Can EMG Make Good Jazzmaster Pickups? | EMG JMaster system | Gear Corner

#emgpickups #jazzmaster
After so many years of making legendary active (and passive) pickups EMG just brought out their first Jazzmaster pickup set, the JMaster. And it's not only that, there's a full pickguard too with the coolest controls a Jazzmaster can get. Check out the video and see for yourself what I mean.
And don't forget to leave a comment below!
All the infos on the Jmaster pickup set:
www.emgpickups.com/guitar/jma...
And the full pickguard:
www.emgpickups.com/guitar/pro...
Follow me on instagram: @kris_barocsi
My Merchandise:
Check out my shirts, hoodies, tone socks and coffee mug and thanks in advance for supporting the channel with your purchase:
my-store-11427232.creator-spr...
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:02 Intro track
2:10 Does it still sound like a Jazzmaster?
3:07 PLAYING | Traditional Jazzmaster sounds
5:15 Is it active? Let's talk electronics
6:12 Specs: The "special controls"
7:36 PLAYING | The full-range boost
8:45 The SPC mid-boost
9:15 PLAYING | SPC mid-boost
10:21 The EXG Expander
10:57 PLAYING | The "hifi boost"
12:44 How is it to use the controls?
13:51 PLAYING | Chug test
14:28 My thoughts on the Jmaster pickups
15:19 HUM TEST
16:27 PLAYING | Somewhat surfy playing
Gear used in this video:
(the Bitly links are Thomann affiliate links)
-EMG JMaster System
-Fender Vintera Jazzmaster: bit.ly/3I8vy1K
-VS Audio Royal Flush: bit.ly/3CYRtFK
-Analogman King of Tone analogman.com
-UAFX Golden Reverb: bit.ly/3vS36JN
-REVV Dynamis 7/40 head: bit.ly/3C8MfbE
-Universal Audio OX BOX bit.ly/2IyOeuj
-Two Notes Captor X: bit.ly/33FPfcW
-One Control Agamidae switcher: bit.ly/2YZgiib
-Evidence Lyric cables: bit.ly/3QJHQ40
-Evidence Audio patch cables: bit.ly/2Ixylo1
-DR Strings: bit.ly/3QcKUon
Other gear I use in my videos:
-Harley Benton Fusion-II Roasted SSP bit.ly/31FVawf
-Gibson Les Paul CS '58 reissue bit.ly/2FxKvek
-Gibson Les Paul CM 2015 - heavily modified "Junior"
-Barocsi Troublecaster - Custom built T-style
-Barocsi "Frankenstrat"
-Fender Telecaster CS '53 reissue bit.ly/2KFVJld
-Kasleder Vintage King: bit.ly/3bPU0sN
-Kasleder Toxic Twins: bit.ly/2VJRDiO
-REVV Tilt overdrive: bit.ly/3PtrWdv
-VS Audio Pandora Fuzz bit.ly/3twBaN2
-UAFX Astra Modulation: bit.ly/3ycxXFu
-Xotic Super Clean: bit.ly/36fsHka
-J Rockett Uni-Verb: bit.ly/3OglswM
-Honey Bee Double Trouble: bit.ly/33COaU3
-Kasleder Time Trap delay: bit.ly/3jQkha6
-Walrus Audio D1 Delay: bit.ly/3G228iP
-Empress Effects Compressor bit.ly/3BAubVe
-Tate FX Raise the Dead Ge: tatefx.co.uk
-J Rockett Archer overdrive: bit.ly/2Ges1z8
-Morgan 1x12 cab Twilight: bit.ly/2KFihDq
The speech mic:
-SENNHEISER MKH 416: bit.ly/2w1EAMP
Audio Interface:
-Audient iD44: bit.ly/2Jo73zN
Check out the Thomann Music channel for some wicked guitar videos:
/ musikhausthomann
Cheers,
Kris

[@nicholasaragon4126]

I mostly play clean or lightly driven. I recently bought some EMG SA SA 89s for a Strat project. I have to say that I was so mislead by the internet, they sound phenomenal and EMG has great customer service, installation is a breeze. I'm a fan now. There aren't many good videos that showcase how well EMGs sound clean. Sounds great! Thanks!

[@Puisheen]

Great video, great playing! Loved hearing your take on this set. The Hum Test was especially illuminating

[@KrisBarocsi]

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate it. 🙏

[@pauldncn1]

I have a new phrase for everyone “Kris Bliss” it describes the face we make and the way we smile and nod when the sound is exactly where we want it and awesome Thanks for the video I’d have reservations using that live , changing settings in the dark, but I do love the roundness and bite you can get Hope the family are all well Mr B 👍👍

[@KrisBarocsi]

Haha, cheers Paul! You're the best! Same to you, mate!

[@honigdachs.]

I keep coming back to EMG. Everything they make is just so reliable and simply gets me where I want to be. Some people still tend to mistake them for a "metal pickup" company or assume that the active components make for a "sterile" sound or whatever. None of that is true, they make just the right pickup for whatever you need. They're clean, they're noiseless, they're articulate, and bring all the tone minus all the crap. These here seem to be no exception.

[@KrisBarocsi]

I have to agree man, they make so many incredible pickups, both active and passive.

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

They started life as Strat pickups that were redesigned to sound some what like a JM style pickup. Your playing was very good by the way.

[@andyblakely7576]

I have this loaded jmaster guard in my mjt jazzmaster build. It’s incredible. Dead silent. So versatile. Does clean, does rock, alt, even metal well. I did do the 24v mod on mine. I love it.

[@JillandKevin]

Great review Kris! It should be known that you don't HAVE to cut a hole in the back, as a battery will fit in several areas beneath the pickguard, although it's not as easy to pull the pickguard on a JM, as the bridge actually got THRU the pickguard. However, if you unplug your cord whenever you're not using the guitar, that battery lasts a LONG time!! Also, I use the boost control to boost for solos/lead, by just popping up the switch, Kinda like (but opposite of) using the original JM system switching from rhythm to lead.

[@Sanrolino]

Nice tones Kris, very well done! I'm surprised how good this pickups sounds!

[@KrisBarocsi]

I’m really enjoying these. Too bad the guitar has to go back. 😩

[@bbdeffect]

Would be interesting to see this vs the Kinman noiseless pickups. The unboosted middle sounds pretty good. Neither this or the Kinman seems to have the midrange complexity of real JM bridge at breakup, though. If you want to reduce hum on your Jazzmaster, use a anodized guard, with which they were originally designed.

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

Cool demo Kris, I “gained” a new respect for EMG pickups! : )

[@KrisBarocsi]

Haha! Thanks my dude.

[@abaija]

Vielen Dank für dieses wunderbare Video 🧐😁

[@thomasrevere7916]

Your licks at the beginning just earned you a subscription.

[@KrisBarocsi]

I should give those licks a raise then. 😆 Thanks a lot man!

[@UltraPvnk]

EMG SA user here. Never going back.

[@kmichaelp4508]

EMG is pushing the limits. These could be pups for my next build (?) I don’t know. Kind of between these and Prails.

[@tomaskraft3446]

This is great. I am intrigued by EMG for some time and this is awesome. I want this loaded pickguard. I was hoping for retro-active P-90, I think this'll be enough.

[@KrisBarocsi]

Yeah man, with the mid-boost kicked in I got all the P90 vibes I wanted with these. Super versatile.

[@jamescpht]

This EMG system is absolutely brilliant, and your review is the best indeed. Just out of curiosity, are you using flatwound or roundwound strings on your jazzmaster?

[@dsholt]

I just got the Vintera 60s Jazzmaster as well and the hum is really loud with a high gain pedal (not so bad with lower gain overdrive). I'm seriously considering these EMGs to tame it.

[@bastianeberz3571]

Super Video und wie immer super gespielt👍. Da könnte man ja fast über Jazzmaster nachdenken!😅👍EMGs for the win!

[@KrisBarocsi]

Danke! Ja die Pickups erweitern den Horizont für Jazzmasters.

[@bastianeberz3571]

@@KrisBarocsi Interessant finde ich vor allem auch die Boosts, sind ja auch einzeln zu erhalten. Denke mal die würden auch gut mit den guten alten S und SA gehen würden. Spannend... 🤔😊

[@RobbDizzl]

The sounds are cool but they missed a big opportunity by not having a bypass switch for the boost functions. No one wants to fiddle with these pots while playing a song. But if you could just flick a switch…

[@wilddogwatching6457]

I honestly would've given up the option for a flat gain with a bypass switch to turn on/off the SPC and EXG. I use the rhythm circuit for two seperate tones/volumes and this would've helped me keep that functionality

[@MarcBecker_Music]

Wow, these pickups sound amazing. How do they work with pedals that don't like so much to be fed with a buffered signal, like Germanium Fuzzes, for instance?

[@urban_coyote]

What 9 volt holder did you use? I have a vintera as well. Hesitant about cutting her open... Considering the Stew Mac single with the routing template 😂

[@monstruonegro05]

EMG ftw!

[@jeremieboudreau201]

I could actually see a gigging musician using this for the versatility aspect. One guitar that does it all kind of deal.

[@3169aaaa]

cool

[@123Ir0nman]

Is all the compression I'm hearing coming from the amp being pushed or is that something happening in the pickups' preamp?

[@KrisBarocsi]

It’s the tube amp working nicely. It’s set pretty loud. 👍

[@StuartBridson]

I wonder... would this drop straight in to the Harley Benton JA-60CC models? 🤔

[@KrisBarocsi]

The pickups probably yes. The whole pickguard not. The HB is a smaller guitar.

[@taciturnia]

What song are you playing at the 4-minute mark?

[@KrisBarocsi]

Hey, it's not really a song. More like a generic chord progression for a surfy / rockabilly / whatever vibe. 😅

[@bertgillmeister3569]

Hi Kris, is this a new seriös of fender Jazzmaster? I can't find anything about this model in www!

[@MrTelecosta]

It's a vintera model

[@KrisBarocsi]

Exactly, it’s a Made in Mexico Vintera. Great guitar!

[@Barry101er]

Chris-your playing even sounds different with the Jazz Master (style-wise); maybe your next tele will be a Jazz Master?? ;)

[@KrisBarocsi]

Thanks Barry! Yeah I love Jazzmasters, I can totally see myself grabbing one soon.

[@alexpoblete5410]

you can play metal with those pickups?

[@insidious.92]

say it... this is the one guitar to rule them all!

[@KrisBarocsi]

Haha, damn close. 😆

[@klaymeister]

Will this fit any of the Harley Benton models?

[@Ermin0s]

I believe the Harley benton JA models have a smaller body

[@KrisBarocsi]

@@Ermin0s Yeah the HB body is smaller so the EMG pickguard will not fit.

[@Patrick-857]

You can buy the pickups on their own, and I think they sell the jazzmaster specific active controls separately as well.

[@JaniceLalla]

For one second you were playing Yardbirds stuff

[@KrisBarocsi]

Haven't realised but I'm glad I did, haha!

[@JaniceLalla]

@@KrisBarocsi check out I Ain't Done Wrong

[@BushidoPhoto]

The up rhythm setting sounds like Van Halen on Michael Jackson's album.

[@KrisBarocsi]

That sounds like a big compliment. 😆 Good job EMG!

[@Patrick-857]

That wasn't Van Halen. He played the Beat It solo. The rest was Steve Lukather.

[@tomstern9498]

These EMGs are sounding amazig no doubt but - "Saint holly slowhand Eric" will forgive me - imaging to put a battery in one of my axes still roles my toenails - not sure wether I'm to conservative or to lazing but don't like the idea that there is something in my guitar it have to be looking for beeing charged when I am in the mood to take one of my ladies down from the wall. Not a serious argument perhaps but - someone out there knowing what I'm talking about ;)

[@Patrick-857]

Just use one of those (non rechargeable) 9v lithium batteries. They have around 3x the capacity, and they are meant to have a 10 year shelf life. One guy on the forums said he put one in his guitar that's in regular rotation and it's lasted 6 years and counting. However the battery in my active bass is the original one it came with at the music shop, so it had been there getting tried out for a bit. 12 years later it's still going. It's not an issue.

[@dasczwo]

Why develop something new and groundbreaking when you always can remix old stuff and put it in a new package? Guitarist might buy it. Some. The others will go for 50ies wiring… had that all installed on an old rg in 2000s… our whole industry seems to have settled on that concept. Maybe its not even a bad thing. Cool product to put into all of these harley benton ja-s …

[@PooNinja]

Expand your pickup abilities the master way.

[@KrisBarocsi]

That’s always the right direction. 💪

[@williamcampbell7387]

"How to" install in a Squier? Giveaway?

[@user-xy6uy9je2v]

Replacing the pups still does nothing for that piece of shit bridge.....

[@deshawn4077]

Heavy Strings are what you are suppose to use.

[@awonderingoneil206]

pitch the neck back like Leo told you to then ;}