Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
- Thread starter Helios
- Start date
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
+1. I started using Duncans in the late '80s and tried almost every neck pickup they made except for the Jazz. Only reason I never tried it was the name. I play Classic rock & blues; always figured the Jazz would be dark and overly-clean. Ended up getting one in a bulk pickup purchase and tried it in a Les Paul out of curiosity. It has now joined the A2P & Classic '57 as my favorite neck pups.
I'm surprised that others consider it thin and lifeless. I get fat, warm, saturated tone out of that pickup, with just a bit of edge when I play it with some gain. Gives me a good "Eat a Peach" tone, like the solos on Blue Sky. I've never tried a Jazz bridge but I suppose I should.
+1. I started using Duncans in the late '80s and tried almost every neck pickup they made except for the Jazz. Only reason I never tried it was the name. I play Classic rock & blues; always figured the Jazz would be dark and overly-clean. Ended up getting one in a bulk pickup purchase and tried it in a Les Paul out of curiosity. It has now joined the A2P & Classic '57 as my favorite neck pups.
I'm surprised that others consider it thin and lifeless. I get fat, warm, saturated tone out of that pickup, with just a bit of edge when I play it with some gain. Gives me a good "Eat a Peach" tone, like the solos on Blue Sky. I've never tried a Jazz bridge but I suppose I should.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
I didn't find it thin. I played a JB/Jazz combo in an Epi LP Std. I think the thing I didn't like about it was that there wasn't anything going on. It was good pickup but there was nothing special about it. I'm very progressive though.
I didn't find it thin. I played a JB/Jazz combo in an Epi LP Std. I think the thing I didn't like about it was that there wasn't anything going on. It was good pickup but there was nothing special about it. I'm very progressive though.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
In all honesty I love the JB. Youd actually have to pry a JB out of my cold dead hands for my Jacksons . The Jazz is a great pickup..its a legend in the pickup hall of fame with only maybe 10-12 other great original pioneering legendary pickups..and folks, we are talking all time here, like eternity! Like Alexander the Great... but with pickups!!!
Of course there are other excellent pickups developed later. Youve got to realize Seymours and Larry are true original pioneers,t he great legends of all time. I am astonished everyday to think i live in the same time space as these great legends still! its an exremely humbling experience.
If you dont know , every boo-tique pickup maker owes so much of his knowledge to one or both of two great timeless legends of our own time..Larry Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan.
About the jazz? I don't use it. I think its suppsed to be pumped up with Marshall Mids and maybe a screamer?
In all honesty I love the JB. Youd actually have to pry a JB out of my cold dead hands for my Jacksons . The Jazz is a great pickup..its a legend in the pickup hall of fame with only maybe 10-12 other great original pioneering legendary pickups..and folks, we are talking all time here, like eternity! Like Alexander the Great... but with pickups!!!
Of course there are other excellent pickups developed later. Youve got to realize Seymours and Larry are true original pioneers,t he great legends of all time. I am astonished everyday to think i live in the same time space as these great legends still! its an exremely humbling experience.
If you dont know , every boo-tique pickup maker owes so much of his knowledge to one or both of two great timeless legends of our own time..Larry Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan.
About the jazz? I don't use it. I think its suppsed to be pumped up with Marshall Mids and maybe a screamer?
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Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
...mostly Seymour.
...mostly Seymour.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
haha. ok.i think Seymour probably would say Larry has has some significance also.
haha. ok.i think Seymour probably would say Larry has has some significance also.
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
I tried out the jazz neck in a few different jacksons. It sounded great, much better than stock pickups...
I tried out the jazz neck in a few different jacksons. It sounded great, much better than stock pickups...
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
this is an old thread! i dont mind the jazz neck, good clear, bright neck pickup!
this is an old thread! i dont mind the jazz neck, good clear, bright neck pickup!
Oceano
New member
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
I think it has to do with the fact that the pickup is very clean sounding even with gain. Its a good pickup, but its not super colorful like a 59 or a PG or anything made by Gibson, which isn't necessarily a bad thing just definitely not for everyone.
I think it has to do with the fact that the pickup is very clean sounding even with gain. Its a good pickup, but its not super colorful like a 59 or a PG or anything made by Gibson, which isn't necessarily a bad thing just definitely not for everyone.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
I like it. I use it. I wouldn't swap it. Perfect for an archtop.
Clear, articulate, responsive - unforgiving.
What you play is what you get.
But not all pickups suit all styles of playing. JBs are good too for some stuff. So are invaders. What is important in a pickup is if it suits the sound and musical vocabulary you are working with.
I like it. I use it. I wouldn't swap it. Perfect for an archtop.
Clear, articulate, responsive - unforgiving.
What you play is what you get.
But not all pickups suit all styles of playing. JBs are good too for some stuff. So are invaders. What is important in a pickup is if it suits the sound and musical vocabulary you are working with.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
It def can tame an overlay dark/boomy neck position on a singlecut style guitar.
Sounds much better in all mahogany or alder vs. maple caps, basswood, etc.
Still as others have said, I feel it lacks ..character?....life?....a voice?? it doesn't sound bad, it just doesn't sound all that good either-very utilitarian. The JazzB in the neck sounds a bit better, and I actually liked the DD version I had in my MIC Hamer STD best: it sounded warmer than a USA Jazz does.
It def can tame an overlay dark/boomy neck position on a singlecut style guitar.
Sounds much better in all mahogany or alder vs. maple caps, basswood, etc.
Still as others have said, I feel it lacks ..character?....life?....a voice?? it doesn't sound bad, it just doesn't sound all that good either-very utilitarian. The JazzB in the neck sounds a bit better, and I actually liked the DD version I had in my MIC Hamer STD best: it sounded warmer than a USA Jazz does.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
+1. I know it has it's uses, but it's very bland to me, and one PU that has no business being part of a 'hot rodded' set.
+1. I know it has it's uses, but it's very bland to me, and one PU that has no business being part of a 'hot rodded' set.
eschoendorff
New member
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
I have the Jazz N in a couple of Vs - on basswood and one mahogany.
When I am playing, I don't even think about the name of the pickup. I just dial in a sound I like and go. Never had a problem finding a good usable sound with the Jazz N.
Works for me..
I have the Jazz N in a couple of Vs - on basswood and one mahogany.
When I am playing, I don't even think about the name of the pickup. I just dial in a sound I like and go. Never had a problem finding a good usable sound with the Jazz N.
Works for me..
LtKojak
New member
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
Just put an A4 magnet in it and the "mojo" will appair...
The biggest reason for not having so much love for the JazzNs is because of the '59N, which's just the "perfect neck p'up". You can't get a bad sound from it, not even willingly.
The JazzN OTOH, is simply NOT for every taste.
Just put an A4 magnet in it and the "mojo" will appair...
The biggest reason for not having so much love for the JazzNs is because of the '59N, which's just the "perfect neck p'up". You can't get a bad sound from it, not even willingly.
The JazzN OTOH, is simply NOT for every taste.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
CajunBlues
New member
Re: Why no love for the Jazz Neck?
I am a jazz player... and I had this pickup at one time and it lacked some warmth.... It was very clear but so what... My favorites for jazz are still to this day the 57 Classic (490R is the same thing IMHO) and Guild's stock pickup.... The 57 classic has both clarity and warmth... The Guild is super warm but it's output could use a boost...
I am a jazz player... and I had this pickup at one time and it lacked some warmth.... It was very clear but so what... My favorites for jazz are still to this day the 57 Classic (490R is the same thing IMHO) and Guild's stock pickup.... The 57 classic has both clarity and warmth... The Guild is super warm but it's output could use a boost...
