MJT Jazzmaster too soft sounding

[alberto2000]

Been away for a while. Am back. Played a friends Japan JM a week ago, sounded radical fantastic, very bright but very accentuated, clear and crispy, snappy. I own a MJT JM with Antiquity II's made out of Ash wood and compared to my friends Japan one it's just so soft and warm. I'm not sure why? Is it the Ash wood? The pickups? I really feel it's missing that crispness and clarity. Like, even when I only touched the strings on my friends Japan one I could hear every tiny touch of the pick on the strings so clearly, like every detail. I once played a American JM from another friend and I remember it being similar. I don't believe it's the amp as I played them all through different ones and always noticed that difference. What could it be? I don't remember what electronics, pots and capacitors I put inside my MJT one (I ordered and installed them myself back then). Any hint or suggestion how to track down where that softness comes from? Since I noticed that again recently, I can't get that out of my mind and I just crave for that clarity and crispness in the sound which I just don't seem to get from mine

[DesmondWafers]

I would be willing to bet that the pots are the culprit.

[timtam]

I don't remember what electronics, pots and capacitors I put inside my MJT one (I ordered and installed them myself back then). Any hint or suggestion how to track down where that softness comes from?

You answered your own question. Check what's under the hood first, mainly the pots. And is your friend's JM 100% stock ? So 1meg pots ? What are the pickup heights on both ?

[alberto2000]

Pickup heights seemed to be similar to mine, quite close to the strings.

Just checked my emails and found the receipt from Guitar Parts Resource:

-----------------------------------
Purchase Details
-----------------------------------

...

Description:CTS 1 MEG LINEAR SPLIT SHAFT POT, Item #:EP-0088-000

Description:CTS 1 MEG AUDIO TAPER SPLIT SHAFT POT, Item #:EP-4988-000

Description:SPRAGUE .033mfd ORANGE DROP CAP, Item #:CAP-OD33

Description:SPRAGUE .022 ORANGE DROP CAP, Item #:CAP-OD022

Description:GENUINE FENDER 1MEG LINEAR MINI POT, Item #:005-4457-000

Description:GENUINE FENDER 50K AUDIO MINI POT, Item #:005-4458-000

...

Anything suspicious?

[timtam]

Nothing obviously unusual in the components. Did you wire it up ? What wiring diagram was used ?

Pickup heights seemed to be similar to mine, quite close to the strings.

Lower often works best (although others can advise on Antiquity II's) ...
viewtopic.php?t=76556

[scottydanger]

I would be willing to bet that the pots are the culprit.

My first thought as well.

[andy_tchp]

My first thought was that Fender Japan Jazzmaster pickups are vastly different to Antiquity IIs, and much more on the shrill/trebly sounding side - This is why they're so frequently replaced.

[Embenny]

My first thought was that Fender Japan Jazzmaster pickups are vastly different to Antiquity IIs, and much more on the shrill/trebly sounding side - This is why they're so frequently replaced.

Absolutely. Japan JMs are solidly at the bright end of the spectrum of JMs.

On the other hand, I just traded for an AV65 with Antiquity IIs and am finding that these are my least favourite JM pickups I have ever owned. Not by a massive margin, but that alnico II definitely gives a softer edge to the tone than I personally want, especially on the neck pickup.

First, check that the pots are 1meg. Also, make sure pickup height is high enough. Lastly, consider that the antiquity IIs might not be for you. The longer I get to know mine, the more excited I am getting to change them for something with a sharper attack to them.

[timiscott]

Hi, I have an MIJ, an AV65 and a Squier JMJM with the AV65 pups - these are pretty close to Antiquity II pups. The MIJ and Mascis sound pretty similar (Sonic Youth territory), whilst the AV65 is much more mellow and less biting. Before I bought the AV65, I watched some demos of it alongside the MIM 60s JM. Although both have the same pups, the AV definitely sounded softer. I would say that my Mascis bridge pup seems to be nearer the strings than my AV65's pup, but I don't know if that's the difference or not. Might be worth looking at that before spending cash.

[alberto2000]

Thanks guys. I have raised the pickups and changed the strings to slinkies 10 and it sounds much crispier now and has more attack I think. I will A/B test it in my friends rehearsal space soon against his MIJ JM. He has stock Japan pickups in it, he said.

Just need to mention right now how beautiful MJT's bodywork is. Just struck me again since I haven't seen the guitar much lately. Also the neck which is from Musikraft is absolutely amazing

[Francer]

This guy does a good comparison between stock AV65 and Antiquity IIs (which sound almost identical to my ears, but that's by the by .... ). Anyhow, how does yours sound compared to his? I wouldn’t have said they were lacking in bite.

Incidentally, how does your rhythm circuit compare with your lead? they should be significantly different, if your lead sounds similar to your rhythm maybe something is up with the wiring.

[JVG]

How do the two guitars compare when played acoustically (i.e. not plugged in)? The electronics are definitely very important, but some guitars just sound brighter than others. You might find that your friends guitar is naturally bright sounding, accentuated by the electronics.

Cheers!
J.

[alberto2000]

How do the two guitars compare when played acoustically (i.e. not plugged in)? The electronics are definitely very important, but some guitars just sound brighter than others. You might find that your friends guitar is naturally bright sounding, accentuated by the electronics.

Cheers!
J.

Raising this topic from the dead

I just again noticed, my JM sounds accoustically dull already, so it might be something physical on the instrument itself...

May it be the ash wood on the body? Bad shimming material in the neck pocket? The staytrem bridge? It just lacks that attack and bite I know from most other JMs. It sounds like if something was "muting" the strings

Anyone has an idea?

Thanks guys and glad to be back here

[marqueemoon]

I noticed my JM got a little darker after switching the stock bridge out for a Staytrem. I consider it an improvement.

Have you experimented with different strings?

[alberto2000]

I noticed my JM got a little darker after switching the stock bridge out for a Staytrem. I consider it an improvement.

Have you experimented with different strings?

Hey thanks, no not yet. What type of strings would you recommend for more direct & spikey tone? I think I'm using slinkies 11 right now (but could also be 10, not sure!)