Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
- Nico
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:30 pm
Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
So, I was on Aliexpress the other day looking for switch tips and such and stumbled across a pair of "65" Jazz pups, from WAAAH (i'm not bothering opening another tab to double check the brand name), so I ordered a pair, I had a whole bunch of coupons and paid 55 CAD$ all in (around 45USD).
I didn't expect much. I have a 99 AVRI with 62 pups and always found the neck pup to be dark and lifeless, tried Fender 65's and hated how thin the bridge was and how the neck one is lacking in bass.
Since I actually like the 62 bridge, I thought, let's just swap that neck pup...
First off, I made sure I had the right pup (1 north, 1 south polarity), then BOOM, instant upgrade! I MUCH prefer it over the 65 as it's the happy medium between the bass and heftiness of the 62 while retaining the clarity and "bell tone" of the 65.
I must warn you though, the actual ohms in their description is way out of whack. I think they mention around 6.5k for both but mine read 8k and 8.6k. So I went for the 8k one in the neck.
Seriously, I wouldn't change a thing. It's way more enjoyable than it ever was and that in-between position is actual gold.
I didn't expect much. I have a 99 AVRI with 62 pups and always found the neck pup to be dark and lifeless, tried Fender 65's and hated how thin the bridge was and how the neck one is lacking in bass.
Since I actually like the 62 bridge, I thought, let's just swap that neck pup...
First off, I made sure I had the right pup (1 north, 1 south polarity), then BOOM, instant upgrade! I MUCH prefer it over the 65 as it's the happy medium between the bass and heftiness of the 62 while retaining the clarity and "bell tone" of the 65.
I must warn you though, the actual ohms in their description is way out of whack. I think they mention around 6.5k for both but mine read 8k and 8.6k. So I went for the 8k one in the neck.
Seriously, I wouldn't change a thing. It's way more enjoyable than it ever was and that in-between position is actual gold.
- Nico
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:30 pm
Re: Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
Btw, I went back on Ali and they updated their description, it's much more in line with what I bought.
And yes, they're WAAAH's. At least they tried, I guess it sounds more appealing then MEEEH
And yes, they're WAAAH's. At least they tried, I guess it sounds more appealing then MEEEH
- s_mcsleazy
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 18424
- Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:30 am
- Location: glasgow
Re: Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
if they have screw pole peices, i might have them in my 70's tribute JM.
offset guitars resident bass player.
'Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or do you just want me to solder a couple of resistors into your Muff?'
'Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or do you just want me to solder a couple of resistors into your Muff?'
- Nico
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:30 pm
Re: Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
Nope, they have flat poles, grey bottoms and cloth wires... just like the 65's
- jvin248
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 660
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 5:34 pm
Re: Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
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I have found many of the import pickups have bobbins that measure capacitance half what the typical favorite aftermarket brands have and matching more of the hand-wound Boutique pickups. I think many of the import pickups are hand wound. They often use ceramic magnets rather than alnico (think Squier) but some use alnico. I've had too-muddy dual humbucker guitars I've pulled Seymour Duncan pickups and dropped in $15/set imports off Amazon/ebay (no brand name on them and the sellers change so you've got to look closely at them).
You can see a certain famous woman pickup winder at Fender in this old factory video from the 1950s. Abigail Ybbara.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nswcAPvH0P8
.
I have found many of the import pickups have bobbins that measure capacitance half what the typical favorite aftermarket brands have and matching more of the hand-wound Boutique pickups. I think many of the import pickups are hand wound. They often use ceramic magnets rather than alnico (think Squier) but some use alnico. I've had too-muddy dual humbucker guitars I've pulled Seymour Duncan pickups and dropped in $15/set imports off Amazon/ebay (no brand name on them and the sellers change so you've got to look closely at them).
You can see a certain famous woman pickup winder at Fender in this old factory video from the 1950s. Abigail Ybbara.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nswcAPvH0P8
.
- skeletonpower
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:24 pm
Re: Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
I ordered a set of these based on this post. They're cheap as chips, so what's to lose?
I just have to wait forever for them to arrive now, I guess.
I just have to wait forever for them to arrive now, I guess.
- Nico
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:30 pm
Re: Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
Seriously, i'm sure that you'll be glad you did. As a set, I have no opinion since I only installed the neck pup but in comparison, the neck pup is more defined than the 62 (which is too muddy for my taste). You hear it right away. Keep us posted, i'm curious to have your take on them
- GilmourD
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1716
- Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2020 8:11 pm
- Location: Rutherford, NJ
Re: Aliexpress Jazzmaster pickups
So, how are these holding up for you guys? Still making you tonally happy?