How much can a Mustang or Jag approximate a Strat tone?

[GuitarsBuicks]

I know Leo Fender designed different pickups for each guitar but I've heard Mustang pickups are similar to Strat pickups but with flat poles. Not quite sure about Jags though.

My question is, how close can Mustang or Jag pickups get to a Strat sound? Obviously, I know each has their own thing and in-between settings are not possible on the Mustang and Jag because they only have 2 pickups instead of the Strat's 3 (which is why I once passed on a Jag -- stupid, stupid me!), but with the neck-only or bridge-only settings, how do they compare?

I don't know about Jags or Mustangs but Jazzmasters and certain Teles can do it pretty well. Here is an example of a Jazzmaster doing Strat-y stuff.

 

[howardlo]

I have a Mustang, a Jag, a Stat and a Jazzmaster, they each sound different as they should. Different guitars, different feel and sound. That is a good thing. Gives variety of sounds. Have no idea why anyone would want any two of them to sound alike.

I want Strat sounds, I play a Strat. Want the Jaguar sound, I play the Jag, etc. Putting a HB in any of them? No thanks, I’ll play my LP or 335 if I want those sounds.

 

[Maguchi]

I’ve seen exceedingly few I-6 Mustangs, but you are right, those few did sort of have an (emasculated) Jag sound.

Feel a little guilty hijacking the post. But many of the original 6 cylinder Mustangs were changed out to V8s for resale value. I've got a '65 Ranchero with a 200 ci. six and I'm keeping it 6 cylinder.

 

[posttoastie]

8 cylinder works for this guy

 

[cyclopean]

Here’s a 25.5” Jag, more or less. Not a million miles away but a bit more bite. Yet, part of that is going to still be the different pot/cap values and some of the character is less sustain and the strings behind the bridge vibrating.

You’d need to hear these in a Strat to compare. I wonder if the big shield claws affect anything?

I still think Mustang pickups are likely closer IF you can find some in the higher output range for those (about 5.5k - which is still a bit weak). As far as I can tell other than number of winds, the 70s Mustang pickups were identical in construction to the 70s Strat pickups, which were also flat-poled. 70s Strats sounded Stratty, just a bit weaker in output than a lot of 60s Strats.

at that scale length it's almost more of a jazzmaster.

 

[Maguchi]

8 cylinder works for this guy

Yeah with those rear wheels you need a V8