Jazz and JB2 Review :: Superstrat

[Frogman]

Digging the Jazz neck so far. First one i’ve owned.

Great in parallel too. On cleaner setting with one or both pickups in parallel, it can sound pretty stratty, especially in the middle position.

Clean and articulate and NO flubby, mushy, overpowering bass frequencies which seems to have been the case on almost every neck HB I’ve owned.

If I had to change something, I’d say it would benefit from some more, errr, “pizzazz” or “juiciness”. In the mids perhaps? A touch more of a male vocal quality if you will.

I think a ‘59/Jazz, PAF36/Jazz or another similar Jazz hybrid would be my ultimate neck HB.

I could always try some different mags in this one too. But overall, excellent!!


As for the JB2, I usually run an UOA5’s in my JB’s. Despite thinking I would miss some highs and have to swap it out, I am still playing it with an A2. I’m plenty happy with it. I should check to see if it’s polished. If it is, an RCA2 would be even better.
I also have an RCA4 I might try in there for S&Gs.

This is in a partscaster which is probably basswood since it’s the lightest guitar I’ve ever owned. Very resonant body. Funny how some of the cheaper guitars alive owned sound and play the best.

 

[Masta' C]

Nice!

That guitar body looks like Paulownia

 

[ehdwuld]

tell me more about this JB2
thats an A2 magnet correct

how does it compare to the A5 that is stock
be detailed, please

gush if you like

 

[GuitarStv]

Man, that's a really pretty strat.

 

[Frogman]

tell me more about this JB2
thats an A2 magnet correct

how does it compare to the A5 that is stock
be detailed, please

gush if you like

Fills in the lower mids, making the upper mids little less prominent. A little “squishier”/saggy, sweeter, warmer. Lowers output ever so slightly.

Quintessential hair metal to me. Look at Warren DeMartini, Jake E Lee, Alan Holdsworth just to name a few. All used JB2’s (often in conjunction with double fillister or hex screw coils).

Be sure to get both an A2 and an UOA5 to try in your JB.
UOA5 is like a JB2 but with some retained stock A5 JB characteristics. If A5 and A2 had a baby. Being unoriented and rough cast adds in a whole ‘nother level of dynamics.

 

[Aceman]

I have seen a lot of love for the JB2 out here.

 

[Mincer]

I am not a JB fan, and swapped in an A2 magnet to see if I would like it better. It does change the sound, but it still wasn't something I dug. I think the JB's wind simply doesn't work for me. It might just be if you don't like the JB, a magnet swap might not change your mind.

 

[Demanic]

I like the JB. One of my favorite pickups. I really like the UOA5 in it, but the stock A5 is fine too. I would think that an A2 would sound more like a Custom Custom JB. But if it works for you, excellent!

 

[Ashurbanipal]

I think you'll dig the 59/Jazz hybrid. I made a pair years ago and one resides in an old Roadstar - fat but clear with good overtones and dynamics.

 

[Frogman]

I like the JB. One of my favorite pickups. I really like the UOA5 in it, but the stock A5 is fine too. I would think that an A2 would sound more like a Custom Custom JB. But if it works for you, excellent!

Never played a CC so can’t comment on the comparison.
But I have gone from a stock SH-5 ceramic to an A8, and many of the same tonal changes took place as swapping in an A2 from ceramic or A5 in every other pickup I e swapped.
Character is mostly the same, just fatter, little less focused. But still plenty tight. Plenty. If you wanted it tighter, you could shorten the fillister screws 1/4” on the bottom 3 strings, or swap in 1/2” hex pole screws.

Also cleans up better. In parallel it’s GREAT!! I usually find split or parallel bridge pickups to be shrill icepicks, but not the case here.

Time will tell if I prefer the A2 over the UOA5, but both sound a lot better than stock polished A5 to me.

As easy and cheap as mag swaps are, I would definitely try it at least. I’m going to try an RCA4 too — I’ll report back with my thoughts. Maybe some clips.


As for the Jazz, have you guys tried any mag swaps?

 

[beaubrummels]

My JB2 sounds like a really loud Whole Lotta Humbucker

 

[Frogman]

My JB2 sounds like a really loud Whole Lotta Humbucker

I'd like to try one of those. Sounds like it's sorta similar to a PAF 36th DP223. Lot of mids, little raunchy, lot of P90 character.
I really liked my 36th Anniversary set in my '81 LPC, but I just always wanted more balls in the bridge, so I swapped it out with a Custom8.
If they were to increase output/gain by 25-30%, I'd buy another.