replacing Duncan Designed jazz pickups w/ EMG

[Direct Box Rox]

am I going to notice a night and day difference between my Duncan Designed jazz pickups vs. EMG JHZ (passive jazz)?

Anyone with any experience have an opinion? Thank you.

[DERB]

not likely.

[Direct Box Rox]

Thank you.

[C.Linton]

I think a better answer might be, maybe you would notice a difference, maybe not. The thing is, even if there is a night and day difference, there is absolutely no guarantee you will actually like the change. If you want to take this risk, you can go ahead and try a swap, hoping you don't hate the sound of the new pickups. Maybe you'll get lucky and you will prefer the new p'ups. Maybe not.
Personally, if I liked the sound of the DD pickups (and I do, I have two Squier VM's) I would just leave them alone.

[Bobster]

I replaced the Duncan Designed 5-string pickups in my Squier VM Jazz 5 with Lollars. I didn't like Duncan Desigened pickups voicing. I don't have the same issue with the 4 string VM Jazz.

There is a noticeable difference with the 5 string version.

Best of luck,

Bob

[Direct Box Rox]

Ok guys, thanks for the info. I almost pulled the trigger on EMG JHZ pickups (used) on Ebay for $40.

[joelb79]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ98N27Digs

This is how those HZ's might sound. To be honest, they will probably sound less scooped sounding than the Duncan Designed J's. the HZ's are a little darker than the EMG Active J's, and of course passive so there are no op-amp limitations or benefits applied. Occasionally there are some cheaper EMG J Set actives for sale here on Talkbass. I might be selling a set of those J's soon, as I just got the JX's and love them.