I'm thinking about trying to swap some magnets in my JB/Jazz combo. The guitar is a '79 Ibanez Iceman. I have finally found out what this guitar is made of: 3 ply rock maple neck and a birch/basswood body. I really don't have any problem with the JB, but I am curious as to what an A2 would sound like. The Jazz, on the otherhand, I have never gotten along with. Too polite, lacks character, just meh. So what would be a good swap for the Jazz? A2? A8? Thanks!
Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
- Thread starter VTM Mike
- Start date
CaughtLikeFire
New member
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
A8 is not a good choice for the neck. you'd need to lower the pickup significantly since the magnet is so strong. A2 would be a better choice.
A2 is great in a JB and the A8 is pretty good too. I personally prefer the A2 - a little less bass compared to stock and the JB mid spike turns into a mid "hump" - it's less edgy but still dominant. highs are rounded just slightly - it's still a bright pickup that cuts well. A8 has more power but is a little less touch sensitive and lacks a little harmonic complexity in the midrange.
A8 is not a good choice for the neck. you'd need to lower the pickup significantly since the magnet is so strong. A2 would be a better choice.
A2 is great in a JB and the A8 is pretty good too. I personally prefer the A2 - a little less bass compared to stock and the JB mid spike turns into a mid "hump" - it's less edgy but still dominant. highs are rounded just slightly - it's still a bright pickup that cuts well. A8 has more power but is a little less touch sensitive and lacks a little harmonic complexity in the midrange.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
i've got an a2 jb and an a3 jazz. about the a2 jb, CLF hit it right on the nose. a3 jazz on the other hand... it's much nicer imo. more mids and low mids, with a chimey, though less bright, top end. it gives it a good chunkyness and adds alot of character.
i've got an a2 jb and an a3 jazz. about the a2 jb, CLF hit it right on the nose. a3 jazz on the other hand... it's much nicer imo. more mids and low mids, with a chimey, though less bright, top end. it gives it a good chunkyness and adds alot of character.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
i just tried an a8 in the JB, which i thought i would love, but as it turns out i didn't, mostly because of the guitar i tried it in. it's a bolt neck epiphone, which has very low string tension. i'm guessing the a8 just had too much string pull at the height i like, and sucked out all the sustain. oh well, that just means i need a better guitar
:firedevil
i just tried an a8 in the JB, which i thought i would love, but as it turns out i didn't, mostly because of the guitar i tried it in. it's a bolt neck epiphone, which has very low string tension. i'm guessing the a8 just had too much string pull at the height i like, and sucked out all the sustain. oh well, that just means i need a better guitar
:firedevil
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
So you think just bite the bullet and put a '59 in there? I'm sure I can sell the Jazz. What about a JB neck?
So you think just bite the bullet and put a '59 in there? I'm sure I can sell the Jazz. What about a JB neck?
uOpt
Something Cool
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
It should be easy to find somebody for a direct trade, there's plenty bored 59 users. Be warned that '59 can be very boomy.
There's no JB neck.
Myself, I prefer to use A2 boutique humbuckers in the neck by now.
It should be easy to find somebody for a direct trade, there's plenty bored 59 users. Be warned that '59 can be very boomy.
There's no JB neck.
Myself, I prefer to use A2 boutique humbuckers in the neck by now.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
If that happens, it's usually in a LP, with that fat slab of mahogany. If it does happen, an A3 or A4 should take out the excess low end.
If that happens, it's usually in a LP, with that fat slab of mahogany. If it does happen, an A3 or A4 should take out the excess low end.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
well, here's the thing. i've got a8 in my other two guitars' bridge pickups, set much closer to the strings than i've got the JB which is in a bolt neck epiphone SG. i tried setting it as close, and i couldn't get the kind of sustain and harmonics i was looking for, and were apparent in the other two guitars. so i backed it off about 1/8" and they returned just a little bit, but i couldn't get the bite in the attack i wanted. I'm assuming it's because of the very low string tension that guitar has, as the neck on it isn't ver stable and all sorts of other crap going on with it. it's just not a suitable guitar for what i need. thus, i need a new guitar
well, here's the thing. i've got a8 in my other two guitars' bridge pickups, set much closer to the strings than i've got the JB which is in a bolt neck epiphone SG. i tried setting it as close, and i couldn't get the kind of sustain and harmonics i was looking for, and were apparent in the other two guitars. so i backed it off about 1/8" and they returned just a little bit, but i couldn't get the bite in the attack i wanted. I'm assuming it's because of the very low string tension that guitar has, as the neck on it isn't ver stable and all sorts of other crap going on with it. it's just not a suitable guitar for what i need. thus, i need a new guitar
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
+1. Yes, you need another guitar. There's some good-looking G-400's out there that you could get sounding pretty nice.
i've got the JB which is in a bolt neck epiphone SG. i tried setting it as close, and i couldn't get the kind of sustain and harmonics i was looking for...the neck on it isn't very stable and all sorts of other crap going on with it. it's just not a suitable guitar for what i need. thus, i need a new guitar
+1. Yes, you need another guitar. There's some good-looking G-400's out there that you could get sounding pretty nice.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Magnet Swaps on JB/Jazz
well, just now i changed out that a8 for an a3 in the JB, so now i've got an a3jazz/a3JB setup, and i have to say this pickup combo just works. it's perfect, despite the fact that i've got it in an epiphone bolt on with a loose neck joint. everything i liked about the a2JB(fat, full mids with chunky/saggy feel) with more top end clarity, which compliments the a3jazz, an already bright pickup. matches up output-wise perfectly, and cleans and distorted tones have equally improved. overall the JB/jazz set is good, though if you want more mids without losing overall character of this set, a3 is the way to go
well, just now i changed out that a8 for an a3 in the JB, so now i've got an a3jazz/a3JB setup, and i have to say this pickup combo just works. it's perfect, despite the fact that i've got it in an epiphone bolt on with a loose neck joint. everything i liked about the a2JB(fat, full mids with chunky/saggy feel) with more top end clarity, which compliments the a3jazz, an already bright pickup. matches up output-wise perfectly, and cleans and distorted tones have equally improved. overall the JB/jazz set is good, though if you want more mids without losing overall character of this set, a3 is the way to go
