Where do I go from here?

G

GOB

New member
It's been a while since I've been around here.

Last time, you guys gave me some awesome advice on a set of pickups for an LP. I ended up getting a full Jazz set (bridge and neck).

They've been awesome so far. I love the Jazz neck so much... by far my favorite neck pickup ever.

The bridge is awesome, I love the clarity, BUT, I've been finding myself wanting something a bit fuller with more low end to it.

I don't want a really warm pickup. I want something that will retain a lot of that clarity I love, but give me a bit more in the low end (without getting flabby).

I'm thinking maybe Custom 5 or 59/Custom?

What do you think?

PS it has to have a gold cover!
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

Yes, the Custom 5 will give you clarity and a full low end. I had the jazz and C5 in an lp once.
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

They balanced volume wise very well and gave me a very clean sound in each position.
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

Even the regular 59 would work here. BTW, all are able to be ordered with a gold cover.
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

Spent some more time listening to the clips on the site, and I'm also considering the Alnico II Pro, and Seth Lover.

The clips I'm hearing of the 59 bridge sound too scooped to me, which seems to accentuate the highs more than I'd like. The Custom 5 is starting to sound a bit too mid-rangy to me.

I think what I'm going for is this:

Brighter neck pickup paired with a warmer bridge pickup so there is a little less contrast between the two.
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

Regardless of how a vintage output pup is voiced, it won't sound warm in bridge position. You need either medium or high output if you don't want a drastic change from bassy to tinny switching from neck to bridge. I've tried those pups that sound very warm in the neck position including Alnico 2, Seth, Phat Cat in the bridge position and they ain't warm. You gotta go medium or high output.
 
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Re: Where do I go from here?

GOB said:
It's been a while since I've been around here.

Last time, you guys gave me some awesome advice on a set of pickups for an LP. I ended up getting a full Jazz set (bridge and neck).

They've been awesome so far. I love the Jazz neck so much... by far my favorite neck pickup ever.

The bridge is awesome, I love the clarity, BUT, I've been finding myself wanting something a bit fuller with more low end to it.
Click to expand...


Alnico II Pro.

same pickup with a different magnet. or just change the magnet.
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

Clint 55 said:
Regardless of how a vintage output pup is voiced, it won't sound warm in bridge position. You need either medium or high output if you don't want a drastic change from bassy to tinny switching from neck to bridge. I've tried those pups that sound very warm in the neck position including Alnico 2, Seth, Phat Cat in the bridge position and they ain't warm. You gotta go medium or high output.
Click to expand...

Most neck pups sound less warm when used in the bridge position, and vice versa.

You don't need to go medium or high output to get a warm pup. And magnets can make a big difference as well.
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

darthphineas said:
Alnico II Pro.

same pickup with a different magnet. or just change the magnet.
Click to expand...

You might also think about trying an A8 mag in your Jazz. Smooth highs, less scoop and more lows without adding flab or vintagey attack- A8 generally feels big and strong and pretty modern. More output too, and should balance well in middle position. One drawback of overwound bridge pickups is that in middle position the neck pickup can tend to dominate because it has lower resistance. Using a stronger magnet with the stock Jazz coils gives you extra fatness & output without altering the impedance.

If you order an A2 mag to try, IMO for a couple of dollars it's worth getting an A8 also.

EDIT: Full disclosure- I haven't tried the A8 in a Jazz bridge myself. But it's an absolute KILLER in a 59b. And a Screamin Demon. I'm planning on trying one in my Seymourizer too.
 
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Re: Where do I go from here?

GuitarDoc said:
Most neck pups sound less warm when used in the bridge position, and vice versa.

You don't need to go medium or high output to get a warm pup. And magnets can make a big difference as well.
Click to expand...

The Seth and Phat Cat that I tried in bridge position were both bridge models. Both extremely warm in the neck position, but in the bridge position were almost unusable for me. Going from 8k in the neck to 8.5k in the bridge ain't gonna do it. If you want the bridge pup to fill out as well as the neck, 10k like the Demon is almost there, but I think 12k like the 59/C5 hybrid is the minimum for full warm tone that will match the neck. Switching the bridge pup from a Jazz to an Alnico 2 won't accomplish much except add to the OP's collection of neck humbuckers (2 jazzes and an Alnico 2).
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

Clint 55 said:
The Seth and Phat Cat that I tried in bridge position were both bridge models. Both extremely warm in the neck position, but in the bridge position were almost unusable for me. Going from 8k in the neck to 8.5k in the bridge ain't gonna do it. If you want the bridge pup to fill out as well as the neck, 10k like the Demon is almost there, but I think 12k like the 59/C5 hybrid is the minimum for full warm tone that will match the neck. Switching the bridge pup from a Jazz to an Alnico 2 won't accomplish much except add to the OP's collection of neck humbuckers (2 jazzes and an Alnico 2).
Click to expand...

You keep focussed on this idea that the only way to get "warmer" is to go with a higher output/resistance pup. And while it is generally true that more resistance also creates more mids/warmth, it is not the only way to get warmth. Plus it is also generally true that with greater resistance in the pup you get more overdrive/distortion. In the OP's first post (I hope you read it) he said "I want something that will retain a lot of that clarity I love". So, preferably we want to keep the output/resistance as low as possible while increasing the mids and getting a big tight low end. Therefore, a 59b, Jazz b, or Slash b, with an A8 mag might be a great way to go. The Demon with an A8 is also a great pup...one of my favorites.
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

Yes I read GOB's first post, I was the first one to reply. Those pickups could work, but the main reason why there's such a difference in balance between the jazz neck and bridge is output. It's not eq. The fullest 6-8k neck pickups' bridge counterparts are still going to sound thin and vintage if the output isn't increased at least 50% from the neck in my opinion. Also, I think more output = less clarity is much more of a myth than more output = more warmth. Bridge pickups that will have fullness, tight bass, and clarity are ones like the 59/C5 hybrid, or the C5, or the Full Shred.

Full Shred. Tight bass, clarity, correct amount of output:

 
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Re: Where do I go from here?

A 59 can be for sure boomy enough that it's a bit tough to call "bright," without making that exception. Low resistance/output doesn't always mean bright; I learned that from a set of APS singles. I replaced them with a set of 14k custom wound "high output" singles which were much brighter/clearer at the same time. Apples/oranges to humbuckers but...

I also gave as an example the Diamondback, and I'll elaborate: it's an alnico 2 pickup ~8k so pretty "vintage" output without seeming lacking at all, it has a bit of the scooped characteristic of the Jazz bridge, but much more bass, and MUCH less high end; that is a dark pickup relative to most other humbuckers. It doesn't have a huge amount of character, but it's a very good pickup.

Since the Jazz bridge was mentioned and OP seems to want to switch away from it, I'll comment that it's indeed quite the bright pickup; it has *full,* loose, harmonic bass, that can sound big if you boost it the right way, but it's dwarfed by the treble content. Although that treble itself is a bit "soft" and not over-edgy, and the pickup as a whole sounds balanced, it's still bright.

Since it was brought up with respect to a Magnet swap, I'll comment on an A5 Demon as well; a LOT more focused, tight bass than the Jazz bridge, but you balance that against a bit more treble. That might be a good pick because it's similar in ways to the Jazz bridge (other than a quicker attack,) if you don't mind rolling back your amp/tone. I personally love the Demon and don't think it needs a magnet swap, maybe I'll try it someday though.
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

Just an update if anyone is interested

I went with a 59/custom. Just installed it a few days ago. So far it's good. Definitely fuller and less bright than the Jazz bridge. I'm not completely sure I'm 100% sold on it yet. It seems to have a little more sizzle in the highs than I like, and I'm trying to get used to a bit looser feel in the lows. But I'm gonna give it some time and a few gigs before making a final judgement. Definitely has a lot going on that I like
 
Re: Where do I go from here?

The 59/C is a great pickup, but it does have some sizzle happening up top. An A4 mag would smooth the highs a little and tighten up the lows if you still find them a bit loose after trying it for a while. Still, I suspect it'll grow on you the way it did for me. I'd intended to swap mags in mine at first (to UA5; I like the slightly vintage feel) but after playing it for awhile, decided I love it just the way it is. For my taste, a nearly perfect pickup.
 
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