Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

I think that weight is a factor in tone. Heavy guitars like Gibson Les Paul Standards or Customs will get a darker and heavier tone than what is possible with a Fender Strat. Of course, with the right pups in a light guitar, it can emulate a heavy type tone that a heavier guitar gives. However, if you compare tone between two different weight guitars with the same woods, appointments, pickups etc. the heavier will typically sound better with distortion and the lighter will sound better clean. This is all based on my findings from my purchases (owning both strats and les pauls, plus a hollowbody).

Listen when a guitar is unplugged, odds are if there are tone chambers inside and it's not solid, it'll sound more acoustic like. Heavier woods don't get that kind of tone.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

It's not how heavy a guitar is, it's how the guitar sounds.

People may debate forever tone vs. weight, but there are warm and bright guitars that are heavy AND light.

Every wood guitar has a slightly different tone, and different pickups will compliment and emphasize (or de-emphasize) different aspects of the natural tone.

So a JB can sound good or bad in a Les Paul depending on the Les Paul, and the taste of the player.

That's why a lot of the time I think it is best to buy a guitar that sounds good off the shelf with stock pickups.....manny PRS models....Gibson models...Hamers....and Deans sound good off the shelf. Deanand Hamer also us Duncans.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

I think that weight is a factor in tone. Heavy guitars like Gibson Les Paul Standards or Customs will get a darker and heavier tone than what is possible with a Fender Strat. Of course, with the right pups in a light guitar, it can emulate a heavy type tone that a heavier guitar gives. However, if you compare tone between two different weight guitars with the same woods, appointments, pickups etc. the heavier will typically sound better with distortion and the lighter will sound better clean. This is all based on my findings from my purchases (owning both strats and les pauls, plus a hollowbody).

Listen when a guitar is unplugged, odds are if there are tone chambers inside and it's not solid, it'll sound more acoustic like. Heavier woods don't get that kind of tone.

By that logic, my lighter Les Paul at 8 lbs will not sound as good as a heavier one for high gain? maybe that is why I like the thick and heavy tone of my 9.5" Dean Evo so much. Then again, a few friends told me I cut through the mix better at our last two shows with the LP rather than the Dean. Wouldn't bassier or thicker pickups make that added difference.

I also know plenty of guys who say a lighter guitar of the same build will normally have more mids and be fatter sounding. My buddy with his 7 lb PRS CU22 get's some of the fattest tones I've heard in a live situation.

 

[Soundscape]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

so what type of guitars does the JB generally sound best in? i have this heavy ass, mahogony lp copy that needs different p'ups. i'm definitely going to get a Jazz for the neck, but i'm having second thoughts about the JB. i wonder if it'll sound good in my guitar?
isn't the JB alot hotter than the jazz? i'm worried they won't balance well in the middle position.

 

[hacker]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

The JB is a lot hotter than the Jazz. But the neck position is the louder position, so you dont need as much output from the pickup. The Jazz and JB are meant to work well together. In most guitars, I find the middle position takes on more of the tone of the neck pickup anyway.

I would definitely try the JB in your mahogany LP. I would not put a JB in a real bright guitar, like a maple/ash strat or any maple bodied guitar. The JB likes mahogany and other "warm" tone woods (alder, basswood)

 

[StevieRaveOn]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

Nothing wrong with my guitars, amps or effects boards.

The C5 with it's scooped out mids sounded mosquito like at the same amp settings (and same guitar) that the '59n sounded massive.

Mind you, this is in the mix of a band where the bassist is occupying the bass frequencies. The lack of mids left a "tinkle" of a guitar sound in the mix. Kinda weak. Think Kirk Hammet (thin) vs. Warren Haynes (big and fat).

JB solved that problem (as did a few other pickups that were richer in midrange content) very well. Wider notes that are much bigger, more powerful, and more audible.

The C5 may be some players taste, but not my cup of tea. At bedroom volumes, by itself, without a band maybe it would be a different story. But gigging and recording - it only made me frustrated. And I tried two different C5's and they were exactly the same.

If you want to buy mine I have a Custom Shop in chrome for sale.

Sounds like you're a Warren fan too.... What would you guys suggest for the bridge of a PRS McCarty for a Warren-esque vibe? I've got a Jazz/JB combo in my LP Studio and it can nail it in spades, but I'm afraid to do the same for the McCarty just because I've been told it might be too bright in that guitar.

I'm actually trying to tame some high end on that guitar and add some more bottom and mids. Any suggestions???

 

[Marcel]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

Mind you, this is in the mix of a band where the bassist is occupying the bass frequencies. The lack of mids left a "tinkle" of a guitar sound in the mix. Kinda weak. Think Kirk Hammet (thin) vs. Warren Haynes (big and fat).

Isn't Warren Haynes playing SLOs? Don't know anything about this guy. but there is a Warren Haynes Mod, isn't it?

 

[Mac-P]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

Sounds like you're a Warren fan too.... What would you guys suggest for the bridge of a PRS McCarty for a Warren-esque vibe? I've got a Jazz/JB combo in my LP Studio and it can nail it in spades, but I'm afraid to do the same for the McCarty just because I've been told it might be too bright in that guitar.

I'm actually trying to tame some high end on that guitar and add some more bottom and mids. Any suggestions???

Love Warren.

Warren uses a Pearly Gates neck and bridge in most of his Les Pauls.

Keep in mind he is playing through a modded Soldano that is very thick sounding.

The JB can warm up the PRS depending on how the guitar sounds. Not sure about the pickup that is in there already. If it is a really bright pickup the JB maty be warmer. Or if it is a warm pickup, the reverse.....

Isn't Warren Haynes playing SLOs? Don't know anything about this guy. but there is a Warren Haynes Mod, isn't it?

Yes, the Soldano Warren Haynes mod is a stock option that increases bass and lower mids when the pre-amp gain is set low (the way Warren likes it).

Those are really high gain amps, but Warren uses it for more of a "heavy vintage" sound which requires that the tone be clear and not SO distorted.

:burnout:

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

300k pots are recomended for the JB and Jazz? Aren't P90s also paired with 300k pots? So a JB would match my guitar with a P90 ialready n the neck?

 

[papersoul]

Re: Seymour had it right years ago: Jazz & JB the perfect combo

I may be on your side soon Mac-P.

I have been listening closely to the pickup sound samples on the Pickup page and to me the JB sounds the best clean and dirty in the bridge........and the Jazz sounds the best clean and dirty in the neck. Again this is for my more heavy and modern style I go for these days. To me these samples tell me this pickup combo is THE ONE for my LP for my style. I was told a long time ago that it is hard to beat a JB\Jazz in a Les Paul and maybe I should have listened. In my search I've used the stock burstbucker pros, C-5, and now the Rio Grande BBQ which some say is a better JB. Not sure, but I like what i hear on the sound files page and may be looking for a JB/Jazz soon.

I think I was scared of by two things concerning the JB from the start. Number one is that I had heard a few times that it is too hot for variety and two that it lacks bass. I don't think the bass thing is an issue with my Les Paul or Vetta head and cabinet, and I hear a warm and big (full) sound when I really listen closely to those samples. I also hear dynamics and tone! I also had been scared off by people talking about how the JB does 80s metal well....not my thing anymore. I am much more a modern rock guy these days but I always drag a solo in from time to time. Think Alice in Chains, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Fuel......thats what I go for now.

For you JB guys.....do you notice a difference from covered to open coil?