Bridge pickup for SD Jazz Neck

[Flores_68]

Hello,
I have a Gibson LP Standard which I like but I can’t settle for the right pups. I didn’t like the factory Burstbuckers so I swapped them for Seth Lovers on the bridge and Jazz on the neck. I love the clarity of the Jazz neck and the split coil, but the Seth on the bridge sounds quite dull. I play classic rock and was looking for something to match the Jazz neck. From the reviews I’ve read, I think the JB bridge would be a bit too high gain for me. Any suggestions?

 

[JohnnyGuitarCA]

59 Custom hybrid. (SH-16) Amazing combination.

 

[Hsb]

Custom 5 pairs well with the Jazz

 

[Mincer]

This depends on if you want a more powerful or dynamic bridge pickup. How powerful do you want it? The trick is to balance power vs EQ. If a JB is too hot for the tones you want, don't go hotter than a Custom. Who has your favorite bridge tones?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

NOT the JB, LOL.

I always thought the JB and Jazz was a terrible pairing. Compltely opposite EQ voicings and output levels.

If you though the Seth sounded too dull, I'd go for a '59 or a Jazz Bridge.

 

[Clint 55]

I think the JB Jazz pairing is quite moronical too lol.

 

[TVFV]

Consider the matching Jazz set. The Jazz Bridge is the bees knees.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

59 Custom hybrid. (SH-16) Amazing combination.

+1. Well +2 really. Fitted to my 2015 SG and my DIY HH Strat.

 

[JB6464]

Another vote for the 59 CH, great medium output pickup.

 

[Artie]

Consider the matching Jazz set. The Jazz Bridge is the bees knees.

I have this set also. Great pair.

 

[Aceman]

NOT the JB, LOL.

I always thought the JB and Jazz was a terrible pairing. Compltely opposite EQ voicings and output levels.

If you though the Seth sounded too dull, I'd go for a '59 or a Jazz Bridge.

Yet some players love the maximum dispersion and range. And don't forget the balance when both on...

 

[Aceman]

Consider the matching Jazz set. The Jazz Bridge is the bees knees.

THIS is a great suggestion.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I can't speak to the Jazz bridge; haven't owned one myself.
Still, you know it'll match the Jazz neck well unless you're sold on slightly higher output..

59B is great in a Les Paul too: rich, sparkly, and bigger sounding than the Seth bridge.
Or the Whole Lotta bridge for a bit more output.
In a more modern vein, the Screamin Demon has fast attack with vintage-plus output.

59/C Hybrid was also a great suggestion, especially for a darker-voiced LP.
Perpetual Burn is a little hotter yet a little stiffer - the flipside of that is that it's very well-defined.
And, vintagey in spirit but more up towards medium output, the Custom 5 is excellent.

 

[JOLLY]

Jazz Bridge

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yet some players love the maximum dispersion and range. And don't forget the balance when both on...

Yeah, well... I guess it's hard to argue with Seymour himself. Or Jeff Beck.

I never could get them to work for me. But I guess I'm the minority.

 

[beaubrummels]

IMHO Pickups I've used with a Jazz neck in a Gibson Les Paul that worked very well (in order from lowest output to highest)

59 Neck in the bridge
Jazz bridge
Pearly Gates bridge
'78 Model
59/Custom Hybrid
Custom 5
Custom
JB/A2 (magnificent rock pickup; keep in mind, the original prototype JB had an A2; sounds like a really loud Whole Lotta Humbucker, still balanced surprisingly well with a JezzN)


Other pickups I've used (but not with a Jazz neck) that I think would work with a Jazz neck
Screamin' Demon
Full Shred
Whole Lotta Humbucker
Black Winter


Ones I haven't used but think possibly might work also (others who have tried them with a Jazz will have to jump in if I'm wrong)
Perpetual Burn
Duncan Distortion
RTM
EVH / IM1 maybe?


A few I didn't like with a Jazz neck
Brobucker
Skinnerburst
Seth

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Black Winter

I didn't have the BW with the Jazz, but I did with a '59N. I used to have the same I had with the JB/Jazz, only way more exaggerated.

I guess if you want to cover lots of ground like Aceman was saying, it's a working combo.

But I for the life of me can never get those combos to balance. The EQ is one thing. But the output. I could raise the Jazz as close to the strings as it'd go, and no dice. Like not even close. I didn't try lowering the BW from where I liked it, but I'm pretty sure the difference was so big, not even that would help. Plus I'd hate to compromise the sound of the Bridge pickup's height just to get the neck pickpup to somewhat work. Plus I already had the BW somewhat faraway because it's such a strong pickup with lots of string pull.

JME.

Maybe the BW in split coil mode would balance with the Jazz?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to sound like I don't like the Jazz in itself. I think the Jazz is great as long as you match it with something closer in output.

 

[beaubrummels]

I didn't have the BW with the Jazz, but I did with a '59N. I used to have the same I had with the JB/Jazz, only way more exaggerated.

I guess if you want to cover lots of ground like Aceman was saying, it's a working combo.

But I for the life of me can never get those combos to balance. The EQ is one thing. But the output. I could raise the Jazz as close to the strings as it'd go, and no dice. Like not even close. I didn't try lowering the BW from where I liked it, but I'm pretty sure the difference was so big, not even that would help. Plus I'd hate to compromise the sound of the Bridge pickup's height just to get the neck pickpup to somewhat work. Plus I already had the BW somewhat faraway because it's such a strong pickup with lots of string pull.

JME.

Maybe the BW in split coil mode would balance with the Jazz?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to sound like I don't like the Jazz in itself. I think the Jazz is great as long as you match it with something closer in output.

Quite often, IME, guys that like hot bridges and low output necks tend to use the bridge as their screamin' sizzling lead tone and flip to middle or neck for cleaner tones. The delta works out perfect for that - you can almost keep everything on 10 and don't need to touch a knob.

 

[IMENATOR]

I think it also depends on how you play and how you use each pickup tone across the neck. I was very happy with JB+Jazz except when doing lead notes very high on the neck the Jazz could be a little too bright (high e string, above 15th fret), but for anything else that combo was very versatile.

Edit: I was about to install the Jazz neck with a Full Shred bridge in a different guitar, I just need to make some time.

 

[Artie]

For what its worth, I have the Duncan Designed JB/Jazz set in a Tele, and they work great together. Not sure what the impact of the DD's are over the regular, but the description says they're wound a bit hotter.