Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

eclecticsynergy

Well-known member
I have a Jazz neck - it's a little scooped and definitely on the bright side.
Don't necessarily want to go A2Pro for this guitar; thinking about A4.

I'm sure somebody here has done this.

Was the result as expected? How did you like it?

EDIT: Another possibility would be UA5; has anyone done that in a JazzN?
 
Last edited:
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

Blasphemy! Just funning. I like the A4 in my 59 but am satisfied with the Jazz as is. YMMV. ;-)
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

Blasphemy! Just funning. I like the A4 in my 59 but am satisfied with the Jazz as is. YMMV. ;-)
A4 in a 59N can be just right in guitars where the 59 is a bit muddy with high gain, as it can be in LPs sometimes.
To my ear it's more PAFish that way than the stock A5.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

I did try A4, but can't remember the exact outcome. I went with an A3 in the end due to the position of the pickup being just after the 20th fret, and a very busy low end.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

I bet any mag would work. 2,3,4,5,uoa5,6, maybe not 8, 9.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

The Jazz/APH wind sound pretty good with an A4, although It inherently has a pick attack on the sharp side. Very good tone-footprint for Jazz/Fusion runs and added clarity for complex-sounding chords, but lacks the "liquid" quality Blues players search after.

YMMV.

/Peter
 
Last edited:
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

I tried the Jazz with A2, A4, UOA5 and stock A5.
A4 in Jazz is closest to the A2 (APH-1) IMO. The A4 has got a bit more brightness and better cut than the A2, so I thought it was a very worthwhile mod.
UOA5 is still bright like the Jazz, except lower output - I'd only use that if trying to match the Jazz to a low output bridge pickup.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

I went A3

I wanted less compression and more articulation. That is what the A3 gave me. I paired it with an A4 59b.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

I can see using an A4 in a JazzN, but not in a JazzB.

Why is that?

I agree but I'm just curious what your reasoning is.

I haven't really found the Jazz (n) pup to sound scooped and bright in the neck like the OP is saying, certainly not like a '59 (n). But I do like a warm round sound in the neck and have tried an A2 (essentially making it an Alnico 2 Pro pup) and found that to sound pretty darn gorgeous.

I generally like the Jazz (n) in the neck, but I like to play leads on the neck pup sometimes. I want a bit more output and warmth so I have fallen in love with the Jazz (b) in the neck (with the stock A5). The bridge model has more mids and warmth, a bit more output, and slightly softer highs. But to keep the high end a bit crisper I put 1022 alloy screws in it which I cut 1/4" off of. Seems to work pretty nicely for me.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

Still pondering the choice. The Jazz isn't really super scooped, just a little. But it is bright.
I may just go with an A2; have generally loved them in neck position.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

I love the A2P just due t the slash and dickey betts like tones.
A3 is an interesting thought though.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

Still pondering the choice. The Jazz isn't really super scooped, just a little. But it is bright.
I may just go with an A2; have generally loved them in neck position.

I am no expert on an A2, since my only A2's are Pearly Gates. So I really can't comment or condemn that choice. I can tell you my experience.

I found the stock Jazzn to have a hefty midrange that just seemed stiff for me. Far from scooped, but with a nice spank to it. Mind you, I am talking in a Les Paul here. I went with the A3 because of an audio clip I heard here from another member. The A3 opened up the mids and gave the pup more dynamics for me. Very classic vintage sounding LP neck pup. I think the stock Jazzn was designed for longer scale length guitars, especially Teles. Not great for LPs. I think an A4 would maintain the broad EQ curve, but just drop your output and round off some highs.

well, what ever you decide, please update us on your findings and experience.
 
Re: Anyone tried A4 in a Jazz?

Why is that? I agree but I'm just curious what your reasoning is.


Personal preference. I aim for warm, full bridge PU's and bright, clear neck PU's. That's just what works best for me. I can't stand bright/thin bridges and warm/dark necks. Totally annoying for me to play guitars like that, which many seem to be from the factory. With a combination PU's, magnets, pots, alternative wirings I dial in my desired results.

I'm a big fan of A2P's in both slots with the stock magnets. At most I'd put an UOA5 in the neck A2P for a bit more high end, along with wiring it for spin-a-split. That's a great neck arrangement for me.
 
Back
Top