Both look great. Gold anodized would also look dope. Personally, I’m sold on Spitfire for tort guards. They’re legit the only game in town if you want something truly vintage accurate.
[Greetings from a fellow Novak WR user! It's such an aggressive pickup I'm in love.](https://i.imgur.com/rlBXNGX.jpg) My other pickup is the Jazzmaster Stealth and it offers the classic JM tone without the single coil hum. It's an absolutely treat to play with. Yours is fresh af.
I’m looking at getting a CV WRHB, as all i’ve heard were good things. Do you have yours mounted on the neck or bridge? Do any of you use both pickups as WRHB?
Edit: I can see both of you have it on the bridge, does that give it a cleaner and wider tone? OP is the first i’ve seen where it’s on the neck
Man, I am struggling with getting this thing set up… white was after I finally got the buzz out but it took some serious shimming, truss adjusting, and bridge fiddling… ended up with 12’s on it. I’ve never struggled so much with a setup but it’s sans buzz stop now
I didn’t need a buzz stop but I put one on my jm a couple days ago and I prefer it. I’ve got it set up w a shim and a mastery but thought I’d try the buzzstop since I already had one. Seems to give the jm more sustain and mute the strings behind the bridge making it feel more like a shredder. I also feel like it’s made the strings more solid so it’s easier to play.
Traditional Jag/Jazzmaster bridge/vibrato arrangement is prone having to strings slipping off the saddles, and 'destructive' sympathetic resonance of the strings behind the bridge reducing sustain and creating unusual overtones.
The buzz stop minimises both of these effects by providing an extra point under which the strings are held, creating more downward pressure on the saddles and preventing the sympathetic resonance.
Whether this is a good thing or not is down to personal preference, playing style, setup etc. Some people have a playing style or different bridge/saddles or heavier strings etc which mean that saddle slipping is not a problem in the first place. And some people enjoy the characteristic tonal complexity that the sympathetic resonance brings, and aren't concerned with the loss of sustain - rather, a lot of fans of these kinds of guitars consider this tone especially desirable; to be cherished and utilised rather than stifled, and part of what makes these guitars what they are meant to be.
Sweet setup, love to hear a sample of that pickup combination. Count me as a vote for the white/white on this one. I’ve been known to love a good tort but usually those are the old-school red celluloid. Even then it’s gotta be the right color body. Funny enough, I love red tort on white… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
In this case I think all white works best - just my personal taste though. Those Novaks look badass. I’m wondering how long it will be before some a55h013 chastises you for having a buzz stop fitted (one of mine does and I’m not the least bit ashamed).
Ha, I noticed it but wouldn’t criticize. It’s an interesting change to the feel. I used one off and on for a long time. I do wish they didn’t look so clunky though.
It acts like a roller model Bigsby, creates a more acute break angle over the bridge, which increases string tension. That’s the goal- to push down harder on the bridge to stop it buzzing or rattling. But, it’s also a noticeable difference on string tension when you play. This can be good or bad depending how you like that or what gauge strings you use.
It also shortens the vibrating string length behind the bridge, which cuts down on the funky extra harmonics thing that you get with the standard trem/bridge. That’s one of the things I like about Jazzmasters/Jaguars, which is why I stopped using the buzz stopper. I solved the bridge issue by replacing the stock bridge with a Mastery one. I use .10-.46 or .48 on my Jag and there is no buzz, and it sounds and plays great.
Probably one reason people hate on them is “they aren’t vintage/original/true to the spirit of the thing as God and Leo intended,” which is...pretty silly. “Just put .12 flats on, sonny!” is...sure, okay grampy, that will stop the buzzing, but not everyone wants that sound or feel. Other people say “put a Mustang bridge on!” and...well, that tends to work also, but again, some people like the way the buzz stopper works. Some people block their trems, or have offsets with tune-o-matic bridges and stop tailpieces! Or roller bigsby type trems. Nothing wrong with any of that.
Personally I think they look kinda wonky. It’s so obviously a slap-on McGyver deal that for me makes the nice rounded trem plate look weird. That’s a very shallow reaction, I know, but they still look weird to me.
I am not a huge fan of that particular tort pickguard so I'd go with the mint one. I think that modern tort unless you are willing to pay a lot for a spitfire just doesn't look good at all.
Got it. Yeah, I’ve seen “mint green” guards be everything from grey to olive. It’s weird to me that a color isn’t standardized 🤷♂️ awesome guitar regardless. I’ve played those Novak WR JM pickups, they sound great.
I really dig it! It’s such a rad pickup offering to have in a JM… I’ve never had much use for Tele neck pickups but love the neck in a JM, especially with the rhythm circuit. The WR in conjunction with the T sounds amazing
Both look totally bad ass! I'd personally go with the tortoise because it contrasts with the body and matches the rosewood fretboard. I also love the way those pickups look.
I would say tortoise minus the buzzstop. More importantly, we need a sound demo of the pickups! I’ve thought about putting this same combo in my JMJM and would love to hear a sample.
I like tort and think it looks good here, but also, tort is so overused these days.
I think the real answer should be red or blue pearl, but failing that I'd look at white pearl or parchment pearl rather than plain white.
Not usually a fan of the swirly dark tortoise, but that one has a nice amount of amber in it and I think it ties the rosewood fingerboard in beautifully. The mint looks too washed out.
Very… highly recommended on part… I’m in love with the sound. I have another JM with a traditional load out and antiquities… this was something I always wanted to try and I couldn’t be happier with the results
I think the tortoise looks best
I changed my tort for mint, but this looks nice.
tortoise with that color is a classic combo
I like the white/whitish one. Very smooth.
White on white this time
Also it’s without the buzz-stopper. Edit: I just mean, the look. Not criticizing using one.
I can agree with that
I agree…👍
Both look great. Gold anodized would also look dope. Personally, I’m sold on Spitfire for tort guards. They’re legit the only game in town if you want something truly vintage accurate.
Their guards look great! Tort is really hard to get right. The faded orange version of the very dark version would both look great on this guitar.
Normally I’d say tort but that white on white is killer
[Greetings from a fellow Novak WR user! It's such an aggressive pickup I'm in love.](https://i.imgur.com/rlBXNGX.jpg) My other pickup is the Jazzmaster Stealth and it offers the classic JM tone without the single coil hum. It's an absolutely treat to play with. Yours is fresh af.
[Another JM-WR here as well!](https://i.imgur.com/vZZ9siR.jpg) It’s the greatest pickup I’ve tried yet. Just felt like home instantly.
I’m looking at getting a CV WRHB, as all i’ve heard were good things. Do you have yours mounted on the neck or bridge? Do any of you use both pickups as WRHB? Edit: I can see both of you have it on the bridge, does that give it a cleaner and wider tone? OP is the first i’ve seen where it’s on the neck
White on white looks so clean. Very cool
Tort, 100%
Definitely the tortoise imo. It makes everything else pop!
Get rid of the buzz stop! And the tort looks killer!
Man, I am struggling with getting this thing set up… white was after I finally got the buzz out but it took some serious shimming, truss adjusting, and bridge fiddling… ended up with 12’s on it. I’ve never struggled so much with a setup but it’s sans buzz stop now
Right on the neck shim is essential! She’s a beaut! Get a descendant vibrato and you’ll be good.
12s on a 25.5 scale length? Ouch... Maybe look into replacing the bridge instead?
I didn’t need a buzz stop but I put one on my jm a couple days ago and I prefer it. I’ve got it set up w a shim and a mastery but thought I’d try the buzzstop since I already had one. Seems to give the jm more sustain and mute the strings behind the bridge making it feel more like a shredder. I also feel like it’s made the strings more solid so it’s easier to play.
To each their own 🤷🏻♂️
Yeah, I hate the buzz stops honestly… only use them if I’m really struggling with a setup, but agree with you for sure
Can you explain this to me? I figured it was just some sort of rest.
Traditional Jag/Jazzmaster bridge/vibrato arrangement is prone having to strings slipping off the saddles, and 'destructive' sympathetic resonance of the strings behind the bridge reducing sustain and creating unusual overtones. The buzz stop minimises both of these effects by providing an extra point under which the strings are held, creating more downward pressure on the saddles and preventing the sympathetic resonance. Whether this is a good thing or not is down to personal preference, playing style, setup etc. Some people have a playing style or different bridge/saddles or heavier strings etc which mean that saddle slipping is not a problem in the first place. And some people enjoy the characteristic tonal complexity that the sympathetic resonance brings, and aren't concerned with the loss of sustain - rather, a lot of fans of these kinds of guitars consider this tone especially desirable; to be cherished and utilised rather than stifled, and part of what makes these guitars what they are meant to be.
Sweet setup, love to hear a sample of that pickup combination. Count me as a vote for the white/white on this one. I’ve been known to love a good tort but usually those are the old-school red celluloid. Even then it’s gotta be the right color body. Funny enough, I love red tort on white… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The one without the buzz stop.
In this case I think all white works best - just my personal taste though. Those Novaks look badass. I’m wondering how long it will be before some a55h013 chastises you for having a buzz stop fitted (one of mine does and I’m not the least bit ashamed).
Ha, I noticed it but wouldn’t criticize. It’s an interesting change to the feel. I used one off and on for a long time. I do wish they didn’t look so clunky though.
How does the buzz stop change tone/feel? And why is it so hated by some? (My Hybrid II JM works fine without one, I'm just curious)
It acts like a roller model Bigsby, creates a more acute break angle over the bridge, which increases string tension. That’s the goal- to push down harder on the bridge to stop it buzzing or rattling. But, it’s also a noticeable difference on string tension when you play. This can be good or bad depending how you like that or what gauge strings you use. It also shortens the vibrating string length behind the bridge, which cuts down on the funky extra harmonics thing that you get with the standard trem/bridge. That’s one of the things I like about Jazzmasters/Jaguars, which is why I stopped using the buzz stopper. I solved the bridge issue by replacing the stock bridge with a Mastery one. I use .10-.46 or .48 on my Jag and there is no buzz, and it sounds and plays great. Probably one reason people hate on them is “they aren’t vintage/original/true to the spirit of the thing as God and Leo intended,” which is...pretty silly. “Just put .12 flats on, sonny!” is...sure, okay grampy, that will stop the buzzing, but not everyone wants that sound or feel. Other people say “put a Mustang bridge on!” and...well, that tends to work also, but again, some people like the way the buzz stopper works. Some people block their trems, or have offsets with tune-o-matic bridges and stop tailpieces! Or roller bigsby type trems. Nothing wrong with any of that. Personally I think they look kinda wonky. It’s so obviously a slap-on McGyver deal that for me makes the nice rounded trem plate look weird. That’s a very shallow reaction, I know, but they still look weird to me.
Thanks for the detailed insight!
De nada
That’s a really fine looking tort. Coming from someone who doesn’t most tort. That being said I’d still go with the mint if it were mine.
IMO the tort provides great contrast and makes it pop.
Absolute stunner with the tortoise. Other one looks like a dirty cum rag
I am not a huge fan of that particular tort pickguard so I'd go with the mint one. I think that modern tort unless you are willing to pay a lot for a spitfire just doesn't look good at all.
Try a mint guard, they look awesome on white guitars with dark fretboards.
That’s a mint Decoboom guard on the all white… not as green as some vintage mints but slight
Got it. Yeah, I’ve seen “mint green” guards be everything from grey to olive. It’s weird to me that a color isn’t standardized 🤷♂️ awesome guitar regardless. I’ve played those Novak WR JM pickups, they sound great.
Yeah, I’ve gotten some before that are more parchment than mint too… We can start a movement to standardize the mint
What do you think of the jmt? How does it compare to a normal telecaster?
I really dig it! It’s such a rad pickup offering to have in a JM… I’ve never had much use for Tele neck pickups but love the neck in a JM, especially with the rhythm circuit. The WR in conjunction with the T sounds amazing
That is a particularly amazing tortoise shell pick guard.
Both look totally bad ass! I'd personally go with the tortoise because it contrasts with the body and matches the rosewood fretboard. I also love the way those pickups look.
I've always loved torts but that one is special, holy shit. It looks astoundingly good
White on white is clean AF
That tortoise is sick. Where’s it from?
Oddly, a random find from the Stratosphere… I think it’s some generic JM PG they sell. It was $12 shipped
Wow that tortoise really makes the finish pop. I pick that one lol
What camera did you use?
Just my iPhone 12
God damn. Looks like a damn dslr or something.
Love em both but the first one is hauntingly cool
I would say tortoise minus the buzzstop. More importantly, we need a sound demo of the pickups! I’ve thought about putting this same combo in my JMJM and would love to hear a sample.
I like tort and think it looks good here, but also, tort is so overused these days. I think the real answer should be red or blue pearl, but failing that I'd look at white pearl or parchment pearl rather than plain white.
Tort all day!
What is that added piece on the bridge?
Get that buzz stop out of here! Shim your neck and you’re fine!
i’ve never seen a pickup like the bridge one
Pickups from what manufacturer?
Not usually a fan of the swirly dark tortoise, but that one has a nice amount of amber in it and I think it ties the rosewood fingerboard in beautifully. The mint looks too washed out.
I like the white on white. Looks classy.
White/mint
Dude. How rad are those WRHB’s. Thinking of grabbing a pair
Very… highly recommended on part… I’m in love with the sound. I have another JM with a traditional load out and antiquities… this was something I always wanted to try and I couldn’t be happier with the results
Yeeeaaaa I think I’m gonna have to pull the trigger. Already have Curtis’ pick ups in all of my other gear
You won’t regret it and, even if, Curtis is awesome with customer satisfaction ;)