American Standard vs. Vintage Fender Jazz pups

[LotusCarsLtd52]

The Jaco sig bass uses these "Vintage Jazz Bass® Single-Coil Pickup[s]" whereas the MIA Jazz basses use "American Standard Jazz Bass® Single-Coil Pickup[s]".

What's the difference between these, if any? Is it just a marketing gimmick?

[walterw]

the american standards are definitely cheaper, with 1-piece molded plastic bobbins that separate the coil wire from the magnets.

they sound fine, but the "vintage" versions are nicer, being built like the real stuff with the magnets jammed between two fiberboard plates and the wire wound right on to them.

[Type-55]

The American Standards have a more mid scooped sound with a little heavier bottom.
More modern sounding.
They, IMO, don't have the growl that the vintage pups do.
Much prefer the vintage Jazz pups.

[anubis16]

I replaced the stock pickups in my Am. Standard with vintage pickups. I can say that the AM. Standard pickups are focused in the low mids, whereas the Vintage are focused in the high mids. Overall the vintage pickups have more midrange and the stock ones had a harsher high end. IMO nothing beats the hi-mid presence in 60's style pickups.

[Caboclan]

Originally Posted by anubis16

Overall the vintage pickups have more midrange and the stock ones had a harsher high end. IMO nothing beats the hi-mid presence in 60's style pickups.

[2]

I can share the same experience with my Fender '96 AM STD when I change the stock pups for a Lindy Fralin Split Jazz set.