Interestingly I preferred the AVRI, but that's the magic of subjectivity! I could hear exactly what you meant with the FAT, more bottom end and low-mids, but for me they took away some of that chime that I love JMs for. I 100% agree with you, in a live context that chime can become shrill and piercing treble if you're not careful. Thanks for another great video Mike, entertaining and informative. Looking forward to more :) PS Nels Cline needs to have a go on Pancake, I think that pickup combo would suit him very well
And that's the best part! There's room for everyone! Ah, I would love to get the '61 in Nels' hands, but we've never crossed paths while it was with me. I have played a bunch of his, though, especially when I interviewed him for Fretboard Journal back in, what, 2016? I've played his '59 Gold Guard and man, what a guitar!
That's what I'm struggling with now. Maybe it's the 500k pots instead of 1 Meg but I'm just not getting the chime that I heard on my classic vibe even. JM-V sounds amazing but I'm going to have to switch the bridge p.u to something else.
Just ordered this set and cannot wait to throw them into my Jazzmaster! Based on this sound demo, Im completely blown away by these pickups 😮 Thanks Mike!
Just to follow up a couple years later.... I havent heard a Jazzmaster sound this good in my life. I wont go with anything else moving forward. Curtis put some magic into these! 👌
Mike, I've followed you since you were primarily M&M Guitar Bar. You've always been supercool to answer my questions on Instagram. Just want to say most guys who do what you do with demo videos and gear services etc. aren't nearly as brilliant at playing as you. It's really inspiring watching you play. And you are very generous to share you secrets.
@@Puisheen I am watching a lot of you videos today to see.. but maybe you can just tell me.. What string gauge do you use on your Jazzmasters? I recently switched from 10s to 11s and it feels too stiff, I don't think I can stick with it.
I've held on to my stock pickups on my Costello JM since 2009 and my stock pu's on my AV Jag I've had since 2014...but... I think it might finally time to upgrade. I bought a Nash JM-63 with Lollars and man, its hard to not love that - after trying out my guitar teacher's Creston w/ Lollars, wow, that is a great guitar! I've been a Novak fan as well, two Tele's with Novak bridge pickups - all my band mates love that tone! Novak was the OG guy on Offset guitars back in the 2000's so that's the way I will go for both my EC JM and my beloved black Jag.
I just find a Curtis Novak JM-V for a good price, not easy to get here in France, for my Japanese Jazzmaster and you just convince me to add the JM-Fat in the bridge position. It’s to replace the Seymour Duncan SJM2 and SJM3 that the previous owner put on it. Just have to find the JM-Fat now, the easiest way might be to just order it from the Curtis Novak website. But also, I think your playing as a lot to do with how it sounds. You have a really nice touch. Great demo/comparison. Sounds really, really good.
Those Curtis Novak pickups are the tone I've been looking for. I've never heard a Jazzmaster that sounds that good on the bridge but still retains that iconically Jazzmastery sound in the middle position.
For real! I love my AV 65 JM in the middle position, but the bridge is not great for a lot of stuff. I want a new bridge pickup but I also want the middle position to sound as good as it does now, if not better!
@christophernoia5197 an update since making that comment: I bought the pickups. It might be one of my top purchases ever because they are truly beautiful pickups. Just like I said in my comment, the bridge position is very usable now and is actually competing with the middle as to which is my favourite sound. So I would strongly recommend you pick up the pickups! One slight niggle I had when getting them was the pretty hefty customs charges importing them to the UK where I live. Not Curtis Novak's fault, and to be honest, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'm looking at my J.Mascis Jazzmaster, and I think that's the next one on the list for getting the Novak treatment.
I liked the Novaks, but I think because of the higher output, they distorted more than the AVRI's in what I assume was the same Helix setting. I'd like to hear the Novaks with the amp's gain reduced a bit, to see what they sound with a lower gain, like the AVRIs had. Maybe it's just the increased mids I'm hearing? Who knows! haha I know this is months later, and I certainly don't expect that to happen! lol Just thinking "out loud", so to speak! hehe . Nice demo! You make me want to buy a Jazzmaster!! lol
The opening music was absolutely the best demo for all pickup switching, and the rhythm circuit ! Pancake sounds happy with your decisions. Keep ripping these out you make me think I’m getting smarter, or less stupider.
I recently changed the bridge pickup of my vintage modified squier with a Ds Pickups DS77 JM-HOT, it's an awesome pickup and works great with the pure vintage neck pickup also. Ds pickups is an argentinian pickup builder that makes pro level pickups at a very affordable price. To me the bridge hot pickup and the vintage style neck pickup is the best combination for jazzmasters
Awesome. I keep looking at Novaks. After realizing my AmPro wasn't really a JM I put Antiquity I's in it (based on a blog post of yours I think) and its definitely way better now, still not completely happy (with the bridge specifically) but I may try 1k pots first to see if that speaks to me. This video, again super helpful for me so thanks.
this vid convinced me that I needed this exact set for the vintera modern Jazzmaster I decided I had to have. that guitar comes with "hot" pickups which I generally don't dig and figured I wouldn't like these either. Now that I've gigged with this set a couple times, it's not exactly where I thought I wanted it - think the rhythm sound in Young the giants "Tightrope". come to find out that's probably a jaguar...anyways, the bridge is glorious driven, but not as clear as I'd like overall. sort of P90ish in midrange. I might ask Curtis for a V bridge. otherwise great set though
I have the Curtis Novak stealth PAF style humbuckers in a Rothstein Dual Dial-A-Tap wiring set up in my J Mascis Squire. The were originally in my '61 Jazzmaster (possible brother to Pancake?) Amazing stuff. The rhythm circuit thumbwheels control the amount of tap. Even in full overdriven humbucker mode the guitar remains articulate. I also have his sweet sounding vintage '64 Jaguar spec pickups in my Jag, but that is a story for another video.....
Hey man, awesome video! The sound of the fat/jm-V is just what I´ve been looking for. The Mojo pups in my Danocaster sounds great for clean sounds, but they are too weak for fuzz and distortion imo. I love your rendition of ”flags” at the end. One of my favourite Wilco songs. What setup did you use there at the end? Amp- and pedal wise. Such a sweet tone 👍 Thanks!
Hi Mike! Huge fan here. Always appreciate your insight. Quick question. I’m planning to install a JM-V/JM-FAT set into a JM with 500k pots. Would these pots make the pickups sound too dark? Should I switch to 1meg pots? Appreciate your thoughts on this!
great vid! def getting done CNs for my Squier XII! Do you have a video comparing the Vintera IIs to the Player series? See that CME has a special run of Llaters with rhythm circuit routing. Cheers!
I like both, but for different reasons. I recently swapped out a Duncan Antiquity II bridge pickup for a Revel Hybrid JM/P90 (google "Revel Custom Pickups") and I have allll the mids and oomph the Ant II was missing. HOWEVER...I miss the Ant II for the extra twang and spank. All I realized is I need another Jazzmaster.
I’m really thankful for the AVRI comparison, I almost put some in a Squier VM Jazzmaster I had. I really hope to own a JM again. Fender or Squier. It doesn’t matter. My favorite guitar model. Next to the Epiphone Riviera I have.
Puisheen Mine is - it’s not one of original models but a P93 Custom model in wine red I’ve had since 2012. I love it. It’s very pretty and I’ve never had a problem with it (other than adjusting the Bigsby arm bar and trying to find the right strings for it) and it’s stock. I’m not a particular P90 person but I love the ones in my guitar even if they are stock.
Hi Mike, I installed the JM-V and JM-FAT set on my AV62 Jazzmaster last week, and while the neck and middle position sound great, the bridge pickup somehow has a very cocked-wah kind of nasal sound, which I'm not particularly fond of. Do you find this characteristic at all of the JM-FAT?
I know this comment is at least a year old, but did you ever solve this? I ordered that same combo and ran into the exact same issue. I sent audio clips to Curtis Novak and he said something definitely sounded off, but the pickup seemed to be working just fine when I mailed it back for him to look over. I was really excited about those pickups, but haven't used them since because of that issue.
Great video, Mike! Those Novak's, while not a million miles apart from the AVRI's, sounds SO MUCH BETTER to my ears! The Novak pickups sound smoother where the AVRI's sound very spikey and a little less balanced in the frequency response and of course the pickup positions. Thanks for the video!
Yeah! For me, it's really the midrange of the Novaks that hits hardest. The AVRIs are so scooped that every time I've used them in a full band context, the guitar just disappears.
As soon as the demo came on with the CV pickups, I realized what my JM is missing. I always hate the middle/neck position. This sounds more like a good Sweredriver tune. THAT is the tone.
@@raynefaded The V has vintage JM flavor with a *slight* boost in output. The Fat is darker and wound in such a way that it's more powerful than the V. The PAF is a great humbucker if you're after that. Personally, I prefer his Wide Range in a JM cover, feels a bit more in the spirit of the offset sound.
I have an AV 65 jazzmaster, so I havent tried either of these pickup sets. I liked the 62 neck pickup just a bit more with your playing and effects chain, but the Novak fat bridge was a clear winner to me. Overall it would have been nice to hear a clean side by side as I love my JM for those tones. I wonder how the AVRI 62 pickups compare with my AV 65. Im considering changing them for something that will give me a better sounding bridge pickup while also being at least as good, if not better, than my neck pickup, which I love!
I couldn’t find Curtis Novak pickups in here Japan so I chose Duncan Antiquity 2. Pretty satisfied 🎉 your vintage jm sounds so good. Can you tell me your fav jm players?
Great demo as usual. But here’s my chief complaint about these types of demos. I’m guessing that you are recording all of this directly into some software program or the amp is Micd? No question you’re getting a high-quality pro sound and then once you upload it to UA-cam, it’s being processed through their system enhancing and changing the sound somewhat. I’ve come to the realization of just using my iPad making demos gives a more true representation of what something sounds like passing from the amp to the ear as though you’re sitting at a bar room table listening to a band then rather being digitally recorded. Anyway, thanks for all your hard work and dedication showcasing all this different equipment.
I personnally prefered the AVRI62's. Felt richer and the high end is more pleasant to my ears. The Novaks had more clarity and punch but overall that didn't make them sound nicer for me. But I can see why one would reach for them.
Antiquities are great, super-vintage replica pickups. I like them a lot, but my bridge pickup had way too much high end bite and not enough lows. Vastly happier with the Novaks
I just purchased my first Jazzmaster, a Squire 40th Anniversary. My choice was definitely influenced by your review of one. It needs a good set-up (I will be bringing it to Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar) but, so far I like it a lot and I'm happy with my purchase. The one thing I've noticed is that the pickups are a little too trebly for my taste, so I was very interested in your review of the Novak pickups. I did like the idea of the FAT in the bridge position, but I was thinking of more of a P-90 style pickup for the neck. I was wondering if you have tried or know anything about the Novak JM-CC pickup, JM-90, or the Lollar P-90 Jazzmaster? Thanks for the great reviews and information.
Extremely informative and entertaining video as always! I've considered getting these exact same Novak pickups, but lately I've been leaning towards a Creamery Dark Star for the neck instead. Do you have any experience with these?
Hey, Mike I love your channel. I ask this question as a brand-new, completely agnostic guitar player (learner). It's not aimed at anyone, or anything, or video, but as someone trying to understand the world of guitars, I ask, what makes a Jazzmaster a Jazzmaster (or Strat a Strat)? Even Fender makes Jazzmasters without rhythm switches or tremelo systems. With all the mods to pickups, tremelos, pots, etc. aside from the shape, what is the core of any guitar model? I hope that's not too weird, but, as a potential buyer, it feels like a legitimate question.
Well, fundamentally a Jazzmaster is whatever Fender says it is whether I like it or not -- and there are a lot that I don't like! -- but for me a Jazzmaster means this: the shape, the scale length, proper Jazzmaster pickups, the rhythm circuit, and the trem system in the vintage position. I have zero use for anything that doesn't fit these parameters! It's not weird at all for you to ask, I think Fender's confused the marketplace a bit with so many variations.
@@SD_Marc Nah that's okay. Jazzmaster pickup is like a Strat coil that's been flattened: a wide, flat coil wound to the edges around alnico rod magnets. For example, the pickups in a Classic Player or J.Mascis aren't Jazzmaster pickups by definition -- they're P90s (bar magnets, tall coil, threaded rod poles) in Jazzmaster covers
That bend at the very end with that extra bit of reverb was my favorite part of the video. 👍 My MIM Player Jazzmaster is getting some new goodies bit by bit- a Mastery bridge, a new wiring harness, a Novak JM-V for the neck, and because my budget ran out (but I also because no genuinely like it), a Squier J Mascis bridge pickup, and a tortoise pickguard. If I ever feel like going back to the original humbuckers and black guard, it's there, but this video is making me stoked to get the rest of the pieces to my upgraded puzzle.
Yo! Obviously I'm late to the party on this, but just recently found this video and the Novaks absolutely rip. I'm in the process of swapping pickups in my TVL Jazzmaster and shopping around for the right pair. Just curious - are the pots in Pancake 1 meg? I'd assume so given it's an original '65, but I'm wondering if - in addition to new pickups - I'd need to swap out the 500k pots for the more typical JM 1 megs to get that sound. Regardless, thanks for the video! This is helpful!
Potential stupid question: if the original pickups are losing their “magic” would something like possibly rewinding them or otherwise repairing them restore the pickups or is this just a no no just because they’re vintage?
Hey Mike! Absolutely love the tones here. I do have one question: was that the Novaks on the clip of “Ashes of American Flags”? Whatever that bridge tone was, that’s it. Thanks!
I bought a pair but I was unhappy with the sound UNTIL I changed the pots to 250k. Yours sounds great with 1 meg so I don't know what the deal is. Maybe it's the amp settings.
How do you think Novaks and Lollars fare compared with Fender Custom Shops pickups? I have a CS Jazzmaster '62 but don't have access to other jazzmasters to make a side-by-side comparison, would love to hear what you think!
Fender hasn't made a 'stock' pickup I've liked in many, many years. I've had CS pickups and they all kinda sound like the AVRIs for me. Too loud, too bassy, and too much tinny brightness. The only exception has been the Chicago Specials that my friend Shelby Pollard helped spec, those were fantastic. But I'll always take a Lollar, Novak, Duncan Antiquity, and Creamery over anything from Fender directly.
Hey Mike! How do you think a JM fat would do in a baritone JM? I’m looking for a different tone in my bridge position, and based on your take and the sounds, seems like it might be a good fit!
That depends on what you want out of a baritone. I have that Creston baritone with the Lollar Thunderbird in the bridge, which sounds massive, but also has a good bit of top end. I find that more brightness is a huge advantage in a down-tuned guitar -- the lower you go, the more high end helps keep things from getting muddy. So the Fat, which tames the highs a bit can definitely work for more aggressive tones but might be too dark for, say, spaghetti western sounds
Hey thanks for all the JM content. I have this pickup set in my JM. It's great indeed. Rings like a bell. Side question: how light a set of 11s do you think a mastery equipped JM can get away with? I tried 10s and it was a rattling mess and felt loose in the trem. Now I have 11-54 on there. Works much better but if I could lighten up a bit without the guitar getting that rattling feel it would be great. Of the mainstream Ernie Ball or D'addario sets what do you recommend?
I stick with 11-50 on Jazzmasters, that usually ends up feeling the most balanced for me. You should totally be able to get away with 10-46 or 10-52 on your guitar, and if there's any rattling with the lower gauge, you may just need to make adjustments. I can totally see the trem, for instance, needing the spring tightened to compensate for the lower string tension. As a side note, if you're going to use D'Addario, use the XTs. Their normal string varieties have a sort of weak finish wrap that ends up breaking on the JM trem, and the XT has a reinforced ball end.
@@Puisheen Great stuff. I will take all this into account. And yes until I switched to the soldered ball ends (KPLs I think they're called?) for the high e I was breaking the ball end off almost every day when I pull the bar sharp. Maddening. I am surprised that 10-46 would work. I need to hone my set up skills because when I put 10s on there the guitar was really not good. It did not resonate well and the feel of the bar was clunky. If I could get away with 10s I would love to. Even a whole step bend on the high E with 11s can be a bit tight. I use 10-49s on my strat.
Thanks for the feature. Though, I wish you would’ve demonstrated the Novak pickups using a clean tone. The dirt sounds nice but doesn’t really showcase the pure tonality of the pickups.
Eh, that's just not how I play. I'll leave the clean tone thing to other channels, because honestly, there aren't any pickup demos that work for me as an almost entirely drive-based player.
100% agree with you, cat of nansen. I think overdrive/dirt is even more subjective, there are SO many paths to grit, it's next to impossible to reference these pickups to my JM pickups, because my dirty tones will be so much different (between amps and pedals), whereas clean tones provide a more universal point of reference...imo. That said, enjoyed the video, the tone, and the playing. I have a set Manlius 59's in my JM. Pretty happy with them, but thinking about trying something else.
@@Birchblaze Those Manlius 59s seem interesting. I’d heard a sound comparison on the Offset forums and liked them. I ended up getting a great deal on some SD Antiquity 1s for my JM. I really like them so far. Definitely a nod to the ‘59 JM darker tone. There’s plenty of variety out there these days. Now I’m thinking of changing out my stock Jaguar pickups soon. We’ll see. ;)
You’re getting good at this UA-cam stuff Mike. That Pancake intro was proper banging as well. Love it! Have you tried the pickups in the limited 59 reissue? Absolutely love mine, was prepared to order Mojos instantly but they’re great... Or at least mine are, to me anyways. Thought they’d just be too bright like the 65s I briefly had. Nope. Also, very jealous of that Blues Jr.
Fender hasn't had a stock pickup I've liked in decades, honestly. The only pickups I've enjoyed were the Chicago Specials that Shelby Pollard spec'd out, they sounded great to my ears.
@@Puisheen That's fair enough. I haven't been a fan of most of the Fender JM pickups I've had. Most other than the Squiers were instantly changed to Mojos or Antiquities. Was honestly expecting to hate the pickups in my new 59 RI. Bonus I don't I guess!
Hey man! Which value of pots are you running with your JM Fat Bridge? I paired a 1 Meg Master Volume for a little more clarity with regards to my Duncan Quarter Pound, but a 1 Meg Pot might be too bright for a JM Fat Bridge.
Had this exact set in an old CIJ '66, I still miss that guitar dearly. I own a AVRI '65 now that has a JM-V in the neck and a Novak gold foil in the bridge. Maybe swapping the gold foil for a JM-FAT will give me back what I feel like I'm missing. Side note (sorry if you mentioned this and I missed it), what pots are in Pancake? I'm considering switching to 1Meg from the 250K pots that are currently in mine, but don't want it to get overly bright.
I always stick to the stock 1megs. I've tried 250s but with as dark as my rig usually is, it loses something in translation. Do love that Novak Gold Foil though, that's a fun pickup.
I have an AVRI 62 Jazzmaster with the stock pickups. I really enjoy the neck and middle positions, but the bridge is a bit too thin and trebly. Do you think the JM Fat would pair well with the stock neck pickup?
If you're going to do one, may as well do both. They should play well together but it's always a gamble as to whether or not you'll love them together!
What do you think about the Novak vs the Lollars in ArToo? The first offset I ever played was a Nash JM-63 with those Lollars so now that I'm building my own, those are the pickups I've wanted to get. But I didn't know about Novak until now
I love my Lollars! They're a bit smoother, have healthy output, and maybe less low mids but a nice, sweetened top end. Refined. I look at them as a slick, modern take on the Jazzmaster pickup, opposite on the spectrum from, say, Duncan Antiquities which are totally vintage. The Novaks straddle both of those things.
Hey! Curious about these Novaks vs the Black Bobbin Lollars. Just finished your vid on those and seems slightly less output than standard lollars, so more of that JM chime.
I recently ditched the AVRI pickups in my Classic Lacquer for SD Antiquity I's. I was ok the AV neck pickup, but absolutely hated the tinny bridge pup. The Ant's were a shockingly drastic change in the other direction. The Ant I's are a huge improvement, but may be just a little too buttery. Jury's still out. It really took it from from one extreme to the other. In this demo, the Novaks sound like they sit in a sweet spot between the extremes of the AVRIs and the Ant I's -- which is a good thing. Any thoughts on the Novak HC stealths? I was giving those a look before ultimately settling on the Duncans for the initial swap.
Those Stealth pickups are wildly good if you have a noisy guitar, and they sound in the JM wheelhouse. And I do love Antiquity Is, I had them in this one before the Novaks and liked them fine, although the bridge was lacking bass.
@@Puisheen That's good to know. The JM is nearly silent in my new home, but it hated the wiring in the apartment I was living in until very recently. I may try out the JM-V/JM-FAT combo in a month or two. Their sound in this demo really is close to ideal/perfect for what I'm looking for. If the noise ends up being an issue, Novaks seem very easy to flip quickly -- and it will give an opportunity to try out the HCs.
@@jsurratt81 Oh I've been there with wiring before, I totally lucked out in the place we're living now. Super quiet. Yeah, see what happens! Please report back, would love to know how you like them.
I've got that same guitar with same pickups, even the larger volume pot too .. maybe that was how they made them. Mine has shielding paint.. I had it done.
@@Puisheen haha i totally understand! I'm in a similar boat right now with a les paul conversion project: ditching the stock pups and deciding between some WCR filmore's that I already own and like VS Fralin Sunbuckers (i'm a sucker for single coil-sounding pickups in gibson guitars). any excuse to swap them out! I'm well. hope you are too, my friend
Hello Mike!! I have an AVRI '62 Jazzmaster and i was wondering which pickups sounds the best close to the originals black bobbins. What's your opoinion between Seymour Duncan Antiquities I and Lollar's black bobbins?
You think its a good idea to switch just the bridge PU to a JM-Fat? I like my Neck PU but i want something with a litle more punch in the bridge for distortion Sounds
You should be fine but pickups of different makes can sometimes not work well together, either with phase issues or output differences, that kind of thing.
What are you thoughts on Lindy Fralin Jazzmaster pickups? I have a set of fralins in a strat I own and they are excellent. Not sure how their JM pickups are though.
How would the Fralins compare tone wise to the Novaks in this video? For fralins I was looking at a vintage in the neck and a 5% overwound vintage in the bridge. I have had Novaks before and they are great, hard to find much info on the vintage fralins, I see a lot more reviews for the Fralin Hum Cancelling which isn't my thing.
How to the fender vintage '65 pickups compare to the AVRI's? I like want that quintessential jazzmaster sound and the vintage '65 set seems like a good value.
Indeed, that's what was in Pancake prior to the Novaks. I liked them a lot and they're also tucked away somewhere around here. Excellent pickups that sounded nearly identical to the stock '61 pickups in my guitar, but with a little more output and better overall balance between neck and bridge. In certain situations I found the bridge a little too bright, which is why I swapped. But damn good pickups!
@@Puisheen Thanks for that insight. Would it be fair to say that the Duncans are more a straight vintage repro whereas the Novaks have that, plus a bit 'more' (whether that be output, range, etc)?
@@Puisheen BTW I have a road worn jazz with Sunday pups(indy builder on reverb) 250k pots, totally percussive, chimmy and good sus with no shrill, but I the bridge at 9.5k is more like a p90
@@Puisheen Yeah I bought it off reverb where it was billed as a WW thin skin 9.5", but it's actually from another run of non-WW thin skins form that 07 batch. I had assumed they were all 7.5", but I guess not. I should name it something robot related since it's R2's cousin. You should also do a vid about the offsets and weird pot tapers since the JM is (afaik) the only guitar ever made for a linear taper vol pot. I find it awful and am about to switch out for a 500kA for the main circuit as God and Ted Mcarty intended. I just loose too much high end too fast making the only useable range 8-10. I thinkI'll leave the linear on the RC.
Came for your playing, listened info about some pickups I can't buy, stayed for your playing. I miss your playing yet😂
Thank you! That's so kind!
Novaks are not pocket-book-breakers.
@@RedArrow73depends on your situation
I wish we could have gotten some strictly clean-tone comparisons between the two sets of pickups.
Interestingly I preferred the AVRI, but that's the magic of subjectivity! I could hear exactly what you meant with the FAT, more bottom end and low-mids, but for me they took away some of that chime that I love JMs for. I 100% agree with you, in a live context that chime can become shrill and piercing treble if you're not careful.
Thanks for another great video Mike, entertaining and informative. Looking forward to more :)
PS Nels Cline needs to have a go on Pancake, I think that pickup combo would suit him very well
And that's the best part! There's room for everyone! Ah, I would love to get the '61 in Nels' hands, but we've never crossed paths while it was with me. I have played a bunch of his, though, especially when I interviewed him for Fretboard Journal back in, what, 2016? I've played his '59 Gold Guard and man, what a guitar!
That's what I'm struggling with now. Maybe it's the 500k pots instead of 1 Meg but I'm just not getting the chime that I heard on my classic vibe even. JM-V sounds amazing but I'm going to have to switch the bridge p.u to something else.
I like the avri much more as well..,
Same. I’m not in the same room. But I’m UA-cam the avri’s sound better. Which would be amazing cause I’d rather NOT swap them.
Either this is the best Jazzmaster pickup demo on UA-cam, or that Novak JM-V pickup is the best Jazzmaster pickup of all time.
Damn that intro with Pancake made me want to sell: my car, all my guitars and all my clothes for a 1961 Jazzmaster. What a tone.
Didn't know you have such excellent acting skills.
The February part was GOLD 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Played it ten times over 😅
Just ordered this set and cannot wait to throw them into my Jazzmaster! Based on this sound demo, Im completely blown away by these pickups 😮 Thanks Mike!
Just to follow up a couple years later.... I havent heard a Jazzmaster sound this good in my life. I wont go with anything else moving forward. Curtis put some magic into these! 👌
@@Rainy78 Cool, I think I 'm gonna get some for my Vintera. Thanks for the update, I was gonna comment and ask but then saw your second comment. Peace
@@TheChristafershawn You wont be dissapointed! 👍
Timestamps here!
8:53 AVRI bridge
9:23 Novak bridge
9:48 AVRI middle
10:06 Novak middle
10:23 AVRI neck
10:48 Novak neck
Mike, I've followed you since you were primarily M&M Guitar Bar. You've always been supercool to answer my questions on Instagram. Just want to say most guys who do what you do with demo videos and gear services etc. aren't nearly as brilliant at playing as you. It's really inspiring watching you play. And you are very generous to share you secrets.
Whaaaat this is so kind and I feel so undeserving of such a comment!
@@Puisheen I am watching a lot of you videos today to see.. but maybe you can just tell me.. What string gauge do you use on your Jazzmasters? I recently switched from 10s to 11s and it feels too stiff, I don't think I can stick with it.
@@jessejafrnd 11-50 on my Jazzmasters, heavier on Jags usually.
I laughed so hard at the February bit and then damn near died at the "I bailed on February" text! haha
I've held on to my stock pickups on my Costello JM since 2009 and my stock pu's on my AV Jag I've had since 2014...but... I think it might finally time to upgrade. I bought a Nash JM-63 with Lollars and man, its hard to not love that - after trying out my guitar teacher's Creston w/ Lollars, wow, that is a great guitar! I've been a Novak fan as well, two Tele's with Novak bridge pickups - all my band mates love that tone! Novak was the OG guy on Offset guitars back in the 2000's so that's the way I will go for both my EC JM and my beloved black Jag.
I just find a Curtis Novak JM-V for a good price, not easy to get here in France, for my Japanese Jazzmaster and you just convince me to add the JM-Fat in the bridge position. It’s to replace the Seymour Duncan SJM2 and SJM3 that the previous owner put on it. Just have to find the JM-Fat now, the easiest way might be to just order it from the Curtis Novak website.
But also, I think your playing as a lot to do with how it sounds. You have a really nice touch. Great demo/comparison. Sounds really, really good.
always such inspiring playing you do. not just noodeling around but just great riffs !!!
Thank you!
You look like you’re having fun Mike. Always enjoy your vids
Jokes on you. The rap worked a treat and the people now demand it EVERY. WEEK.
nooooooooo I can't keep it up
This is just flat out awesome - super informative and fun! Keep it coming!
Joshua, thank you so much. Means the world!
I think a sing song “Hey it’s Mike, hope you’re doin alright!” intro is perfect. Anything but “hey guys!” Excellent guitar tone as always.
I've never liked "Hey guys" because like every video opens with that. I became numb to it like certain frequencies in an EQ session.
Those Curtis Novak pickups are the tone I've been looking for.
I've never heard a Jazzmaster that sounds that good on the bridge but still retains that iconically Jazzmastery sound in the middle position.
For real! I love my AV 65 JM in the middle position, but the bridge is not great for a lot of stuff. I want a new bridge pickup but I also want the middle position to sound as good as it does now, if not better!
@christophernoia5197 an update since making that comment: I bought the pickups.
It might be one of my top purchases ever because they are truly beautiful pickups. Just like I said in my comment, the bridge position is very usable now and is actually competing with the middle as to which is my favourite sound. So I would strongly recommend you pick up the pickups!
One slight niggle I had when getting them was the pretty hefty customs charges importing them to the UK where I live. Not Curtis Novak's fault, and to be honest, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'm looking at my J.Mascis Jazzmaster, and I think that's the next one on the list for getting the Novak treatment.
You sold me on these pickups! Just ordered them yesterday!
I liked the Novaks, but I think because of the higher output, they distorted more than the AVRI's in what I assume was the same Helix setting. I'd like to hear the Novaks with the amp's gain reduced a bit, to see what they sound with a lower gain, like the AVRIs had. Maybe it's just the increased mids I'm hearing? Who knows! haha I know this is months later, and I certainly don't expect that to happen! lol Just thinking "out loud", so to speak! hehe . Nice demo! You make me want to buy a Jazzmaster!! lol
I've used that guitar in a bunch of videos since then with different amp and patch scenarios
@@Puisheen Of course! I'll check them out !
Saving up to throw a JMV and a JM90 in my lacquer 60s JM, very excited!
The opening music was absolutely the best demo for all pickup switching, and the rhythm circuit ! Pancake sounds happy with your decisions. Keep ripping these out you make me think I’m getting smarter, or less stupider.
I recently changed the bridge pickup of my vintage modified squier with a Ds Pickups DS77 JM-HOT, it's an awesome pickup and works great with the pure vintage neck pickup also. Ds pickups is an argentinian pickup builder that makes pro level pickups at a very affordable price.
To me the bridge hot pickup and the vintage style neck pickup is the best combination for jazzmasters
It feels, as you said, like the way a jazzmaster is supposed to sound.
@@manunautes1839 I've never heard of Ds, but I'll check it out! Thanks for telling me!
Good heavens, I'm not a Jazzmaster guy, but that sounds awesome.
Awesome. I keep looking at Novaks. After realizing my AmPro wasn't really a JM I put Antiquity I's in it (based on a blog post of yours I think) and its definitely way better now, still not completely happy (with the bridge specifically) but I may try 1k pots first to see if that speaks to me. This video, again super helpful for me so thanks.
xzatious 1Meg, you mean....I’d hate to see you buy 1k pots. Lolz
;)
@@Wolf_K lol. Yes that. 😂
Ah totally, the pots make a difference for me, but your mileage may vary!
this vid convinced me that I needed this exact set for the vintera modern Jazzmaster I decided I had to have. that guitar comes with "hot" pickups which I generally don't dig and figured I wouldn't like these either. Now that I've gigged with this set a couple times, it's not exactly where I thought I wanted it - think the rhythm sound in Young the giants "Tightrope". come to find out that's probably a jaguar...anyways, the bridge is glorious driven, but not as clear as I'd like overall. sort of P90ish in midrange. I might ask Curtis for a V bridge. otherwise great set though
I have the Curtis Novak stealth PAF style humbuckers in a Rothstein Dual Dial-A-Tap wiring set up in my J Mascis Squire. The were originally in my '61 Jazzmaster (possible brother to Pancake?) Amazing stuff. The rhythm circuit thumbwheels control the amount of tap. Even in full overdriven humbucker mode the guitar remains articulate. I also have his sweet sounding vintage '64 Jaguar spec pickups in my Jag, but that is a story for another video.....
Hey man, awesome video!
The sound of the fat/jm-V is just what I´ve been looking for.
The Mojo pups in my Danocaster sounds great for clean sounds, but they are too weak for fuzz and distortion imo.
I love your rendition of ”flags” at the end. One of my favourite Wilco songs.
What setup did you use there at the end? Amp- and pedal wise. Such a sweet tone 👍
Thanks!
I use the Helix for most of my videos, and the patch is in the description!
Augh! I love this channel
Thank you!
Hi Mike! Huge fan here. Always appreciate your insight. Quick question. I’m planning to install a JM-V/JM-FAT set into a JM with 500k pots. Would these pots make the pickups sound too dark? Should I switch to 1meg pots? Appreciate your thoughts on this!
I don’t think so. Ppl usually use the 1meg pots at 7-8 on the tone, which is about 10 on 500k
great vid! def getting done CNs for my Squier XII! Do you have a video comparing the Vintera IIs to the Player series? See that CME has a special run of Llaters with rhythm circuit routing. Cheers!
Hey Mike, I love the way Pancake sounds! I wonder if you think this pickup combo would work well on my Am Pro II jazzmaster?
I like both, but for different reasons. I recently swapped out a Duncan Antiquity II bridge pickup for a Revel Hybrid JM/P90 (google "Revel Custom Pickups") and I have allll the mids and oomph the Ant II was missing. HOWEVER...I miss the Ant II for the extra twang and spank. All I realized is I need another Jazzmaster.
I’m really thankful for the AVRI comparison, I almost put some in a Squier VM Jazzmaster I had.
I really hope to own a JM again. Fender or Squier. It doesn’t matter. My favorite guitar model. Next to the Epiphone Riviera I have.
AH Rivieras are wonderful though!
Puisheen Mine is - it’s not one of original models but a P93 Custom model in wine red I’ve had since 2012. I love it. It’s very pretty and I’ve never had a problem with it (other than adjusting the Bigsby arm bar and trying to find the right strings for it) and it’s stock.
I’m not a particular P90 person but I love the ones in my guitar even if they are stock.
@@theplourde I know that model well and I like them!
Hi Mike, I installed the JM-V and JM-FAT set on my AV62 Jazzmaster last week, and while the neck and middle position sound great, the bridge pickup somehow has a very cocked-wah kind of nasal sound, which I'm not particularly fond of. Do you find this characteristic at all of the JM-FAT?
I know this comment is at least a year old, but did you ever solve this? I ordered that same combo and ran into the exact same issue. I sent audio clips to Curtis Novak and he said something definitely sounded off, but the pickup seemed to be working just fine when I mailed it back for him to look over.
I was really excited about those pickups, but haven't used them since because of that issue.
@@connorpaintin4245 I did the same thing and then had him exchange it for a JM-V for the bridge. I paid for the shipping, but it worked out great.
Great video, Mike! Those Novak's, while not a million miles apart from the AVRI's, sounds SO MUCH BETTER to my ears! The Novak pickups sound smoother where the AVRI's sound very spikey and a little less balanced in the frequency response and of course the pickup positions. Thanks for the video!
Yeah! For me, it's really the midrange of the Novaks that hits hardest. The AVRIs are so scooped that every time I've used them in a full band context, the guitar just disappears.
@@Puisheen That makes a lot of sense
Yeah my buddy Anthony who plays for Buffy Saint Marie just recommended these for me.
Hey man, are the pots on both pancake and the thin skin just the standard 1meg chaps? Great tones! I also love Nels Cline & Wilco 💚
That February part killed me 😂. I just ordered some Sunday Handwounds to put in my Mascis JM. 59 in the neck and Woody+ in the bridge.
Oh my lord, pancake sounds awesome. I need that sound in mine!
As soon as the demo came on with the CV pickups, I realized what my JM is missing. I always hate the middle/neck position. This sounds more like a good Sweredriver tune. THAT is the tone.
Swervedriver rips, they're so good. What a band!
@@Puisheen Any insight on the JM-V vs. JM-FAT vs JM-PAF for a bridge pickup?
@@raynefaded The V has vintage JM flavor with a *slight* boost in output. The Fat is darker and wound in such a way that it's more powerful than the V. The PAF is a great humbucker if you're after that. Personally, I prefer his Wide Range in a JM cover, feels a bit more in the spirit of the offset sound.
I have the Novak JMV and FAT in 2 of 3 my jazzmasters! Truly the greatest!
Whoa Sarik, that's cool. Where can I hear you?
Puisheen I believe you already have on IG! @mynameissarik & @mars_motel
Puisheen This entire Mars Motel album has my 99 surf green JM all over it! ua-cam.com/video/RPXml6p7FF8/v-deo.html
@@sarikkumar8419 Oh yeah! I know you, you sound great!
Can I have your old pickups? They sound amazing!
I have an AV 65 jazzmaster, so I havent tried either of these pickup sets. I liked the 62 neck pickup just a bit more with your playing and effects chain, but the Novak fat bridge was a clear winner to me. Overall it would have been nice to hear a clean side by side as I love my JM for those tones.
I wonder how the AVRI 62 pickups compare with my AV 65. Im considering changing them for something that will give me a better sounding bridge pickup while also being at least as good, if not better, than my neck pickup, which I love!
Avri 62 ri @ 10:45 and before is phenomenal. The fats make it crunch. Take your pick
I couldn’t find Curtis Novak pickups in here Japan so I chose Duncan Antiquity 2. Pretty satisfied 🎉 your vintage jm sounds so good. Can you tell me your fav jm players?
Consider me a noob, but is that an actual song he demos in the beginning? I swear I've heard it before. Sounds great!
That's just something I made up, but it could be? If it is, I don't know about it!
Great demo as usual. But here’s my chief complaint about these types of demos. I’m guessing that you are recording all of this directly into some software program or the amp is Micd? No question you’re getting a high-quality pro sound and then once you upload it to UA-cam, it’s being processed through their system enhancing and changing the sound somewhat. I’ve come to the realization of just using my iPad making demos gives a more true representation of what something sounds like passing from the amp to the ear as though you’re sitting at a bar room table listening to a band then rather being digitally recorded. Anyway, thanks for all your hard work and dedication showcasing all this different equipment.
I personnally prefered the AVRI62's. Felt richer and the high end is more pleasant to my ears.
The Novaks had more clarity and punch but overall that didn't make them sound nicer for me. But I can see why one would reach for them.
Thought that you had seymour duncan antiquity 1 in your pancake? Thoughts on curtis novak jm-v/fat vs SD antiquity 1? Anyway, i love this channel!
Antiquities are great, super-vintage replica pickups. I like them a lot, but my bridge pickup had way too much high end bite and not enough lows. Vastly happier with the Novaks
I just purchased my first Jazzmaster, a Squire 40th Anniversary. My choice was definitely influenced by your review of one. It needs a good set-up (I will be bringing it to Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar) but, so far I like it a lot and I'm happy with my purchase. The one thing I've noticed is that the pickups are a little too trebly for my taste, so I was very interested in your review of the Novak pickups. I did like the idea of the FAT in the bridge position, but I was thinking of more of a P-90 style pickup for the neck. I was wondering if you have tried or know anything about the Novak JM-CC pickup, JM-90, or the Lollar P-90 Jazzmaster? Thanks for the great reviews and information.
love this one! i know you mentioned a lot of different pickups have gone in pancake so i was just wondering what you settled on. what’s artoo got?
Artoo has had Lollars since 2011. Just the regular Jazzmasters, they go really well in that one.
No, I hope you’re doing well and taking care of yourself!
Fart Barf!!!!???? hahahaha! I love it!
Extremely informative and entertaining video as always! I've considered getting these exact same Novak pickups, but lately I've been leaning towards a Creamery Dark Star for the neck instead. Do you have any experience with these?
The Creamery is wonderful, I can't recommend them enough!
@@Puisheen thank you sir!
Hey, Mike I love your channel. I ask this question as a brand-new, completely agnostic guitar player (learner). It's not aimed at anyone, or anything, or video, but as someone trying to understand the world of guitars, I ask, what makes a Jazzmaster a Jazzmaster (or Strat a Strat)? Even Fender makes Jazzmasters without rhythm switches or tremelo systems. With all the mods to pickups, tremelos, pots, etc. aside from the shape, what is the core of any guitar model? I hope that's not too weird, but, as a potential buyer, it feels like a legitimate question.
Well, fundamentally a Jazzmaster is whatever Fender says it is whether I like it or not -- and there are a lot that I don't like! -- but for me a Jazzmaster means this: the shape, the scale length, proper Jazzmaster pickups, the rhythm circuit, and the trem system in the vintage position. I have zero use for anything that doesn't fit these parameters! It's not weird at all for you to ask, I think Fender's confused the marketplace a bit with so many variations.
@@Puisheen thank you, solid answer. Being there are upgrades and options out there, what makes a "Jazzmaster" pickup?
I looked it up. I decided not to hold you responsible for my KM education. Haha.
@@SD_Marc Nah that's okay. Jazzmaster pickup is like a Strat coil that's been flattened: a wide, flat coil wound to the edges around alnico rod magnets. For example, the pickups in a Classic Player or J.Mascis aren't Jazzmaster pickups by definition -- they're P90s (bar magnets, tall coil, threaded rod poles) in Jazzmaster covers
@@Puisheen Thank you, Sir.
That bend at the very end with that extra bit of reverb was my favorite part of the video. 👍 My MIM Player Jazzmaster is getting some new goodies bit by bit- a Mastery bridge, a new wiring harness, a Novak JM-V for the neck, and because my budget ran out (but I also because no genuinely like it), a Squier J Mascis bridge pickup, and a tortoise pickguard. If I ever feel like going back to the original humbuckers and black guard, it's there, but this video is making me stoked to get the rest of the pieces to my upgraded puzzle.
*edit: because I genuinely like it. Stupid autocorrect*
Jay, all of those upgrades are top notch, nicely done!
Yo! Obviously I'm late to the party on this, but just recently found this video and the Novaks absolutely rip. I'm in the process of swapping pickups in my TVL Jazzmaster and shopping around for the right pair. Just curious - are the pots in Pancake 1 meg? I'd assume so given it's an original '65, but I'm wondering if - in addition to new pickups - I'd need to swap out the 500k pots for the more typical JM 1 megs to get that sound. Regardless, thanks for the video! This is helpful!
There’s another video of Mike’s where he compares the 1meg to a 250k and has stated he prefers 1meg in his JM.
Potential stupid question: if the original pickups are losing their “magic” would something like possibly rewinding them or otherwise repairing them restore the pickups or is this just a no no just because they’re vintage?
Hey Mike! Absolutely love the tones here. I do have one question: was that the Novaks on the clip of “Ashes of American Flags”? Whatever that bridge tone was, that’s it. Thanks!
Yep! That's Novak JM-FAT all the way. Thanks for the kind words!!!!
I bought a pair but I was unhappy with the sound UNTIL I changed the pots to 250k. Yours sounds great with 1 meg so I don't know what the deal is. Maybe it's the amp settings.
Prefer the original bridge pickup but like the Novak neck pickup more.
Love your work mate. Do you keep the pots stock at 1 Meg when you’re doing showdowns like this?
How do you think Novaks and Lollars fare compared with Fender Custom Shops pickups? I have a CS Jazzmaster '62 but don't have access to other jazzmasters to make a side-by-side comparison, would love to hear what you think!
Fender hasn't made a 'stock' pickup I've liked in many, many years. I've had CS pickups and they all kinda sound like the AVRIs for me. Too loud, too bassy, and too much tinny brightness. The only exception has been the Chicago Specials that my friend Shelby Pollard helped spec, those were fantastic. But I'll always take a Lollar, Novak, Duncan Antiquity, and Creamery over anything from Fender directly.
Thanks for the great video!
Have you ever compared it to SJM-2?
Hey Mike! How do you think a JM fat would do in a baritone JM? I’m looking for a different tone in my bridge position, and based on your take and the sounds, seems like it might be a good fit!
That depends on what you want out of a baritone. I have that Creston baritone with the Lollar Thunderbird in the bridge, which sounds massive, but also has a good bit of top end. I find that more brightness is a huge advantage in a down-tuned guitar -- the lower you go, the more high end helps keep things from getting muddy. So the Fat, which tames the highs a bit can definitely work for more aggressive tones but might be too dark for, say, spaghetti western sounds
Hey thanks for all the JM content. I have this pickup set in my JM. It's great indeed. Rings like a bell.
Side question: how light a set of 11s do you think a mastery equipped JM can get away with? I tried 10s and it was a rattling mess and felt loose in the trem. Now I have 11-54 on there. Works much better but if I could lighten up a bit without the guitar getting that rattling feel it would be great. Of the mainstream Ernie Ball or D'addario sets what do you recommend?
I stick with 11-50 on Jazzmasters, that usually ends up feeling the most balanced for me. You should totally be able to get away with 10-46 or 10-52 on your guitar, and if there's any rattling with the lower gauge, you may just need to make adjustments. I can totally see the trem, for instance, needing the spring tightened to compensate for the lower string tension.
As a side note, if you're going to use D'Addario, use the XTs. Their normal string varieties have a sort of weak finish wrap that ends up breaking on the JM trem, and the XT has a reinforced ball end.
@@Puisheen Great stuff. I will take all this into account. And yes until I switched to the soldered ball ends (KPLs I think they're called?) for the high e I was breaking the ball end off almost every day when I pull the bar sharp. Maddening. I am surprised that 10-46 would work. I need to hone my set up skills because when I put 10s on there the guitar was really not good. It did not resonate well and the feel of the bar was clunky. If I could get away with 10s I would love to. Even a whole step bend on the high E with 11s can be a bit tight. I use 10-49s on my strat.
Thanks for the feature. Though, I wish you would’ve demonstrated the Novak pickups using a clean tone. The dirt sounds nice but doesn’t really showcase the pure tonality of the pickups.
Eh, that's just not how I play. I'll leave the clean tone thing to other channels, because honestly, there aren't any pickup demos that work for me as an almost entirely drive-based player.
100% agree with you, cat of nansen. I think overdrive/dirt is even more subjective, there are SO many paths to grit, it's next to impossible to reference these pickups to my JM pickups, because my dirty tones will be so much different (between amps and pedals), whereas clean tones provide a more universal point of reference...imo. That said, enjoyed the video, the tone, and the playing. I have a set Manlius 59's in my JM. Pretty happy with them, but thinking about trying something else.
@@Birchblaze Those Manlius 59s seem interesting. I’d heard a sound comparison on the Offset forums and liked them. I ended up getting a great deal on some SD Antiquity 1s for my JM. I really like them so far. Definitely a nod to the ‘59 JM darker tone. There’s plenty of variety out there these days. Now I’m thinking of changing out my stock Jaguar pickups soon. We’ll see. ;)
You’re getting good at this UA-cam stuff Mike. That Pancake intro was proper banging as well. Love it!
Have you tried the pickups in the limited 59 reissue? Absolutely love mine, was prepared to order Mojos instantly but they’re great... Or at least mine are, to me anyways. Thought they’d just be too bright like the 65s I briefly had. Nope.
Also, very jealous of that Blues Jr.
Fender hasn't had a stock pickup I've liked in decades, honestly. The only pickups I've enjoyed were the Chicago Specials that Shelby Pollard spec'd out, they sounded great to my ears.
@@Puisheen That's fair enough. I haven't been a fan of most of the Fender JM pickups I've had. Most other than the Squiers were instantly changed to Mojos or Antiquities. Was honestly expecting to hate the pickups in my new 59 RI. Bonus I don't I guess!
Hey man! Which value of pots are you running with your JM Fat Bridge? I paired a 1 Meg Master Volume for a little more clarity with regards to my Duncan Quarter Pound, but a 1 Meg Pot might be too bright for a JM Fat Bridge.
Had this exact set in an old CIJ '66, I still miss that guitar dearly. I own a AVRI '65 now that has a JM-V in the neck and a Novak gold foil in the bridge. Maybe swapping the gold foil for a JM-FAT will give me back what I feel like I'm missing.
Side note (sorry if you mentioned this and I missed it), what pots are in Pancake? I'm considering switching to 1Meg from the 250K pots that are currently in mine, but don't want it to get overly bright.
I always stick to the stock 1megs. I've tried 250s but with as dark as my rig usually is, it loses something in translation. Do love that Novak Gold Foil though, that's a fun pickup.
Did you the stock pickup covers for the JM-V?
I thought both sounded great. By the way, which effects and which amp did you use in this video? I
The old school hip hop, intro chant greeting was very good
What song is that for the pancake demo? It's tasty.
Hey Mike
What’s your opinion on the Fender Pure Vintage 65 that are in the newer Vintage Reissues? How do they compare to the 62s?
Cheers
I'm not a fan, really. They're often a lot brighter and that doesn't serve my needs
I have an AVRI 62 Jazzmaster with the stock pickups. I really enjoy the neck and middle positions, but the bridge is a bit too thin and trebly. Do you think the JM Fat would pair well with the stock neck pickup?
If you're going to do one, may as well do both. They should play well together but it's always a gamble as to whether or not you'll love them together!
@@Puisheen So, just an update that I've placed an order for both the JM FAT and JMV Neck! Could I ask you what heights your JM pickups are set to?
Have you tried remagnetizing the pole pieces to bring back life of pickups? If not... you may try it. What have you got to lose? ✨❤️✨
What do you think about the Novak vs the Lollars in ArToo? The first offset I ever played was a Nash JM-63 with those Lollars so now that I'm building my own, those are the pickups I've wanted to get. But I didn't know about Novak until now
I love my Lollars! They're a bit smoother, have healthy output, and maybe less low mids but a nice, sweetened top end. Refined. I look at them as a slick, modern take on the Jazzmaster pickup, opposite on the spectrum from, say, Duncan Antiquities which are totally vintage. The Novaks straddle both of those things.
Hey! Curious about these Novaks vs the Black Bobbin Lollars. Just finished your vid on those and seems slightly less output than standard lollars, so more of that JM chime.
How would you compare these to the new American pro II jazzmaster pickups
I recently ditched the AVRI pickups in my Classic Lacquer for SD Antiquity I's. I was ok the AV neck pickup, but absolutely hated the tinny bridge pup. The Ant's were a shockingly drastic change in the other direction. The Ant I's are a huge improvement, but may be just a little too buttery. Jury's still out. It really took it from from one extreme to the other.
In this demo, the Novaks sound like they sit in a sweet spot between the extremes of the AVRIs and the Ant I's -- which is a good thing. Any thoughts on the Novak HC stealths? I was giving those a look before ultimately settling on the Duncans for the initial swap.
Those Stealth pickups are wildly good if you have a noisy guitar, and they sound in the JM wheelhouse. And I do love Antiquity Is, I had them in this one before the Novaks and liked them fine, although the bridge was lacking bass.
@@Puisheen That's good to know. The JM is nearly silent in my new home, but it hated the wiring in the apartment I was living in until very recently. I may try out the JM-V/JM-FAT combo in a month or two. Their sound in this demo really is close to ideal/perfect for what I'm looking for. If the noise ends up being an issue, Novaks seem very easy to flip quickly -- and it will give an opportunity to try out the HCs.
@@jsurratt81 Oh I've been there with wiring before, I totally lucked out in the place we're living now. Super quiet. Yeah, see what happens! Please report back, would love to know how you like them.
I've got that same guitar with same pickups, even the larger volume pot too .. maybe that was how they made them. Mine has shielding paint.. I had it done.
have you considered having the orginal Pancake bridge pup re-magnetized? would that help bring back some of the zest it's missing?
Oh for sure, and I may at some point. Just seemed a good excuse to experiment. Permission, even. Hope you're doing well, Darrien!
@@Puisheen haha i totally understand! I'm in a similar boat right now with a les paul conversion project: ditching the stock pups and deciding between some WCR filmore's that I already own and like VS Fralin Sunbuckers (i'm a sucker for single coil-sounding pickups in gibson guitars). any excuse to swap them out! I'm well. hope you are too, my friend
On the bench my JM-V reads 7.83 and my JM-FAT 7.3, does that seem right?
Hello Mike!! I have an AVRI '62 Jazzmaster and i was wondering which pickups sounds the best close to the originals black bobbins. What's your opoinion between Seymour Duncan Antiquities I and Lollar's black bobbins?
You think its a good idea to switch just the bridge PU to a JM-Fat? I like my Neck PU but i want something with a litle more punch in the bridge for distortion Sounds
You should be fine but pickups of different makes can sometimes not work well together, either with phase issues or output differences, that kind of thing.
What are you thoughts on Lindy Fralin Jazzmaster pickups? I have a set of fralins in a strat I own and they are excellent. Not sure how their JM pickups are though.
Pretty good! I've installed them plenty of times!
How would the Fralins compare tone wise to the Novaks in this video? For fralins I was looking at a vintage in the neck and a 5% overwound vintage in the bridge. I have had Novaks before and they are great, hard to find much info on the vintage fralins, I see a lot more reviews for the Fralin Hum Cancelling which isn't my thing.
Was the bit in the Pancake demo section a song, or just a jam? I liked it a lot.
AVRI62 pickups are subtils and sweet of the sweet
How to the fender vintage '65 pickups compare to the AVRI's? I like want that quintessential jazzmaster sound and the vintage '65 set seems like a good value.
Have you any experience with the Duncan Antiquity I pickups? They're pitched as having a bit more roundness and midrange as well.
Indeed, that's what was in Pancake prior to the Novaks. I liked them a lot and they're also tucked away somewhere around here. Excellent pickups that sounded nearly identical to the stock '61 pickups in my guitar, but with a little more output and better overall balance between neck and bridge. In certain situations I found the bridge a little too bright, which is why I swapped. But damn good pickups!
@@Puisheen Thanks for that insight. Would it be fair to say that the Duncans are more a straight vintage repro whereas the Novaks have that, plus a bit 'more' (whether that be output, range, etc)?
@@veitchy88 Yep, the Antiquities can be considered reproductions, and you're spot on with the Novaks
The middle posish on avri was more quacky and middle sounding. The Novak's to my ear almost didn't sound like a middle posish in comparison.
Quick question, i'm just getting into switching out caps/POTS, can you tell me what works well with this exact setup?
Thank You
I just bought the jm fat. Mine is at 7.2 ohms. I wonder what’s the typical output for these are
Great job and playing, where did you get the wang bar?
It's the '60s arm!
@@Puisheen BTW I have a road worn jazz with Sunday pups(indy builder on reverb) 250k pots, totally percussive, chimmy and good sus with no shrill, but I the bridge at 9.5k is more like a p90
I'm gonna steal the first 6 seconds of this and mess with it, will send results if interesting.
Also, fuck February. im confused even typing the word and I could google it but liiiike
REMIXXXXXXXXX
After rewatching this video I just realized that my 2007 3TSB/goldPG thin skin must be from that same run of thin skins. 7.5" radius?
Yours is the only model of the run that had 7.25" fretboards, the '62s all had 9.5s! Very cool
@@Puisheen Yeah I bought it off reverb where it was billed as a WW thin skin 9.5", but it's actually from another run of non-WW thin skins form that 07 batch. I had assumed they were all 7.5", but I guess not.
I should name it something robot related since it's R2's cousin.
You should also do a vid about the offsets and weird pot tapers since the JM is (afaik) the only guitar ever made for a linear taper vol pot. I find it awful and am about to switch out for a 500kA for the main circuit as God and Ted Mcarty intended. I just loose too much high end too fast making the only useable range 8-10. I thinkI'll leave the linear on the RC.
Mind sharing your pickup height settings to use as a starting point for these guys? Thanks!
Wanting to replace my V-mods in my AmPro1 because they feel a bit lifeless
Was going for Lollar, but a spanner has been dropped in my works now 😅
I just bought a used Jazzmaster and it has both pickups already installed
0:57-1:57 This has to contain the antidote for COVID-19.