Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Well, the amp doesn't even have a clean channel, so I can't use that for much anyway.. But thanks for explaining, I'm just in a big dilemma here, but I think I'll stay with the JB in bridge.. Now, regarding the neck pickup I have a little doubt, since I don't have a clean channel, what could be cool in the neck to match the JB? another JB? Or the Jazz, as originally planned?

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Damn, I'm really leaning towards the JB in the neck also, after hearing one of DSS's clips, very very cool, fat and smooth tone (to my ears). But I want some experts to chime in regarding having two high output buckers in a guitar.

 

[Breogan]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Jb in the neck has very limmited aplications and you can get the similar tones with a low output pickups. One of the best mach for the JB in the bridge is the Jazz. You can get smooth distorted tones out of it and amazing cleans aswell. The Jazz/Jb it is a versatile combo and, as far as I see, you doesn't seem to have much experience with pickups. You should start with a standard combination to get you an idea of the possibilities around you. There's a chance you may not like it, but think that most of the people use combos like this and there is a reason for that, you have lot's of great tones on your hands. Ussing a bridge pickup on the neck could be good for certain specific applications, but this setting should come after trying the standard ones and deciding what you doesn't like from them. Think that Jb/jazz combo comes stock in hundred of guitars such as Jackson. And many heavy rockers use or have used it once in a while.

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Well, you are right, but I don't know much about the Jazz, other than it should have a good clean tone, which I can't use anyway with my amp, and under high gain I don't really know how it sounds, but I couldn't imagine it being as fat and smooth as the JB, but as I said, I don't know, that's why I'm asking all these questions.

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Well, just talked to DSS, he recommended the Full Shred neck, which I think would be a good match, so I'm kinda leaning towards it, because of the nice clarity of it also.

 

[Breogan]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Well, you are right, but I don't know much about the Jazz, other than it should have a good clean tone, which I can't use anyway with my amp, and under high gain I don't really know how it sounds, but I couldn't imagine it being as fat and smooth as the JB, but as I said, I don't know, that's why I'm asking all these questions.

Your amp does have a clean tone. Probably it has a pretty decent one. High gain means that it can get pretty distorted ones, but also cleans.

I the begining (50's and 60's) Fender and Marshall build their amps to produce great clean tones and no distortion and players may crank them all the way up to get distortion (very loud!) .In the 70's some amp builders (such as Mesa/Boogie) started to produce amps that got the distortion at low volumes but trying to preserve the clean tones too. This are refered as high gain or modern voiced amps and yours it is from this category. Nowadays people use either types.

One aplication of high output pickups are to help vintage style amps to get the distortion. Your amp doesn't need this since it is designed to get the distortion naturaly. This is why some people recomended you to use low output pickups, because you don't need them to crank your amp.

But still, many people prefer to have a low output in the neck a high output in the bridge to get a balance tone. I prefer low output pickups in both spots because I love clean tones, but this may not be your case.

When I said that you don't know much about pickups I meant that you should start from the basis and then, once you know a bit more about pickups, start making experiments if you feel the combo you have doesn't serve you.

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Yes, and I'm glad you're giving me advice, I appreciate it. But since you recommend a low output neck to pair with a high output bridge, I don't think I would be sorry if I got myself a Full Shred neck, it's very low output too, even more than the Jazz I think, and it handles gain very well.. I don't think I would be sorry, do you?

 

[Breogan]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Sorry I can't advice you about the full shred since I haven't played it. I understand you are leaning towards heavy styles, that may serve you. I still think Jazz would be more versatile.

In case you want to hear a Jazz combo used for metal search for Jolly's clips in the Tips and Clips. You'll see that it is a perfect suitable pickup for that. Or check his Soundclick web page.


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=158146

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Yes, I've heard Jolly's clips before, and they're good too.. But I heard some clips of the Full Shred neck, and it doesn't seem that different from the Jazz neck, BUT, it seems to handle gain better, and it's very very articulate under gain, and it's also low output like the Jazz.

 

[Breogan]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

In my experience with pickups I think It is better to choose a versatile combo and then set your amp to your needs. Or use pedals... Extreme tone only work for certain styles. Think in the Paf style humbuckers or the strat single coils, they have a balance tone and they have been used for all imaginable styles. Same happenen with the Jazz/Jb...

If your are going to play only high gain rock or shredding the Full shred may be your pickup and you'll probably be perfectly happy with it. But If you see yourself playing blues, vintage rock, country or some cleans once in a while then it is better to get versatile combo. I think you'll be perfectly able to get a shedding tone out of a Jazz/Jb.

But the choose it's yours... But don't make your decition only based on a clip, settings can fool you.

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Well, actually I do not play much of the cleaner styles, I've never really listened to that kind of music, and if I wanted to play that kind of music I'd probably be better off with a strat with single coils or something similar I think. Shred/rock/heavy metal is where my heart really is

I do really appreciate your input though, since you do not only look at this from your own point of view, but from different sides of the case :beerchug:

I have asked him is he could exchange the Jazz neck for a Full Shred, and if not, then I'll go for the Jazz neck.

Or, if I want to play some clean stuff, I could change out the ****ty stock pickups in my other guitar, or just use it for clean playing with the stocks, since it has a decent clean tone.

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Well, I now asked him for his advice between the two, because I'm torn.. I asked him what he thought would be best for the styles I like, and what would sound best in my guitar regarding woods, etc.), so we'll see what he says

And if he already has put the Jazz neck in it, then I'll let it be.

 

[Breogan]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

What ever you decide don't forget to post your experience

Good luck!!

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Sure man, I will.. And thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

I think I might be getting my guitar in a week or 2.. At least it won't be long before it's finished. I'm kinda leaning towards the Full Shred at the moment, but we'll see what I decide on.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

You're thinking too much. Just get a jazz neck and JB bridge. I'm sure you'll love it, and if you don't, you can always change them.

 

[theodie]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Sune, I have used the Full Shred neck and bridge many times! I find them to be very underated and over looked! Great pickups!! The do 80's metal very vell IMO!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Sune, I have used the Full Shred neck and bridge many times! I find them to be very underated and over looked! Great pickups!! The do 80's metal very vell IMO!

Designed for Viv Campbell no less

Sune. I understand the indecision, believe me So many choices..ya end just getting totally confused. As I said before, I prefer a lower output pickup, even under high gain...even the "master" shredder (yngwie) uses very low output single coils...he lets the AMP (and a goose) do the work (and your 900 will certainly do the work ). *I'd* pay the extra for a CC, 59, or what have you cos I like the versatility and warmth and tone of a PAF type output.

BUT...

If you really cannot do that (i.e. the luthier is not willig to bend/get ya what ya really want), then I'd go with the JB bridge from the choices you have. For the neck, Either the Jazz or Full Shred should suffice for high gain. They are all good pups in the RIGHT guitar for the RIGHT application. For now I'd just get my custom guitar, my new amp, and see how you like the tones. Then change later if necc. Don't fret something you have no control over (i.e. limited pup choice). Get some first hand experience, then you can make a more educated decision as to what the pups lack and excel at.

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Well, this is indeed some hard decisions, but I do not have job, so I can't just get things and then see if I like it or not, I have to be pretty sure that it's what I want, because if not, then I'll have to wait some time before I can afford changing it.. And I think pickup's here are generally more expensive than in the us, probably because they're imported, and then the tax is added. Tax alone is 25%.

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Sune, I have used the Full Shred neck and bridge many times! I find them to be very underated and over looked! Great pickups!! The do 80's metal very vell IMO!

So you could even recommend a full shred bridge?? hmm, never heard the full shred bridge..what does it sound like?

 

[Sune]

Re: Getting doubts about pickup choice..JB or Distortion?

Well, I have heard a '59 and I'm not sure I really like the sound of it, under gain it seems a bit harsh and not so smooth (at least in the clips I have heard), and everybody recommends the CC, but I'm not sure that any pup really can be good at all those things as people claim the CC is, but I don't know. Of course it also depends on my setup etc. but that's why I posted it in my first post. I do like a warm sound, and I like an awesome crunch when the distortion is added, and I like a singing lead tone.

Designed for Viv Campbell no less

Sune. I understand the indecision, believe me So many choices..ya end just getting totally confused. As I said before, I prefer a lower output pickup, even under high gain...even the "master" shredder (yngwie) uses very low output single coils...he lets the AMP (and a goose) do the work (and your 900 will certainly do the work ). *I'd* pay the extra for a CC, 59, or what have you cos I like the versatility and warmth and tone of a PAF type output.

BUT...

If you really cannot do that (i.e. the luthier is not willig to bend/get ya what ya really want), then I'd go with the JB bridge from the choices you have. For the neck, Either the Jazz or Full Shred should suffice for high gain. They are all good pups in the RIGHT guitar for the RIGHT application. For now I'd just get my custom guitar, my new amp, and see how you like the tones. Then change later if necc. Don't fret something you have no control over (i.e. limited pup choice). Get some first hand experience, then you can make a more educated decision as to what the pups lack and excel at.