JB/Jazz Les Paul Help Needed

[JBViking]

Hi. I registered for this forum to get some hands on, real world advice from hardcore pickup fans.

I have a '96 Les Paul Standard and that was totally stock and my amps are all Marshalls. I decided I needed more of an edgier sound for more 80's style hard rock and metal that I have been playing recently. I really like the Van Halen, George Lynch, Warren Demartini, type sounds so I figured I'd get a JB/Jazz combo.

I really like the JB. Sounds just like I thought it would. I don't know if I could have made a better choice, but if you are reading this and you think I could have chosen a different bridge pickup that would serve me better for these sounds, please let me know.

My main problem is the Jazz pickup in the neck. It is not as "smooth" as I thought it would be. Usually, I switch to the neck pickup for some shreddy sweep picking and Yngwie type speed runs, and then switch back to my bridge pickup for more legato, tapping, etc. which is a common thing.

The Jazz sounds ok. The note definition and clarity are there. But it sounds very sterile and almost processed?? for lack of a better word...almost digital in the very high parts of the guitar...high E and B above the 12th fret. Definitely not the smooth, buttery type sound I was looking for from a neck pickup.

Please offer suggestions. I think I made the wrong choice and I would like to get the neck pickup I need.

Thank you all.

JBViking

 

[blueman335]

Re: JB/Jazz Les Paul Help Needed

Welcome aboard! This is a great forum, lots of info & cutting edge ideas. We're a diverse bunch & you'll soon see we don't agree on everything, but that's good as you get different perspectives.

The JB/Jazz pair gets marketed a lot, and they work for some guys, but certainly not everybody. This is a trial & error thing for us too, so don't feel bad. JB's get a mixed reaction from players, more than most PU's. It's known to be fickle in the guitar & wood it's in, and can sound great, "atrocious", and anywhere in between. Some guys say that they're at their best in a maple guitar & are too loose in the low end in mahogany. The most common complaint is it's legendary "ice pick" spike that is annoying to some players. One guy here said it's tone reminded him of a dentist drill, which comes from the thinner wire gauge & smaller coils. But others love their JB's wouldn't swap them for anything. As you can see, it's a controversial PU and opinions are all over the board. If you like yours, you're all set, and only the JazzN is your issue.

Since you asked for opinions, I think the Custom series works better in mahogany, like the C5 (A5) & Custom (ceramic). The CC is a little too warm & rounded in a LP for some guys (characteristics of an A2). All three of these are the same PU with different magnets. There are also guys here that make a "C8" and a "C4" using different magnets. Very versatile PU.

If you want to keep both the JB/Jazz, but are interested in tweaking their tones, you can do that with replacement magnets. A JB with an A2 is a very different PU and gaining popularity. You could swap the magnet in the Jazz & add more body to it. My motto is: "Work with what you have" and if you like to tinker, you can do some neat things. We'll teach you how.

Final option: if you could return these & wanted to start over with a different pair of PU's, I'd recommend a high output C5 or Custom in the bridge, and a '59N or PGN in the neck, which have more "color" than a Jazz.

 

[RockStarNick]

Re: JB/Jazz Les Paul Help Needed

59 neck is just hard to beat... I'm in the process of testing it out with a JB, and so far, so good. Seems to mate up well.

 

[bigheadood]

Re: JB/Jazz Les Paul Help Needed

Ok...Smooth and buttery, with clarity for Yngwie style sweep runs. This is what you're looking for?

I have a '59n in my Les Paul Studio Lite that does that VERY well. Very smooth Santana lead tones are effortless. But increased pick attack really brings out the nastiness. I can even get good pinch harmonics, anywhere on the fretboard. Pearly Gates would probably do this also, but I've not tried one in my guitar.

I also have a JB in the bridge, which replaced a Custom5 (too thin and weak). Guitar is now perfect. Won't ever change it.