Same pickup specs, different quality : how big of a difference ?

[Professor Jones]

Say you're replacing a set of alnico V jazz pickups (stock from a squier classic vibe for example) with another set of the same type, but of a supposedly higher quality (Nordstrands NJ4).

Is this going to be a significant improvement or a negligible one ? After all, they are both alnico V single coil pickups.

I'm not really looking to do it since I'm satisfied with my Squier as it is, but I'm curious.

 

[Jefenator]

I'm thinking when two sets of pickups are performing differently, the spec's probably just aren't specific enough to account for why.

In other words, magnet type & coil configuration might be similar but the coil winding method, type of wire used and # of wraps (among other things) could make all the difference.

The J pickup comparison sticky at the top of this sub-forum is pretty revealing. And IME the right set of pickups can make a huge difference for the better.

 

[walterw]

my 10k alnico V fralin Pbass pickups were a night-and-day improvement over the stock 10k alnico V american standard units.

it's kinda like wine or chili; there's just a few ingredients, so it's all about the proportions and the skill of the maker.