Seymour Duncan Antiquity I Jazzmaster

Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs: 8.49K

Model of guitar or bass: CIJ Fender Jazzmaster
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: AV RI
Other pickups on guitar: Antiquity II for the neck
Artists using this pickup: who cares?
You musical style(s): indie, roots-jam rock.
Reason for pickup change: I hated the stock CIJs, but I also felt that the AV didn't really do much to change the overall sound that I had already with the stock pups. I wanted smooth, not bright. Rock is about raw, but not abrasive shrillness. You need to be pleasant, too. At least I do.

Perceived output level: Rated at 8.49K, these are certainly hotter than the CIJ, and a little bit fuller sounding than the AV. Think more low end and midrange--less high.
Tone: I'd say midrange emphasis is still there (like all JMs) with a little more emphasis on bass than treble.
Sonic evaluation: With a Custom Vibrolux Reverb I hardly needed more brightness in the bridge, and the Antiquity I delivers on this aspect. The clean tone is not spectacular (read my Ant. II to understand why), especially under heavy reverb, but the dirty tone with my ts808 silver mod is absolutely smooth and not at all shrill sounding. I think the AlNiCo II magnets exclusive the Ant I design really make this pickup ideal for indie rockers and bluesman alike. Otherwise, it's simply too bright. I mix-matched with the Ant II and that also made a huge difference on the middle/dual pickup selection. It's so smooth now!! The stock CIJs blow, a P90 is a bit extreme, and the AV is not quite different from the CIJ (it is, but not my much) while the Antiquity I makes your JM sound softer and ready for lead work. Whether I'm playing chords or blues riffs, this guitar in the bridge position is 100% improved. I don't have to turn my ears away anymore... that's good. Again, it's a low to dark-mid focus, and not a high/treble frequency range.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Think Radiohead meets Built to Spill and Phish--that's my style of indie rock and jammy roots. I think for what I need, this pickup is ideal and pleasnt to my ears and my mates, as well. They've already mentioned how much happier they are about my sound.

Comments: I would always dig the tone of this pickup, but I would never hesitate to improve with another pickup if my needs suddenly changed. I think this pup really puts the JM in a good place. Better than stock and just fuller/fatter sounding to my ears. The middle position is ridiculously sweet sounding. Regardless of what people say about the price tag, I think it's worth it to spend the extra $15 and get this pickup. That's just my opinion, though.