Best pair for a Jazz neck?

[SunIsLoco]

Hello!

I'm looking for a good bridge humbucker to pair with the Jazz neck. Right now I have a pearly gates in the bridge, and I like it well enough except under medium to high gain, it gets a bit too harsh. I tend to roll the tone back to 4 or 5, but then I lose some higher harmonics on the bass notes and it sounds a bit muddy.

I know the JB is the classic pair for the Jazz but I don't really like higher output pickups - I play a lot of clean and touch of drive stuff, but I want to be able to get a good crunch on the bridge without sacrificing the cleans.

Any suggestions?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

A2 Pro comes to mind first. It's got a similar tonal foundation as the PG, but it's not as aggressive.

The Jazz Bridge is good, though, and often overlooked in favor of "juicier" PAF style pickup from Duncan. A matching set can be really nice if your guitar has a master tone control, because the tones of the two pick ups are designed to work well together. Thus, they can often be e.q.d together for a good result.

The '59 Bridge is fuller than the Jazz Bridge, but has the same fundamental tonal character. Good choice if you want a very similar e.q. to your Jazz Neck, but want more kick than the Jazz Bridge provides.

You also might really like the Seth Lover bridge. They have a wonderful way of being juicy and chewy, while also remaining clear. They are my favorite Duncan humbuckers...however, I find that it can be hard to make anything but a Seth Neck play nice with them. If anything but a Seth Neck, though, it would be a Jazz Neck.

 

[SunIsLoco]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

I'm not sure I'd like the Jazz bridge - I originally swapped out a BB Pro set because the A5 in the bridge was very ice picky. The neck was nice, though.

I've been looking at the Seth and the A2Pro, but its kind of tough to gauge the differences from the clips on the website. How would you describe them and their similarities/differences?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

They're in the same general tonal vein, but the Seths are more clear. It's not something that's easy to get across in audio clips, but the difference can be readily "felt" in your right hand. The Seths are quite low output for humbuckers, so they hit the amp more softly than the A2P. Seths are King for low-headroom amps, while if you play something in the roughly >30W area, you might like the A2Ps better.

 

[SunIsLoco]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Okay awesome, thanks! I think the Seth sounds like what I'm looking for, I do love clarity in the bridge. That was my favorite thing about the PG. Its a really good pickup, I just cant find its sweet spot under gain.

 

[SunIsLoco]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Is the Seth bridge any good split? The PG is wired to split to the screw coil right now, worth keeping that in place when I make the switch?

 

[SunIsLoco]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Also, I just noticed your edit about the Seth not playing well with certain neck pickups. Anyone have experience with a Seth bridge / Jazz neck combo?

 

[gregory]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

The Seths are quite low output for humbuckers, so they hit the amp more softly than the A2P

Is a low output Seth in the bridge going to fare well against the A5 Jazz which has more output than the Seth Neck which is then placed in the louder position?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Is the Seth bridge any good split? The PG is wired to split to the screw coil right now, worth keeping that in place when I make the switch?

I don't really like *any* PAF type pickups split. I'd imagine the Seth being particularly bad, but that said, I haven't tried it.

Also, I just noticed your edit about the Seth not playing well with certain neck pickups. Anyone have experience with a Seth bridge / Jazz neck combo?

Is a low output Seth in the bridge going to fare well against the A5 Jazz which has more output than the Seth Neck which is then placed in the louder position?

That is indeed a concern, and I noted it. Seth Bridges work best with Seth Necks IME. That said, I think the Jazz will be okay with a Seth Bridge. They might have 25 percent more output in terms of mV, but they don't seem as loud and full as that might indicate...plus you've got pickup adjustment to compensate.

FWIW, here is some info published by S.D. a few years ago, and reordered by myself in Excel. The numbers at the end of each line are the output numbers that Duncan measured.

Neck pickups only (and a few bridge pickups that some people use for the neck position):

[TABLE="width: 652"]
[TR]
[TD]SM-2n Custom Mini-Humbkr 216[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PA-STK1n Parallel Axis Stack 291[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SM-3n Seymourized Mini-Humbkr 330[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-18n Whole Lotta HB Neck 382[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-3 Stag Mag 389[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-55n Seth Lover Model Nkl 399[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]APH-1n Alnc II Pro Humbuckr 452[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]APH-2n Slash Alnc II Pro HB 475[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-8SGn Synyster Gates,&Chr,Neck 491[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-8n Invader 491[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Invader Nk, Pmt 491[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Invader Nk, Pmt 491[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6Str Sentient Neck, Amt, Soapbar 499[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Sentient Neck, Amt, Soapbar 499[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Sentient Neck, Amt, Soapbar 499[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Sentient Neck, Pmt 499[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Sentient Neck, Pmt 499[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-12 Screamin' Demon 500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-2n Jazz Model 501[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-2n Jazz Model 7-Strg 501[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-PG1n Pearly Gates 513[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PA-TB1n Original Parallel Axis 515[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LW-CH2n,LiveWire II,Classic,HB 534[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-1n '59 Model 7-Strg 572[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-10n Full Shred 709[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-10n Full Shred Neck 7-Str 709[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Distortion Nk,Amt, Soapbar 732[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Distortion Nk,Amt, Soapbar 732[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Distortion Nk,Pmt 732[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Distortion Nk,Pmt 732[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Black Winter, HB Neck 744[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Black Winter, HB Neck 744[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Black Winter, HB Neck 744[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-3n MickT Blackouts HB Neck Bk 1079[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-3n Mick T Blackouts 7-Str Ph 1 1079[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-3n Mick T Blackouts 7Str Ph 2 1079[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LW-Must LiveWire Dave Mustaine,n 1080[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-1n Blackouts, Neck 1283[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-1n Blackouts 7-Strg Phase 1, Nk 1283[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-1n Blackouts 7-Strg Phase 2, Nk 1283[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-1n Blackouts, 8strg, Neck 1283[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-11n Gus G Fire Backout Coil Pack Nk 1725[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-10n Blackouts Coil Pack Nk 1829[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Bridge pickups only:

[TABLE="width: 652"]
[TR]
[TD]SM-2b Custom Mini-Humbkr 327[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SM-3b Seymourized Mini-Humbkr 354[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-3 Stag Mag 389[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-55b Seth Lover Model Nkl 399[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-18b Whole Lotta HB bridge 440[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-APH1B Alnc II Trembucker 499[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]APH-1b Alnc II Pro Humbuckr 499[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-12 Screamin' Demon 500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-12 Screamin' Demon Trembkr 500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]APH-2b Slash Alnc II Pro HB 524[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-PG1b Pearly Gates 543[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-PG1b Pearly Gates Trembkr 543[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6Str Pegasus Brg. 555[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Pegasus Brg, Amt, Soapbar 555[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Pegasus Brg, Amt, Soapbar 555[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Pegasus Brg, Pmt 555[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Pegasus Brg, Pmt 555[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Pegasus Trembucker, Bridge 555[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-2b Jazz Model 571[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-11 Custom Custom 574[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-11 Custom Custom Trembkr 574[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jason Becker - bridge Black 582[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jason Becker - TB bridge Black 582[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-59 '59 Trembucker 593[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-1b '59 Model 7-Strg 593[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid, 625[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-16 59/Custom Hybrid, 625[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-14 Custom 5 Black 646[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-14 Custom 5 Trembkr Black 646[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-14 Custom 5 7-Str 646[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-15 Alternative 8 Trembkr Black 651[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6Str Nazgûl Brg, Amt, Soapbar 666[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Nazgûl Brg, Amt, Soapbar 666[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Nazgûl Brg, Amt, Soapbar 666[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Nazgûl Brg, Pmt 666[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Nazgûl Brg, Pmt 666[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nazgul Trembucker, Bridge 666[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PA-TB3b Blues Saraceno Model 694[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-10b Full Shred 724[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-10 Full Shred Trembucker 724[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-4 JB Model 737[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-4 JB Trembucker 737[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-4 JB Model 7-Strg 737[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PA-TB2b Distortion Parallel Axis 741[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PA-TB1b Original Parallel Axis 749[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-15 Alternative 8 Black 761[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Black Winter, HB Bridge 763[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Black Winter, HB Bridge 763[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Black Winter, HB Bridge 763[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Black Winter, TB Bridge 763[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-5 Duncan Custom 784[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-5 Duncan Custom Trembkr 784[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-5 Duncan Custom 7-Strg 784[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Distortion Brg, Amt, Soapbar 792[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Distortion Brg, Amt, Soapbar 792[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-6b Duncan Distortion 792[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Distortion Brg Pmt 792[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Distortion Brg Pmt 792[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-6 Duncan Distortion Trmbkr 792[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-8SGb Synyster Gates,&Chr,Brdg 813[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Invader Brg, Amt, Soapbar 813[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Invader Brg, Amt, Soapbar 813[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-8b Invader 813[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7Str Invader Brg, Pmt 813[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8Str Invader Brg, Pmt 813[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TB-8SGb Synyster Gates,&Chr,Brdg 813[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LW-CH2b,LiveWire II,Classic,HB 936[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-10b Full Shred Brg 7-Str 958[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SH-13 Dimebucker 1160[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LW-Must LiveWire Dave Mustaine,b 1368[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-3b MickT Blackouts HB Bridge Bk 1419[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-3b Mick T Blackouts 7-Str Ph 1 1419[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-3b Mick T Blackouts 7Str Ph 2 1419[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-1b Blackouts, Bridge 1598[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-1b Blackouts 7-Strg Phase 1, Br 1598[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-1b Blackouts 7-Strg Phase 2, Br 1598[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-1b Blackouts, 8strg, Bridge 1598[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-11b Gus G Fire Backout Coil Pack Brg 1784[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-10b Blackouts Coil Pack Brg 1870[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AHB-2b Blackouts Metal HB 3648[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

After re-consulting that list, another suggestion might be PGn used as a bridge pickup. I've used a PGn in the bridge position before. It's actually more to my liking than a PGb in the bridge spot. It was still too hot for what I wanted, though, so I eventually replaced it with a Seth Bridge. Still a bit too much, so now that guitar sports a Seth Neck in the bridge spot *and* in the neck spot.

The list also reminds me that the WLH neck is a quite low-output 'bucker.

 

[gregory]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

I'm a medium output guy, so that often means putting a neck pickup in the bridge spot, so I totally get that. I also like bright, so I get that too. Equal output pickups in each spot aren't unheard of either, rather it's classic as far as I'm concerned.

I don't think I could do two Seth necks but I have a Jazz Neck and Jazz Bridge on hand and have often felt inclined to actually use the darn things to test my mettle.

Regardless, that output list perturbs me.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Hey, I dig a Custom Custom in the bridge, which doesn't sound harsh or muddy to me- especially in ash or alder.

 

[canon_mutant]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Likewise, I have the Custom Custom [Custom] done for Godin in my LGXT with the Jazz neck and they work amazingly well together. When I bought the guitar, I thought I would likely be changing the triple C just because I am more of an Alnico II purest with what I play but that pup just does amazingly well dialed back just a bit and then you pump up the volume and it will really rock.

I love the pair. I assume the Custom Custom would be really close.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Equal output pickups in each spot aren't unheard of either, rather it's classic as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah, the JB/JB combo shows up as an OEM combo every now and then. I also like a Seth neck in both positions if I'm going for a more vintage correct build.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Thats tons of info. Thanks

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Going by these output numbers alone, not the tone profiles, why not the Pegasus? I dont find the Pegasus that hot and I also sure dont feel its harsh either. Versatile, great response with gain and clean, its much more than a "metal" pickup. Almost polite in my rig, why not?

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

I tend to think outside the box. I think you would love the Pegasus. The Jazz has an output right in line with the Sentient, its "normal" matching neck pickup. The Pegasus is a medium output bridge pickup that has a nice thick sound without being too boomy and lose definition. I feel its very balanced and will do anything you ask and do it very well. It isnt "harsh", there are no huge spikes that can cause listener fatigue either. Harmonic content and a "polite" EQ that will scream and also clean up very well. Not just a metal pickup by a long shot. I think you would really enjoy it

 

[Aceman]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

What guitar are we talking about? That would really help....no guarantees without knowing that.


I was also gonna say go with the Jazz bridge. Highly over looked combo; Jazz/Jazz.
I use a PG in the bridge and high gain and think it is awesome. I'd say just roll the tone back a touch. My Pg is 9k though, and it has a little different quality about it. Maybe try a Whole Lotta?

I'd really like to know what frequencies you find harsh/spikey etc....

 

[SunIsLoco]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

Its a Gibson Led Paul Studio - harsh may not be the right word for the PGb. Its more like its rude, which is a quality I love in the pickup clean and low gain. But under high gain it has a lot of pinch harmonic sound in it, which gives a bit too much of a squealy sound for my liking.

The tone control definitely works wonders for chords and the high strings, it just tends to dull the lower strings due to the loss of the higher harmonics.

Honestly, having typed all of that out, I think I may stick with with the Pearly Gates - they're 90% great and the tone control solution is workable for most of the rest. I might just be getting greedy - unless, of course, there's a bridge pickup out there that gives me all of that without the pinch harmonic sound on high gain!

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Best pair for a Jazz neck?

You can always not do the pinch harmonics. Thats technique, not pick up