This analysis is intended to serve two purposes – first, a comparison of two popular pickup models. More importantly, to explain the difference that pole pieces can make to your tone. The Seymour Duncan Jazz and Full Shred neck pickups are the perfect examples to perform this, because they are identical in every way besides the pole piece configuration.
The pole piece designs for both pickups are without doubt the most common configurations seen in humbuckers; single screw and double screw. In the case of these models, the Jazz has longer flat head screws typically seen on PAF-style humbuckers, while the Full Shred has shorter allen screws. We haven’t tested the difference between screw types or lengths, but from our measurements on the next page, it does not appear to affect them greatly.
To prove the coils are identical, see our measurements below. Notice that even though the DCR values are generally equivalent, the inductance value is fairly different on the south coil. This is because the south coil of the Jazz contains the slugs, which have more ferrous mass than screws, increasing the inductance. Both pickups have a slight asymmetrical wind favoring the coil closer to the neck.
| Â | South DCR | South Inductance | North DCR | North Inductance |
| Seymour Duncan Jazz Neck | 3.65K | 1.74 H | 3.76K | 1.68 H |
| Seymour Duncan Full Shred Neck | 3.67K | 1.64 H | 3.78K | 1.70 H |
The Full Shred’s pole pieces decrease the resonant peak compared to the Jazz, which will make it sound slightly more balanced, with a bit more perceived bass. Both pickups have the same resonant frequency of 3.2 kHz, which is similar to other PAF-style neck pickups like Seymour Duncan’s Alnico II Pro (3.2 kHz), Pearly Gates (3.3 kHz), and 59 Model (3.3 kHz), among others.
More importantly, this is a difference you can expect in other double screw humbuckers. Double screw pole pieces are generally found alongside ceramic magnets, which can be especially cutting with single screws. Double screws can help tame a loud resonant peak, and have a character of their own.
If you’re a guitarist, you know that your tone is a big part of your musical identity. But what happens when your pickup sounds too dark, muddy, or lacks clarity? You might be tempted to go out and buy a new guitar, but hold on! There are several things you can do to improve your
Jake Bowen of Periphery has finally released his second signature pickup set after 10 years. Let’s see how they compare to the pickup’s they’re based on.
The Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio signature pickups have finally been released. Here’s what we know so far about her unique configuration.
2 thoughts on “Seymour Duncan Jazz vs. Full Shred Neck Pickup Comparison”
We can assume that the resonant frequencies are calculated with cable load about 400pF otherwise (taking into consideration the pickus capacity only about 100pF) much higher values were given.
Yes, a simulated cable load of 470pF is included in the measurement. I also include a simulated potentiometer load of 250k (2 x 500k pots) for humbuckers and 125k (2 x 250k pots) for single coils.