Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

P

ploughman

New member
Good day,

I am building a neck-through guitar with a maple neck and chambered walnut wings, and I am seeking a pair of humbuckers that have the smooth, singing highs of the A2P and the tight, clear, articulate lows of the jazz for both clean and distorted sounds. From listening to the sound clips and reading through the forums, it seems like the jazz might be too bright on the highs, especially with the maple neck-through construction, but the A2P doesn't seem have the type of definition and clarity in the lows I am looking for. Is there such a pickup (neck and bridge) that can give the best of both worlds? I have played around a bit with a friend's guitar that has a pair of '59s and I found them lacking character in the mids. Any wisdom would be appreciated.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

Well you have a guitar that is going to have a lot of definition seeing how its maple and walnut. I don't think it will be much of a problem using an A2P.

If you are wanting a lot of definition give thought to an ebony board as well.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

try a jazz in your axe first. they are very nice. internet clips are never the best way to make a decision. Seymour Duncan Dealers also have a returns policy, or you can experiment with different magnets.
The other pickup that may give you a bit of both of what you are after is the gibson '57 classic.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

Order from Wymore guitars, and try this.....Custom 8 bridge and Jazz Bridge for the neck. I would be surprised if you didn't like it.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

The jazz is a beautiful pickup in that, if you want it to mellow out a little you can roll down the tone knob a tiny bit and still keep the clarity without the extreme brightness. I cant honestly talk about the A2P as I have no personal experience in it.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

Based on your neck through construction and maple/walnut combination, I'm going to say the new Alnico II Pro Slash pickups would sound phenomenal in there. The neck through tightens up the resonance quite a bit vs. a set neck construction, regardless of what your wings are made of. Chambered Walnut wings will be very cool, and open up the sound a bit, but the Slash pickup will give the guitar some breath and warmth.

If you were considering a Custom Shop pickup exactly to your liking, it could be a Jazz with a degaussed Alnico V magnet, or an AII Pro Slash pickup with the degaussed A5. Those would be great.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

Yeah but degaussed magnets are hit or miss usually. It's not a very consistent process. An A4 or A2 could help depending on what you want differently in contrast to the A5 in the Jazz.

I think if you get an A2P or A2P Slash and put an A5 in them it will sound killer. That is if you need to. The A2P isn't that dark and would be bright in a maple/walnut guitar. I say go A2P or A2P Slash if you want more output and if need be maybe slap an A5 in there. I've heard of the A2P5 being like a 59 but rounder and less scooped.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

Is that a 24 fret neck thru. This changes a lot. Because the neck is nearer to the bridge than you get tighter lows and some more highs.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

Thanks for the input. This is a 22 fret guitar with a 25.4 inch scale. I would prefer to stick with off-the-shelf pickups and see how they perform before I think about custom shop pickups and magnet swaps. For the bridge pickup I am looking for something that can do metal and also sound good clean.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

I like the idea of the Slash pickups, but I am looking for pickups with 4-conductor wiring. Would the full shred bridge match well with the A2P neck? How smooth are the highs of the full shred?
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

You are probably not looking at a pair of pickups here.

My guess is that you'll like a Pearly Gator in the bridge, which is similar to a APH but with more lowest-mids and some extra sizzle on top (not really bright).

In the neck it depends on what you play. Full chords, neck humbucker and tune-on-matic usually end up being boomy and not really usable. Might want to start with a PG if you are mostly playing single notes and pairs.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

My Mayones Maestro has a neck-through construction similar to yours and I'm more than pleased with a '57 Classic neck A4 magnet paired with a '57 Classic Plus with an A8 magnet in it.

But, as you're getting all new, Frank Falbo's suggestion of the new Slash p'ups is great advice too.

HTH,
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

How about the possibility of installing hex screws into an A2P to enhance articulation? Seems as though RipShreadScream is the only one who has direct experience with this...

I guess I am just looking for something off-the-shelf that will get me the closest to the tone I want, and I can tweak it from there if needed with a magnet or screw swap of some kind. Would it be easier to butter up the highs of a pickup like the jazz, or to tighten the bottom end and improve articulation of a pickup like the A2P? I also think I would need something a bit higher output than the jazz or A2P for the bridge, because sometimes a man just needs to shred.
 
Re: Highs of A2P + lows of jazz?

ploughman said:
How about the possibility of installing hex screws into an A2P to enhance articulation? Seems as though RipShreadScream is the only one who has direct experience with this...

I guess I am just looking for something off-the-shelf that will get me the closest to the tone I want, and I can tweak it from there if needed with a magnet or screw swap of some kind. Would it be easier to butter up the highs of a pickup like the jazz, or to tighten the bottom end and improve articulation of a pickup like the A2P? I also think I would need something a bit higher output than the jazz or A2P for the bridge, because sometimes a man just needs to shred.
Click to expand...

I think in the neck that might work out very well (hex screws in a APH).

In the bridge probably not, unless your guitar is incredibly thick.
 
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