Hey guys I need a new neck pickup. I have a Les Paul Standard with a JB in the bridge and stock Burstbucker in the neck. I never use this neck pickup, when playing alone it sounds fine but on stage it is so muddy I get lost in the mix. So I need something that is balanced with the JB that I will have no problem with toggleing between. Please don't tell me the Jazz because that's what Seymour Duncan preferes. My thoughts are Alnico II, maybe a Pearly Gates, Jazz, or Dimarzio Bluesbucker. Also opened to other suggestions. Thanks.
DiMarzio Bluesbucker vs Duncan Jazz
- Thread starter rgreen11
- Start date
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nalo1022
Guest
Re: DiMarzio Bluesbucker vs Duncan Jazz
I have a Seth Lover in the neck paired with a JB in the bridge of my Flying V and like the combo. The Seth is very different from the JB and I love the sounds it gets on its own almost 3D (everyone says that lol). When in the middle position the sound is great. What kind of music are you playing? That may give better insight as to what pickup might be best suited to you. A lot of people are going to say the PG is awesome, and I agree I have an old PGn in my LP and it is great. The PGn is my go to neck pickup and in a vrey close second (maybe even tied for first) is the Seth Lover. The Seth Lover will give you that vintage LP sound in the neck, and is the closest thing I've found besides antiquities. The PG is a more modern sounding compared to the Seth but still a great old-school rock neck pickup.
I have a Seth Lover in the neck paired with a JB in the bridge of my Flying V and like the combo. The Seth is very different from the JB and I love the sounds it gets on its own almost 3D (everyone says that lol). When in the middle position the sound is great. What kind of music are you playing? That may give better insight as to what pickup might be best suited to you. A lot of people are going to say the PG is awesome, and I agree I have an old PGn in my LP and it is great. The PGn is my go to neck pickup and in a vrey close second (maybe even tied for first) is the Seth Lover. The Seth Lover will give you that vintage LP sound in the neck, and is the closest thing I've found besides antiquities. The PG is a more modern sounding compared to the Seth but still a great old-school rock neck pickup.
Re: DiMarzio Bluesbucker vs Duncan Jazz
Well I've owned the PGn, played the Jazz somewhat extensively, and have sampled the Bluesbucker and the A2P.
The one that stands out in the sense that it's different from the others is the Bluesbucker because it's very much like a P90. Rawer maybe?
Funny enough, I think that the PG and Jazz also have similar single coil-y characteristics. The PG has a very humbucker, low output PAF tone, but it's very bitey and has quite a bit of that raw feel that a single coil has. The best way I can put it is that it has that biting high midrange a nasty Tele bridge pickup has. In the neck of course it isn't much like that but you can still feel that...I guess "sonic machetey-ness" that singles have. Funny enough even if it bites it has a really smooth high end. It's definitely the best humbucker I've played as far as the whole low output vibe goes.
The Jazz on the other hand has quite a bit of that articulation a single coil has. It's very clear compared to most humbuckers. It's bright just like the PG but it has less midrange and maybe more bottom. Some call it sterile but I'd say accurate is the word. It's a very neutral pickup that maybe doesn't have all the character in the world but just works very well in a lot of situations.
The Bluesbucker is modeled after a P-90 but in a noiseless form, so I guess one of the coils is a dummy that provides noise cancellation. Don't quote me on that though. I've only played it once though so I can't say much about it other than it sounds like a P-90. Fatter and meaner than a Strat or Tele single.
The A2P is the warmest and smoothest of the bunch. It's got that smoothness of the PG (I guess it's the A2 magnet that they share) but not much of the bitey midrange. The character is smoother overall but it still has plenty enough mids. It can get bite-y crunchy though. I've only played an A2P guitar twice so I can't say much either.
Well I've owned the PGn, played the Jazz somewhat extensively, and have sampled the Bluesbucker and the A2P.
The one that stands out in the sense that it's different from the others is the Bluesbucker because it's very much like a P90. Rawer maybe?
Funny enough, I think that the PG and Jazz also have similar single coil-y characteristics. The PG has a very humbucker, low output PAF tone, but it's very bitey and has quite a bit of that raw feel that a single coil has. The best way I can put it is that it has that biting high midrange a nasty Tele bridge pickup has. In the neck of course it isn't much like that but you can still feel that...I guess "sonic machetey-ness" that singles have. Funny enough even if it bites it has a really smooth high end. It's definitely the best humbucker I've played as far as the whole low output vibe goes.
The Jazz on the other hand has quite a bit of that articulation a single coil has. It's very clear compared to most humbuckers. It's bright just like the PG but it has less midrange and maybe more bottom. Some call it sterile but I'd say accurate is the word. It's a very neutral pickup that maybe doesn't have all the character in the world but just works very well in a lot of situations.
The Bluesbucker is modeled after a P-90 but in a noiseless form, so I guess one of the coils is a dummy that provides noise cancellation. Don't quote me on that though. I've only played it once though so I can't say much about it other than it sounds like a P-90. Fatter and meaner than a Strat or Tele single.
The A2P is the warmest and smoothest of the bunch. It's got that smoothness of the PG (I guess it's the A2 magnet that they share) but not much of the bitey midrange. The character is smoother overall but it still has plenty enough mids. It can get bite-y crunchy though. I've only played an A2P guitar twice so I can't say much either.
jafo
New member
Re: DiMarzio Bluesbucker vs Duncan Jazz
Phat Cat or P-Rail. Nothing else can sing or snarl like a P-90ish pup; nothing else comes close for sheer versatility and uniqueness. But really, there are a ton of great options! For example, PG or Seths would kick righteous butt in that guitar. If you want to go with the Jazz, try it with an A4 magnet; it retains its clarity, but gains a more vintage character.
Phat Cat or P-Rail. Nothing else can sing or snarl like a P-90ish pup; nothing else comes close for sheer versatility and uniqueness. But really, there are a ton of great options! For example, PG or Seths would kick righteous butt in that guitar. If you want to go with the Jazz, try it with an A4 magnet; it retains its clarity, but gains a more vintage character.
G
Grandturk
Guest
Re: DiMarzio Bluesbucker vs Duncan Jazz
I just did!
I've got a Bluesbucker in the bridge of my SG. I have the screw coils towards the neck. Its a very bitey, cutting, nasal P-90 sound in a hum cancelling package and looks like a regular humbucker. Its got a lot of P-90 character, clang and zip, but it's not all the way there.
I just did!
I've got a Bluesbucker in the bridge of my SG. I have the screw coils towards the neck. Its a very bitey, cutting, nasal P-90 sound in a hum cancelling package and looks like a regular humbucker. Its got a lot of P-90 character, clang and zip, but it's not all the way there.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: DiMarzio Bluesbucker vs Duncan Jazz
I have a Bluesbucker in a LP, great tones. I think the JazzN is a little too bland & understated.
I have a Bluesbucker in a LP, great tones. I think the JazzN is a little too bland & understated.
Re: DiMarzio Bluesbucker vs Duncan Jazz
The screw coil measured 6.8 and the slug 3.1, but that's not the secret. The difference lies on the magnets, it does NOT have a humbucker mag, it has two spacer sized mags hugging the screws. Spacer sized like Dirtyfinger or Invader spacers, but not double thick. The two mini mags are ceramic and have the south end toward the screws, as if the single was a P90. The slug is just there to avoid hum.
IMO the design resembles more a stack single coil than a P90. The two mini mags look like those single coils that are found on cheap guitars, the mags seem too thin for a P90, too me that is. Just my 2 cents.
I just opened one up this morning and yes: the slug coil is a dummy.
The screw coil measured 6.8 and the slug 3.1, but that's not the secret. The difference lies on the magnets, it does NOT have a humbucker mag, it has two spacer sized mags hugging the screws. Spacer sized like Dirtyfinger or Invader spacers, but not double thick. The two mini mags are ceramic and have the south end toward the screws, as if the single was a P90. The slug is just there to avoid hum.
IMO the design resembles more a stack single coil than a P90. The two mini mags look like those single coils that are found on cheap guitars, the mags seem too thin for a P90, too me that is. Just my 2 cents.
Re: DiMarzio Bluesbucker vs Duncan Jazz
P-Rails is a great option! You won't find a more versatile pup, and the P-90 tones are supurb. The Rail is crystal clear. In series it is very full and warm and smooth. In parallel it has a lot of the clarity of the Rail but with a little more fullness and some bite of the P-90. One of the best neck pups ever.
Other options may be the Seth or the Pearly Gates (if you want a little snarl and bite with your clarity).
The Jazz is always recommended when looking for clarity. I haven't personally played it, but from what I hear and read, it is pretty bland and sterile sounding. Sometimes that is just what is wanted, however.
P-Rails is a great option! You won't find a more versatile pup, and the P-90 tones are supurb. The Rail is crystal clear. In series it is very full and warm and smooth. In parallel it has a lot of the clarity of the Rail but with a little more fullness and some bite of the P-90. One of the best neck pups ever.
Other options may be the Seth or the Pearly Gates (if you want a little snarl and bite with your clarity).
The Jazz is always recommended when looking for clarity. I haven't personally played it, but from what I hear and read, it is pretty bland and sterile sounding. Sometimes that is just what is wanted, however.