Stock Am. Stnd. Jazz pickups: pre-2012 pickups vs. 2012+ CS 60s?

[dmt]

Anyone prefer the old pickups?

For reference, in 2012 Fender upgraded the stock pickups to Custom Shop ‘60s Jazz pickups

Well, I semi-recently got both a 2009 J and a 2014 J (both Am. Standards w/ rosewood fretboards) and, although I haven’t spent a ton of time with either yet, I think I actually like the sound of the older stock pickups better.

I’m not a slapper or popper. I play original rock in a 60’s~70’s kind of style with fingers or pick. Vaguely John Paul Jones-ish, to get you in the right neighborhood. I use mostly the neck pickup, although I do also use both or a blend.

Anyway, it seems the Custom Shop 60s are kind of "more" sounding, but I don’t necessarily want more, I guess. Reading Fender’s description of the Custom Shop ‘60s Jazz set, they say that they’re overwound — maybe that’s my issue.

Anyway, am I crazy to like the non-Custom Shop ones better? What were the old ones called?

I don’t hate the CS ones or anything, just I find myself leaning towards the older ones, which wasn’t what I expected to happen

 

[Linnin]

Anyway, am I crazy to like the non-Custom Shop ones better? What were the old ones called?

No, not crazy at all. In fact slightly underwound pickups tend to have better overall tone. I don't think the standard p'ups had a name, just part numbers. I have a 2012 American Standard Jazz with the stock Custom Shop p'ups and the only thing I would consider switching them out for would be a set of the Michael Bump designed V-Mod mixed AlNiCo II & V pole piece pickups currently being stock in the new American Professional Jazz basses.

 

[dmt]

Partly, I was wondering if the stock pre-2012 pickups were the "Original Series" pickups. Anyone know?

Original Series Jazz Pickup Set:

 

[dmt]

Actually, I just found this comparison of USA Standard Jazz pickups vs. Custom Shop ‘60s Jazz pickups:

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

No, not crazy at all. In fact slightly underwound pickups tend to have better overall tone. I don't think the standard p'ups had a name, just part numbers. I have a 2012 American Standard Jazz with the stock Custom Shop p'ups and the only thing I would consider switching them out for would be a set of the Michael Bump designed V-Mod mixed AlNiCo II & V pole piece pickups currently being stock in the new American Professional Jazz basses.

@Linnin, have you swapped the pickups ? ... I’m also not very satisfied about the CS 60s and I wanted to get the impressions of somebody who changed them for the V-mod .. I’ve been highly impressed by the V-mod in the P bass

 

[Linnin]

@Linnin, have you swapped the pickups ? ... I’m also not very satisfied about the CS 60s and I wanted to get the impressions of somebody who changed them for the V-mod .. I’ve been highly impressed by the V-mod in the P bass

No, I haven't. If I was still a working musician and recording, I would. In your case I would also. You can always audition an American Professional Jazz to listen to them first. No, I haven't done that either being a lefty and all that. Be sure to let us know how you like them!

 

[Linnin]

I was wondering if the stock pre-2012 pickups were the "Original Series" pickups.

No, not at all. The Original jazz p'ups were wound to Fender's original specifications. They would be considered to be underwound by modern standards, and exhibit a lower more toneful output.

 

[tjh]

Partly, I was wondering if the stock pre-2012 pickups were the "Original Series" pickups. Anyone know?

Original Series Jazz Pickup Set:
View attachment 2882192

If you find the Fender part # listed for the 'Original' set you are inquiring about, you can compare … Fender used mostly the 33746/753 set through all of the 'early' American Standards, the American series, and the 'New' American Standards up until the switch to CS

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

No, not at all. The Original jazz p'ups were wound to Fender's original specifications. They would be considered to be underwound by modern standards, and exhibit a lower more toneful output.

Ok, sure

 

[Nedmundo]

If you find the Fender part # listed for the 'Original' set you are inquiring about, you can compare … Fender used mostly the 33746/753 set through all of the 'early' American Standards, the American series, and the 'New' American Standards up until the switch to CS

After I bought a 2008 Jazz V, I asked Fender about the pickups because they sounded so great, and was told they were the same as those in the preceding American Series. However, those 2008 pickups had old-school fiberboard bobbins, while my 2003 Am. Series four's pickups have plastic bobbins. Maybe they used different materials for the four and five string pickups, or maybe they changed the pickups without changing the part numbers.

Regardless, those 2008 pickups sounded fantastic. I swapped them out to go noiseless and wasted lots of money on two sets of pickups, because I ultimately decided the stock Fender pickups were the best. I did like both sets I tried -- first Nordstrands and then Bardens -- but eventually put the OEM pickups back in, and used them for awhile before selling the bass.

 

[tjh]

After I bought a 2008 Jazz V, I asked Fender about the pickups because they sounded so great, and was told they were the same as those in the preceding American Series. However, those 2008 pickups had old-school fiberboard bobbins, while my 2003 Am. Series four's pickups have plastic bobbins. Maybe they used different materials for the four and five string pickups, or maybe they changed the pickups without changing the part numbers.

Regardless, those 2008 pickups sounded fantastic. I swapped them out to go noiseless and wasted lots of money on two sets of pickups, because I ultimately decided the stock Fender pickups were the best. I did like both sets I tried -- first Nordstrands and then Bardens -- but eventually put the OEM pickups back in, and used them for awhile before selling the bass.

Thanks for the comment, but I have no experience with V'ers, as I only play 4's and spend my time knowing those components … I have not noticed bobbin changes on the '4's through the variety of models/eras the pups were continued being used, but I have also been down that road of spending $$ only to end up back where I started just like you … I usually just chalk it up to 'educational expense' …

Thanks for the comment!