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How many of you players use a Jazz in the neck of your Les Paul or like guitar? I was thinking of a 59 but I have been told that a Jazz would be much better for me. Does it sing under gain. Is it too hi-fi sounding? Give me your thoughts.

Thanks!

I *like* them in the neck, but I don't *love* them in the neck. I personally don't think they sing as well as a 59 or alnico pro, BB, etc. They handle gain well, and don't get as boomy as a 59 can (if not eq'ed right), but I also think they are missing something.

Others will disagree I'm sure, but for me I prefer a warmer/fatter pup in that position. Plus when I play dirty bluesy/hendrix type stuff on the neck pup, the Jazz doesn't quot;cut itquot; IMO. I think it's best for more fusiony or shred type stuff. Then again if you had a quot;darkquot; sounding Paul it may be the ticket.

Jeff,
Tthanks for your reply. You say the Jazz doesn't cut it for dirty stuff; yet you say it's good for shredding? Wouldn't constitute dirty?

I'm not sure what you mean by hifi. Could you explain? I also have a rough idea of the type of music you play, but would you be willing to enlighten me there too? Is this going to be paired with a Custom bridge?

I think Jolly did some soundclips featuring a Jazz/Jazz combo in a Les Paul. Quite gainy too if I remember correctly.


Originally Posted by gripweedI'm not sure what you mean by hifi. Could you explain? I

Very very clear highs and lows.. Almost too much....
Originally Posted by gripweedI also have a rough idea of the type of music you play, but would you be willing to enlighten me there too?

Think like a Robben Ford meets Neal Schon meets Alex Lifeson type thing....
Originally Posted by gripweedIs this going to be paired with a Custom bridge?

I don't know at this point....

I currently have the Jazz in the neck of my LP. It is my favorite neck humbucker next to the Alnico II Pro. It is very articulate, not as boomy as the 59 like Jeff said, and I think it really adds a nice balance between the bridge and neck positions. Shredding is very possible with it. When I think of shredding, I think of Yngwie, Michael Angelo and Paul Gilbert (although I think Paul is more melodic but that's a different discussion) but my shredding abilities end with Eddie, George Lynch and Zakk Wylde.

Would creamy be a word that could describe the Jazz?


Originally Posted by Butch SnyderJeff,
Tthanks for your reply. You say the Jazz doesn't cut it for dirty stuff; yet you say it's good for shredding? Wouldn't constitute dirty?

Meaning...under high gain it remains articulate which is nice for shredding...clean it's very articulate which may or may not be nice....but the inbetween stuff it's too articulate...it's not as warm and doesn't have a quot;bluesyquot; vintage type tone. It's like you gotta soak it, or keep it clean for it to sound best. For a hendrixy type thing it's just too articulate..sterile, if you will.

That make sense? Cos I'm not sure it did


Originally Posted by JeffBMeaning...under high gain it remains articulate which is nice for shredding...clean it's very articulate which may or may not be nice....but the inbetween stuff it's too articulate...it's not as warm and doesn't have a quot;bluesyquot; vintage type tone. It's like you gotta soak it, or keep it clean for it to sound best. For a hendrixy type thing it's just too articulate..sterile, if you will.

That make sense? Cos I'm not sure it did

Yes, you made perfect sense. I need an articulate yet warm and creamy neck pickup.


Originally Posted by Butch SnyderVery very clear highs and lows.. Almost too much....

Think like a Robben Ford meets Neal Schon meets Alex Lifeson type thing....

I don't know at this point....I like a clear pickup in the neck. Most neck humbuckers aren't clear enough for me. I don't think the Jazz has too much treble. Maybe just a tad bit more than a '59 and less bass than the '59. It has a very '59ish quality though. It's not perfect neck pickup for me although it is close.

I'm a blues blues/rock type of player so I'm not using as much gain as you would. I think the Jazz could handle it quite well though. I have the Jazz '59 combo and I find that the '59 has too brittle highs in the bridge for my taste, so I'm going to try something different there.


Originally Posted by Butch SnyderYes, you made perfect sense.

whew...

I need an articulate yet warm and creamy neck pickup.

Good luck...not sure that perfect combo is there...usually sacrifice one for the other. Jazz *may* be your best bet as an all arounder in the duncan line. BB pro is pretty good too.

I think an A2P would suit you better, Butch. With the A2 mag, the highs are smoothed out some. It's a really nice pickup that has some of that quot;creamyquot; quality to it. A5 mag pickups won't have that, or have it as nice.

Well, I think I might go for the JB/Jazz combo for starters. I can always use the 21-day policy.... Thanks everyone for your help...


Originally Posted by Butch SnyderWell, I think I might go for the JB/Jazz combo for starters. I can always use the 21-day policy.... Thanks everyone for your help...

GAHHH JB?

Hope your paul is warm and dark. If you've got a bright one you'll def wanna exchange it

Kidding. *I* dont care for the JB at all in a Paul, but I know some people like the extra upper mids and cut.

Erik's suggestion of the AP is a good one too for an quot;all arounderquot;


Originally Posted by ErikHI think an A2P would suit you better, Butch. With the A2 mag, the highs are smoothed out some. It's a really nice pickup that has some of that quot;creamyquot; quality to it. A5 mag pickups won't have that, or have it as nice.

I would love to use an AII pickup or a set of AII pickups. I have heard that a CC/PGn combo is nice. But I'm still leaning toward a JB/Jazz combo. Maybe I can do the JB/Jazz combo and replace the A5 mags with A2's....

Okay, let's start over here....

I have posted in a similar thread but it got lost.... I am thinking of either a CC/PGn combo or a Custom/59 combo. That's what I was thinking before starting this thread. Then I read someone saying that a Jazz is everything a 59 isn't...

I went to the Tone Wizard and here's what I got....

Instrument: Guitar
Guitar Type: Les Paul or similar
Music Style: Rock Pop
Guitar body wood: Mahogany
Fretboard wood: Rosewood
Bridge Type: Standard

The SD Tone Wizard Suggests:
Bridge 1 SH-4 JB Bridge 2 SH-14 Custom 5 Neck 1 SH-2N Jazz Model Neck 2 SH-1N '59 Model

Instrument: Guitar
Guitar Type: Les Paul or similar
Music Style: Rock Classic
Guitar body wood: Mahogany
Fretboard wood: Rosewood
Bridge Type: Standard

The SD Tone Wizard Suggests:
Bridge 1 SH-4 JB Model Bridge 2 SH-14 Custom 5 Neck 1 SH-2N Jazz Model Neck 2 SH-1N '59 ModelInstrument: Guitar
Guitar Type: Les Paul or similar
Music Style: Fusion
Guitar body wood: Mahogany
Fretboard wood: Rosewood
Bridge Type: Standard

The SD Tone Wizard Suggests:
Bridge 1 SH-4 JB Model Bridge 2 SH-5 Duncan Custom Neck 1 SH-1N '59 Model Neck 2 SH-2N Jazz Model
I use the tone wizard as a general guide, and then make up my own combos. I think the CC/PGn would be great, but if you want the Jazz, do a CC/Jazz combo. I have that now in my LP and it's great. The CC has the quot;creaminessquot; to it in the bridge and the Jazz just has it all for my LP. It doesn't have that creaminess but it's still smooth and cuts through well, (one of the reasons I like it so much).

If you decide on a CC for the bridge, you can't really go wrong with either a Jazz, A2P or PG in the neck. I had this same delima myself and finally just tossed my Jazz pickup in there.

By the way, you folks, the AIIP is The Jazz Model with a A2 mag.