Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

[topper]

Hi all, first post

My trusty Brian Moore i9.13 came with a JB in the bridge, Alnico II Pro HB in the neck, and a Alnico II staggered single in the middle.

The JB was replaced with a Custom many years ago, because I find it suits my style and taste more. I don't get all the fuss over the JB - it always sounds like it lacks balls / mids to me. Not many people talk about the Custom, but I really enjoy it. It sings along in the mix, but can clean up a little.

So, more recently, I put a Jazz in the neck because I felt that compared to the Custom, the Alnico II Pro was just a bit too smooth (although I still enjoyed it).

I'm now tempted to pair the Jazz in the neck with a Distortion in the bridge. What sort of difference would that give compared to the Custom? Which one would you pick and *why*? The guitar is a jack of all trades, it doesn't have to be especially retro-sounding, I have a guitar with Bill Lawrence L-90s for that. I'm looking for this guitar to be ballsy and "convincing", whilst retaining dynamics and detail.

I know I could just try it, but I'd like to know what those of you who have played with these pickups think.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

I like them both although I no longer use either.

Both have a ceramic magnet which, IMO, gives a pickup a certain sizzle and a slight "robot" voice.

Had a lot of fun with the Distortion. Cool for overdriving an amp and getting sizzling sustain.

The Custom was more versatile and could do better cleanish sounds.

I guess if I were leaning to overdrive and distorted tones for most of my playing I'd go for the Distortion.

If I were leaning to blues and rock n roll the Custom might be a better choice.

But for me, I need an alnico magnet pickup, not a ceramic magnet pickup, for the bluesy tones with a certain vocal quality that I prefer.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

Great pickups, love and use them both!

Custom - Thump in the bass, scoop in the miss (bit still has them, and the highs scream!
Distortion - Chunk in the bass, pronounced miss, and the highs scream!

The Distortion is overall brighter with more mids. The cleans are better than you would think, but I prefer the Custom cleans. Either will go well with the Jazz.

You have to name some bands. Example, I play a distortion for priest, a Custom for Maiden, a distortion for ratt, a custom for def lepp, distortion for early metallica, custom for black album

 

[topper]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

Thanks all who replied. I'm not looking to copy any band's tone, I definitely spend most time with some OD / distortion active, but not really high gain. I guess I'll try the Distortion first because even my cleans can generally have a little edge to them, and more mids in a live setting is good news for me trying to cut through the usual mud...

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

Love teh Jazz/Custom combo,personally.

Looking forward to your thoughts/review,& Welcome to teh Forum!!!

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

Lew's comments are spot on.

I love both pups, but hate the ceramic magnets in both of them. I think the Custom has a more pleasing sound with an alnico magnet. I've tried it with A8, A5, UOA5, A4, ans A2. My absolute favorite is A8..it has great present highs but not brittle or too bright or thin like the ceramic; strong mids that will cut through the mix; and tight strong thumping bass. It cleans up very well by turning down the vol pot, but with added OD or dist. can become a real screamer. It is one of the most versatile pups for what you play. It also sounds great with a UOA5 mag if you want a little mid scoop but still smooth sound.

I also love the Distortion, but again, not with the ceramic magnet...brittle, thin, piercing, fizzy highs. It does its thing very well with an A8 mag, but I actually like the more middy, smoother tone of the A2 in it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

Oh cool! I have a Brian Moore, too. I put a Custom Custom in the bridge because the guitar itself is too bright for me. The Distortion might be better at super gainy, compressed distorted tones. The Custom can do more stuff well. I think the Distortion is best with a SS amp with the gain cranked. Some people never leave that setting, so that is the perfect pickup. You can do more with the Custom, though.

 

[TNTales]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

If I'm not mistaken Randy Rhoads used the Jazz/Distortion combo when he played with Ozzy

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

 

[dystrust]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

If I'm not mistaken Randy Rhoads used the Jazz/Distortion combo when he played with Ozzy

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

The original Concorde was loaded with a Distortion and Jazz. His LPC was stock, while the Sandoval had Dimarzio PAF / Super D.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

I've used the Distortion in the bridge of my guitars for a while and it's a fantastic pickup overall. It even does cleans pretty well.

 

[Progbusters]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

I am trying out my custom with a jazz clone: the hb102 neck. The middle position is decent for riffs and ordinary for arpeggio cleans

 

[Mincer]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

The Custom/Jazz is a great combo in any guitar I've tried it in, especially with some serious gain. I don't think I would use it for light overdrive sounds, but the gainy sounds are superb.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Custom or Distortion in bridge to go with Jazz in neck?

The Custom/Jazz is a great combo in any guitar I've tried it in, especially with some serious gain. I don't think I would use it for light overdrive sounds, but the gainy sounds are superb.

+1

I've had that set in my Explorer since 2002 or 2003 and they're great except the bridge can be a little thin with light overdrive as you mention.