I have two MIM Fender Jazz Basses with different pickups. What's the deal?

[paddyosullivan]

I have two Mexican Fender Jazz Basses and after checking out the guts I've discovered that they have different pickups.

#1 Jazz Bass pickups look like this


#2 Jazz Bass pickups look like this


Am I right to assume the #2 example is the higher quality pickup? Is this a good pickup or would it be worth it to upgrade?

Thanks!

[paddyosullivan]

Bring
Up
My
Post

BUMP.

[walterw]

couldn't tell you the brand,, but the second one is obviously the higher-end pickup (and just as obviously aftermarket); it's got actual alnico rod magnets, as opposed to the cheap ceramic bars glued to the bottoms of the stock pickups in the first picture.

[paddyosullivan]

Aftermarket eh? So you are saying the pickups on the #2 bass are not stock the MIM pickups?

[walterw]

i really don't think so. when fender does "vintage" pickups like that (alnico rod magnets holding apart fiberboard bobbins, wire wrapped directly on) they usually use a darker-colored wire wrap.

[woolysock]

Do the pups sound different? If so, how so?

[Marton]

I guess MIM had a lot of different models of pickups through the years. Mine had ceramic magnets, but with the coil exposed and white wires.

[narud]

are both basses mexican standards? the mim classic 60's,70's and road worn basses use pickups that look like your second picture.