humbuckers for jazz

[mrfjones]

i have been thinking about getting a hollow bodied jazz guitar, probably a guild. I would like to change the pickup in that guitar because they do not come with duncans anymore. I think i would like to try a benedetto pickup like the A6 or his PAF. I have also thought about the antiquity, seth and the 59. I know the 59 can get a good jazz sound in my bluesbird. What do you think guys. What would be the best pickup for jazz.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

jazz or '59 gets my vote.

I haven't tried the seths or antiquities though so I can't comment, but some guys here seem to like them a lot in hollow bodies.

I really like the jazz because it has some of the characteristics of the '59 with a sweeter midrange.

 

[Artie]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

Hey mrfjones; This is exactly the same question that I was going to ask in a week or so. I'm going to spring for one of the new Peavey JF-1's, and need to know the same answer. I'ld love to try some A6's, but for budgetary reasons, will probably go with the Seth's. I've already got a set of 59's in one guitar, (which I love).

Anyway, hoping others will chime in on this one.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

I think the closest thing to the pickups used by Wes Montgomery in his L5 would be a set of alnico 5 59's. That's what I'd use if I planned on this being a jazz/clean tone only ax, because I think Wes got the best amplified "classic" jazz/clean tone of anyone. Lew

 

[Artie]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

Lew; thats interesting. You'ld actually prefer the 59's to the Seth's? I'm wondering now if I should just move my 59's over to the JF-1, and then get some more "rock-oriented" p'ups for the Predator.

Trouble is, my 59's are the black ones, and the JF-1 won't look that great without having gold covered ones in there. :yell:

BTW - mrfjones; which Guild we're you thinking of getting? Just curious.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

i am thinking about the X150D if i can find a good one on gbase if not maybe and X170 or X160. They cut their line down so much, i am really dissapointed but the X150 is not as flashy as some of the other ones so i liked it better to begin with. It may be a long time before i can really afford one, but i like dreaming anyway.

Lew you would go for the 59's over the benedetto models too? I really don't know too much about these but i have only heard great things about his guitars. Anyone have any info on the benedetto pickups?

 

[Artie]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

Its funny, if you do a forum search for "Benedetto", it appears that you, me, msawitzke, and Peterku, (from Hungary), are the only ones to have ever mentioned them. I know Peter actually owns a set, so maybe he'll pop in and comment.

The X150 looks nice on the Guild site. They only show the Savoy, but I did notice what you mean about cutting back the line. They don't even list the Benedetto "Benny 6" anymore. Perhaps Bob Benedetto quit making them.

Edit: Ignore that - I see they gave Benedetto its own listing now. (Which includes the Benny 6.)

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

Lew; thats interesting. You'ld actually prefer the 59's to the Seth's? I'm wondering now if I should just move my 59's over to the JF-1, and then get some more "rock-oriented" p'ups for the Predator.

Trouble is, my 59's are the black ones, and the JF-1 won't look that great without having gold covered ones in there. :yell:

BTW - mrfjones; which Guild we're you thinking of getting? Just curious.

Well...what I meant was if I wanted to attempt to capture Wes Montgomery's tone, I'd go for the 59's because they are closest to what Wes used. The Seth's or the Antiquitys would be great choices too, but being alnico 2, they're not quite as close to what Wes used as the alnico 5 59's. When I think of hollow body jazz guitar tone, I think of Wes first.

I love the 59 pickups...it's only in a solid body guitar cranked to rock volume and tone that I find them a little bass heavy.

But with a powerful amp set for a clean tone, the 59N sounds great to me: fat deep lows and nice extended highs.

Lew

 

[Young Angus]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

I agree with Lew in that a set of alnico 5 59's would do the trick for that warm wes jazz.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

Peterku tell us about the A6 when you get it in that guitar. I am really looking forward to a ful review. If you really like the sound i may try that one or the Benedetto PAF before anything else. Now i just need to find a good X150D

 

[mrfjones]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

One more question, the benedetto PAF has 4k coils, would that make the dc resistance 8k or is it not that simple.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

One more question, the benedetto PAF has 4k coils, would that make the dc resistance 8k or is it not that simple.

It's that simple. In series, two 4K coils add up to 2 x 4K = 8K. Normal paf specs actually.

 

[Lee]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

I think Wes used his thumb -so you won't get that tone as a pick player.



Lee

 

[mrfjones]

Re: humbuckers for jazz

I'll post a thread about that guitar hopefully somewhere in the middle of August, the construction, electronics, sound, how it plays etc. etc. I'll write about the A-6 in detail as well. Hmm, it'll be interesting to mix a jazz pickup with a piezo bridge...

that will be an interesting sound.

I think you are right about wes using his thumb. I can't get that kind of sound using picks. nylon picks work but they aren't as smooth of an attack as fingers.

thanks for the tech tip lew