Neck pickup to compliment 59/Custom in the bridge of my Jaguar

Cdwillis

Cdwillis

New member
I recently picked up a Blacktop Jaguar knowing well that I was going to swap the muddy blacktop humbuckers out. I had a 59/Custom hybrid I originally bought for another guitar (it ended up with a JB) and I had a Gibson 490r neck pickup laying around, so I put them both in along with new alpha 500k pots and a 0.022uf tone cap.

I'm really digging the sound of the 59/Custom. The 490r, not so much. Clean it sounds fine. With any overdrive it fattens up way too much. Plus it just completely takes over the middle position. There's no chimey middle position sound on this thing. I'd like to find a neck pickup to that's warm, but clear. First thing I thought of was getting an A2P, but I'm afraid it'll have the same issue as the 490r. If I remember right the 490r is wound with the same wire and also has an A2 mag. Thought about the jazz neck, but I'm afraid of losing warmth. I was wondering if anyone else had some suggestions.

blacktop jag.jpg
 
I don't blame you for not liking the 490- I hated it too. A 59, however, works very well with the Hybrid. It has about the same amount of bass, and it is scooped, so the EQ is similar. It has a tighter sound than A2-based pckups.
 
I hadn't really considered a 59. I've read people disliking the 59 in the neck of a Les Paul because it got boomy, so I figured it would be similar in the Jag because of the even shorter scale. Then again this guitar isn't as fat sounding as a Les Paul in general, I think because of the bolt on neck, so maybe it would work. Maybe I need to be looking more at A5 based pickups.
 
I never bought that a 59 was boomy...I think it sounds great in the neck of everything I've ever put it in, actually.
 
Currently, I'm running a WLH with a 59/Custom in a PRS SE Santana, and they work well together. The WLH is warmer than the 59/Custom, and they still compliment each other.

Several months ago, I bought a semihollow body that came with a Jazz neck and a 59 in the bridge. It took a few days to get used to the combination. The Jazz is smooth, glassy and articulate in the neck. The 59 lacked some mids. So I adjusted both pickups, and they responded really well. The middle position is amazing as the pickups both have individual volume and tone controls as I can adjust the guitar for three sounds.

While I know nothing about Fender Jaguars and Jazzmasters, the 59, it should go nicely with a 59/Custom.
The only thing I'd suggest is to get on a first name basis with a good screwdriver and spend some quality time dailing the pickups in.
 
'59 neck was the first Duncan neck pup I ever had. It's a keeper.
I've got a jazz 35th anniversary neck pup now. If you've got a few extra bucks you wanna drop on a neck pup try it. It's got a stratocaster quality to it.
 
If you're worried about the neck being too boomy than the Jazz is the answer. I agree with trying to avoid a A2 pickup. You could maybe try a SNS neck also.
 
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