SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

[Flores_68]

Hi everyone,

I put a SD Jazz on the neck of my Les Paul and it sounds very 'trebly' and thin, with the volume at about 70% of the output of what I get from the bridge pickup. It does sound very clean, perhaps almost too clean. I'd tend to think that it's a polarity issue, but since it was installed with a Gibson quick connect, it should be a no brainer. Does anyone have experience with the SD Jazz? Is it meant to sound like that?

 

[Clint 55]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

It could be getting split or out of phase with itself. To test if it's somehow getting split you plug it in, turn on the amp, and tap on each coil with a metal object like an allen wrench. If one coil barely pops at all, it's getting split somehow. If both coils pop loudly, it could be wired out of phase with itself somehow.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

SD pups have a different wire color code than Gibson pups. If you used the Gibson quick connect system and Gibson color code you probably have it wired in parallel mode. What you describe about its sound and output would suggest that as well.

 

[Flores_68]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

It could be getting split or out of phase with itself. To test if it's somehow getting split you plug it in, turn on the amp, and tap on each coil with a metal object like an allen wrench. If one coil barely pops at all, it's getting split somehow. If both coils pop loudly, it could be wired out of phase with itself somehow.

It's popping and both pickups are responding in the same way. Could the Jazz be that much brighter than the Seth Lover?

 

[Flores_68]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

SD pups have a different wire color code than Gibson pups. If you used the Gibson quick connect system and Gibson color code you probably have it wired in parallel mode. What you describe about its sound and output would suggest that as well.

Do you know what the correct connection would be?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

https://s140.photobucket.com/user/G...s/PickupColorCodeChart-2_zpslxcfx8xa.png.html

SD pups are wired:
Green = ground
Red + White = soldered together and taped off
Black = lead/hot

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

If you have it accidently wired in parallel you'll get a "pop" when you tap either coil because they're both on...just not wired in series.

 

[Flores_68]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

If you have it accidently wired in parallel you'll get a "pop" when you tap either coil because they're both on...just not wired in series.

It also sounds really weird... It sounds like fret buzz, but it stops when I switch pickup.

 

[Flores_68]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

https://s140.photobucket.com/user/G...s/PickupColorCodeChart-2_zpslxcfx8xa.png.html

SD pups are wired:
Green = ground
Red + White = soldered together and taped off
Black = lead/hot

Ok, so to which color wire of the Gibson quick connect should I solder each one?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

It's easy to convert colors from that chart...

Where the Gibson red wire was connected use the SD's black wire,
Where the Gibson's white wire was connected use the SD's white wire,
Gibson's green wire = SD's red,
Gibson's black wire = SD's green

 

[Flores_68]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

It's easy to convert colors from that chart...

Where the Gibson red wire was connected use the SD's black wire,
Where the Gibson's white wire was connected use the SD's white wire,
Gibson's green wire = SD's red,
Gibson's black wire = SD's green

Thanks, man. It's just so frustrating when these things happen that you just can't think straight.

 

[Mincer]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

It isn't helped that there are no standards for wire colors. All the companies should switch to Duncan's colors already.
Let us know how this turns out.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

+1
Absolutely! There is no reason why there couldn't be a standardized color scheme for pup wires like there is with electrical house/commercial wiring.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

+1
Absolutely! There is no reason why there couldn't be a standardized color scheme for pup wires like there is with electrical house/commercial wiring.

And then you’ve got where I live where hot can be any number of different colors. At least neutral and ground are standardized.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

If you live in Chicago I believe that is also in the US. In the US the colors are standardized...Hot is normally black, but can be (as in three-way circuits and 220 volt circuits) red. White is neutral. And bare is ground which usually attaches to a green lug/screw in boxes, switches, and outlets.

In other, more complicated wiring circuits, other colors can be used in addition to black and red.

I'm referring to power circuits, not telephone, internet, HVAC controls, etc.

 

[Flores_68]

Re: SD Jazz neck sounds thin and 'trebly'

You nailed it, Doc! I finally got my SD Jazz up and running and it sounds really nice. I was in a dilemma between the usual 'muddy' neck pickups and the Jazz being too bright, but I liked the result. They also blend well and if I want a bit more of the bridge I'll just turn the neck volume down a bit. Thanks again for the tips. It probably would've been my last guess that green doesn't go with green and red doesn't go with red....