novaks that I have in my Firebird JM hybrid are really good-- but why am I batting my eyelashes at Sunday Handwounds? Detailing your experience, andy_tchp, isn't helping.

He has the huge beard and horn rimmed glasses, too.

Also: Sunday Handwired pickups FTW.

[Daitong II]

I got a set of Sunday Handwound Fat52s to replace PV65 and they were exactly what I wanted. Very syrupy and tames the 1Meg pots well if that’s something anyone is looking for.

[GilmourD]

Not really.

Huge difference between the Sunday Handwound 'woody' set and the Novaks they replaced (which were pretty ordinary TBH.)

Did you get the regular Woody in the bridge or the Plus? I went regular and they're stellar!

I assume just the regular 'Woody'; there were no options when I bought these - this was back in 2015 when Tim would wind a few pairs in batches then list them in the classifieds here (at ludicrously low prices. I just checked, $60USD for the set! )

They're $135 a set now and I feel like that's insane. They're sooooo goooooood!

[javier-san]

another person to say that Sunday Handwound pickups are great

Iola's are great
Woody + great
FB under JM great
JM toaster great
Jaguar great...

[GilmourD]

another person to say that Sunday Handwound pickups are great

Iola's are great
Woody + great
FB under JM great
JM toaster great
Jaguar great...

I've got a set of Woodies, a custom-wound '59 inspired set, and a set of Wandas for Jag (the '64 inspired set with AlNiCo V), and they're all stupidly good. I'm so tempted to get more. I feel like a huge shill but they're so good.

[JVG]

I assume just the regular 'Woody'; there were no options when I bought these - this was back in 2015 when Tim would wind a few pairs in batches then list them in the classifieds here (at ludicrously low prices. I just checked, $60USD for the set! )

Damn, I got completely ripped-off paying $70USD for my Woodies in 2017.

He must have been making fuck-all profit on those early sets.

[Kyon]

Just got a set of Sunday Handwound Iola and loving them so far. Really great balanced and been using them for moderate gain situations with great success