Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

Young Angus

Kometose Tonologist
Ive heard a few mixed things on this, but mainly that the jazz neck isnt that good for high gain neck leads. Why is this?

And if this is the case howcome so many people go with a JB/Jazz combo if the jazz neck lacks in some departments where say the 59 or something else would be better?

Cos id love to get a JB/Jazz combo for my les paul but im a bit concerned about neck gain lead tones, cos i love doing singing smooth leads in the neck position for solos.
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

I've never had any problems with the jazz neck model under high gain and I've never understood why people say it sounds like crap under high gain.
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

Bo…What bridge pickup is that on the first two clips…sweet.

Goto https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=7095 and https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=6236 for some #42 neck pickup rap.

Gibson from '72 to (see links) was pretty consistent in making 7.6 pickups. Between 57 and 63 I'm sure they hit that number a few times. Seymore said he played Beck's LP and that's where the 59's came from (I'm sure the Gib's were not balanced so I suspect the Jazz was Becks neck, the 59 was his bridge. The 59n was a made up pickup to balance with the 59b, The jazzn balances with the JB bridge (pickup inspired by Seymour's idea for Beck's Tele to run both pickups in series).

The jazz neck is the beefiest #42 neck pickup (7.7k) SD makes insuring you no woofie neck PU.
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

Your words singing and smooth describes the Jazz neck...with gain, you get that with balls.
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

Sounds sweet then, i feel a JB/Jazz combo coming on for my les paul :D
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

JOLLY said:
I've never had any problems with the jazz neck model under high gain and I've never understood why people say it sounds like crap under high gain.

Because alot of people are thrown off by the name of the pickup and have never really tried it. I agree with Jolly: the Jazz can rock beautifully.

Truth is, there's not that much diff between a a5 59 neck and a a5 Jazz neck...the biggest diff is the name! The Jazz has maybe 5% more highs and 5% less bass than a 59...that's about it. Lew
 
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Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

If it's the kind of thing you are into, rolling all of the high end off a neck Jazz pu really gets some beautiful, complex liquid lead tone. It also sounds great split.
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

I have one in my Jackson. I think it is very articulate under high gain. It has that "babbling brook" quality when you play quick passages, smooth on the top and broiling underneath. I had an Alnico II in it before I put the Jazz in. Once I put the Jazz in, sweep picking sounded much clearer and betterer. It is staying in that guitar forever.

-Matt
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

I have a Jazz neck and it sings under high gain, it is quite a pup IMO.
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

I had a 59' in the neck with a JB but found that when the gain goes up it sounded to me a little 'muddy' so I changed to a Jazz and that kept thing under control. The jazz has a really good split tone which was a cool bonus, great for clean almost acoustic tones.I think that the jazz may fit the bill for what you are after.
 
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Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

Gee this jazz neck is sounding better and better all the time.

How does it compare to the a2pro neck? I know they're different but just how different?
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

Hey Young Angus... did you get your LP pups yet? Did ya go for the JB/Jazz? Any chance I can hear a JB in a LP with heavy rhythms and soloing?
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

Falstaff said:
It also sounds great split.

Very true. My Schecter C-1 came with the JB/Jazz combo from factory with a 5-way, splitting both pickups. In that guitar the Jazz sounds much like a single coil neck Strat pup when used split, and the split JB sounds a lot like a Tele, IMO.
Schecter really nailed it when they built this guitar (except for the overdone inlay...but I'm okay with that now...lol). Excellent pickup selection.

-Bob
 
Re: Whats the jazz neck really like for high gain?

keano12 said:
Hey Young Angus... did you get your LP pups yet? Did ya go for the JB/Jazz? Any chance I can hear a JB in a LP with heavy rhythms and soloing?

Sorry its been a while since you posted that one probably, i havent checked this thread in a bit.

Nah i havent even got my les paul yet the stupid shop is taking its time...once again! But hopefully it should be in the next week. But when i get the picukps in ill be sure to tell you all about it ;)

Im probably however going for a CC/Jazz combo now rather than the JB bridge, just because i prefer the idea of an alnico 2 magnet pickup and something smoother in the bridge.
 
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