Neck pairing for JB/Perpetual Burn

[CB434]

I'll be trying both bridge pickups, and will likely use a jazz in the neck. I've read via searching threads on here that the jazz pairs well with both. I do like the sound of the jazz, I've never used it before but every time I hear it I think it sounds great. It's more single coil like, but I like that. The name seems accurate in terms of clean, scooped and jazzy.

The guitar will have 24 frets and the position of the neck pickup will be shifted forward. I was thinking of trying a Pearly Gates neck.

I was just wondering what I could expect from the difference between the two? I'm getting a bit more bass (spongier), and more mid range and less brightness? Would the Pearly Gates sound more like a Jazz in a 22 fret guitar, or is it a completely different voice?

I think I could be happy with either, I'm just curious what people's thoughts are with a 24 fret guitar.

 

[BeKindRewind]

Yeah I would agree with most of that. I've used both in the same 24 fret guitar, a basswood Ibanez but it's been quite some time so I'm pulling from the memory banks here. They are definitely 2 different voices. I think the jazz IS more single coiley as you say. It's like a PAF sweetness but nice and clear in the neck. The PG is softer/warmer and very sweet in comparison. Less clarity I would say but it's not necessarily lacking. I like the jazz better overall and I would call it more useful/versatile

 

[Mincer]

The PG will have slightly more bass than the Jazz, which might be better as with 24 frets, you lose the 'throatiness' of the neck pickup. A 59 is also a good choice in the neck of a 24 fret guitar, especially with a JB.

 

[CB434]

Another idea could be Pearly Gates bridge in the neck, it would be even warmer, but would also be slightly muddier I guess. If you search around, many people talk about liking this. But it seems to be a thing of are you prioritizing clean tones (PGn) or lead tones (PGb).

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Keep in mind, though, you can change the pickup and its EQ and that will offset some of the difference from 22 vs. 24 fret guitars, but it will never be the same. A fatter and warmer pickup still sound like a neck pickup on a 24 fret guitar, just fatter and warmer. Much like you could drop a really fat and bassy pickup in the bridge, it will still sound like a bridge pickup.

That being said, though, 24 fret neck pickups still sound fine to me. If you like the clips of the Jazz on 22 fret guitars, my first suggestion would be the Jazz. If not, then Jazz bridge in the neck.

 

[Ascension]

Have a Perpetual Burn in the Bridge of my 24 fret Purple Quilt Carvin DC 127. Had a Jazz in the neck at one time, and it didn't work well. Swapped the mag to A 2 to make it an Alnico II Pro.That is passable but wish I would have run a Sentient instead. I'm not a fan of the Jazz in the neck, to thin and bland the PG is much to cruncy and harsh the Alnico II Pro is not bad. However have had a Sentient in a guitar with a Hybrid and have one in a guitar with an Alt 8 and would prefer it to the Alnico II in the DC 127. May swap it later, but the only way to get a match for the zebra Burn would be to order a Zebra floor custom Sentient.

 

[EmiAba]

A sentient is a safe bet for me too. To my ear is right in between the jazz and the 59
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[jeremy]

i think thats general consensus, the sentient is kinda between the jazz and 59 eq wise and similar output. really nice neck pup

 

[eclecticsynergy]

In a 24 fret guitar you want a little extra fullness in the neck position - I'd be leaning towards the 59N myself.
Of course a lot depends on your style of music, also on how concerned you are with neck lead tone.

 

[nienturi]

I liked how PAF Pro pairs with JB

 

[CB434]

Have a Perpetual Burn in the Bridge of my 24 fret Purple Quilt Carvin DC 127. Had a Jazz in the neck at one time, and it didn't work well. Swapped the mag to A 2 to make it an Alnico II Pro.That is passable but wish I would have run a Sentient instead. I'm not a fan of the Jazz in the neck, to thin and bland the PG is much to cruncy and harsh the Alnico II Pro is not bad. However have had a Sentient in a guitar with a Hybrid and have one in a guitar with an Alt 8 and would prefer it to the Alnico II in the DC 127. May swap it later, but the only way to get a match for the zebra Burn would be to order a Zebra floor custom Sentient.

Sorry for late reply. I appreciate the thoughts in this post, I just wondered if you could expand in terms of how you aren't happy with the PB and the different neck pups.

Is it the overall output, or (more likely) the EQ just isn't to your liking. But what is it about the EQ in the PB that is clashing with the neck pickups you mentioned? I thought the PB was quite thin and bright.. but in the context of these comments, it sounds like a warmer pickup. It sounds like the neck pickups you were trying were too thin when paired with it. And that you liked the smoother/warmer sounding pickups. This is probably due to the 24 fret thing but yeah. Do you have any expeirence with Dimarzio Air Norton? Do you think that'd pair better (in theory). Are you more worried about clean tones, or the lead soloing with higher gain?

I don't know a lot about the Sentient, I need to go listen to some clips now and do some in depth learning about it.

Some of this balancing pickups stuff can be fixed via pickup height adjustments, but it's nice if the voicing can be right in the first place.

 

[Mincer]

I don't know a lot about the Sentient, I need to go listen to some clips now and do some in depth learning about it.

The Sentient isn't quite as bright as the Jazz, and has slightly more bass.