Custom Jazzmaster with a humbucker bridge and P90 neck pickup

[cjfollowsjc]

Hey all! This is my first post. I have a few questions for all of you gear heads.

The first is a little silly but I am right in thinking that a humbucker wouldn't fit into a jazzmaster that has been made and routed for p90's correct? I would either have to get the swimming pool style of body or have it custom made?

Also, any suggestions for a humbucker in the bridge? I play mainly worship music. Thanks!

 

[BigSteve22]

Welcome to the forum.

No, an HB won't fit into a P90 route. But, as long as you're talking about a top routed Warmoth body, the pickup routes are completely covered by the pickguard. That means they can be re-routed to accept an HB. I used Duncan P-Rails in my Jazzy which was routed for HB's, and I still had to do a little modifying to make them fit right.

For Gospel, or traditional hymnal type music, I'd suggest a parallel wired, vintage output HB for a clean sound with a slightly scooped mid range. Maybe something like a PAF. But there are others on the forum who can probably suggest better choices.

 

[Fat Pete]

Is it actually routed for P90s or trad Jazzmaster pickups? Either way, another option is to look for humbuckers made to fit the existing form factor - there are plenty out there these days. (If it is routed for JM pups, the holes may need to be made deeper.)

 

[Cagey]

My white(ish) Jazzmaster was re-routed for humbuckers after having been originally routed for JM pickups. As you can see, the cavities are a bit deeper and they add the relief holes for the trapeze mounts...

I should mention that the body above came from Warmoth that way out of the Showcase, so you wouldn't have to have a custom body made if you wanted to go to humbuckers from P90 cavities. They'll re-cut it. It just won't look pretty until it's covered by a pickguard.