JAZZMASTER vs P90 TELE! - The KINGS of Single Coil Pickups!

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between P90s and Jazzmaster pickups?
Today I break down the differences and do a comprehensive tone comparison!
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[@GregoryFox14]

P90's are way warmer. The Jazzmaster is very glassy. I think the P90 sound is more my taste but both clearly have a place. The leads sounded fantastic on both. Great comparison.

[@Patrick-857]

P90 has lots of mids, jazzmaster is wider and has more highs, it's almost scooped sounding in my experience.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Yes, I did just do a series of pinched harmonics on a Jazzmaster...hahaha! I don't even feel bad about it! Which guitar did you guys like the best? For me, the Jazzmaster which was much lower output and much brighter than the P90s really came alive in the solo section where the brightness and note articulation really became an asset! Overall though the P90s ruled the day for me :)

[@shanewilliams247]

I love that epi, do you have a link to the build?

[@laughingdaffodils5450]

The jazzmasters definitely have a unique vibe. I wonder what it would sound like if you wired a P90 in the bridge, JM in the neck, and a strat pickup in the middle, with a 5 way switch.

[@mikewhitfield2994]

A Gibson scale, set neck thinline tele with P90’s? OMG GAS! Love it! Didn’t really care for the Jag until the mix; just seemed to come alive with the other instruments. You seriously need to record an album of this more high energy guitar. The Celtic album is beautiful, but when working, I need something more high energy as a background. (I also tend to find myself listening rather than working, but that may be unavoidable.)

[@ShadowRifft]

All of them!, great video and guitar/pickup comparison!👌🎶🎸

[@davidwalter2282]

I think it depends on what you play. For me, I play in a surf band and I need the sound as clean as possible. I don’t own a Jazzmaster and never thought I needed one, but now I understand why many surf guitarists use them. For me - the jazzmaster was a much more usable sound. This also confirmed what I already suspected about my Wilson Bros Mosrite with P90s - it’s just not the right sound. Much too hot. I will have to swap them out!

[@jeffreyburton7284]

P-90s to me, have always been a halfway point between a single coil and a humbucker. They are throaty and definitely have a place in Blues. The Jazzmasters are that classic Ventures, Surf guitar sound. I really like your playing style. Very nice combination of technique and melody. Great video.

[@JustCrusader]

6:49 Oh my gosh, LOVED this Jazzmaster clip! 😍 Great playing, mate! :D

[@getyourkicksagain]

OMG they all sound awesome in their own unique way! Those clean neck clips sounded soooo goood. The jazzmaster really sings with such beautiful note definition and in-your-face bite, but the P90s sounded so thick, rich and soulful there is just no way I could choose one over the other! Also VERY nice chops, dude; I wish I could play like that!

[@billmiller7138]

I have P90 Jaguar that I really like but I do like the way the Jazzmaster stood out in the mix.

[@TheChadPad]

Yeah, I did too, partly because mix had a lot of mids anyway, and the Jazzmaster's treble presence was a welcome addition to the mix

[@tylerzane7579]

Is it the modern player with no pick guard and hardtalil?? I just got that

[@blik6704]

What's the difference between p90 jaguar and jazzmaster? Thought they're the same

[@90mphsleep]

@@blik6704 jazzmasters and jaguars are pretty similar besides the pickups.. some jaguars have fixed bridges but besides that and the rhythm circuits on the older ones theyre pretty much same thing

[@AbeldeBetancourt]

I truly believe the action of a saw would cut through the mix much better and truly catch your ears.

[@eohmstede5894]

The layla inspired lick made me motion sick. Sounded so disorienting. Very cool brother

[@ColocasiaCorm]

Yea i hated it. So disgusting. Awesome brother. Love those sickening licks. Dumbass.

[@mattjones8523]

Thanks for breaking down the construction differences in these pickups. I was always a little curious about them. I really liked the way Jazzmaster sounded playing that lead in the mix. The P-90s were just great at everything all around. Those P-Rails though, really did do a good job of sounding like a credible P-90. I was really impressed. Great video as always!

[@gabebarber5813]

For me the Jazzmaster was the best in mix and clean. Thought I liked P90-s better, but this video proved me wrong. Thank you for the awesome vid Darrell!

[@rickc2102]

I'd just like to get a shorter-scale guitar with the JM pickups and electronics.

[@paulcoalson9738]

Thanks for showing the construction of both pick ups along with the explanation of how they are made . I recently bought a Jaguar and enjoy the variety of sounds I can get from this guitar after years of playing with single coil and humbucker pick ups .

[@rickk1235]

Was not that impressed with the Jazzmaster by itself until you played it with the background track. Wow!!!! Loved that sound, really stood out and made that song rock!

[@donfully]

Darrell, I just want to say - THANK YOU! Your video is very informative and very beneficial in term of helping buyers to choose the right guitar.

[@markcummings2344]

The Les Paul sounded "muddy" compared to the crispness from the other two when all 3 were being compared in all of the pickup combinations. The spankiness of the Jazzmaster was the most unique sounding.

[@leobardogomez2976]

I always find that your videos are interesting, diverse and concise. I don't have any other choice than hit the like button! By the way, i'm a jazzmaster and telecaster fan, so I think these are a couple of gorgeous guitars. Good videos and nice playing!

[@zwanenvallei]

As much as I love my jaguar, you've convinced me that I need a jazzmaster in my life.

[@ZippyLeroux]

Bizarre and obscure comment here, but thanks to this video, I finally understand Dinosaur Jr.'s sound! Tnx DBG!

[@LuisOrtegaGuitar]

Run that through a plexi like pedal and a ram's head, and you are good to go

[@JordanColey]

Never knew the specific build differences between the two of these. Great video and comparison! And wow that Jazzmaster just cuts right through that backing track.

[@bromporke]

I’ve had strats, teles, Jaguars... I stopped buying guitars after I found my jazzmaster. Just personal preference. It’s SO versatile.

[@SteveDave227]

This is exactly the comparison I was looking for. Thanks for the comprehensive explanation and comparison. Subscribed!

[@ericjam6346]

Well look at that. I learned something today. I always that they were the same exact thing. Great video DB.

[@LegacyGuitars]

Great video Darrell, love the comparison. Thanks for exploring the questions we are all wondering.

[@sandb1867]

When you think of the mellowish guitar tones of Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, Charlie Christian and several of their contemporaries, you have to wonder why Fender marketed a chimey pickup as a Jazzmaster?? Thanks for another great demo.

[@padreehijasskincare9631]

Feels so good to see that 10s super tele finally chilling on the background, I'm still drooling over that guitar

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

Darrell!! Dude! One of the coolest solo parts from you or any guitarist on the tube in a long long time, great playing! My personal preference is for the Jazzmaster pickups.

[@DBSG1976]

Another interesting video and I was convinced both pickups were the same. All 3 pickups sounded great, but my Seymour Duncan preference won out again...that Tele sounds amazing.

[@bernardofernandes2226]

Terrific comparison, Darrell! The music style that you’ve chosen put the P90 pickups in a small advantage. Its growl turned out being more “appropriate”! But, as always, your videos are incredible! Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷!!

[@Mephisto7529]

I feel like I have been converted the Church of the P-90s, hallelujah.

[@burtonkephart6239]

Lol!! Only if I want to have that telecaster and not try and put humbuckers in

[@AXPena]

Yesssssssss! I've been waiting for this one! Thanks Darrell!

[@csharpminorseven]

Thanks Darrell for that really useful video: just to confuse things I have P90s on a Jazzmaster body - love the P90 sound and the Jazzmaster body shape...but that Fender/Gibson hybrid Tele took my fancy too...and I have to agree with Bill Miller too: the JM in the mix worked really well. Fun video, good on yer! :-)

[@revenant235]

Thanks Big D. Really enlightening in terms of tones, also never had seen the pickup construction differences.

[@ArnfinnRian]

This is a solid piece of reviewing here Mr Braun! Great work! And that Gibsonesque build you made ... MAN!

[@gillesgenete9598]

Your Epiphone LesPaul is so beautiful ! And gets my vote tonewise over the other 2 Jazzm and Tele. Thanks for demo and explanations 👍

[@drews879]

Darrell, another great show! Thank you so much.

[@philcal2000]

You are a menace every time I see your comparisons i find myself looking at new guitars.... love the jazzmaster...

[@KevinORourke25]

The best most informative guitar channel I watch. In addition I love hearing your rips on any guitar you play. That being , I love the p-90's. Great video.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks for the kind words Kevin!

[@bigpapavee]

Hmm, the Epi sounds more like the Jazz master dirty, and more like the P90 tele clean. Interesting...all sound awesome but I love the jazz master tone though!

[@LSImortal]

I’m new to the channel. Thanks for the review, you nailed it and I became a fan to the channel. Gonna recommend to my bands. Cheers from southern Brazil, btw

[@nazmoking3171]

GREAT video - I've been looking at the Jim Adkins tele and I LOVE my Jazzmaster. P90's sound fantastic and so do the Jazzmaster pickups. Really cool test!

[@painovoimaton]

I just like that JM glassiness, it's so bright and illuminated, so sparkly. Yet with the rhythm circuit you can even get quite some warmth out of it.

[@santiagocercavins]

nice !! Both pickups sound fantastic and this videos is really informative, I have a Jazzmaster 62 and now i'm going to have to get me something with P90's

[@randywhitaker8828]

Great comparison, I like things about all three guitars but the jazz master stands out a little more on the clarity, and for me and the way I play that’s better

[@jeffreyradick6486]

Wow, I didn't realize how different the P90s and the Jazzmaster pickups are. Of the 3 I liked the Tele best, but I can see where the Jazzmaster has its place. For years I've had just humbucker guitars, and for the last 12 years Strat and Tele single-coils. I just recently (past 6 months) got 2 P90 equipped guitars, and I'm still getting used to them. A solid-body Reverend Sensei 290, and an archtop Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II, both using the makers' own designed versions of P90s. Though I like them both I am struggling to learn how to hear to P90 character in these guitars. My ears are still learning to "hear" them. Your demos are helping me along the way.

[@chrispatrick414]

The Jazzmaster is such a specific sounds. And no other pickups can do what it does. If you're looking for that sound, nothing beats it. But for the vast majority of other styles or sounds, the p90's are the better pickup, at least in my opinion. Always loving the videos Darrell puts out!

[@edwinstovall3334]

First time I've had a chance to compare P-90s and Jazzmaster pickups -- thanks for the opportunity! I can honestly say that I rather expected things to come out the way they did. I read somewhere that Leo Fender wanted the Jazzmaster's pickups to have a "Fender-y" sound. To me, that means a chimey high end, which is what we heard. I'll also say that I enjoyed the sound of all three guitars, but liked the Seymour Duncan P-90s best. I would have liked to hear real Gibson P-90s in a Les Paul or some such guitar, though. Though some say it doesn't matter, I personally can hear some subtle differences between body woods, so I'm sure that the traditional mahogany/maple sandwich would have sounded different from the ash (and semi-hollow) body of that Tele. I'm also tempted to try the Duncan P-Rails in a Hamer Sunburst Archtop I have. My biggest misgiving is: How do the humbucking modes sound? Anyhow, great video!😎

[@Eventual420]

You sound better than ever. Killing it DGB.

[@stevec.1802]

Both comparisons were excellent demonstrations. Each one had something to offer, and one wasn’t better than the other. Both are excellent tone machines depending on what color you want. 🎸🎸

[@timnoble4137]

Both sounded great. I thought the P90's were more tonally articulate, but then the Jazzes were richer on clean. Gonna put 1 of each in my current build. Another fantastic vid from Darrell.

[@budgetguitaristcom]

Great video! I don't have a Jazzmaster, but now I want one. Might go Squier Vintage Modified, because those guitars are really close to what's coming out of Mexico these days. Love the channel - keep making awesome videos!

[@Lalairu]

Fender will release the squier classic vibe models soon I think. You should check them out ;)

[@Abdullahxvii]

sweet playing on this one! p90s absolutely all the way for me.

[@DylanWOWilliams]

The Jazzmaster tone was so smooth. I loved it. Felt like it sat in the mix rather than cut through. I had no idea I’d like it this much.

[@Tankman333]

for me that entire set up with the P90s was in a class by itself what a really unique gitfiddle

[@BILLYBOBSTUNES]

PS: you have the best comparisons always. And of course I’ve come to value your opinion/thoughts more and more....thanks for all you do my friend 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. From Bill in Strawberry Town Florida

[@garygosse5747]

What a fantastic giutar player.Thanks for the videos always very informative.I have a Strat and Epiphone just yesterday i ordered a new Hagstrom HII.I owned one in the seventies but sold it big mistake.Always missed that guitar hard to find but Maars Music in Peterborough found me one have to wait 4 months to get here from Sweden.Thanks Gary live from Bobcaygeon lol.

[@mikem668]

Spectacular video. Thanks. I think your method of doing the comparisons is the best I've seen on KZbin. But maybe you'd consider a tweak, though I'm not sure exactly how it would work. I like everything you played. Different guitars are known for different kinds of music. I loved the Jazzmaster. I also loved your playing, but I wondered how the Tele and the Jazzmaster would sound playing blues. So, in a three hour video, you'd play different styles using the same riffs on all three guitars. Then different riffs on each guitar based on it's specialty. You approached that by soloing over the backing track. That was genius. Thanks millions.

[@jessebarrera159]

Great video as always, l really can’t believe what I am about to say, but the jazz master sounded the best to me.

[@marmonquimby9311]

I totally agree. Jazz Master FTW. Clear, concise and articulate. You could pour on more gain and yet still hear the character of the guitar.

[@bryanb.8810]

The Jazzmaster had the best articulation of notes. The clarity, helped to drive,the rhythms that you were playing. Great job!

[@perthmike7]

Great comparison once again 👍🏻

[@frs2112]

Jazzmaster is my choice. I realize P90 sounds great, but a vintage Fender pickup delivers its unique unmistakable sound signature. When properly equalized by a modeling guitar processor, the results are awesome. 65´ Fender vintage pickups are fantastic, very good indeed. Thanks a lot Darrell for sharing this video. Have a great weekend! 😊

[@catboyzee]

Wow, I did not realize that J-master and P-90 pickups are quite literally 'night and day' in terms of tone. Good information. Thanks for posting.

[@jcproductions7585]

Thanks for the video. I have a cheap epiphone with p90s and I have a vintage Jazzmaster with original pickups. I love them both for different reasons. The P90s clean up well when you turn them down but get knarly when turned up. A virtue I like very much. I've had my Jazzmaster for close to 40 years, and well, I love it. No redundancy between the two guitar sounds.

[@jeffreyeagen4896]

I love these kinds of comparisons! I liked the P-90s more, but the LP was like the perfect balanced sound between the Tele and the jazzmaster.

[@garyjones7044]

Double that

[@donfully]

which was surprising to me since you would expect a shorter scale length from the LP would make it sound warmer than the Tele

[@Philtration]

Another great comparison and explanation Darrell. Three very cool guitars and your Ultimate Epiphone is just beautiful but I have to give it to the P90 Tele. I have only owned one P90 Guitar (Epiphone Casino) and I regret letting it go.

[@isaacfredes1181]

I had never put so much attention to Jazzmaster pickups , until I saw this video . They are my favorite sounding pickups now

[@daveclemans4922]

Thank you for the killer video, Darrell. I think it's not an either/or with this comparison. It would be like Sophie's choice trying to decide between the two. They both have their place, and they both can and DO sound great! But then again, you're a pretty good guitarist. You could make a kiddee guitar from a toy store sound like a rock machine. Love what you do. Have learned a ton.

[@saddle8bag]

They all had nice if different sounds, but I luved the design of that Tele. I could do without the F hole, but they nailed the rest of it.

[@donaldbeyer7277]

Loved the jazz master sound. Especially at the end, sounded very early 80's rock!

[@rayschoch5882]

Nicely done, Darrell, as usual. I agree - the Jazzmaster has distinctive tone, and I'm old enough to have lived through the 60s, so I remember. Gregory Fox called it "glassy," which works, but the word that came to my mind right away was "thin." Not necessarily in a negative way, but it just doesn't have the power that the Tele's P90s exhibit. That said, this amateur thought they each worked well in the solo "mix" segments. Just different sounds, though I like the P90 best overall. The LP seemed sort of in-between. They're all good!

[@mkidd0021ify]

I have the J Mascis squire jazzmaster but the jazzmaster pickups in it are designed to sound more like the p90s they aren't very chime at all and have more of a warm sound

[@Robledittydoowah]

Yup Jazzmaster sounded supreme in this comparison. Great job Darrell!

[@joeltapp7028]

Very cool! Glad I've got both because you just never know which one you're gonna want/need.

[@donaldfilbert4832]

Love them both !! If I had to chose - I'd go with the Jazzy !!

[@xAD21x]

Ohh that Tele is a killer guitar!!!! I need it :D

[@TJjjjjjjjjjj]

AronMay I have one and they are awesome ! But I might be bias as I’m a massive jimmy eat world fan

[@rayg3408]

I love gold but I really enjoyed the Jazzmaster surprisingly I'm trying to get rid of mine but after hearing your demo I love that brightness and I really think that the Jazzmaster can have a a deeper full body sound at least I know mine does thank you very much for the video that was great

[@michaelc2528]

Hmmm, well, they all had their own voice for sure. In some cases, the Jazz sounded a little rinky-tink to me. I couldn't believe how the Epi sounded... very nice! The Tele was a fav for me... even though it was equipped much different than a stock Tele. The Epi came in at a very close second though. Cool comparison and, as always, great playing Darrell!

[@devlin311]

I dropped Duncan noiseless P90s in my TC-90 and I love them. Great guitar great sound.

[@janymikeptz1156]

Great video as always, would be very cool to see you do a comparison of guitars for playing jazz...such as do you need a hollow body or semi hollow body to get that "warm vintage sound", lol...just kidding but still would love to hear your thoughts on getting a great guitar set up for playing jazz. Cheers!

[@johndaugherty4127]

Dayum, Darrell! You are a world class picker. Ive never seen you get down like this.

[@peterschmidt9942]

I love the tele, the sort of guitar configuration I'd like to play.

[@gwewetube]

Darrell. You should do an album of songs like those two 1 minute solos. Wow. Fabulous.

[@prigs750]

Darrell, another great video. To me it was P90 tele all the way. Have you ever tried a 4 way switch with P90'S? I recently built a chambered tele style with Benson Custom P90s and a 4way switch. The 4th position really turned it into a beast.

[@BrandonBames]

WOW! I had no idea I liked P-90's so much! Especially that opening lick on the bridge pickup! So damn chunky!! Next purchase: Les Paul with P-90's

[@lehmusic2675]

I got an Epi Lp Special with p90s...it rocks!!!!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Brandon Bamesberger p90s on a tele work very well as well ☺

[@lehmusic2675]

@@malcolmhardwick4258 yeah. But both would sound similar. The Special is a great deal such a low price

[@SuperEdge67]

Yamaha revstars with P90s are a cheaper option but are awesome for the price.

[@sempercompellis]

i took some alnico slugs and replaced the screws in my p90- totally improved what i found to be a muddy pickup!

[@madmartigan7723]

I have always loved the sound and soul of the Jazzmaster. The one in this video is especially nice.

[@DanSainz]

Hey Darrell, loved the video! maybe you should consider making a comparison with between p90s, mini humbuckers & humbuckers, as mini humbuckers could be like an inbetween of these two. Cheers!

[@lessthanpinochet]

That'd be great. Mini-humbuckers are the most underrated pickups of them all.

[@kevdean9967]

@@lessthanpinochet I agree!!!

[@michaelphillips1043]

My Hamer Eclipse has SD mini hums on it and can put out some great tones with the flip of the switch. I've also got a JM HH with dual coils that I might have to change over to real JM p'ups...

[@elijahmaurer9039]

As long as the pickup is not epoxy potted you actually can adjust magnetic poles, there are plenty videos out there if how to do it, but basically as long the pole ends up flush with the bobbin material you have the whole length of pole to play around with by pressing with non marr pliers or a special tool. It's also really important to note that all of these guitars have different output levels, and the epi had different pots, which effect sound more than most think. But this means each pickup drives the preamp differently resulting in differences in gain.

[@jakeritchie3805]

All3 sounded nice and seem like they have a place in a mix, man the epi is my favorite of all your guitars

[@clyntonmoorcroft6413]

In isolation the P90s sounded by far the best. In a mix, I loved the Jazzmaster pickups. Really cut through nicely l!

[@mr1bienvenu1]

I learned something today...... I LOVE P90 pickups ! I gotta get me some now.

[@TJ-fv6dp]

Darrell, did you hang all your teles behind you on purpose for this video??? Love it!!!

[@michaelconnerlone5668]

Love your Jazzmaster Darrell! It sounds amazing and looks really cool

[@jcoulter43]

All 3 have very usable tones. My pick would be the P90's in the Tele. Cool comparison video as usual Darrell. God bless bro 🎸😎👍

[@xunliu8696]

Wow! Have you got the link to that Epiphone? The versatility sounds very appealing! Great vid!

[@gustavogutierrez8571]

Not quite the mini humbuckers video but i'll take it, very useful video. DO MINI HUMBUCKERS PLZ!!!

[@andymellor9056]

Mini hubuckers vs. Firebird pups pleeeze...

[@svanurmg]

Love your videos..so many details and information,..do you cover jazzmaster/mustang bridge exchange. :) love from Iceland

[@vileguile4]

Mr Braun Guitar, any opinion whether there's a audible difference between glued or screwed neck? Neck through? :) Many thanks for these comparison videos!! I love them!!

[@retiresoon5639]

I preferred the Jazzmaster in the mix. Both are awesome sounding guitars. I love my American Deluxe fat strat because of all the switching options it gives me on my pickups. It can go from chime to wild.

[@NsteveA]

Wow, what a coincidence! I was at Guitar Center yesterday because I wanted to check out a Vox AC15. I played a Jazzmaster, Strat, Tele, and a D'angelico (all around the $800 price range - the only thing I could control for) and the Jazzmaster is a flat out chime factory! Running it with a lot of gain or fuzz might have it's place in a song but it'll mask what a Jazzmaster is soooo very good at.

[@musicmatty67]

The JazzMasters are more articulate with clarity between each note… At least to my ears.

[@jefg14]

For me the tele p90s won hands down but the biggest surprise was the jazz bridge in the mix. It was brutal and reminded me of Gary Moore’s huge strat sound. Thanks DBG

[@thein-tele-gent5654]

Of the 2, JA90 to the bitter end! Haha Great comparison, Mr. Braun! Thank you for making it. Now importantly, does anyone know any shops in Canada that carry JA90 Teles?