Jazzmaster Humbuckers: Best Tone Options & Guides

What truly defines the ultimate sonic landscape for your Jazzmaster? The quest for the "best" humbucker is not just about amplification; it's about a profound transformation that can elevate the instrument from iconic to unforgettable, weaving a tapestry of tonal richness that honors the Jazzmaster's inherent character while boldly venturing into new expressive territories.

The pursuit of the perfect humbucker for a Jazzmaster is a journey that often begins with a desire to expand the guitar's tonal palette. Many players, particularly those drawn to the instrument's unique aesthetic and playing characteristics, seek to inject a dose of raw power and sustain into their sound. The humbucker, with its inherently higher output and thicker tone, offers a stark contrast to the Jazzmaster's typically bright, articulate single-coil pickups. This shift can open up new possibilities for genres like hard rock, heavy blues, and even certain experimental styles, while still retaining the instrument's familiar playability.

It's important to understand that the term "best" is subjective and depends heavily on individual taste and musical goals. What sounds ideal for one player might be completely unsuitable for another. Therefore, a thoughtful approach to selecting a humbucker is crucial. Consideration should be given to factors like output level, magnet type, and overall tonal characteristics. The goal is to find a pickup that complements the Jazzmaster's existing features while adding a desirable new dimension to the sonic profile.

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This article will delve into the options for the best humbuckers for a Jazzmaster, exploring the various manufacturers, pickup types, and the sonic implications of each choice. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding enthusiast, this guide aims to illuminate the path towards finding your perfect pickup combination.

One of the key starting points in this discussion is the definition of "true" Jazzmaster tone. While the original Jazzmaster pickups are celebrated for their clarity, shimmering highs, and distinct midrange, the introduction of a humbucker presents a different set of tonal characteristics. The humbucker design eliminates the 60-cycle hum inherent in single-coil designs, which can greatly improve signal clarity. The higher output of a humbucker often produces a fatter, warmer tone, with more inherent sustain and a compressed dynamic response. This difference doesn't necessarily negate the Jazzmaster's core identity; it simply shifts the instrument into a different sonic zone.

Consider the player who owns a '66 Jaguar, a sibling of the Jazzmaster in Fender's offset lineup. While the Jaguar and Jazzmaster share the same body shape and scale length, they feature notable differences in pickups and electronics. The Jaguar's shorter scale and brighter single-coil pickups contribute to its characteristic twang, while the Jazzmasters longer scale and wider pickups provide a rounder, more refined sound. The '66 Jaguar owner, accustomed to the sprightly clarity of their instrument, might seek a humbucker that maintains some of this tonal transparency, while simultaneously providing a powerful new voice.

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When it comes to selecting a humbucker, the market offers a plethora of choices. Revel Pickups, for example, presents a "true, full-sized, PAF" humbucker designed specifically for the Jazzmaster. PAF, or "Patent Applied For," refers to the early humbucker designs pioneered by Gibson, renowned for their warm, articulate tones. The Revel Jazzmaster humbucker aims to emulate these classic qualities, offering a vintage-inspired sound that retains the clarity and responsiveness often sought by Jazzmaster players. The option to "choose from any Revel humbucker" allows for further customization, letting players tailor the pickup's output and tonal characteristics to their individual preferences.

Lollar Pickups also offers a wide array of humbuckers. The variety of models available at Lollar emphasizes the importance of tailoring the pickup's sound to the application. The website suggests using their humbuckers to "get fat, warm tones and an overall rich sound." This range suggests that the goal isn't necessarily to stay true to any single, "classic" tone, but rather to open up the Jazzmaster to a wide range of possibilities, suitable for everything from jazzy cleans to full-on distorted rock.

Further options present themselves in the "custom humbucker" arena. The ability to contact a pickup maker to design custom humbuckers, "from polite to distinctly rowdy!", opens up a whole realm of sound possibilities. The player can specify magnet types, winding styles, and output levels to achieve a truly unique tone. The pickup could be designed to emulate a specific vintage humbucker, or create a completely original sound. This level of customization emphasizes the potential to redefine the Jazzmaster's tonal character.

One significant consideration is the physical fit of the humbucker into the Jazzmaster's pickup route. Standard humbuckers are wider than the stock Jazzmaster pickups, which is why many manufacturers offer humbuckers specifically designed to fit the Jazzmaster's unique dimensions. These pickups often use a "PAF humbucker built to fit in a Jazzmaster" approach, retaining the vintage tonal characteristics while optimizing the physical fit. The option of a "Companion cover" is essential; this lets you choose a pickup cover that matches the existing color of your Jazzmaster, so that the installation has an authentic look.

Beyond the traditional humbucker, the "wide range humbucker" (WRHB) provides another option for Jazzmaster players. First introduced on the Fender Telecaster Custom and Thinline models in the early 1970s, the WRHB has become an iconic sound in its own right. The original WRHBs, designed by Seth Lover (the same man who designed the PAF humbucker) were designed to sound more like a single-coil, but with a wider range of frequencies and a distinctive, clear sound. The Revel Jazzmaster wide range humbucker, now available with Cunife magnets, recreates the vintage tone of the original WRHBs.

The Cunife magnets offer a specific sonic character that is often associated with the vintage 1972 WRHBs. The use of these magnets is a key design element. The WRHB, by design, is a unique pickup that provides a different sound that offers a new voice for the Jazzmaster. Original vintage instruments often equipped the WRHB in both the neck and bridge positions. However, as some players noted, this configuration caused an imbalance in volume and tone between the neck and bridge positions. Therefore, choosing a WRHB for the bridge position only is an option to consider.

For many, the bridge position is the logical starting point for installing a humbucker. This position allows the player to access the most aggressive, powerful tones, ideal for lead guitar, heavy riffs, and other high-gain applications. The bridge pickup usually offers a more focused sound compared to the neck pickup. The pairing of a humbucker in the bridge position with a stock Jazzmaster neck pickup creates a powerful combination.

Many players are interested in this type of setup. One such user, "Gutter rock," expressed interest in the humbucking Jazzmaster pickups found in the new Offset Special guitars. This points to a growing trend: the factory-installed humbucker in the Jazzmaster. This trend can be seen as an indication that the combination of the Jazzmaster and a humbucker is increasingly popular. This user considers the possibility of buying these humbuckers as an aftermarket part; and this signals a cost-effective option for players. The popularity of the WRHB in the Jazzmaster size has also created a market.

When considering how the humbucker will interact with the neck pickup, the wiring is of critical importance. In traditional Jazzmaster wiring, when the two pickups are combined via the toggle switch, they are in parallel. This results in a more open, less compressed sound. Rewiring the slide switch can engage a series connection, yielding a significantly different sound that is more powerful and mid-focused. These wiring options provide a powerful method for shaping the final sound.

The use of different magnets affects the final output and tonal character of the humbucker. Alnico 2, 3, 4, or 5 magnets have unique characteristics. Alnico 2 magnets tend to be warmer and smoother. Alnico 5 magnets are brighter and more aggressive. The type of magnet will greatly impact the sound of the pickup. The selection of a humbucker is a blend of technical considerations and personal taste.

The ability to customize the humbucker's output is a valuable feature. One manufacturer offers "totally custom blade humbuckers for Jazzmaster guitars". With these options, the user can "choose the magnets & the output for a pickup or set unique for your sound." This personalization allows for a unique, tailored tone that perfectly matches the player's needs.

When considering a humbucker for a Jazzmaster, there's no single "best" choice. The ideal pickup depends on personal preference, musical style, and how you want to shape the instrument's sound. From traditional PAF-style humbuckers to the wide range humbucker options, the Jazzmaster is ready to be pushed in many new directions. Whether you want fat, warm tones, or a distinctively rowdy sound, there's a humbucker solution. Taking the time to experiment with different pickups and explore the possibilities will result in a Jazzmaster that is truly your own.

Pickup Type	Humbucker, PAF-Style, Wide Range Humbucker, Custom Blade Humbucker
Magnet Options	Alnico 2, 3, 4, 5, Cunife
Manufacturers	Revel Pickups, Lollar Pickups, Curtis Novak, Custom Builders
Key Features	True to Jazzmaster tone, Wide range, Vintage-inspired, Customization options, Various Output levels
Compatibility	Jazzmaster guitars with appropriate pickup routes
Wiring Options	Parallel, Series (rewiring may be required)
Tonal Characteristics	Fat, warm tones, Increased sustain, Clear, articulate, High output, Aggressive, Bright, Wide range of frequencies
Application	Various genres, hard rock, heavy blues, experimental styles, jazzy cleans
Bridge/Neck Combination	Humbucker (Bridge) / Stock Jazzmaster Pickup (Neck)
Additional Features	Custom cover options, Matching stock JM pickup cover, Vintage correct bobbins
Reference	Revel Pickups

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