Which pickup for a Yamaha SA2200?

[Karlos]

Don't forget the strings and the pick, other cheaper-to-modify options to alter your sound.

I use tomastik 0.13 and Dunlop 207 jazz picks, do you have any recommendations for picks?

[Karlos]

Will an Ibanez af 2000 go in the direction I'm looking for in sound?

[medblues]

I use tomastik 0.13 and Dunlop 207 jazz picks, do you have any recommendations for picks?

If they are flatwound, that is perfect. I use D'Andrea Pro Plec 358 or D'Addario Black Ice. Your Dunlops are probably fine too. But using the rounder corner of the pickup and picking nearer the neck will definitely give you a warmer sound with any pickup. The next cheapest adjustment is the amp EQ obviously.

[Karlos]

If they are flatwound, that is perfect. I use D'Andrea Pro Plec 358 or D'Addario Black Ice. Your Dunlops are probably fine too. But using the rounder corner of the pickup and picking nearer the neck will definitely give you a warmer sound with any pickup. The next cheapest adjustment is the amp EQ obviously.

dv mark jazz 12 tono 2 med basso 7 volume 5

[Karlos]

dv mark jazz 12 tono 2 med basso 7 volume 5

Medi 5

[medblues]

dv mark jazz 12 tono 2 med basso 7 volume 5

I have an SA2200 too and I am very happy with its jazz tone with all my amps, your settings sound OK but you can still experiment more to make it warmer. For example, Jim Hall turns the amp all the way up and adjusts the volume from the guitar.

[Karlos]

I have an SA2200 too and I am very happy with its jazz tone with all my amps, your settings sound OK but you can still experiment more to make it warmer. For example, Jim Hall turns the amp all the way up and adjusts the volume from the guitar.

What neck pickup height do you have? Do you know if the ibanez af 2000 neck is similar to Yamaha?

[Karlos]

I was wondering if it would be more cost effective to invest the money in a new guitar or get the most out of mine and buy a new henriksen type amp?

[Karlos]

Help me, I have this option to choose, the goal is the best jazz sound, warm, smooth. 1 :yamaha sa2200 +henriksen bud/blu 10... 2:ibanez af 2000 +dv mark jazz 12. Which option do you prefer? I play only at home. Thanks.

[bluejaybill]

Help me, I have this option to choose, the goal is the best jazz sound, warm, smooth. 1 :yamaha sa2200 +henriksen bud/blu 10... 2:ibanez af 2000 +dv mark jazz 12. Which option do you prefer? I play only at home. Thanks.

Speaking for myself, I have the DV Little Jazz, those amps should not be the problem for getting a good warm jazz sound, and I doubt that a Henriksen would be that much better. The DV"s sure already made to have a jazz sound, hence the name.

If you like the guitar anyway besides this issue, neck shape is good and body is comfortable, this is what I'd try:

1. Lower pickup to flush with the pickup ring, only raise if it sounds weak
2. Lower the screws to level.
3. Raise screws only for weak strings
4. Pick over the neck pickup or end of fingerboard, and don't pick too hard. Many jazz guitarists pick very lightly, I have heard Julian Lage for one talk about that
5. Consider a pickup swap, or:
6. Look for a full body arch top if all of that doesn't do it for you, and maybe keep the semi for other styles

[2bornot2bop]

Back to the Ibanez AF2000. Every guitar is going to sound different. I wouldn’t expect a semi hollow to sound like an archtop. They’re 2 different designs.

What happened with the Heritage 575? Too much money?

It’s a pity because there was a time when you could have acquired one used for as low as $1200. Unfortunately they’ve almost tripled in price for a used 575. All archtop’s have gone up in price, especially Gibson’s, even though they say that young people aren’t interested in them. I don’t get it.

[Karlos]

Yes too high price for used heritage.

[DawgBone]

Help me, I have this option to choose, the goal is the best jazz sound, warm, smooth. 1 :yamaha sa2200 +henriksen bud/blu 10... 2:ibanez af 2000 +dv mark jazz 12. Which option do you prefer? I play only at home. Thanks.

Just my two cents but you want a nice smooth warm tone and you are looking at some gross solid state amps. I'd chuck both of those down a staircase and get a decent tube amp. I know my opinions are bombastic, it's for effect.

[2bornot2bop]

Just my two cents but you want a nice smooth warm tone and you are looking at some gross solid state amps. I'd chuck both of those down a staircase and get a decent tube amp. I know my opinions are bombastic, it's for effect.

Your opinions are right up my alley. I’ve always preferred, and had, tube amps. I prefer tube amps in my home audio gear too.

Another point is, the OP professes to only use his guitar for home use. That’s another reason I own a large tube amp.

I’ve had a Heritage Twin, Fender Twin, Fender Custom 15, Headstrong Twin with an Alnico and Weber ceramic, and now I own a Rivera. I simply can’t find a sound that compares to a good tube amp. But again, I’m biased towards tubes.

I’d start with buying a nice used tube amplifier, first.

There’s a reason the old greats used them. It’s the sound of yesteryear, today.

[DawgBone]

Your opinions are right up my alley. I’ve always preferred, and had, tube amps. I prefer tube amps in my home audio gear too.

Another point is, the OP professes to only use his guitar for home use. That’s another reason I own a large tube amp.

I’ve had a Heritage Twin, Fender Twin, Fender Custom 15, Headstrong Twin with an Alnico and Weber ceramic, and now I own a Rivera. I simply can’t find a sound that compares to a good tube amp. But again, I’m biased towards tubes.

I’d start with buying a nice used tube amplifier, first.

There’s a reason the old greats used them. It’s the sound of yesteryear, today.

I've always wanted to try one of those Riviera Jazz Supremas with the 15" but I've never seen one in person. Tell me about yours. Can it also do nice driven tones?

[2bornot2bop]

I've always wanted to try one of those Riviera Jazz Supremas with the 15" but I've never seen one in person. Tell me about yours. Can it also do nice driven tones?

Yes, it does it all. But I’ve only used it for clean tones. And being honest I should have stayed with either the Headstrong or the Fender Custom 15 with the 15” woofer. Each was super clean, and the Alnico was even warmer.

But I was curious about the Rivera so sold the others. I don’t regret it. But still my preference would be for the Headstrong with the Alnico. It was special.

[Karlos]

Just my two cents but you want a nice smooth warm tone and you are looking at some gross solid state amps. I'd chuck both of those down a staircase and get a decent tube amp. I know my opinions are bombastic, it's for effect.

Sorry, but could you suggest me a good tube amp for home use? I'm not an expert on tubes! I see that many go in another direction.

[Karlos]

Speaking for myself, I have the DV Little Jazz, those amps should not be the problem for getting a good warm jazz sound, and I doubt that a Henriksen would be that much better. The DV"s sure already made to have a jazz sound, hence the name.

If you like the guitar anyway besides this issue, neck shape is good and body is comfortable, this is what I'd try:

1. Lower pickup to flush with the pickup ring, only raise if it sounds weak
2. Lower the screws to level.
3. Raise screws only for weak strings
4. Pick over the neck pickup or end of fingerboard, and don't pick too hard. Many jazz guitarists pick very lightly, I have heard Julian Lage for one talk about that
5. Consider a pickup swap, or:
6. Look for a full body arch top if all of that doesn't do it for you, and maybe keep the semi for other styles

What do you mean by tip number 3 exactly? The individual screws of the magnets? Is there any danger in turning too much?

[DawgBone]

Yes, it does it all. But I’ve only used it for clean tones. And being honest I should have stayed with either the Headstrong or the Fender Custom 15 with the 15” woofer. Each was super clean, and the Alnico was even warmer.

But I was curious about the Rivera so sold the others. I don’t regret it. But still my preference would be for the Headstrong with the Alnico. It was special.

That's a beautiful setup right there......

[2bornot2bop]

Sorry, but could you suggest me a good tube amp for home use? I'm not an expert on tubes! I see that many go in another direction.

There’s no consensus for guitars or gear. Some prefer a traditional tube sound, others experiment with digital or other amplification.

For tubes I’d suggest a Fender Deluxe Reverb amplifier. It’s small enough to easily transport or simply used as a home amplifier. They’re available used for $900 and below. Although, I prefer the Twin because it uses 2 speakers, and provides a traditional jazz guitar clean tone.

[Cunamara]

You're not allowed to spend a little money on a new pickup that will make your guitar nicer to you because the audience won't hear the difference? The audience can't tell the difference between a guitar and a bass guitar. And it's ok to spend 5k on a Gibson guitar but you can't spend $100 on a pickup? Breh.

Stop putting words in my mouth. I didn't say you couldn't. Your guitar, your money, your choice. Is the audience going to hear the difference? Almost certainly not. Are your bandmates going to hear the difference? My experience tells me no. Listening back to recordings of gigs, even I can't always tell the difference between which of my guitars I'm playing, let alone which pickup is in it. But if you think that expenditure is worth it to you, by all means go ahead.

But I guess freedom and clarity of thought is no longer allowed.

[DawgBone]

Sorry, but could you suggest me a good tube amp for home use? I'm not an expert on tubes! I see that many go in another direction.

I'd be happy to but I need to know your budget so I can make a decent recommendation based on what you have available to spend.

[DawgBone]

What do you mean by tip number 3 exactly? The individual screws of the magnets? Is there any danger in turning too much?

Yes, he means raising the individual screws of the magnets. You don't need to turn them a long way. Maybe two or three turns outwards at most. I like to lower my pickups way down and raise the pole pieces up a good bit then reduce the height of those that are wolfy or overpowered. With it plugged in, you will hear it. This is a learning and experimenting process.

My personal opinion is that guitar probably has some pretty good pickups in it from the factory. It's a beautiful axe. I've had Gibsons, Epiphones, Edwards, etc but I love Yamaha stuff too. Always wanted one of those but never have the dough.

[2bornot2bop]

I’ve not owned the Yamaha SA2200, because I’m not a semi hollow guy.

But I’ve owned 3 Yamaha AE-1200S arch tops. They probably possessed one of the finest fretboards I’ve ever played. Just absolutely perfect. Yamaha built absolutely fine guitars, dating back at least to the early 80’s.

[DawgBone]

I’ve not owned the Yamaha SA2200, because I’m not a semi hollow guy.

But I’ve owned 3 Yamaha AE-1200S arch tops. They probably possessed one of the finest fretboards I’ve ever played. Just absolutely perfect. Yamaha built absolutely fine guitars, dating back at least to the early 80’s.

Nice! I was this close to grabbing one of those but wound up with a Guild X-170. Needless to say I am a semi hollow man and needed the upper fret access.