Lil Jazz???

[Artie]

Just another morning coffee "thinking out loud" thread.

I wonder if there'd be any call for a Lil Jazz. There's probably already something in the lineup that would be close to that tone.

A Lil JB/Jazz set could be cool in a Mustang.

 

[Chistopher]

Cool Rails

 

[Artie]

I thought of that. And a pair could be equally sweet in that Mustang. But there's something about saying a JB/Jazz.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, there isn't one called the Jazz Jr. or Lil Jazz.

I don't know what the JB Jr. Neck is supposed to be based on, but there's that. Or there's the Cool Rails, which I don't see it in the site anymore, but I believe they did use to mention it's voiced like the Jazz before.

 

[Binnerscot]

Cool Rails is an option for that sound... and not far off from the Jazz

 

[Mincer]

I think it was called Cool Rails so it could capitalize on the 'Hot Rails' thing- something not nearly as hot. I bet if it came out today, it would be Jazz Jr.

 

[Chistopher]

What is the JB Jr. neck even supposed to be

 

[Mincer]

What is the JB Jr. neck even supposed to be

It is supposed to have the tone of a JB (the cutting upper mid thing) but with less power.

 

[Chistopher]

Hmm... JB Jr. Neck in the bridge could be fun

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Hmm... JB Jr. Neck in the bridge could be fun

Or a full-size HB version of the JB Jr. Neck would be cool too.

 

[Artie]

A couple of Cool Rails, or even Hot Rails, would work. I also have a pair of CS Lil PG's that might be sweet.

Now . . . I just need the Mustang.

 

[MikeS]

Yeah, as others have said, Cool Rails is reasonably close to the Jazz. I think the highs of the CR are a warmer than the Jazz and it's a little more mid-focused. I've not A/B'ed them in the same guitar, but I have preferred the CR in 2 different strats over my experience with the Jazz in a couple different HH equipped TOM guitars. The CRn is a favorite of mine, and I haven't owned a Jazz in probably 15 years, so while the differences may be nuanced, they're not insignificant.

 

[freefrog]

TBH, model names like "lil xxx" appear to me as misleading.

The comb filtering effect is so different with a SC sized humbucker... and they have fiber baseplates instead of NS ones... and/or narrow ceramic bars instead of full sized AlNiCo ones... Etc.

Designers compensate the difference of magnetic window by increasing the inductance, which lowers the resonant frequencies of "lil" HB's... giving the same ressemblance between them and full sized and HB's than between apples and oranges to me.

Not saying they aren't good pickups: it's not for nothing that I've Hot Rails and Cool Rails in one of my main stage guitars... But these puppies are closer to real SC's when wired in parallel than they are to any full sized HB when wired in series IME.

YMMV. I'm just rambling, as usual.

 

[marcello252]

unrequested rambling: I tried a number of SC sized humbuckers and, actually, none ever satisfied me, they're not SC , they're not HB, I'd dare saying they keep the worst of both SC and HB characteristics, in my guitars, with my ears, they just don't fit, but this is really circumscribed to my experience I think

 

[jeremy]

TBH, model names like "lil xxx" appear to me as misleading.

The comb filtering effect is so different with a SC sized humbucker... and they have fiber baseplates instead of NS ones... and/or narrow ceramic bars instead of full sized AlNiCo ones... Etc.

Designers compensate the difference of magnetic window by increasing the inductance, which lowers the resonant frequencies of "lil" HB's... giving the same ressemblance between them and full sized and HB's than between apples and oranges to me.

Not saying they aren't good pickups: it's not for nothing that I've Hot Rails and Cool Rails in one of my main stage guitars... But these puppies are closer to real SC's when wired in parallel than they are to any full sized HB when wired in series IME.

YMMV. I'm just rambling, as usual.

i have a strat with hot rails neck and bridge, wired to a 4pdt on/on/on to get series/split/parallel. i really like the parallel setting, great clean tones and surprisingly good dirty tones

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I didn't like the HR when I had it, FWIW, because it was soooooo dark. I guess the inductance they tune it to explains it.

 

[jeremy]

thats why i really like the switching setup i have, i do love the series options for fat solos, but i use parallel probably 70% of the time

 

[Artie]

unrequested rambling: I tried a number of SC sized humbuckers and, actually, none ever satisfied me, they're not SC , they're not HB, I'd dare saying they keep the worst of both SC and HB characteristics, in my guitars, with my ears, they just don't fit, but this is really circumscribed to my experience I think

Every post I make begs for personal ramblin'. Thanks for your thoughts, even if my own tastes disagree. I have a Strat with 3 Hot Rails, another Strat with 2 Cool Rails, and even another HSS with a Vintage Rails and Cool Rails in the N/M. I love 'em all.