Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
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gregory
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Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
The Custom 5 still doesn't have a sparkly top end. The Screamin' Demon is somewhat better in terms of having some top end, but (for me) its bite still doesn't make for good cleans. Both are much more versatile than the JB, but neither would make my top 5.
In terms of non-vintage output humbuckers that have nice cleans, I prefer the 59/Custom as well as what I've heard of the PA-TB3B and Pegasus.
I can't say enough about the SH-6N in the bridge with an A5, and short hex screws in the coil closest to the neck. Great vintage tone wired in parallel (clean and dirty) and a beast when wired in series.
The Custom 5 still doesn't have a sparkly top end. The Screamin' Demon is somewhat better in terms of having some top end, but (for me) its bite still doesn't make for good cleans. Both are much more versatile than the JB, but neither would make my top 5.
In terms of non-vintage output humbuckers that have nice cleans, I prefer the 59/Custom as well as what I've heard of the PA-TB3B and Pegasus.
I can't say enough about the SH-6N in the bridge with an A5, and short hex screws in the coil closest to the neck. Great vintage tone wired in parallel (clean and dirty) and a beast when wired in series.
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Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
Define "versatility" for you? It depends on how much ground you need to cover. If you're primarily a rock player and just want something that covers 60s rock to more modern hard rock, the JB/Jazz set is the benchmark for AWESOME.
If you play rock and blues, it does that well too.
If you want to play funk and Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan and then play some Taylor Swift and then play Wes Montgomery... then in that case... You might want to have some different splitting wirings for it? To cover that much ground though, you'll need to mess with your amp settings a whole lot anyways.
Define "versatility" for you? It depends on how much ground you need to cover. If you're primarily a rock player and just want something that covers 60s rock to more modern hard rock, the JB/Jazz set is the benchmark for AWESOME.
If you play rock and blues, it does that well too.
If you want to play funk and Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan and then play some Taylor Swift and then play Wes Montgomery... then in that case... You might want to have some different splitting wirings for it? To cover that much ground though, you'll need to mess with your amp settings a whole lot anyways.
Clint 55
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metalchurch79
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Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
Benchmark, no. Popular yes.
But given the time, there wasn't much really to choose from, so everyone wanted to be like everyone else and well...
Benchmark, no. Popular yes.
But given the time, there wasn't much really to choose from, so everyone wanted to be like everyone else and well...
gregory
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Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
Using an A5 to emphasize lows and highs won't restore HF loss due to winding capacitance; but sure you can generate artificial highs by way of harmonic distortion in the signal chain.
Not quite as dark as a JB but still dark and less dynamic compared to under-wound 43AWG and all the typical 42AWG Seymour Duncan offerings.
Using an A5 to emphasize lows and highs won't restore HF loss due to winding capacitance; but sure you can generate artificial highs by way of harmonic distortion in the signal chain.
to the Full Shred and, AFAICT, the Perpetual Burn, but not so much to the Screamin' Demon.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
A string through the body ash Tele (or in Seymour's case a TOM) is notably different than a floating trem alder Strat IME. I haven't found scale length as much of an issue on the resulting frequency response or tone, but more on feel, playability and sustain.
A string through the body ash Tele (or in Seymour's case a TOM) is notably different than a floating trem alder Strat IME. I haven't found scale length as much of an issue on the resulting frequency response or tone, but more on feel, playability and sustain.
gregory
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Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
There are so many variables, though I believe you're right: a tuneomatic is quite a bit different from a Floyd, without even addressing differences in wood.
I've read a lot of displeasure over JBs for all sorts of reasons, and while I do agree with some of them, I don't have any personal aversion to listening to a JB with a Floyd in capable hands. Still, I have much to learn and am always grateful for all the additional insight.
There are so many variables, though I believe you're right: a tuneomatic is quite a bit different from a Floyd, without even addressing differences in wood.
I've read a lot of displeasure over JBs for all sorts of reasons, and while I do agree with some of them, I don't have any personal aversion to listening to a JB with a Floyd in capable hands. Still, I have much to learn and am always grateful for all the additional insight.
Guitar Rod
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Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
I recently bought a guitar that came with the JB/59n combo. My intention was to immediately replace them with lower wind PAF style pickups like Seths or Vineham Sweet Vine 59s. Then I played the darn thing. Love the JB. Not ice-picky at all in this guitar, nor overly bright. Love it. So much fun for late 70s/80s rock. And despite the higher wind, still versatile. And the 59 neck is fantastic. Not dark at all and very clear. But the big surprise was the middle position. It is perfect. Sounds like a single coil Strat in position 4 neck/middle. A mellow nasal quack to it. Don't want to pull them just for that alone.
I recently bought a guitar that came with the JB/59n combo. My intention was to immediately replace them with lower wind PAF style pickups like Seths or Vineham Sweet Vine 59s. Then I played the darn thing. Love the JB. Not ice-picky at all in this guitar, nor overly bright. Love it. So much fun for late 70s/80s rock. And despite the higher wind, still versatile. And the 59 neck is fantastic. Not dark at all and very clear. But the big surprise was the middle position. It is perfect. Sounds like a single coil Strat in position 4 neck/middle. A mellow nasal quack to it. Don't want to pull them just for that alone.
Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
I tend to agree, I've never used a bridge humbucker on it's own for cleans. I'm interested in the ability of the bridge pickup to be split... as in Ibanez or PRS wiring... for cleans.
I tend to agree, I've never used a bridge humbucker on it's own for cleans. I'm interested in the ability of the bridge pickup to be split... as in Ibanez or PRS wiring... for cleans.
Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
Lots of classic tones with the 500k pots though, no? And I guess you can always turn 500k pots down?
I'm wondering if you could even install a mini-toggle to switch them from 500k to 250k? Might be a cool idea because turning down audio taper pots can be imprecise.
Lots of classic tones with the 500k pots though, no? And I guess you can always turn 500k pots down?
I'm wondering if you could even install a mini-toggle to switch them from 500k to 250k? Might be a cool idea because turning down audio taper pots can be imprecise.
Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
The Screamin Demon bridge is getting a lot of love here. I've only tried the lil' screamin demon and that was in the middle position of a strat... it was nice though.
The Pearly Gates neck is also getting some love. I had one in the neck position of a floyd'd alder V and it was pretty nice. I'd be happy with it for sure.
I've just noticed these new Sentient/Pegasus combo that's come out. The neck pickup (Sentient) is described as fitting "right between a 59 and Jazz", which sounds great. Anyone tried one?
The Pegasus is described as a metal pickup, but the EQ is described as similar to the JB (little more bass) and it's 12.6k alnico 5. Hard to tell what the output is, but the bar on the website seems to indicate it's less hot than the JB. Might this be an option? Anyone tried it?
The Screamin Demon bridge is getting a lot of love here. I've only tried the lil' screamin demon and that was in the middle position of a strat... it was nice though.
The Pearly Gates neck is also getting some love. I had one in the neck position of a floyd'd alder V and it was pretty nice. I'd be happy with it for sure.
I've just noticed these new Sentient/Pegasus combo that's come out. The neck pickup (Sentient) is described as fitting "right between a 59 and Jazz", which sounds great. Anyone tried one?
The Pegasus is described as a metal pickup, but the EQ is described as similar to the JB (little more bass) and it's 12.6k alnico 5. Hard to tell what the output is, but the bar on the website seems to indicate it's less hot than the JB. Might this be an option? Anyone tried it?
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MkIII Renegade
New member
Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
I consider the JB/'59N the essential starting point (so do Charvel and Jackson). Although I love this in my San Dimas, it is enough to have it in one guitar. If I was going to duplicate a pickup config in another superstrat it would be the Distortion/'59N. The Distortion has so much more barrel-chested fortitude and can still tap nicely for middle position cleans (HH). Important to have a no load tone control to get the most out of HH cleans.
I consider the JB/'59N the essential starting point (so do Charvel and Jackson). Although I love this in my San Dimas, it is enough to have it in one guitar. If I was going to duplicate a pickup config in another superstrat it would be the Distortion/'59N. The Distortion has so much more barrel-chested fortitude and can still tap nicely for middle position cleans (HH). Important to have a no load tone control to get the most out of HH cleans.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
That was the Tele-Gib with Custom Jazz & JB pickups. If Seymour made it like his own, it had 250K pots.
The JB sounds much sweeter with 250K pots.
Wouldn't be surprised if it has Roughcast A2 magnets too.
That'll also take the edge off of the treble and warm a pickup up.
That was the Tele-Gib with Custom Jazz & JB pickups. If Seymour made it like his own, it had 250K pots.
The JB sounds much sweeter with 250K pots.
Wouldn't be surprised if it has Roughcast A2 magnets too.
That'll also take the edge off of the treble and warm a pickup up.
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Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
I know what the pickup selector says, I just ain't buying it in real-world application. If you take the entire scope of guitar music (not just using distortion), but from completely dead clean through slightly overdriven, etc...there are much better combinations of pickups out there that do more styles, better.
I know what the pickup selector says, I just ain't buying it in real-world application. If you take the entire scope of guitar music (not just using distortion), but from completely dead clean through slightly overdriven, etc...there are much better combinations of pickups out there that do more styles, better.
Dusty.Rhoads
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Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
What pickups do you have in your Les Paul?
What pickups do you have in your Les Paul?
Zheddar
New member
Re: Is the JB/Jazz combo still the benchmark for versatility?
The Pegasus and Sentient are great, although the Sentient does break up sooner then the 59 does. Saying it sits between the 59 and Jazz is pretty spot on, but if you want cleaner tones in the neck then you may want to look elsewhere. The Pegasus is pretty great, the 6 string version can be picky with pickup height and not be very percussive in palm muted gain if you have it backed off from the strings too far. It has a great split sound, goes really well in HSS or with the Sentient. It sounds pretty stratty no matter what it has been in (basswood, mahogany, alder, ash, and maple are what I have tried it in), especially when split. It does kind of remind me a little of a JB under high gain, but gets cleans that have more sparkle and sheen then the JB. If you want a more modern sound and the Nazgul is overkill, then the Pegasus is a good place to go and kind of seems like a bridge between modern and classic sounds.
The Pegasus and Sentient are great, although the Sentient does break up sooner then the 59 does. Saying it sits between the 59 and Jazz is pretty spot on, but if you want cleaner tones in the neck then you may want to look elsewhere. The Pegasus is pretty great, the 6 string version can be picky with pickup height and not be very percussive in palm muted gain if you have it backed off from the strings too far. It has a great split sound, goes really well in HSS or with the Sentient. It sounds pretty stratty no matter what it has been in (basswood, mahogany, alder, ash, and maple are what I have tried it in), especially when split. It does kind of remind me a little of a JB under high gain, but gets cleans that have more sparkle and sheen then the JB. If you want a more modern sound and the Nazgul is overkill, then the Pegasus is a good place to go and kind of seems like a bridge between modern and classic sounds.
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