Jazz neck vs. 59 neck in les paul...help???

[Young Angus]

Okay i think i want to get a Jazz in the neck of my les paul, possibly with a JB bridge or maybe a CC, but thats another story.

How different are the jazz and 59 neck?

I want to get great thick singing leads under high gain but i also want to be able to play some burbling jazzy and bluesy cleans without them being too muddy. I was thinking the jazz would be best for this, am i right?

 

[OUTLAW1969]

Re: Jazz neck vs. 59 neck in les paul...help???

I have ( or at one time have had ) all four of the combinations that you mention in some of my Les Pauls. Still have the Jazz in most of my neck positions, and only own one 59' at this time ( in a drawer ). I definitely think that you would be happier with the Jazz pickup for all around versatility. Not knocking the 59'N at all , it was my favorite match to the JB's and Customs, until I tried the Jazz pickups. Now I have my perfect neck pickups, so I sold or traded all of my 59's except for one......

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Jazz neck vs. 59 neck in les paul...help???

I agree with Outlaw. The Jazz and 59N are very similar but the jazz has a just a little less bass (for a clearer tone) and a little more harmonics way up on top for a bit more chime. I prefer it over the 59N. You can solo with it and overdrive your amp easily...don't be afraid of the Jazz. It's a great and ballsy pickup...just a little less bass and a little more chime mostly. Lew

 

[kaknight]

Re: Jazz neck vs. 59 neck in les paul...help???

I'd go the other way. I have had both a jazz and a 59 in the neck position of guitars, and I found that for a thick full tone, you need the 59. I would compare the two this way. The jazz is a more even pickup (the bass, mids, and treb are all about the same IMHO). The 59 is a much more traditional "scooped" PAF style pup. It has less mids and more treble and bass. The thing I found with a 59n was that the bassy bottom gave the pup lots of warm bluesy tones (and I play lots of blues), while the crisp top end gave the guitar great articulation. I can still hear each note even when distorted. I found that the Jazz had great articulation, but I didn't like it's soul. I could hear each note well, but for me anyway, it didn't have that warm blues sound that I wanted. The 59 has a strong bottom end, but it isn't muddy (both 59 and jazz have tight bottom ends due to the c5 magnet that drives them).

Here's what I would advise - if you need clarity above all else (ie your rig just produces muddy tones), go jazz. if you like a warmer bluesy tone, that will still cut through well, but still has a lot of soul, go 59.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Jazz neck vs. 59 neck in les paul...help???

I'd go the other way. I have had both a jazz and a 59 in the neck position of guitars, and I found that for a thick full tone, you need the 59. I would compare the two this way. The jazz is a more even pickup (the bass, mids, and treb are all about the same IMHO). The 59 is a much more traditional "scooped" PAF style pup. It has less mids and more treble and bass. The thing I found with a 59n was that the bassy bottom gave the pup lots of warm bluesy tones (and I play lots of blues), while the crisp top end gave the guitar great articulation. I can still hear each note even when distorted. I found that the Jazz had great articulation, but I didn't like it's soul. I could hear each note well, but for me anyway, it didn't have that warm blues sound that I wanted. The 59 has a strong bottom end, but it isn't muddy (both 59 and jazz have tight bottom ends due to the c5 magnet that drives them).

Here's what I would advise - if you need clarity above all else (ie your rig just produces muddy tones), go jazz. if you like a warmer bluesy tone, that will still cut through well, but still has a lot of soul, go 59.

Gotta disagree...but just a little. The Jazz has more extended highs and upper harmonics than the 59N...

 

[kaknight]

Re: Jazz neck vs. 59 neck in les paul...help???

well, I guess you got me there. what I meant was that the 59 has more bass and treble compared to its own mids. I do agree that the jazz has more top end than the 59, but you have to say the 59 definetely has the most top end sizzle and big bottom of any of the PAF's ya?

 

[Lightning]

Re: Jazz neck vs. 59 neck in les paul...help???

Is there a notable diference in output?

 

[Stevo]

Re: Jazz neck vs. 59 neck in les paul...help???

The 59n is more sensitive and the jazz is more glassy. I like the 59n more because it seems to jump out there a little more aggressively. The jazz is very sweet for clean tone and great for a smooth rhythm playing. When distorted it reminds me of Johnny Winter's tone.
I think the jazz requires more finger power in order to come to life but that's not a bad thing.