Hello All: Some input here would be greatly appreciated. I have a really sweet 88 Les Paul Standard. I had a '59 in the neck and a duncan distortion in the bridge for years back in my big hair days. (Now I have no hair!). Anyway, I then went back to the 80's stock Gibson pickups for a few years just to bring back some memories of original tone. Now I am getting ready to buy a jazz neck and a JB bridge because of all the great things I keep hearing about them. I play many styles, everything from heavy blues to church gigs. I play a Fulltone Fulldrive 2 through a Fender 65 reissue Deluxe which makes my humbuckers very happy. My main concern is this: Will a jazz neck be versatile enough to give me everything from sweet sustaining blues, to contemporary christian rock? I am going to split the coils too because I hear these pickups split well. Would love to hear from some of you whom have some experience with the jazz neck and multiple playing styles. This is my first post, so thanks very much! What a great forum!
Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
- Thread starter ljberbi
- Start date
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
It will work well for what you want. Personally, in my LP, I like the Pearly Gates in the neck. It has much of the sparkle of the Jazz, but has more push in the mids, which helps it cut through better for leads. BTW, it also splits very well.
It will work well for what you want. Personally, in my LP, I like the Pearly Gates in the neck. It has much of the sparkle of the Jazz, but has more push in the mids, which helps it cut through better for leads. BTW, it also splits very well.
Telesexual
New member
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
The jazz is very versitle. Really articulate so just leave tone up to your amp and tone control.
The jazz is very versitle. Really articulate so just leave tone up to your amp and tone control.
M
martinsixstringcustoms
Guest
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
Both the Jazz and Pearly Gates are excellent pickups. I tend to lean toward the Jazz myself.....
Both the Jazz and Pearly Gates are excellent pickups. I tend to lean toward the Jazz myself.....
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
The only experience I have had with the Pearly gates is in a fat strat texas special where it came from the factory with a pearly gates humbucker in the bridge. The bridge version seemed quite dark sounding with a lot of the highs rolled off. Almost muffled. That was in an alder strat however, not a Les Paul. Thanks for the tip man. I'll have to check out a PG neck.
Benjy_26 said:
The only experience I have had with the Pearly gates is in a fat strat texas special where it came from the factory with a pearly gates humbucker in the bridge. The bridge version seemed quite dark sounding with a lot of the highs rolled off. Almost muffled. That was in an alder strat however, not a Les Paul. Thanks for the tip man. I'll have to check out a PG neck.
fretburner
Well-known member
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
I was close to getting a PGn instead of an APH1 for my LP. What do you think are the advantages of the PGn? The APH1 (so far) has the qualities that I love in the neck pup -- smooth, warm, "round" tone and very articulate.
Also, how different is the PGn compared to the 59?
Thanks!
Aceman said:
I was close to getting a PGn instead of an APH1 for my LP. What do you think are the advantages of the PGn? The APH1 (so far) has the qualities that I love in the neck pup -- smooth, warm, "round" tone and very articulate.
Also, how different is the PGn compared to the 59?
Thanks!
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
I have a three PG's at the neck of 3 different guitars and the APH in my Hamer. The PG has stronger mids and tighter lows than the APH, but the APH seems to be brighter. Clean, I preffer the APH for strumming. Dirty, or even when soloing with a clean tone at the neck, the PG really takes off. It's fat and juicy with lots of bite and cut. Think ZZ Top's "Cheap Sunglasses" solo vs the intro to "Sweet Child of Mine".
As far as the differences between the 59 and PG, the PG isn't boomy at all, where I found the 59's bass to be a bit overwhelming. The PG also has more mids and thicker highs than the 59. In a LP, I don't care for the 59, but the PGn does pretty much everything well (at least to my ears).
fretburner said:
I have a three PG's at the neck of 3 different guitars and the APH in my Hamer. The PG has stronger mids and tighter lows than the APH, but the APH seems to be brighter. Clean, I preffer the APH for strumming. Dirty, or even when soloing with a clean tone at the neck, the PG really takes off. It's fat and juicy with lots of bite and cut. Think ZZ Top's "Cheap Sunglasses" solo vs the intro to "Sweet Child of Mine".
As far as the differences between the 59 and PG, the PG isn't boomy at all, where I found the 59's bass to be a bit overwhelming. The PG also has more mids and thicker highs than the 59. In a LP, I don't care for the 59, but the PGn does pretty much everything well (at least to my ears).
havocdragon
New member
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
I haven't played the PG's yet, but I can say I have the Jazz pickup in the neck of a gibson gothic lP and it sounds absolutely amazing. I find that if I use this in conjunction with my pod xt live amp modeler to a twin reverb model, I can get some cool Eric Johnson super clean tones out of it. So yea you can play FAST without losing anything in the translation.
Oddly enough I also use it for some darker picking songs I do to, and no matter how loud my amp goes, I can slam some chords and each string sounds super clear.
I have an invader on my bridge though, and mixing these 2 creates a cool haunting tone =)
I haven't played the PG's yet, but I can say I have the Jazz pickup in the neck of a gibson gothic lP and it sounds absolutely amazing. I find that if I use this in conjunction with my pod xt live amp modeler to a twin reverb model, I can get some cool Eric Johnson super clean tones out of it. So yea you can play FAST without losing anything in the translation.
Oddly enough I also use it for some darker picking songs I do to, and no matter how loud my amp goes, I can slam some chords and each string sounds super clear.
I have an invader on my bridge though, and mixing these 2 creates a cool haunting tone =)
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
I can say the JB Jazz is a no brainer and the Jazz is sweet and articulate in HB mode. Not too bright, very nice in an LP to make chords and runs sound classic and sweet. It is not my #1 choice for splitting. I think a 59 would work a touch better. For clarity and harmonics I prefer the jazz.
Never used the PG in the neck, but I hear RAVE reviews.
I can say the JB Jazz is a no brainer and the Jazz is sweet and articulate in HB mode. Not too bright, very nice in an LP to make chords and runs sound classic and sweet. It is not my #1 choice for splitting. I think a 59 would work a touch better. For clarity and harmonics I prefer the jazz.
Never used the PG in the neck, but I hear RAVE reviews.
gripweed
Jolvisologist
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
The Jazz is a *great* neck pickup IMHO. I think it is *very* versatile. It is not for everyone-- especially those who like a really dark and warm PAF sound. The Jazz reminds me of a slightly brighter and more articulate '59. I have one in the neck of my Les Paul Standard (see sig) and I love it. I play blues/blues rock, but I think it will work really well in most situations.
If you need something a little darker, a good tone control can work wonders with a Jazz neck. It will still be very articulate though. I like to do the woman tone with it -- and it doesn't get too farty sounding IMHO.
The Jazz is a *great* neck pickup IMHO. I think it is *very* versatile. It is not for everyone-- especially those who like a really dark and warm PAF sound. The Jazz reminds me of a slightly brighter and more articulate '59. I have one in the neck of my Les Paul Standard (see sig) and I love it. I play blues/blues rock, but I think it will work really well in most situations.
If you need something a little darker, a good tone control can work wonders with a Jazz neck. It will still be very articulate though. I like to do the woman tone with it -- and it doesn't get too farty sounding IMHO.
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MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
An overly bright Les Paul could make a Jazz sound too bright. I find the Jazz to be a fairly well rounded pickup that is wonderfully articulate. The output is perfect for those who prefer not to have their pickup punch the amp's front end in the face. It really lets the amp sing while still providing a great neck lead voice.
If you still find it too bright, seriously, try it with stock 300K Gibson pots.
An overly bright Les Paul could make a Jazz sound too bright. I find the Jazz to be a fairly well rounded pickup that is wonderfully articulate. The output is perfect for those who prefer not to have their pickup punch the amp's front end in the face. It really lets the amp sing while still providing a great neck lead voice.
If you still find it too bright, seriously, try it with stock 300K Gibson pots.
C
CronoDL
Guest
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
I've tried both the Jazz neck and 59 neck, and I would have to say I don't think that either one is a keeper for me. Keep in mind that I tried them both in the same Gibson LP Studio.
I have to agree with Mincer, and say that the Jazz is a little bright for my tastes; it could use some more mids. It's definitely not a bad pickup, it's just not for me.
I like the 59n more than the Jazz, as it has a tad more mids and I find it smoother. The only problem, as Benjy stated, is that there can be too much bass. Also keep in mind that I used them both with a Custom-5, which I love.
I've tried both the Jazz neck and 59 neck, and I would have to say I don't think that either one is a keeper for me. Keep in mind that I tried them both in the same Gibson LP Studio.
I have to agree with Mincer, and say that the Jazz is a little bright for my tastes; it could use some more mids. It's definitely not a bad pickup, it's just not for me.
I like the 59n more than the Jazz, as it has a tad more mids and I find it smoother. The only problem, as Benjy stated, is that there can be too much bass. Also keep in mind that I used them both with a Custom-5, which I love.
gripweed
Jolvisologist
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
The Jazz has less of a boomy voice than the '59, but it is still there to an extent. The answer to that is an a2 humbucker. I haven't had experience with the PGn, but some of those who have posted about claim that it is still articulate, without the boomy.
CronoDL said:
The Jazz has less of a boomy voice than the '59, but it is still there to an extent. The answer to that is an a2 humbucker. I haven't had experience with the PGn, but some of those who have posted about claim that it is still articulate, without the boomy.
madguitar26
New member
more rock than blues
more rock than blues
how would the pearly gates neck improve my sound from a a2pro?
the a2pro i found to be too spongy and too much of a blues tone,wanted more rockk n roll tone(as in a little more focus and bite).
could the pearly remedy this?or should i move to the seth?
more rock than blues
how would the pearly gates neck improve my sound from a a2pro?
the a2pro i found to be too spongy and too much of a blues tone,wanted more rockk n roll tone(as in a little more focus and bite).
could the pearly remedy this?or should i move to the seth?
fretburner
Well-known member
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
Yeah, the cleans - playing chords - on the A2P is just amazing... I love that tone. Having more mids doesn't mean it will have a warmer, rounder tone right?
I've been thinking of a C5/59 combo... or now, maybe a C5/PGn combo? The C5 should have very good clean tones right?
Benjy_26 said:
Yeah, the cleans - playing chords - on the A2P is just amazing... I love that tone. Having more mids doesn't mean it will have a warmer, rounder tone right?
I've been thinking of a C5/59 combo... or now, maybe a C5/PGn combo? The C5 should have very good clean tones right?
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Jazz Neck for Les Paul Standard
Actually, the mids on the PGn make it a bit more aggressive and cutting than the APH. It's not as smooth and creamy, though if you manipulate the tone controls, you can get it to be smooth.
I have the C5/PGn combo in my LP right now and love it. If you play loud through a nice tube amp (or, in my case, tube power amp and digital pre), it's a tough combo to beat for hard rock.
Actually, the mids on the PGn make it a bit more aggressive and cutting than the APH. It's not as smooth and creamy, though if you manipulate the tone controls, you can get it to be smooth.
I have the C5/PGn combo in my LP right now and love it. If you play loud through a nice tube amp (or, in my case, tube power amp and digital pre), it's a tough combo to beat for hard rock.
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