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Fender Super 55 Jazz pickups?

#101
rami401 said:
Thanks for all input, however picture Fender Stratocaster (passive) with an HSS configuration with the 5 position selector switch in 2nd to last position using the middle and humbucker mode. Would't this be the same as a Super 55 in bridge and single coil in neck?
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yes, and it would make (unwanted) noise, like a Strat does in that position. As far as the P/J I was never really happy with mine till I put a humbucking J in it, , it has an EMG (split coil), but either the Joe Barden, or the Super 55, (using both coils on either choice), would be a good match in a P/J, as opposed to a single coil J pickup. My P/J was an "ok, in case I need a backup" bass, now I have to choose between that and my Jazz, either one sounds great, the noise bothered me, when the P/J had a Fender single coil J in it.
 
#102
rami401 said:
Thanks for all input, however picture Fender Stratocaster (passive) with an HSS configuration with the 5 position selector switch in 2nd to last position using the middle and humbucker mode. Would't this be the same as a Super 55 in bridge and single coil in neck?
Click to expand...
Pretty much. Both examples consist of one pickup that cancels hum, and one pickup that invites it.

(Although, just FYI, Fender also made Super 55 pickups for strat. You could have an HSS Strat with a conventional humbucker and a couple of Super 55s in the S positions, and have a quiet Strat regardless of switch position.)
 
#103
Reviving this thread!

Can anyone tell me if the Super 55s will fit in a '98 Fender J-Deluxe that had the Suhr pickups from that era? The pickups are different sizes for the neck and bridge, so of course I want to make sure the Super 55s will fit. Thanks!
 
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#107
Finally I got them installed on my Fender MM jazz bass...
What to say? The bridge pickup now became dominant, therefore the overall sound of the bass has become more barky at all settings which is not necessarily always a positive thing ... however, I have to say that I'm still working with the standard bass electronics which, in my opinion, was not that right since the beginning as the bridge pick up before was way too much anemic.
I'm planning to now install a Sadowsky onboard preamp in such a way as to avoid deviating too much from the bass' original desgn philosphy.
I'll keep the forum posted about the developments.
 
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#113
Yeah. These pup's are a bitch to find nowdays. I have one on my Yamaha, as a bridge pup. On neck i'm using fender N3. In my opinion, a perfect combo. N3 brings the natural, very wood like, bassey tone and '55 brings some nice, raw bark to it. Turning it into a totally different instrument. Really digging it. Both of these pickups are discontinued, so if i want to ever have the same set in any other bass, i'm shaged. =(
 
#114
I am really glad that I installed these a few years ago
I put them in a classic vibe squier
Although I have a couple
Of other fender basses now
This still gets picked up very often it has a sweet sound very very clear
Long story short They sound pretty awesome
 
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#115
diverse379 said:
...Long story short They sound pretty awesome
Click to expand...

Yep. I don't know how Fender did it, but they managed to perfectly replicate the tone and output of traditional 1960's Jazz Bass single coils with zero hum/noise. We may never know exactly why Fender discontinued them, but I will objectively stand firm that Super 55's are one of the best all-around Jazz Bass pickups ever made.

Edit: For anyone that is on the desperate, hopeless quest to find a set of these, a TBer (whom I am not affiliated with) is selling a MIM Jazz body that has them installed: For Sale - Fender MIM '03 Jazz Bass Loaded Body FSR Electron Blue Metallic REDUCED. I already have a set of Super 55's, otherwise I would buy his Jazz body just for the pickups!
 
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#117
They have a design flaw that causes them to fail at very high rates, particularly if you install and uninstall them few times. Basically the two coils are soldered onto a lower circuit board using 4 solder points. Under even fairly minimal strain the coils pop off After trial and error I found they can be fixed using super glue and a small clamp, I bought a set a few months ago that had one faulty one I repaired, and those are installed in my US Fender with a mij Aerodyne neck, and they sound sweet tons of growl, I replaced a set of ultra jazz with them. Anyway my understanding is the high return rate is why they were discontinued.
 
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