Best Jazz Guitar Pickups?

**jason30** · 08-14-2009, 07:08 PM

Hi Fellow Guitarist!

I play a Gibson ES-137, with 12 gauge strings. I have a Seymour Duncan SH-2 jazz model humbucker in the neck. Is there another pickup out there that any of you could recommend that will give me a fatter tone.. a pickup thats in a class of its own.. not that the Seymour doesnt sound ok, im just looking for a much bigger and jazzier tone.. what do you guys think?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-14-2009, 09:17 PM

How about a Charlie Christian:

or a P-90 style?

**jason30** · 08-14-2009, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

How about a Charlie Christian:

or a P-90 style?

Thanks BigDaddyLoveHandles!!

I checked out the link you gave me, and i love the sound of that pickup! My only question is whether or not the humbucker version will sound as good in my gibson as the single coil does in the tele? Thanks for your help!!!

jason30

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-14-2009, 11:24 PM

I've learned to let go of the humbuckers. Look! Over ther! A 137 with P-90's!

**bluemood** · 08-14-2009, 11:34 PM

I would like try out these P90 when they come out Kinman - Hx-90

**Stackabones** · 08-14-2009, 11:54 PM

P90s FTW!!! Especially when you run both at the same time -- you can find some amazing tones.

**theo** · 08-15-2009, 03:35 AM

+1 for the p90. and in case you want ist darker, just turn down the tone

Check out www.haeussel.com . His p90 in humucker dimensions seem to have a very good reputation.

**bkdavidson** · 08-15-2009, 04:22 AM

I'd have to cast a vote for keeping the humbuckers. I have a 135 LE (the guitar yours replaced) with Gibson '57 Classics and it along with any other 135 with those pickups is just about the best sounding guitar I've ever heard.

**jason30** · 08-15-2009, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Stackabones

P90s FTW!!! Especially when you run both at the same time -- you can find some amazing tones.

Alot of ppl are going with P90's, but i know nothing about these pickups and would have to do lots of research b4 moving aay from the humbuckers..

**jason30** · 08-15-2009, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by bkdavidson

I'd have to cast a vote for keeping the humbuckers. I have a 135 LE (the guitar yours replaced) with Gibson '57 Classics and it along with any other 135 with those pickups is just about the best sounding guitar I've ever heard.

I too, love the 57's, and they are hard to beat. I have a 57 in another hollowbody and im not really wanting to go with the same pickup in the 137. But like you said, im laning towards staying with the humbuckers because i like the way they sound.

**mongrel** · 08-15-2009, 08:20 AM

It depends on what tones you're going for. I replaced the stock humbuckers on my Epiphone Joe Pass with Vintage Vibe HCC single coil blade pickups wound soft--5.5 kOhm neck & 6 k bridge. The guitar went from typical cheap humbucker mud to real hi-fi throughout the audio range I am able to hear. The murky boomy lows are gone and it gets better the louder you play them. Your amps and effects will play a large part, also. I would love to get another JP and fit it with old Gibson P-90's but that is another tone altogether.

**bird.land** · 08-15-2009, 08:54 AM

Any comments on the P100s? I have the Gibson 135 fitted with them. I must say I get a very nice tone from them.

**derek** · 08-15-2009, 11:19 AM

I have to say that the SD Jazz is one of my least favorite of their pups. Pretty bright, and poorly named imo. I am a big fan of the Gibby 57 Classic.

**whiskywheels** · 08-15-2009, 12:11 PM

+1 on the 57 classics, which would certainly give you a fat tone, and, erm, a classic tone, great for jazz imho.
Did you ever have the guitar with the original pups? I sometimes think that different pups may not suit all guitars, and that high end manufacturers like Gibson possibly produce the instrument with the most suitable pups.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-15-2009, 12:45 PM

If you are going to go humbucker, it's hard to beat a 57 classic.

But here's my daydream: wouldn't it be cool if you could change pickups as easily as you change blades in a razor? What if a pickup manufacturer invented a holder that let you slide in a version of their P-90, Charlie Christian, '57 classic...

If it caught on, it could become a standard as other manufacturers made pickups that slid into the base as well.

**Tom Karol** · 08-15-2009, 12:49 PM

BDLH -

Wow! I want that gold ES137 with the black P90s! May I have it please?

Thanks, TLK.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-15-2009, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

BDLH -

Wow! I want that gold ES137 with the black P90s! May I have it please?

Thanks, TLK.

Sure thing: just do an google for images of 137's. That's how I found the image

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-15-2009, 12:55 PM

I had to admit to a bit of shallowness here. As much as I respect the P-90 tone, the pickups, especially the white or cream "dog-ears" can look really cheap on some guitars, in a "Harmony from the Sears catalog" sort of way.

The black look much better on most guitars, imho.

Archie · 08-15-2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

If you are going to go humbucker, it's hard to beat a 57 classic.

But here's my daydream: wouldn't it be cool if you could change pickups as easily as you change blades in a razor? What if a pickup manufacturer invented a holder that let you slide in a version of their P-90, Charlie Christian, '57 classic...

If it caught on, it could become a standard as other manufacturers made pickups that slid into the base as well.

The Ampeg Dan Armstrong series guitars did that years ago. I see they're available again:

Ampeg: Dan Armstrong Series - Guitar

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-15-2009, 04:19 PM

Cool! Do they make a plexiglas archtop?

Archie · 08-15-2009, 05:56 PM

That would be interesting. Maybe one with lights inside.

**jason30** · 08-15-2009, 06:15 PM

Thank you all for all the positive feedback on the pickup question I posted. I learning that there are so many variables in making the right pup selection and the right choice cant be made over night without lots of research and feedback.

Derek, the SD jazz model pup sounds pretty good, but i'll have to agree with you, compared to the other pups that i've heard, its a little short on being what i call, a "jazz" pup.

i have 57 classics in another guitar, but was looking for another great pup to put in the 137 to change up my sound!

Thanks again and the positive feedback in very much so appreciated!

jason30

**g.lawless** · 08-16-2009, 03:08 AM

If you're looking to try something other than a '57 Classic you might consider Lindy Fralin's humbuckers. To my ear (in my 335) Fralin's neck humbucker (8K) is fatter and warmer, and the bridge pup (9K) is smoother and way less snarly than the '57 pair.
These look interesting also The New PBF Guitar Pickups

**jason30** · 08-17-2009, 08:40 PM

Thanks to all of you for the information that you provided on chosing the right pup! I made my decision today.. and the winner was??

57 classic!!!! This pickup rocks!! I love it in this guitar!!! It has a very warm and smooth tone, that makes it hard to stop playing! I LUV IT!

thanks again for all the help!

jason30